Chapter 22- Air Raid 5

“First time since the cooperative hunt, right? Thanks to you, I survived back then. Whether it was Buffalok or Blade. I was planning to visit you at the hospital soon, but I didn’t know you’d already been discharged. Sorry, sorry.” Kim So-yoon said with an utterly unapologetic tone.

“No, it’s fine.” Conversely, Choi Kang-sik felt a little apologetic.

‘She was alive?’ He had treated a living person as if they were dead. It was probably more accurate to say he was preoccupied and uninterested.

Star MS Kim So-yoon. An MS hailed as a goddess by many men for her charm and skill, which even a thick long coat and military uniform couldn’t conceal. …This was the general assessment. To Choi Kang-sik, she felt like a stepping stone, a matchmaker, who had introduced him to his sworn enemy, Blade. That was all. They weren’t “that” kind of relationship.

‘Anyway, this broadcast is for all ages, isn’t it?’

[A certain God is displeased]

[A hasty certain God throws away popcorn]

[A certain God feels it’s a waste]

“Anyway, it’s good to see you. You snuck in here with a purpose too, didn’t you, Mr. Choi Kang-sik? Oh my! I have no intention of interfering, so you don’t need to be so wary.” Kim So-yoon said nonchalantly. Choi Kang-sik couldn’t just laugh off the beauty’s words.

“Interfere? Nonsense. I only came to investigate the urban legend about a monster living in the heart of the association’s basement. I would be overjoyed if a beauty joined the search.” He immediately corrected her. The young man’s cold eyes, as he said he was overjoyed, were filled with a warning not to interfere with his ‘true purpose.’ At the same time, he landed a hit back. Want to go together?

• MS dating the goddess? D-D
• What is this, coming to catch monsters and then...
• Absolutely no romance! (>0<)/
• What? What is it? I can't see. ㅠ

The viewers, who had been indifferent because they could only see a black screen, instantly became excited. Choi Kang-sik thought, not lowering his guard.

‘Is this woman a risk factor? Something’s a little strange…’

The young Oracle’s left head cried out. An ill omen. But MS Kim So-yoon, who appeared immediately after, didn’t seem like a dangerous person no matter how he thought about it. Was he wearing rose-tinted glasses because she was such a rare beauty? He glanced back at the Oracle.

“Caw?” It looked like it was asking, ‘What?’

‘…It’s my fault for expecting anything from a raven.’

“Accompanying me is a bit…” Kim So-yoon showed a troubled expression. With her clear objective, she couldn’t accept MS Choi Kang-sik’s offer to accompany him. The beauty, having been counterattacked, quickly made an excuse.

“Since you stated your purpose first, I can’t not do the same. Hello? I’m MS Kim So-yoon. I came down here because I heard rumors that treasure was hidden here. My sibling’s birthday is in a few days.” Treasure? Sibling’s birthday? This didn’t sound like her real purpose either. It was so clumsy that, conversely…

• OMG! The goddess has a sibling?
• Boy? Girl? How old? +.+
• I hope it's a girl.

With the beauty correction and harmony, the atmosphere leaned towards believing her. Interest focused on the sibling’s identity rather than the truth of the treasure. Choi Kang-sik, utterly flabbergasted, could only be certain of one thing.

‘She has no hostility.’ Even if she did, she couldn’t attack him. Kim So-yoon was exposed to his camera. If she attacked Choi Kang-sik here, it would be broadcast live.

‘Then she’d end up like MS Yoo Il-am.’ Would a top star, who was having a successful life, really take such an unnecessary risk?

“Ms. Kim So-yoon. I hope you find the treasure.”

“Hoho! I hope you find your monster too.”

Since they both had objectives and were busy, they only exchanged short, necessary words. Wouldn’t it have been even shorter if it weren’t for the broadcast? Choi Kang-sik, judging that they were entering a cordial parting atmosphere, added, “I’m really sorry for attacking you.” Because his reputation was precious. He didn’t let go of the shovel in his hand. Because in this world, emotions sometimes take precedence over reason. Especially after seeing that human trash who ambushed his manager with a smiling face.

Choi Kang-sik recalled MS Kim So-yoon’s profile. Skipping her age, career, and so on…

‘Psychokinesis (念動力).’ A psychic ability to move objects with thought alone. The burden of having to deal with an invisible force was unexpectedly large. He wasn’t some martial arts master who could fight with his eyes closed.

Kim So-yoon waved her hand. “No, it’s fine. I owe you for making me laugh on your broadcast.” Choi Kang-sik looked very surprised and continued the conversation.

“Do you watch my broadcast often?”

“No. Not at all.”

“N-not at all?”

“My sibling watches it, not me.”

“……”

MS Cameraman was speechless.

‘She said I made her laugh, but her sibling watches my broadcast?’ What did that even mean?

MS Kim So-yoon turned her back and left like a ghost, leaving only enigmatic words behind. Again, silently into the darkness. Choi Kang-sik didn’t stop her.

[A certain God is disappointed]

[A certain God asks if he’s impotent]

‘See, I told you I’m not.’

Choi Kang-sik returned the record report to its original place. It wasn’t just because he had crammed all the information he wanted into his head.

Squeeze.

He didn’t loosen his grip on the shovel. He said in a low voice, “Don’t hide, come out.”

“……”

There was no answering voice or reaction. It felt like he was talking to himself in empty space. However, Choi Kang-sik’s expression was utterly serious.

‘There’s no way the Oracle cried out just because it was bored.’ Because the left head’s warnings had never been wrong so far. There was something in that abyss-like space! Definitely!

“Caw?”

“I wasn’t talking to you.” Choi Kang-sik, chiding the Oracle tilting its right head, quickened his pace. Because darkness was not a human’s ally. He found the power switch.

Click.

Judging that it was dangerous to stay like this, Choi Kang-sik immediately flipped the switch. 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds…

“…What is it?” Nothing happened. The basement was still dark.

‘Is there a power outage here?’ It was strange. The Monster Association headquarters wasn’t an ordinary building. It was the command center. The head. Sturdy earthquake-resistant design was basic, and there were generators and batteries for emergencies. Moreover, since the Pig-尊’s influence hadn’t even reached the basement, a mechanical malfunction was impossible. There was no reason for a power outage whatsoever.

“Then what in the world is the cause of this power outage…?” It wasn’t just MS who felt something was off, muttering to himself.

• Something's spooky? O.O
• MS sir. You said it was an urban legend. ;;;
• Is Kim So-yoon a monster? She's too beautiful for a human.
• Don't blaspheme the goddess! *Tremble, tremble*

Viewers engaged in a heated debate. The legend was real, or not… Was it because Choi Kang-sik intentionally turned the camera away? No one noticed the real reason he had gone down to the third basement floor of the Monster Association headquarters. He had accomplished his objective. He had even acquired an unexpected souvenir. Now, all that was left was to go up to the ground floor as quickly as possible.

‘What was it, in the end?’ Choi Kang-sik frowned as he safely arrived in the first-floor lobby. Had the young Oracle been mistaken? He just felt a little uneasy.

[A certain God demands the truth]

[A hasty certain God recommends adventure]

[A certain God is frustrated]

“…Viewers? I’m sorry. I’ll have to postpone the truth of the urban legend for another time. I’m completely worn out and desperately need to regroup. Thumbelina-nim. You should receive your prize tomorrow.” He wasn’t exaggerating. If he were an ordinary human, he would have been thoroughly beaten long ago. It was a miracle he had held out this long. Yes. A miracle. It would have been impossible without the gods‘ care.

‘I guess I need to pay more attention to viewership in the future?’ The method was simple. Let’s embark on a heart-wrenching adventure! To an unknown world where monsters open their mouths and welcome you with open arms, even after just a short walk! A journey perfect for becoming a cold corpse!

[A hasty certain God cheers]

[A certain God jumps up and down]

[Viewer: 13]

Good reaction…!

“You there, with the camera!”

“…Who are you?”

“Are you the cameraman who’s been acting all cocky with that fraudulent spear lately? I’ve come because I have business with your spear.”

“It’s not a spear, it’s a shovel.”

“Anyway! How much? I’ll pay you handsomely.”

A man babbled, blocking his way. He was completely different from the riffraff who virtually lived in the association headquarters, from his attire to his physique. Practical combat uniform! Bulging muscles! His sun-tanned face and fierce eyes exuded the aura of a veteran who had been through countless battles. A real hunter. Honestly, that wasn’t important to Choi Kang-sik.

‘My journey has been interrupted. What should I do, oh gods?’

[A certain God cannot suppress his lament]

[A donation has been sent]

It was a good provocation.