Chapitre 247: Chapter 233
Starting one day, 'Vigilantes' began operating simultaneously across the globe.
– Kyaaa!
– He-here's a body…!
One by one, bodies started turning up in alley corners. Upon receiving reports from citizens and dispatching personnel, the police and Hunter Association revealed to the world that they were all wanted villains. According to the findings, the corpses were all undeniably vicious criminals. Some were petty crooks or ordinary Hunters with lesser offenses, but later investigations revealed that they had been committing heinous crimes in secret. There was one peculiar thing about this process. The Vigilante always had a habit of leaving a note on the bodies of the villains after killing them. The note briefly stated the name and criminal record, making it much easier for the police to identify the victim. Its meaning was clear.
– The Vigilante is helping the police do their job!
And similar reports from citizens followed one after another.
– …
– Vigilante! Operation begins in Brazil!
– Vigilante! Finally in Canada too!
– Death Note Killer! Arrives in the Philippines!
– …
This craze spread like wildfire, quickly hitting the world. Reporters were busy publishing dozens of articles every day. There were two reasons why people around the world linked the incidents happening in physically distant countries under the name 'Vigilante.'
One, as mentioned earlier, was the note, also known as the 'Death Note,' that was always attached to the bodies.
The other was that the eyewitness accounts of the Vigilante from the survivors who barely escaped the villains were all the same.
– I saw a black shadow.
That was all they said. The interviews were all the same, with people repeating the same thing, unable to properly recall the Vigilante's appearance, leading people to one conclusion.
– The Vigilante is presumed to be a large organization, not a single individual!
This was no longer a single person's deviation or revenge against villains. It meant that the Vigilante was a group moving collectively with the same purpose and sense of justice.
– What is the true purpose of the transnational vigilante organization?
– Vigilante cleaning up villains around the world!
– (Debate) Questioning the vigilante's right to commit serial murders with their own sense of justice, ignoring the law!
– What is justice! Do villains even have human rights!
– Asking the opposite! The Vigilante is only punishing Awakened criminals! The police still have the same job, and the Vigilante is a police officer solely for the Awakened!
– (Breaking News) The rapidly declining crime rate of villains around the world!
– What is the public's opinion?
* * *
"Heh. The world is buzzing with excitement."
It was truly an ironic situation. The International Hunter Association was holding daily debates on whether to consider the Vigilante a villain or grant them the right as a villain hunter. But it was a waste of time. Nothing would come from arguing when nobody even knew who they were. Of course, that was only on the surface… There were people here who knew the mastermind behind all these incidents.
"Adam, did you see this? Our Suho is really making a move." Thomas Andre chuckled.
He was reading the Vigilante articles that were constantly popping up, lying leisurely on the sofa. His expression was like that of a proud grandfather watching his grandchild's talent show, making Adam White, the head of the Hunter Bureau in the United States, sigh with a troubled look.
"My ability to feign ignorance has its limits. Some are already saying that the Vigilante's appearance seems to be the black shadows that showed up in the Chinese video."
"Oh, Adam! Don't try so hard and just go with the flow! It's only a matter of time before it's revealed that the Vigilante is related to Sung Suho."
"Haa…"
Adam White couldn't help but sigh again at those irresponsible words. If it weren't for Thomas Andre, the Hunter Bureau would have already approached Suho. But the US couldn't go against his wishes. Why…?
'Thomas Andre… is getting stronger.' Adam White clenched his sweaty fist and looked at him lying down like a lord and drinking tomato juice.
Currently, it was publicly known that Thomas Andre was arrested by the US Hunter Bureau for the murder of Christopher Reed. And on the surface, he was engaged in a legal battle with the Hunter Bureau involving numerous lawyers.
The first trial…
The second trial…
But it was all a staged show. Meanwhile, Thomas Andre was secretly tracking down the Outer Gods Cult with the Hunter Bureau.
Operation name: Federal Dark Hunter (FDH).
The results were quite good, considering the carelessly chosen name. They had already found several hideouts of the Outer Gods Cult hidden in the US and even personally caught and killed their priests. But there was something strange. Every time Thomas Andre killed a priest… he grew stronger. After realizing this fact, Adam White was, to be honest, terrified.
'I can't believe it even when I see it. A Hunter who grows stronger the more he fights… No, it's a little different from that...' Adam White, who had been watching him from the closest distance, corrected his thoughts.
'Recovery rather than growth. Thomas Andre seems to be recovering his original power the more he fights the Outer Gods Cult.' There was a basis for this thought. As you could see from various Awakened people, ordinary hunters felt a sense of elation when their power suddenly increased. They even tended to be intoxicated by it. But Thomas Andre's reaction was a little different.
'This man is delighted as his power grows. With an expression like he's returned home.' That was something Adam White couldn't understand at all. And the realm of incomprehension often gave birth to fear and terror. At the same time, it was also true that he was extremely reassured that this man was still on the side of the US.
'One thing is certain.' As the head of the Hunter Bureau that protected the US, Adam White was clearly aware of one fact.
'This man already possesses power that surpasses that of an ordinary S-rank Hunter.' If Thomas Andre ever turned against them, the US would have to face a conflict on the level of a nuclear war.
"…So how long do we have to suppress the information?"
Thomas chuckled and replied to Adam White's question, shaking off his various thoughts.
"Until Suho gives the signal, of course."
"And when will that be…?"
"I think it will be soon." The answer came in a calm voice, from his secretary, Laura. She was looking at the Korean news on her tablet. It was truly amazing. Just a few days ago, Korea was the noisiest country with the Vigilante issue. But trends changed quickly.
"The Korean public is no longer interested in the Vigilante. They're all talking about North Korea."
"North Korea?"
"It seems to be an issue related to Hunter Sung Suho as well." Adam White also nodded, showing interest in the Korean news.
"Hmm. The major large guilds in Korea are all supporting Hunter Sung Suho. They're claiming that with this level of ability, it would be good to send him to North Korea to help the Association President."
"Some are arguing that the large guilds are colluding to push a Hunter who could become a competitor to North Korea."
"Heh. North Korea… Suho wants to run wild, I see." Thomas Andre smiled meaningfully, understanding Suho's feelings. He looked as if his hands were itching to run wild himself, so Adam White felt a great sense of anxiety and hurriedly said,
"It won't be as easy as it sounds. If you only consider the safety of your own country, the stronger the Hunter, the more disadvantageous it is to send them to North Korea."
"Yes. For those reasons, public opinion is currently divided between those in favor and those against, and there's no sign of it leaning towards one side. It seems like he won't get approval to go to North Korea without a decisive turning point."
"Turning point…" Thomas's eyes turned playful as he listened to Laura's accurate analysis of the situation.
"I think I know what that is."
It was at that moment. Thomas Andre's phone rang.
"We have a call from Hunter Sung Suho." As Laura spoke, Thomas sprang to his feet. And as soon as he answered, he grinned.
"Adam, this is it." Thomas, with a smirk on his lips, made eye contact with Adam White and said,
"Link the Vigilante and Sung Suho."
"…I see."
There was no need for further explanation. Adam White, a shrewd man who had been through the political arena, immediately realized what he had to do. He nodded and immediately summoned the Bureau staff.
* * *
A while later.
Foreign media began to cover the connection between Korea's hero who saved India and the Vigilante. At the same time, information about Sung Suho began to be slowly released in Korea. And all of a sudden, public opinion began to shift...
– (Video) The real reason why large guilds tried to send Hunter Sung Suho to Association President Woo Jinchul?
An invisible hand influenced the algorithm. And all the people of Korea could see Suho standing side by side with thousands of black shadows in that video.
– What! Those black shadows!
– They're all Vigilantes!
– …!
People who had witnessed the Vigilantes around the world began to recognize them simultaneously.
– Then who is that Hunter with the Vigilantes?!
– What's his relationship with the Vigilante!
– That man is a Korean Hunter?
– Isn't it dangerous to leave that man alone in Korea?
"As expected of Adam. This should be enough."
Thomas Andre smiled with satisfaction, seeing the rapidly changing atmosphere.
"An opportunity to kick Suho out to North Korea."
* * *
Overnight, all of Korea's public opinion began to focus on 'Sung Suho'.
– Sung Suho, the hero of India! Who is he!?
– Sung Suho of the Woojin Guild! The reason why the Association has been hiding his information until now?!
Flash! Flash! Flash!
And at this moment. Reporters swarmed Suho like bees, flashing their cameras blindingly. Behind them, Yoo Jinho was asking Suho with an expression like that of a parent watching their child wander off alone,
"…Are you really okay with this?"
"Of course."
Sung Suho, who suddenly became the center of attention and pressure from public opinion was now attending the official press conference hosted by the Association.
Beeep!
After a while, with a sharp ringing sound, the noisy reporters' voices stopped. A cold silence. In the midst of that, Suho calmly grabbed the microphone to answer the questions.
What they were curious about was Suho's identity. Before answering, he briefly recalled the tasks he was currently facing. These were quests he created himself, not by the system.
[Protect Esil's territory in the demon world.]
[Reward: Obtain the 'purified blood of the Demon King' when Esil becomes the Demon King.]
[Investigate the Nightmare Bud with Hunter Seo Jiwoo.]
[Reward: Go to the Sea of The Afterlife where the 'World Tree' is located.]
[Go to North Korea.]
[Reward: Fast level-up.]
The first two were quests to obtain the ingredients for crafting the Holy Water of Life, which he had to accomplish to save his grandfather, Sung Il-hwan. Currently, his body was in an unstable state due to the numerous Starpieces embedded in it. There was a risk that dimensional cracks might suddenly appear and tear him apart. To restore his condition, he had to make the Holy Water of Life as soon as possible.
However, to complete the first two quests, it was advantageous for Suho himself to become stronger than he was now. That meant it was also important to go to North Korea and diligently level up.
'Yes, to save my grandfather… this is the fastest way.' With that resolve, Suho calmly surveyed the silent reporters gathered to see him and smiled.
"Hunter Sung Suho! We want answers!" Just then, one of them had courageously asked a question. Then, voices erupted from everywhere simultaneously.
"What is your relationship with the Vigilante?!"
"Are you the leader of the Vigilante, as the rumors say?!"
"What is your true identity?!"
"…"
At that moment, a miscellaneous item from his inventory suddenly appeared in Suho's hand. Yes, this was the surest way. The embarrassment would be brief, but the effect certain. He put on the Item: 'Crow Mask' and closed his eyes tightly before speaking.
"I am… the Beast King Crow."
"…!"
Flash! Flash! Flash! Flash!
At that moment, camera flashes exploded towards Suho once again. The identity of the Beast King Crow, known as a mysterious villain or hero, was finally revealed to the world.
– (Breaking news) The real reason why large guilds tried to send Hunter Sung Suho to Association President Woo Jinchul?
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Craftyprogamer
Craftyprogamer Edited by Fotnmc
1/12/25
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone