Chapter 15


    It has been revealed that Jung Ju-ho had quietly been tracking down the whereabouts of the culprit responsible for the recent massive disappearance case.


    The appearance of an unidentified Level 8 viin was a big crisis that could lead to the downfall of a nation.


    After the massive disappearance incident of the viin organization Big Ten, Jung Ju-ho said that he had been cooperating with the National Intelligence Service to track down the Eraser, but failed to find any trace.


    But it wasnt without sess.


    Recently, we received information that the organizations in Siheung and Gunpo were holding a meeting. And we caught a glimpse of information that mentioned the Eraser. The League was also mentioned.


    ...!


    Everyones expression turned to shock.


    Even Jung Da-hyun did.


    Was it because of the Eraser? Or because of the word League?


    Before I could solve my doubts, Jung Ju-ho continued.


    Combining the words from both organizations, they said they knew about the Eraser. To verify if that is true and how much contact they have with the League, the Viin Response Teams from the two cities will move first. And we...


    Jung Ju-ho looked around and then spoke.


    Well catch the Eraser whoes out guided by the information.


    Director, we cant catch a level 8 viin.


    Im not telling you to catch them. The possibility of the Erasering out in the first ce is low. Were preparing for a worst-case scenario. If the Eraser appears, well have level 8 hunters moving as well.


    Everyones face lit up at those words.


    I sensed my colleagues trust in Level 8 hunters.


    Were Level 8 hunters really that amazing?


    I was curious about their level of expertise.


    Everyone, get ready.


    With that, the National Security Agency hunters began to move.


    ***


    We learned how the agency had been tracking down the Eraser after Jung Ju-hos deration.


    The NISs ultimate goal in pursuing the Erasers trail was reconciliation.


    A Level 8 viin was a walking disaster that could destroy an entire city if not handled properly.


    Although they were responsible for the massacre, those killed by the Eraser were also viins. Among them was the vice-mayor of Ansan, but the value of the Level 8 awakened beings was so high that it could be ignored.


    But as time passed, no trace of him could be found. Thest report was that they seemed to have vanished into thin air.


    Then, at a meeting of viins, the words League and Eraser appeared.


    Jung Ju-ho and the NIS judged that thebination of these two words could disrupt the order of South Korea.


    When they hear that their name is being used, the Eraser might appear.


    The possibility was not high.


    So, the viinous organizations were assigned to the Viin Response Teams in Siheung and Gunpo, with Jung Da-hyun as the main liaison and other members serving as backups.


    If the Eraser appears, never face them head-on. Make contact first and keep as far away as possible.


    That was all the mission we were given.


    While many of the viins inside the city were petty criminals, hunting them down on the outskirts of the city, in areas not controlled by the state, was more like a war.


    In particr, they are big yers in the ck market, making money selling firearms, demon hearts, and other byproducts.


    The way to weaken the viin organization was to eliminate this ck market. But it was difficult to intervene easily because the ck market had been formed to avoid thew and various interests were also intertwined.


    Cant we just use brute force? When I asked that, Jung Da-hyun shook her head.


    Then, Jung Ju-ho added, Theres no telling how much power there is in the ck market because its united by interests. Even viins who are against each other use the ck market to get things, so if you try to eliminate it, theyll join forces, which is contrary to the strategy of the National Security Agency.


    <em>Divide and conquer, make them distrustful, and subdue them without any harm.</em>


    That was the method of viin suppression advocated by the National Security Agency.


    From that perspective, ck market raids would unite viins, rather than divide them.


    However, I thought it was the most effective way to weaken the viins.


    If I am granted sole operational authority, I would like to try it. I will do my best.


    Why not me?


    Because you have to be promoted first, but Mr. Jun-ho has too many cases of excessive suppression, so its hard to get a promotion...


    I could definitely see why not.


    Ignoring that, there were two viin organizations holding a joint meeting on the border between Siheung City and Ansan City.


    Although the words Eraser and League were mentioned, the reason for the meeting was because of the demise of the Big Ten organization in Ansan.


    The viins started moving to fill the power vacuum.


    I and Jung Da-hyun waited on the outskirts of Siheung City.


    ...


    I was watching the situation as it was unfolding.


    I was concerned about the mention of Eraser at the meeting in Ansan.


    If it was a simple impersonation, I didnt care. When I was the Blood Master, there were countless people whomitted crimes in my name. They were eventually arrested by authorities or killed by me.


    But it was the evidence that might remain beyond my reach that was the problem.


    I worked pretty hard to clean it up.


    Honestly, I admit it.


    In the past, I was too crazy to hide or erase my tracks. Sometimes, when I came back to my senses, I erased them, but only to dy the chase a bit. It was hard to say that I had reached the level of an expert. So I didnt know if there was any trace left somewhere.


    In the end, I knew what I was going to do. Id check the information about Eraser from the viin meeting.


    Mr. Jun-ho, do you think Eraser will show up?


    I dont think so.


    I have the same thought.


    I remembered that Jung Da-hyun was in charge of that scene. Why did she think the Eraser wouldnt show up?


    The Eraser doesnt want his identity to be revealed, so he chose to evaporate rather than be bothered.


    ....


    They probably killed them all. We still havent found their bodies. Theyre a chillingly cruel and dangerous viin. We have to catch them.


    As I watched Jung Da-hyun speak with a stern expression, I remembered my past life.


    I wondered what would happen if it was revealed that I was the Eraser. Would she think I was a viin? I didnt want to find out.


    One thing became clear: there was no good that coulde from being found out.


    We havent received any radio transmissions since earlier.


    Thats right. What could have happened?


    Ill go check it out.


    How about waiting a little longer?


    I shook my head.


    Time is of the essence in this suppression mission. Ill go nearby and check it out. Ill let you know if anything happens.


    Okay.


    After getting Jung Da-hyuns approval, I opened the door and stepped outside.


    The chilly air prickled my skin. It seemed to chastise me for creating a false identity. I checked myms as I headed to the meeting.


    It was well past the appointed time, but I hadnt heard from them, and they hadnt responded to my calls.


    Then, as I approached the factory, I got a call.


    As expected, there was a problem. The caller urgently requested help, saying they couldnt make contact with this side. Upon seeing that the radio was dead, I started moving.


    As I arrived near the agreed-upon location, a person wearing tattered clothes and a blood-stained coat approached me.


    Are you the backup? Im Kwak Young-sik, the head of the Viin Response Team in Gunpo City.


    Im Choi Jun-ho from the Viin Task Force.


    Did youe alone?


    Yes. I came first because I couldnt contact themunication team.


    Ah!


    Kwak Young-siks face turned grim, as if sensing that theycked power.


    Hows the situation unfolding?


    We fell into an ambush. There were twice as many viins as the previous intel suggested. We fought hard, but over twenty people died, and thirty became prisoners.


    Did you see the Eraser?


    I didnt see anyone who could be them.


    Then it was a gathering of arge organization, and you were wiped out by the bait they threw out.


    Yes.


    Kwak Young-sik bowed his head.


    I watched him for a moment before speaking up.


    Can you guide me?


    Youre not going back?


    Ill confirm the number of viins first and report back. Ill need your guidance.


    Okay.


    I followed Kwak Young-siks reluctant guidance and arrived near the abandoned factory where the two viin organizations were located.


    It seemed that a battle had just taken ce, as fresh blood still clung to the cement floor.


    Over ten people were guarding outside the factory.


    The rest are inside. There are over 50 of them.


    I see.


    Are you not going to turn back now?


    My eyes met with Kwak Young-siks in mid-air. Knowing the constant anxiety that lingered beyond his pupils, I acted first.


    What are you doing?!


    Kwak Young-sik was shocked and tried to dodge, but my hand reached his stomach first.


    The powerfulndmine pierced through his skin and destroyed his ribs, organs, and spine.


    Unable to withstand the aftermath, Kwak Young-siks eyes trembled as he stared at his pierced stomach.


    You betrayed and sold out your colleagues.


    ...


    If youre someone who got betrayed over ten times, its easier to see.


    Without listening to my words until the end, Kwak Young-sik choked and copsed to the ground.


    I had learned that the mostmon way for a government hunter to die at the hands of viins was when there was a traitor among them. Kwak Young-sik had tried to dress himself up convincingly, but he couldnt control his emotions beyond his eyes.


    Now, I was ready to move alone.


    I cant.


    I tried to contact Jung Da-hyun via radio to secure more time, but there was no response.


    If I couldnt even contact her, I had to suspect radio interference and take action.


    That meant there wasnt much time left.


    There were about 50 viins.


    I was the only government hunter.


    This was a situation where unexpected idents were likely to happen.


    I need to handle this quickly.


    ***


    The thing that surprised me the most about bing a government hunter was that I valued the lives of viins much more than I thought I would.


    More precisely, I disliked it when state-affiliated awakened individuals were constantly in the news for excessive repression.


    So the best a government hunter could hope for was to capture them alive and well, the next best was to capture them unharmed, the third best was to capture them even if they were wounded, and the worst was for them to die or be missed during the capture.


    However, there were exceptions everywhere.


    During a covert operation, a government hunter could kill a viin on the spot if they felt that their life was in danger, and they wouldnt be criticized.


    As a government hunter, I had yet to officially kill a viin.


    So even if I killed all the viins here, wouldnt it be considered legitimate self-defense?


    After all, I did go to some pretty nasty lengths to capture them alive.


    Or not.


    I wasnt nning on letting them live to begin with.


    After dealing with the viins near the entrance, I didnt hesitate to move forward.


    Monster!


    The process of being initially enthusiastic to attack and then being ovee with fear after more than ten people were killed was the same. But they couldnt pass me, who was upying the entrance.


    I believed in repentance. But I think not everyone could repent.


    A miracle happened to me, and I went back to the past before Imitted a crime. But others didnt have that opportunity.


    Viins were just that - viins.


    Killing them to prevent idents was much more efficient than keeping them alive to benefit society. Thats the conclusion I had reached.


    I dont have time. Lets finish this.


    I approached, leaving only the bosses of the two organizations behind. As I approached, wiping the sticky blood off my hands, the two contemtive figures stepped back.


    Oh, donte any closer! Do you know whos behind us?


    The Eraser is our backing!


    <em>Hes right in front of you now.</em>


    Tell me what you know about the Eraser. If its useful, Ill spare you.


    I was going to tell you anyway...


    <em>Thud!</em>


    I crushed the heart of the man whose only response was a desperate gasp for breath. I kicked away the copsing body, habitually licked the blood off my hands, and spat it out. Gift amplification? This was some trash Gift I had never seen before.


    I turned to face the remaining boss.


    To be honest, Im not that curious. You dont have to tell me.


    Ill tell you everything. Just spare me!


    Go ahead.


    The, the Berserker is on the Erasers trail!


    Apletely unexpected name popped up.


    The Berserker?


    The Berserker said he had a way to get information about the Eraser, and told us to spread the word. He said he would deal with the Eraser himself when he showed up. He said he wanted to see the Eraser.


    ...


    This was a flow that I never expected.


    The Berserker and I didnt meet until 15 yearster in myst life.


    It seemed like that mentioning the Erasers name was part of the Berserkers n.


    The puzzle was solved, and I had no more questions.


    Thank you for telling me. Then lets get this over with.


    I know more information! Please spare me!


    I dont want to.


    Ahh!


    I put my hand over his head as he fell to the ground and crawled away.


    Stop, Choi Joon-ho!


    With a booming voice, Jung Jun-hos figure separated me from the boss, and he blocked my uninjured hand with his sword.


    <em>Crack!</em>


    The Force of thendmines intertwined with the Force of the sword, creating one powerful explosion after another. The blue Force shattered into chunks, crushing the corpses on the ground.


    After seeing Jung Ju-hos face, I retreated and quickly stopped using myndmine Gift. My fist felt quite numb.


    I thought he was just a talkative person, but he was also quite skilled.


    This guy knows information about the League and the Eraser. From now on, Ill take care of him. Is that okay?


    Yes, Director.


    Since I had no intention of using my hands anymore, I raised my arms.


    Weve made a huge mess.


    Jung Ju-ho sighed as he looked at the factory full of shattered heads.


    I wonder if he thought it was fortunate to have saved at least one person.


    Its a shame.


    <em>Pop!</em>


    ......


    Jung Ju-hos expression stiffened as he turned his head back. The boss he had wanted to save was dead, his head half shattered.