Chapter - The Final Request

Inside the Special Interrogation Room of the Awakened Management Bureau.

Daniela, an investigator from INTERPOL’s Awakened Crimes Task Force (ECTF), cast a sidelong glance at the mirror on the wall.

Beyond the glass, Jin Siwon and his team would be watching.

After all, sitting in front of her was none other than Alex von Bach, the underworld giant Jin Siwon had apprehended.

Daniela had rushed to Korea after hearing that Jin Siwon had nabbed him at the airport.

Alex tugged against the chain, making the cuffs rattle uncomfortably.

[“Doesn’t look like those frail little arms of yours will break them. Why not give it up?”]

At Daniela’s sneer, he slammed his cuffed hands on the table with a loud bang.

[“Fuck.”]

Unbothered by his curses, Daniela asked,

[“Did you come to Korea to escape Amakusa Reiji?”]

[“Did I? Should I be honored that someone like Reiji would hunt me down? But too bad—that’s not why I came here.”]

[“Otherwise, why drag yourself all the way from Mexico to this far-off country? Trying to puff up your pride?”]

[“Do you actually want to talk, or just piss me off?”]

Daniela laughed brightly.

[“Both. Reiji must’ve been hunting you like a rat to kill you, but looks like you’ve clung to life. Congrats.”]

She even clapped, and Alex placed a hand over his chest in mock grandeur.

[“How generous of you, Daniela. Thanks a fucking lot for the congratulations.”]

Daniela chuckled.

He acted indifferent, but before long, his legs began bouncing.

Of course he was anxious.

Had Reiji ever failed a contract before?

It must feel like death was breathing down his neck.

[“Reiji will come. He always finds his prey.”]

When Daniela murmured lowly, Alex’s eyes flashed.

[“Well, well. Generous Daniela. Seems what you really wanted to know was about Reiji, not me.”]

And when he continued, Daniela’s eyes narrowed sharply.

[“Didn’t Reiji kill your precious little friend?”]

Her expression went cold.

[“......My friend is only missing.”]

[“Do you really believe that? As if Reiji would neatly leave your friend ‘missing’?”]

[“Funny how you suddenly know so much. A minute ago you acted like you knew nothing.”]

[“That friend of yours used to be my lab partner. We worked together on a project. Of course I know.”]

He chuckled, and she dropped her gaze.

The truth was, the reason she had rushed to Korea wasn’t just Alex—it was to trace Reiji’s whereabouts.

Publicly, she said she was searching for her missing friend, but inside she was 99% sure Reiji had killed her.

Her dearest soulmate had been one of the researchers in Project Wilderness.

But if that was true...

[“You do know Reiji has been killing every single researcher from Project Wilderness, don’t you? You’re the last one left.”]

[“Is that so?”]

Alex shrugged, feigning ignorance.

[“Before the others died, didn’t any of them try to contact you?”]

[“Heh, I can say for sure we weren’t exactly on speaking terms. It was a long time ago anyway....”]

He folded his arms as if mulling it over.

Ever since On Ijo ascended to the 90th floor and never descended again, the project had fizzled and ultimately failed.

When the collapse came, the researchers scattered.

Top scientists from around the world had joined for the sole purpose of carrying on On Ijo’s power. Naturally, each wanted to keep the data and try to implement it themselves.

Not that Alex ever cared.

From the beginning, he’d been leaking research files into the underworld.

On Ijo’s research data?

He’d sensed money in it.

And he was right.

Countless people had died in the shadows because of those leaked files, but that wasn’t his problem.

As he amassed dirty money and On Ijo never returned, the researchers began to scatter. That was when he fully planted himself in the underworld.

He realized he loved profit more than research.

He had simply found his true calling.

Alex rubbed his cuff-chafed wrists.

Just a little longer, and he’d be rid of these shackles—and this arrogant INTERPOL agent.

Soon, his partners would come to bust him out.

Plenty of powerful people would panic if he opened his mouth about the things he knew.

So the real danger wasn’t Korea’s Jin Siwon, or INTERPOL’s Daniela.

It was Amakusa Reiji.

Alex slammed his foot against the table in irritation.

[“Hey! What about food? You’re supposed to feed me before this shit.”]

[“Alex von Bach.”]

[“Food! Give me food! I’m starving!”]

Bang, bang, bang!

So he had nothing more useful to say. Daniela folded her arms.

[“I’ll be back, Alex von Bach. Eat well, stay alive—and keep your face hidden so Reiji doesn’t find you.”]

Grind. Alex clenched his teeth.

[“Sure, Daniela. And in the meantime, I hope you find that missing friend of yours.”]

“......”

Daniela shot to her feet.

Behind her, Alex’s laughter followed, jeering.

Biting down on her lip, she pushed open the interrogation room door.

“Thank you for your work.”

Waiting outside was Jin Siwon, glasses perched on his face.

He greeted her with a smiling nod, and Daniela adjusted her translator, smiling back.

“Thank you for the cooperation of Korea’s Awakened Management Bureau, Team Leader Jin. By the way, would it be alright if I visited a few more times?”

There were still things she wanted to ask. But more than that, her gut told her Reiji would come to Korea to find Alex.

If she wanted to meet Reiji, she had to be here. And she needed a reason.

Interrogating Alex was the perfect excuse to give her superiors.

Jin Siwon replied smoothly, as if reading her thoughts.

“As long as you don’t ask us to leave the room, you’re welcome anytime.”

“As the one asking a favor, I wouldn’t dare go that far.”

It was true—because of personal matters, it was uncomfortable to conduct such interrogations openly. But she was here asking Korea for help, after all.

Daniela smiled bitterly at that thought.

“Ah, Investigator. Please wait a moment.”

Jin Siwon suddenly brightened as he spotted someone behind her.

“Guildmastuh On!”

Guildmastuh On? No way. Daniela turned—and her eyes widened.

'On Jurim?!'

Tall, striking, with that glove on his left hand.

The very same On Jurim she had only ever seen through screens.

Daniela stared in fascination as he greeted Jin Siwon like an old acquaintance.

'They’re close?'

Even if he had defected to Korea, their lines of work were so different she hadn’t thought they’d have any contact at all.

She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the two speaking so familiarly.

That was On Jurim.

The legend of the Tower. The strongest of the present age, without question.

Scandal clung to him, yes—but as an Awakened, he was an idol. And personally, she had always wanted to know more about him.

'Should I at least introduce myself?'

Daniela was still debating when—

“Here, take this.”

Jin Siwon handed Jurim a mascot costume set.

Jurim accepted it, glaring at him sourly.

It was the Management Bureau’s tiger mascot costume.

The only remarkable thing about it was how ugly it was—like something Guru would’ve made.

“Is this really the only one?”

“Well, you can pick another from the costume room. They all look about the same, though.”

Jurim looked at him like he wanted to punch that smiling face.

“......Fine. I’ll take this one.”

With a tone of sheer annoyance, Jurim began pulling on the hideous tiger suit.

Daniela’s jaw dropped at the unbelievable sight.

Even in America, On Jurim’s foul temper was famous.

'On Jurim... that On Jurim... why the hell is he wearing a mascot suit?'