After Norma Selner, who had fainted, was laid on a bed and the slight commotion settled, Adam White, with a grave expression, took out the reason for his visit.
A black briefcase secured by national security locks. This was originally the material he had brought to show Madam Norma Selner and seek her counsel. But to think he would end up taking it out here in Korea, on the other side of the globe, after unexpectedly passing through a Gate.
'I'm completely disoriented, but in times like these, I must keep my wits about me. I am the Director, after all.'
Adam White, reaffirming his duty and responsibility, calmly opened the briefcase's security locks.
Click, clack.
"…The order of things has changed somewhat, but my original purpose in visiting Madam Norma Selner was also because of the North Pole. However, it seems the situation is getting far more serious than we predicted."
Adam White's expression had been consistently grim. A situation where not an Apostle, but an Outer God itself might directly intervene. Hadn't this already far surpassed the realm of what ordinary humans could resolve?
Just like… back then.
"It will be faster if you… see this data directly."
Adam White, with a serious face, took out a work tablet from the briefcase. And he didn't forget to add a word of caution as he looked around at those gathered.
"Please be aware that all the materials you are about to see are top secret."
Fwoooosh—
As he launched a program on the tablet, a translucent hologram spread above the screen, filling the living room with a giant world map.
"Our Bureau also collects and analyzes all data shared by the World Hunter Association, including that from the United States. All that big data is contained within this: the Disaster Management System."
"…"
Suho's family members looked up, surveying the massive world map. As Adam White described, the holographic map was intricately categorized with colored dots and zones of various sizes. Though it appeared dazzling at first glance, this world map was in itself a horrific record of disasters and calamities.
"As of this moment, all Gates and dungeons that have appeared and disappeared worldwide, field-type dungeons, and even more severely, major and minor areas that have become apocalyptic and abandoned. Besides those, the accumulated big data of countless disasters and calamities across the globe. Our Bureau has poured our heart and soul into completing this single map. The purpose, naturally… is to prevent the world's destruction."
Adam White's formal briefing began.
"And this is the current situation at the North Pole."
Click.
'Climate' was added to the world map.
"…Clouds?" Someone spoke up.
In a surprising turn of events, as the climate setting was added, large white clouds centered around the North Pole were gathering into a massive spiral. They were moving very slowly, and the scale so immense it couldn't be captured by human sight, making it imperceptible to the naked eye. But looking at the world map as a whole like this, it was visible at a glance. Abnormal climate. Both its scale and nature were by no means ordinary.
"Originally, 'abnormal climate' is a phenomenon that occasionally occurs in areas eroded by the blue mist leaking from Gates. However… this is a little different." Adam White said.
"This vortex is an abnormal climate phenomenon never before seen in any of the Gates or dungeon breaks we have collected data on."
While the possibility that the Hunter Management Bureau had missed some data couldn't be entirely ruled out, it was certainly a rare phenomenon.
"However, what's also strange is that despite this, no flow of mana is being detected from that vortex."
Suho asked.
"If there's no flow of mana, does that mean those are just clouds simply moving?"
"Yes. Just like clouds moving purely due to wind, it seems to be a secondary phenomenon caused by some other event. This also doesn't make sense."
Usually, situations inexplicable by science were attributed to mana. But if there wasn't even a flow of mana, what on earth was happening at the center of that vortex?
"For now, looking only at the phenomenon itself, we predict that a dimensional hole has opened at the center of that vortex."
A dimensional hole. It meant a Gate had appeared.
"However, it absolutely won't be an ordinary Gate. Firstly, a Gate without a mana wavelength cannot exist. Therefore, we believe there's a very high probability that Prime Minister Orlov of Russia has surrounded it with multiple layers of powerful barriers, thoroughly concealing the Gate's existence from external detection."
The location of the North Pole happened to be within Russia's borders. And Prime Minister Yuri Orlov, an S-rank barrier specialist, was a man who had become a dictator by creating his own 'fishbowl,' protecting Russia's major cities with barriers. Taking this information into account, it was a highly plausible deduction.
"But everything is just speculation; currently, we cannot be certain of anything. We would like to dispatch an investigation team to obtain more detailed information, but… sending a Hunter capable of investigating that mysterious abnormal climate would be perceived by Russia as an act tantamount to the United States launching a nuclear weapon."
This was because, of all countries, the United States had been the one to pressure Russia the most about its continued neglect of the Elvenwoods.
"That's why I came to Madam Norma Selner out of frustration. Since we can't go directly, to at least hear her counsel through a prophecy."
But now, having directly heard Norma Selner's ominous prophecy, his heart felt even heavier. It was certain that something tremendous had happened at the North Pole, but they couldn't go see for themselves.
"Then we can just sneak in."
Suho, having heard all of Adam White's briefing, finally spoke. A simple, clear conclusion.
But Adam White was negative.
"That too… is not as easy as it sounds. Breaching an S-rank barrier is difficult, but the moment you step inside that barrier, Prime Minister Orlov will know immediately."
Yuri Orlov was no mere S-rank Hunter. He was a man capable of deploying barriers exceeding S-rank by using the external mana contained in numerous Essence Stones mined from dungeons as fuel. His simple combat power might be S-rank, but his barrier ability alone was considered National-Level.
"It's absolutely impossible to sneak into a place surrounded by multiple layers of such barriers without him knowing. An existence powerful enough to breach those barriers would be even easier to detect, and an existence weak enough for Prime Minister Orlov to ignore upon discovering the intrusion wouldn't be able to breach the barriers in the first place."
Even as he explained this, Adam White felt frustrated. A situation where nothing seemed to work. And, like with the Elvenwood issue, simply pressuring Russia politically from the standpoint of the World Hunter Association was also difficult. For now, it was just clouds moving; no mana was actually being detected from the outside. With no concrete evidence that anything was happening there, there was no way to arbitrarily pick a fight and no way to pressure Russia.
And what he said was a fact Suho already knew. He had already spread his Shadow Soldiers across the world long ago. Since it was unknown when or where the apostles might appear, he had completed preparations to enable spatial movement to any place in the world through Shadow Exchange, should he choose.
However, Russia alone was impossible. As Adam White said, even Shadow Soldiers risked being detected by Orlov if they tried to cross Russia's barrier. If there were at least people entering that barrier, he could have hidden them in their shadows and entered. But since Russia was such a closed-off country, and there were no recent travelers to and from there, even that was difficult. So the Shadow Soldiers Suho had deployed were merely waiting near the barrier. This, conversely, meant that Suho could instantly teleport himself to the front of Russia's barrier at any time. Or anyone, not just himself. In that sense, an interesting thought came to mind.
"Sneaking in undetected is impossible… Then let's try entering openly this time."
"Pardon? What do you mean by that…"
As Adam White made a puzzled expression, Suho suddenly turned his head and looked at Thomas Andre beside him.
"Why are you suddenly looking at me?"
At that peculiar gaze, Thomas Andre, who had been standing with his arms crossed nonchalantly, twitched an eyebrow. Suho looked at his massive forearms and curled his lips upwards.
"Let me rephrase, the point is that 'someone specific' just needs to avoid being detected, right?"
"…What?"
If the other side was untouchable due to lack of evidence, then conversely, didn't it mean this side just needed to ensure there was no evidence either? Suho smiled meaningfully, exchanging glances with Thomas Andre.
"Since it's for world peace anyway, let's be a little shameless."
Grin.
"Did you know? Since time immemorial, masks have always been essential for those who protect the peace of Earth."
"…Huh?"
At that audacious expression, Thomas Andre eventually burst into a hollow laugh. And the next moment.
Flash.
A smile even more mischievous than Suho's appeared on his lips. Thomas Andre. Who was he? Now he was called by grand nicknames like Goliath or Monarch of Conquest, but long, long ago, when he was much younger, a youth brimming with vigor, during his days as the UFC Undisputed Heavyweight Champion, his first nickname, no matter what anyone said, was 'UFC's Bad Boy'…
"That sounds fun! Let's do it right away."
Indeed, such crazy antics were one of the things that excited Thomas Andre the most.
* * *
Moscow.
Prime Minister Yuri Orlov immediately left the Kremlin and departed for the Arctic base. Now that Project 'Unwithering Spring' was fully operational, waiting idly in the palace was an unbearable itch.
"Uwahaha! How long have I waited for this moment!"
He burst into mad laughter and ran towards the North Pole at full speed. Wasn't power already overflowing from his body! The Unwithering Spring! There was no need to wait; he had to go directly and face that power!
"P-Prime Minister?!"
"The Prime Minister is going out!"
The soldiers on guard duty at Moscow's barrier couldn't help but be bewildered at the sight. They had never once seen the dictator of Russia leave the 'fishbowl' alone like that. Given his usual personality, he would have taken helicopters or planes, accompanied by strikingly beautiful secretaries and entourages, wherever he went. The reason, as everyone in Russia knew, was to flaunt his status to the world. But in reality, no mode of transportation could be faster than an S-rank Hunter at full sprint. So they were even more surprised. The dictator's retreating figure, running off on his own two feet like that, without even caring for his usual vanity or appearances?
Moreover…
Faaaaaah—!
A mystical radiance enveloped his entire body as he sped away. It was a beautiful light, captivating enough to enthrall anyone who looked at it. Momentarily mesmerized by that sacred radiance, the soldiers belatedly snapped back to their senses and looked at each other confused, whispering.
"…What on earth is happening?"
"Where is he going in such a hurry?"
"It's not like something bad happened in another city, right?"
"No, I don't think so. Seeing him smile like that…"
"But what on earth is that light…"
"Let's report it first."
However, when they reported this fact to their superiors, their superiors were equally clueless about the situation.
– W-wait for now. If the Prime Minister looked happy, it probably isn't anything bad.
"…Yes, understood."
Even the voice of the officer coming through the radio felt tinged with confusion. A situation no one understood. But what could they do? Regardless of what the dictator ruling them thought or did, nothing would change even if they knew.
"It's a bit unsettling, but… he said to wait for now."
"Yes. I was surprised to see the Prime Minister smile like that for the first time, but anyway, it probably isn't anything bad…"
Boom—!
"…!"
Something bad happened right there and then.
The capital of Russia, Moscow. The most splendid city-state among the fishbowls created by Prime Minister Yuri Orlov. Its size was enormous, roughly four times that of Seoul. But before the powerful barrier meticulously created by Prime Minister Orlov, which surrounded this vast city entirely, a giant shadow was cast…
"Wh-what! What is that?!"
"E-emergency! A giant…! A giant has appeared!"
"That's insane, what is that!"
Just then, a colossal giant appeared before Moscow's barrier! And not just any giant, but one entirely covered in sturdy, full-body armor!
[Spiritualization: Giant's Armor]
This was the advent of the King of Giants, Monarch of Conquest.
"Wh-where did such a creature suddenly…!"
The soldiers guarding the outpost screamed. If such a massive entity existed, it should have been visible approaching from afar long ago. But this giant had suddenly appeared before the city as if it had fallen from the sky!
But in reality, it wasn't from the sky, but from the ground. Using a Shadow Soldier already waiting in front of the barrier, a shadow gate had been opened, and he had revealed himself!
[Kuhahaha!]
Thus, before the sturdy barrier meticulously created by Prime Minister Orlov, Thomas Andre, revealing his full power, burst into mad laughter. That laughter shook the skies of Moscow. And the King of Giants, his face concealed by a helm, raised a giant palm and mercilessly struck down upon the barrier covering the sky.
Craaaang—!
With that single blow, the entire barrier rippled. Accompanied by an enormous roar.
Then, one more blow.
Craaaack—!
The barrier shattered. At that moment, the immense shockwave finally reached Yuri Orlov, who was rushing towards the Arctic base far away.
"...!"
Finally stopping his steps, Orlov turned around with a hardened expression. And discovering the figure of the colossal King of Giants in the distance, he couldn't help but be genuinely bewildered.
"Wh-what is that?"
Suddenly, his stomach churned. From the deepest recesses of his instinct, an unidentifiable foreboding assailed him. But he deliberately ignored it.
Grit!
"How dare a mere magical beast invade my kingdom?"
He gritted his teeth with a terrifying expression and let out a cry. Finally he turned his steps away from the Arctic base, and ran towards Moscow where the giant had appeared. Radiating a dazzling brilliance. This energy was none other than the divine power of an Outer God, flowing from the outer universe! He was no longer an ordinary S-rank Hunter!
…But why?
As he ran towards the giant at full speed, his two fists were trembling minutely.