Chapter 58
How the hell do those bastards know my codename?
Last round, they definitely mistook me for Kurosna.
This is way too strange.
A thought started creeping up on me that something was wrong.
But right now, before questions, this is a battle situation. The heat of the battlefield masked my unease and suspicion. I focused on the present and kept the gunfight going.
ㅡRatatatat!
I fired, ducked, then fired again. The more I did, the more the fake Administration Bureau bastards hurled curses, calling that Grong bastard a complete madman.
-Damn it...! We’re getting beaten by Grong!
-HQ! Requesting support!
-We can't even stall them!
How long had I been hearing those screams?
-What...!
-S-Spangdal!
-Kyaaaaaagh!
-Huaaagh! No, nooo!
-The thorns, thorns are growing out of my body...!
With a huge scream,
silence fell.
When I lifted my head, Mr. Spangdal was walking this way. The situation was over. He had turned all the fake Administration Bureau bastards hiding behind cover into thorn-covered pincushions.
Last time, he used his ability to deal with Section Chief Gwak Seongju, but this time he used it a little faster.
Watching that, Ms. Jamtree explained Spangdal's ability. It was the same explanation I'd heard last time.
"That's commendable, Grong. Nice shooting."
That's what Spangdal said after he returned.
"You do give praise where it's due."
"Isn't that obvious? What do you take me for?"
I wanted to say more, but I didn't have the luxury to do that now.
We had wiped out one squad of fake Administration Bureau agents.
Since the situation was over, it was time to clear up my doubts.
"Team Leader Jaldi."
I asked Jaldi.
"How do those guys know my codename?"
"That was what you were curious about?"
"Yes. The moment I fired, they realized I was Grong."
"As I said, those guys are bizarre."
Bizarre.
"At some point, they suddenly learn the names of our Administration Bureau agents."
They suddenly learn our names.
"It even seems they can get information too. Just now, from the wiretap, they knew you were a crack shot."
They suddenly get information too.
"Yes. They did."
"Only a few people know that you’re really good at shooting, Grong. Me, who saw it firsthand during the agent physical exam, and our team members who heard my explanation. Of course, the other teams only have rough information about the new agents; they just know you’re good at shooting and that you have a special sensing ability."
"And yet those fake Administration Bureau bastards learned without a doubt that I’m a crack shot."
"Correct."
"Could they be hacking or something? Hacking our Bureau and pulling out agent information?"
"Grong. I’m sure I’ve already told you this."
They had told me that?
"Grong. We don't enter that kind of information into the computer. Even if they really were hacking, they wouldn't be able to find it. There's nothing written there to begin with."
"Ah."
Right.
That's right.
I had heard that when I first got the Bureau rules handbook.
Important information isn't entered into the computer.
"So that's why I'm saying they're anomalies."
"Then... what about the possibility that there's a traitor inside the Bureau? If a traitor passed the information along, everything would line up."
"Of course that's possible too."
Jaldi, arms crossed, nodded.
"But there's no need to worry about a traitor. The Bureau handles everything. Besides, there are things that can't be explained by that alone. Grong. The fake Bureau may know you better than you realize."
"Huh?"
"That's the most suspicious part. It's possible because they're anomalies."
"..."
"Let's take a short break and then move out."
I was confused.
If they figured out my codename and my shooting skill,
what about my true ability... regression?
Could they have figured that out too?
If they might know me better than I know myself, then it's possible. But then they'd probably react differently... Normally, if an enemy finds out someone is a regressor, what do they do? I don't really know, but it wouldn't be like this.
ㅡCrunch crunch.
Feeling uneasy, I took the four cloves of peeled garlic I'd brought and crunched them down, savoring the sharp bite.
If I wanted to be recognized later by a vampire hunter group, I should build up the ability to eat raw garlic like this in advance. If they acknowledged my garlic-eating ability, I'd be thrilled. Right, I should pick up a hobby too. I'll develop garlic-based recipes and bring them to the vampire hunter gathering. If they ask for the recipe, I'll act smug, crack a funny joke, and share it like I'm only doing it reluctantly.
"Gr, Grong? All of a sudden? You're eating that?"
"I never know when those vampire bastards will show up. I need to fill my insides with garlic too."
"Hmm, I guess you really did get bitten by a vampire and ended up with anxiety. Want to go to the psych team with big sister? No, I'll take you there."
Ms. Jamtree said that with a worried look, but even if this were anxiety, no amount of psychiatric treatment would improve this symptom.
Only the warm hospitality of vampire hunters could heal me. Likewise, I could heal the wounds they carried too.
"Thank you for your concern, but I intend to turn this anxiety into fighting spirit."
"So...? Still, let's definitely go together next time."
Anyway.
Eating the garlic eased my confusion a little.
So Koreans really are the descendants of Ungnyeo.
As the sharp garlic scent spread through me, I gathered my thoughts and reviewed everything that had happened.
How did those bastards know my codename?
If they knew it, when exactly had they learned it?
This was my theory.
Section Chief Jo Seongchun.
When I first met him,
he said that if I introduced myself to him, it would be entered into something called the 'Administration Bureau database.' That's why he told me not to introduce myself, so I never told Section Chief Jo Seongchun my codename.
But... the very last moment.
At that final moment, after I escaped the darkened Bureau, Spangdal broke into the laboratory and called my name, and that was when Section Chief Jo Seongchun learned my codename.
After that, I escaped through the window and came back by elevator. What followed from there continued all the way to today.
If my codename had been revealed to the fake Bureau, then that was the only time it could have happened.
But that was strange too. I escaped immediately afterward and returned by elevator. Then... some kind of reset should have happened, right?
Shouldn't meeting Section Chief Jo Seongchun and the information being entered into the database have been wiped as if it never happened?
This part feels way too strange... Still, having experienced firsthand that the things that happened after I activated the reality-recognition device weren't just hallucinations, I can at least accept this. Once something has been recognized, maybe it can't be undone.
But.
Section Chief Jo Seongchun had only heard my name. And that was in the Administration Bureau basement. He didn't go somewhere and pass on the information, and he didn't even know I was good at shooting.
Just because Section Chief Jo Seongchun heard my codename, information about me got entered into some Administration Bureau database?
If that can happen, then that really is a terrifying anomaly.
For now, since nothing is certain, let's conclude it like this. Back then, Section Chief Jo Seongchun learned my codename, and that's why this happened.
"Have you rested enough? We'll be moving soon."
"Yes."
I moved out on Jaldi's orders.
Where were the vampires, and what were they doing?
* * *
A high-rise apartment.
I joined up with the suppression team.
Mr. Quras and Agent Kallehu greeted us. Kallehu is a flashy blonde female agent. I only saw her once before, so I don't know her well.
"The situation isn't very good right now."
Mr. Quras explained to Jaldi.
"As you can see, it's very hard to break through because that bastard Gwak Seongju is providing covering fire. Gorgodio is looking for a breakthrough, but we’re short on firepower for now. Besides, the ghouls are showing up from all directions."
I carefully surveyed the battlefield.
ㅡTatatatatata!
Section Chief Gwak Seongju was spraying twin machine guns while covered in body armor from head to toe. But looking at it, the ghouls were swarming him like a pack of wild dogs.
The machine-gun rounds were literally tearing the ghouls apart. Section Chief Gwak Seongju was holding off that enormous number of ghouls all by himself.
"So this is a three-way battle."
The two sides of the Administration Bureau are keeping each other in check while fighting the ghouls. It's a three-way standoff.
The divide-the-world-into-three strategy Zhuge Liang so desperately wanted was unfolding right here.
"And there are a lot of swordsmen too."
"Sword guys?"
Ah, so he meant the fake Bureau's inspection unit.
"Grong. Over there. Look there."
Ms. Jamtree called me over, and I looked that way. When I checked carefully, I could see something moving far away with a swish-swish-swish motion.
Looking closer, they were men in suits... what the hell are they?
"Are those the fake Bureau inspection unit?"
"Yeah."
The suited men were sprinting like maniacs while hopping around. They had katanas in their hands, and as they charged, they were casually lopping off the ghouls' necks as if pulling something out of a pocket.
Fast and strong.
Did five inspectors form a team or something? They were rushing in while wiping out the real ghouls in an instant. I could only gape at that inhuman sight.
Swordsmanship that made me think of Division Chief Lee Do-hyeong... That was the same feeling he gave off when he was slicing up nurses. His disciples really do handle swords well.
"As you can see, they're dangerous bastards. Those guys are extremely strong in close combat."
"They really do look like it. We'll have to shoot them before they get close."
"Some of them can even deflect bullets with their swords."
"What?!"
They can deflect bullets with swords?!
That's a superpower!
"Single shots won't do. At minimum, burst fire. If possible, full auto is preferable."
"Understood. Since they're not easy opponents, I'll make sure to finish them off for good."
"Good."
Then we'd have to kill them with nonstop full-auto fire.
Otherwise, I'd be the one getting sliced to death by those swords.
"It's a real relief that Lee Do-hyeong is dead."
Mr. Quras said, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"If Lee Do-hyeong were here, we wouldn't be able to handle him with just this much firepower."
"That's a real relief... Ah, by the way, Mr. Spangdal?"
"What?"
"That thorn ability earlier was incredible, but can you take on those inspection unit guys too, Mr. Spangdal?"
"Hmm, well. I can, but it'd be dangerous, right? I'd be going straight into enemy territory. And besides, they're close-combat specialists, so they'd be hard to deal with."
I see.
Mr. Spangdal seems to specialize in taking out enemy ranged attackers.
"Huh, the ghouls are surging in endlessly. I didn't expect there to be this many. They've literally swallowed up a city."
Jaldi said, looking outside.
"Team Leader. What should we do?"
"The fake Bureau bastards are fighting the ghouls right now. It'd be best to aim for mutual destruction here, but they probably realize that too."
Anyone with half a brain would know that if they waste firepower on the ghouls, we'll take them down.
"Then will they retreat?"
"That's likely. If they do, then it'll be worth targeting them while they're exposed. Jamtree? How's the wiretap?"
"It's still getting through. Just a moment."
Ms. Jamtree busily manipulated the tablet.
"Ah, got it."
A very useful wiretapping skill.
-Fuck! There are way too many of these ghouls!
-Section Chief Gwak Seongju...! I think we need to retreat! There's no way we can handle the fake Bureau bastards in this state!
-Shut up, you bastard! There is no retreat! We have to hold them here no matter what!
-But!
-What if those fake bastards get their hands on that crazy thing! We have to stop that no matter what! HQ will send reinforcements! Hold out even if you die! Hold out, even if you have to use me as a shield!
-Kkh, Chief!
-Retreating is exactly what those guys want...! We can't let those monster bastards make use of something like that! Give your lives for humanity! I've already resolved to die here!
What a human conversation.
Section Chief Gwak Seongju's fiery declaration almost seemed heroic.
"Damn. Looks like they don't plan on retreating after all."
As Jaldi said that, he rubbed his neck... wait.
There was something odd in that conversation just now, wasn't there?
What did he mean, "What if those fake bastards get their hands on that crazy thing"?
What is that?
Do they think we came here to get our hands on something?