Chapter 39 -----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Heavenly Demon and the Special Response Team (1)
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Outskirts of the city, Shield Boundary Zone.
In this ghost town devoid of life, there stood a single rundown commercial building.
On its rooftop—close enough that stretching an arm from the railing would brush the shield—a brick penthouse had been built.
Rattle, rattle. Rumble.
The Heavenly Demon sat cross-legged on a platform built opposite the penthouse.
Hearing the rough engine noise mixed with mechanical whirs closing in, he slowly opened his eyes.
"What's that."
He rose and peered down from the railing, furrowing his brow.
Not far from the penthouse, in an empty lot, some massive machine was chugging away nonstop.
"Nameless."
At the Heavenly Demon's call, Nameless rolled out from its charging station inside the room.
[You called.]
"What's that thing doing."
Nameless hopped up onto the Heavenly Demon's shoulder and adjusted the large sensor in its eye to peer down at the railing.
Down there, a construction 3D printer built for such purposes was sliding along rails, piecing together a building's framework.
[It's a 3D printer using a special compound to build a structure.]
"A structure?"
The Heavenly Demon looked down again.
Only then did he notice how the machine's seemingly random movements were gradually shaping something like a plant sprouting—a building.
"Why build a structure in this wasteland."
This Shield Boundary Zone saw monster incursions so frequent that even the Heavenly Demon found it a nuisance at times.
Of course, it had become safe thanks to him, but unaware of that, everyone had fled due to the recent hidden monsters.
Building here, in a barren place without a single person or even an ant?
[The Awakener Association seems to be behind it.]
Nameless's white eye flashed as it spoke.
[That vehicle's logo—it's the Korean Awakener Association.]
Nameless pointed to the vehicle parked near the construction 3D printer.
Etched on it was the Awakener Association's logo: a large circle with three smaller ones beneath.
"Awakener Association?"
[Yes. Maybe they're hoping to boost land prices out here.]
"Hm."
Unaware of the joke, the Heavenly Demon lost interest and headed back inside the penthouse.
* * *
Inside the Strategic Planning Office of the Korean Awakener Association.
Chohong stood ramrod straight, rigid as a board. Across from her sat a middle-aged man sunk deep into the sofa.
Even his tailored suit looked like combat gear, thanks to his sharp, piercing gaze—this was Kim Suwoong, head of Strategic Planning.
"Relax."
The low lighting cast deep shadows across Kim Suwoong's face.
"You heard everything on your way here."
Meeting his dignified gaze made Chohong feel suffocated.
He was the one who had ousted former head Park Jeongmin and turned the Special Response Team into a ghost division.
"I heard, but I just can't make sense of it."
As Chohong opened her mouth in protest, Kim Suwoong smirked.
"Your team's been working hard all this time. Think of it as the Association providing decent company housing."
"In the Shield Boundary Zone? Some of our members have families."
"Well, no people around means it's quiet and nice. I hear the air's as fresh as any countryside spot."
Evidently finding his own joke amusing, the corner of Kim Suwoong's mouth curled up.
"Living together as a team won't be so bad."
"I refuse."
"Come on, don't be like that. It's for the mission anyway."
"Mission?"
Kim Suwoong waved a hand and stared straight at Chohong's widened eyes.
"What's the Special Response Team's main job? Dealing with those hidden monsters that pop up out of nowhere, right?"
"That has nothing to do with the whole team relocating to the Boundary Zone..."
"Lately, hidden monsters have been showing up in dungeons way too often. The really dangerous ones we've never seen before."
Kim Suwoong narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
"But no matter how much we investigate, we can't pin anything down. It's not quite adding up to unregistered awakeners, either."
For a split second, Chohong recalled the hidden monster she'd seen recently: the Ice Golem.
And the red-eyed man who had crushed it in a single blow.
"If these terrifying hidden monsters keep appearing... they might break through the shield into the city someday. We can't just launch a massive shield reinforcement project right away—it costs a fortune."
Staring into space, he turned to Chohong.
"Think of it as temporary housing until we resolve that."
"Resolve it how..."
"Investigate the cause of these frequent hidden monsters. Control unregistered awakeners entering dungeons, and report any suspects' backgrounds immediately."
"As I said, if that's all, there's no need for the entire team to live in the Boundary Zone."
Kim Suwoong grinned at her protest.
"Consider it preparation for potential emergencies."
"Pardon?"
"The Association's always short on manpower. Who knows when another powerful hidden monster might show up out of the blue."
He patted Chohong's shoulder.
"With your team living in the Boundary Zone, that alone serves as emergency backup, right? Especially a one-man-army outfit like the Special Response Team."
"Backup..."
"Of course, that includes rescuing the injured and providing aid. We're so understaffed these days."
'So that's it.'
Chohong closed her eyes, feeling a deep despair.
In short, he was stationing the hidden-monster-hunting Special Response Team as glorified sentries on the shield's outskirts.
And tacking on the Association's own emergency dispatch duties to boot.
"Because we're aligned with Director Park Jeongmin?"
Unable to hold back her boiling frustration any longer, Chohong spat it out.
"You're giving us the perfect job for useless hounds."
"Well... less useless, more a hound with the wrong master."
Kim Suwoong finally revealed his true intentions.
"But don't worry. I never discard a useful hound."
His gaze sharpened like never before, then softened into a smile.
"I hear the Special Response Team under Team Leader Chohong consists of elite one-man armies."
Chohong swallowed her rising fury.
Was he demoting them to a backwater post, or planning to overload them with a hundred men's worth of work? She couldn't tell.
What was clear: some ulterior motive lurked beneath.
"I can safely entrust this to you."
Whether praise or mockery, Kim Suwoong continued.
"Anyway, give it your best."
* * *
A few days later.
Near the Shield Boundary Zone rose a single multi-family villa in a geometric pattern.
Cozy and warm-looking, it clashed with the ghost-town emptiness of the outskirts.
"Are they joking?"
Chohong clenched her fists, staring at the lawn in front of the villa.
If they'd built some shabby outpost or basic barracks, she wouldn't be this furious.
Building tech had made construction cheap, sure—but pouring effort into a proper multi-family villa like this? Were they supposed to live in the Boundary Zone forever?
Chohong couldn't wrap her head around it.
"Better if no one shows up."
Fortunately or not, after the mission details from Director Kim Suwoong went out, there'd been zero contact or replies from the team.
If not a single member showed despite the free housing...
Director Kim could use that as an excuse to disband the Special Response Team outright.
"I could scrape by in some low-level spot in another department."
Chohong had to stay in the Association no matter what—for a promise to her master, Jang Geumseon.
But she didn't want her skilled team members rotting away here.
Screech.
A sleek motorcycle pulled up sharply in front of her.
"Team Leader. You're early."
He removed his helmet, revealing a handsome young man with blue eyes and blond hair, flashing a bright smile.
It was Yoo Eunho, the Special Response Team's attacker.
"Wow, this place is way nicer than I expected."
As Yoo Eunho looked up at the villa's sparkling windows, Chohong shook her head.
"I really thought you wouldn't come."
Despite his idol-like looks and cheeky speech, Yoo Eunho was a 2nd-grade awakener with an S-rank physical enhancement skill: Super Speed Movement.
Minors weren't allowed in dungeons, yet for some reason, he'd been thrown into them as a child.
Rumor had it the Association ignored awakener minor protection laws to raise him as an assassin from youth—a true powerhouse.
'A talent like Eunho doesn't belong here.'
With a pitying look, Chohong said,
"You can still back out. Quit now and join a top guild. With your skills, you'll be one of the country's top rankers in months."
"Nah. If I wanted that, I wouldn't have joined the team to begin with."
Yoo Eunho grinned brightly, cradling the back of his head with both hands.
"Besides, now that I think about it, laid-back missions like this sound pretty nice."
"Eunho."
"I've made up my mind. Even if I tried to leave... they probably wouldn't let me."
His last words were too quiet for Chohong to hear.
Vroom.
A massive pickup truck with a muscular build pulled up noisily in front of the villa.
Click. The door swung open, revealing a burly middle-aged man.
"Team Leader."
With his scruffy beard and tousled hair, the rugged man was Han Manjae, the team's tank.
From the passenger seat stepped a woman with pale skin and a sharp bob cut sans bangs: Shin Chaeyoung, the healer.
"Eunho, you wear protect lenses even on days off?"
"They're great for biking—no eye strain."
"Just wear a helmet that covers your eyes."
Han Manjae scolded him but patted his shoulder with a laugh.
"You're staying too?"
"Yeah."
Their eyes met, warm light flickering in Yoo Eunho's.
As the team's oldest member—stubbornly upright and just—Han Manjae was the one Yoo Eunho relied on most.
"You're here too?"
Spotting Shin Chaeyoung beside him, Yoo Eunho smirked.
"I really thought you wouldn't show, Chaeyoung."
"You too."
Shin Chaeyoung's eyes and voice were as dry and barren as a desert.
The Association's top healer, dubbed the "Ice Princess" for never showing even a flicker of emotion.
Watching them, Han Manjae spoke up.
"The moving truck'll be here soon, so you two sort out rooms. I'll grab Hojo and do some grocery shopping."
At 40 years old, Han Manjae had an elementary-school-aged son, Han Hojo.
"Got it. Bring lots of tasty stuff."
"Groceries?"
Chohong blinked, and Han Manjae pointed to the front yard.
"The rest aren't coming. Since we're gathered, might as well have a team dinner."
He'd already checked who was showing: fortunately, just the best-skilled, most compatible members.
"Leader, hand over the corporate card."
Winking his round eyes, Han Manjae held out his massive hand to Chohong.
* * *
Sizzle.
They'd set up a large table under a simple canopy, with a charcoal grill fired up on one side.
An impromptu barbecue party was underway in front of the isolated villa in the Shield Boundary Zone.
Han Manjae's pickup bed was packed not just with the grill and charcoal, but all sorts of camping gear.
Shin Chaeyoung sat with a blank expression, while Yoo Eunho sat Han Hojo beside him, feeding the boy meat.
"Team Leader, have some meat."
Yoo Eunho chewed noisily and offered her a plate. Chohong managed a dry smile.
"Mm."
Eating while gazing at the distant shield boundary line nearly drew a hollow laugh from her.
"Eunho, about that building over there."
Chohong suddenly glanced at the dilapidated structure that seemed to butt right up against the shield boundary.
"Doesn't it look like something's hanging on the rooftop?"
"Huh? Yeah, kinda."
Yoo Eunho squinted. Something was flapping atop the roof.
On closer look, it resembled a thin summer blanket.
"Looks like a blanket, judging by the shape."
"Someone living up there?"
"Nah, no way."
"Word is, some awakeners and porters used to live around here back in the day."
Chohong's words drew a firm shake of Yoo Eunho's head.
"It's different now. Hidden monsters popping up too often—every building hugging the shield like that is totally abandoned."
Han Manjae snorted from afar.
"Hey, then why'd the Association build us this place? Could've just used an empty one."
"How should I know what those lunatics are thinking."
Yoo Eunho shook his head and turned—then froze like a statue.
A hulking man was strolling toward them: topknot of lion-mane hair, gray sleeveless shirt.
It was the Heavenly Demon.
"What's wrong?"
Chohong followed Yoo Eunho's gaze with a smile—her eyes widened like saucers.
'That guy...'
Red eyes glowing faintly in the dark, muscles like chiseled rock.
The unregistered awakener who'd obliterated the danger level 13,000 hidden monster, Ice Golem, in one hit: the Heavenly Demon.
"W-what the...?"
Just then, Han Manjae—mid-grill—spotted him too and raised his tongs.
These team members were veteran elites who'd sense any presence instantly, stealth skills or not.
Yet none had noticed this man striding right up to them?
"Association send you?"
As the grilling Han Manjae advanced warily, the Heavenly Demon narrowed his eyes.
"What're you talking about."
"No need to play dumb. You're not here for meat, are ya?"
The Heavenly Demon smirked as he sized up Han Manjae—from his apron to the tongs in his muscled grip.
Suddenly, he couldn't hold back a laugh at the sight of a man built like himself in an apron.
"Well, not just anyone can be a master chef. Give it your all."
With that, he brushed past Han Manjae and kept walking.
Watching from afar, Yoo Eunho's eyes narrowed. He felt deliberately ignored.
"Interesting fellow."
Seeing Yoo Eunho's gaze shift, Chohong hurriedly stepped in front.
"Eunho, he's not Association. Not even an awakener."
"Huh?"
"Just sit tight. I'll handle it."
Chohong shot up from her seat and hurried after the striding Heavenly Demon. But...
"Hm? What's this?"
He was walking slowly, yet even at full sprint, the distance barely closed.
"Wait! Hold on!"
At her shout, the Heavenly Demon finally stopped.
"What."
"Are you insane? Heading straight for the shield now?"
"What nonsense."
"You've been sneaking into dungeons around here till now, haven't you?"
Chohong bit her lower lip at his utterly shameless expression.
"No more. Starting now, our team's managing this Shield Boundary Zone."
"Managing?"
"Yeah. We're staying here to control unregistered awakener access to dungeons. Got it?"
"Nope, no idea."
Her gaze locked onto his brazen face.
"You're an unregistered awakener."
"So?"
"You can't enter anymore."
The Heavenly Demon's red eyes narrowed.
"Can't enter *my house*?"
"Huh? Your house?"
He jabbed a finger toward the distant rundown building's rooftop.
"That's my house."
Looking closely, a crisp white blanket hung on the rooftop clothesline.
Unable to contain her absurdity, Chohong stammered.
"Y-you live *up there*?"
"That's right."
"Why?"
"Why, you ask."
Stroking his chin briefly, the Heavenly Demon said flatly,
"Good view, and I can use the open rooftop space."
"For *that*... you live in the Shield Boundary Zone?"
He peered down at Chohong, frozen stiff like a mackerel in the freezer.
"Well, the landlord said the cheap rent's the biggest perk. Not that it matters to me."
He paused, then eyed the distant villa with a puzzled look.
"You lot live in that building."
Chohong nodded blankly. The Heavenly Demon let out a heavy sigh and shook his head.
"What a hassle."
He turned and soon vanished from her sight.
Whoosh.
A fierce gust followed as Shin Chaeyoung, Han Manjae, and Yoo Eunho—carrying Han Hojo—rushed to Chohong's side.
"What was that? Who's the guy?"
Yoo Eunho asked as he approached. Chohong murmured with unfocused eyes,
"That guy... Why the hell does he live in a place like this...?"
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