Chapter 117
***
I have an accurate understanding of just how much I'm worth.
Reading people's pasts and futures.
When you think of the saying, "A person is the future," isn't that the most valuable thing in the world?
Then how do other people view me?
Admiration?
Well, let's say that's true.
Respect?
That could be true as well.
And the one thing that can't be left out.
Greed.
Right.
Among those with power in this era, there are an absurd number of people who would covet me.
Those who walk the straight and narrow and think, 'I won't live like an orphan just because I am one,' would be more than willing to lend me their strength.
But what about the bastards who abandon the right path, choose evil, and try to live like orphans despite not even being orphans?
Rather than receive my help, they'll have to fear me.
Do you think they'll say, "Oh, I'm sorry. I failed to recognize you..."?
I don't think so.
Would people who could have such thoughts in the first place walk the path of evil?
That's why I wanted to make it known.
Anyone who messes with little Noah is fucked.
-It's over.
Doyle informed me that the operation was over through a video call.
They had captured Alberto, their target, alive, and gotten their hands on the information he possessed.
With just this, the United States would be able to take down more than half of the Mexican drug cartels that had been giving it headaches.
Was that all?
They would also gain plenty of benefits by cooperating with the Mexican government.
-Many people are delighted.
"I imagine so."
-Governor John Hapkins of Oregon is especially pleased.
"He is? Why?"
-One of the ledgers Alberto possessed contained information on Governor John's political rival.
"Oh... I see."
-He became known nationwide after helping prevent the typhoon disaster last time. He'll probably challenge for the Senate after winning this gubernatorial election.
"Good for him."
Should I send him an orchid as a congratulatory gift?
Doyle chuckled on the other side of the monitor.
-From our standpoint, it's good for Governor John to increase his influence as well. He's favorably disposed toward the FBI.
"It's good for both sides."
-Also, among the concessions the Mexican government made to us through this cartel cleanup was one related to agricultural imports.
Among them, crops grown in Oregon would now be sold and imported under more profitable conditions.
From old John's perspective, it would be an absolutely wonderful development.
"We gained a lot for taking down one insignificant bastard."
-It's all thanks to you, Mr. Kang.
"Come on. We helped each other."
I get security.
And they get benefits.
What an excellent symbiotic relationship.
-And... this is practically a declaration of war.
We had essentially announced just how tremendous the power of 'Us' was.
-The FBI plans to make a brief announcement about the operation.
For now, I'm known as a friend of the United States, a superpower.
That's because I helped prevent the typhoon in Oregon by predicting it.
Some cartel vermin tried to lay a hand on that friend of the United States, and we successfully stopped them.
By making that known to the world, we're warning insignificant things not to mess with me.
"Then people who aren't insignificant might come after me..."
-Well, I suppose we'll just have to do our best to stop them.
"I suppose so. Anyway, you've all worked incredibly hard."
All I did was move my tongue a few times; they were the ones who had actually taken action.
-Everyone deployed for this operation will receive an appropriate reward.
"Please see to it."
The call ended.
I closed my laptop.
Now that I'd gotten one bothersome matter out of the way...
"I might as well finish my game."
I still had some fatigue left to burn off.
.
.
.
The next day.
I headed to Hwangnidan-gil with Han Yu-na.
It was pretty impressive.
"Mr. Noah! Look at this!"
Han Yu-na looked good too.
Her black hair resembled the night sky, and the hanbok that complemented it suited her perfectly.
Honestly, since she was such a beautiful woman, and the finishing touch to any outfit was one's face, she looked good no matter what she wore or did.
"Let's take a picture!"
"Sure. Let's."
I enjoyed Hwangnidan-gil as I walked along with her.
We visited some delicious cafés and ate snacks.
After enjoying ourselves to our hearts' content, we boarded the train back to Seoul.
"Ah... It was like a dream. Gyeongju World, and Gyeongju itself."
"Playing is always fun."
"To think I went through life without ever knowing this kind of fun. I feel like I missed out on half of my life."
Once we returned, she would have to focus on work again.
Even so, she seemed to have been extremely satisfied with this vacation.
"What will you do when you get back, Mr. Noah?"
"Nothing different for me."
Play games.
Have fun.
I'd probably do some broadcasts, too.
And occasionally meet a few guests.
"I can't tell whether you're busy or not."
"If anything difficult comes up, tell me."
Because I'll always come help you.
Perhaps satisfied with my answer, Han Yu-na gave a faint smile before slowly leaning back against her seat.
"Aaaah..."
"You must be tired, so get some sleep. I'm going to sleep too."
"Okaaay..."
Han Yu-na closed her eyes.
Soon, I heard her soft, steady breathing.
I should get some sleep too.
I hadn't slept much because I'd been working off my fatigue until dawn.
I slowly closed my eyes.
-This stop is Seoul, Seoul Station.
"What?!"
I had only closed my eyes for a moment, and we were already in Seoul?
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes. You woke up first this time, didn't you?"
"I just woke up too. Let's get off soon."
The train stopped, and we got off.
As we left the train, I looked over the people around us, but I didn't see any dangerous futures.
That was enough.
"I'll see you home."
"Thank you."
We arrived at the officetel in Jongno in Han Yu-na's car.
She still looked reluctant to part.
"Maybe we should have played for one more day..."
"Would you like to?"
I wouldn't mind.
Han Yu-na shook her head bitterly.
"Someone who can't even do her own work properly can't spend time with you, Mr. Noah."
"If that's what you think."
What a hard way to live.
But that was how Han Yu-na chose to live, so there was nothing I could say.
She smiled brightly as she got into the car.
"Sleep well."
"You too, Ms. Yu-na."
With that light farewell, Han Yu-na drove away.
Ah.
Since I still had time...
"I might as well do a broadcast."
.
.
.
The short trip ended, and everyday life returned.
In other words, I was back to playing.
I woke up in the morning as usual and worked off my fatigue.
It was while my routine of eating lunch, drinking coffee, meeting some guests, and then working off my fatigue again continued.
A new guest came to see me.
"Hyung. I'm a fan. Can I get an autograph?"
They were three sturdy Russian men.
Just looking at their bulk, they could have rivaled Mr. Cheolhon.
Three taciturn Russian tough guys with stern faces brimming with killing intent and fighting spirit sat before me.
One of them.
Mikhail's face was flushed with excitement after his exploits in the previous operation.
"Yeah. Ah. Thanks for last time."
"What are you talking about? I'm the one who's more grateful."
After getting my autograph and taking a picture together, he couldn't hide his joy.
"This is my friend and subordinate, and we worked on the operation together this time. Hyung, this is Molkovich Dragunov, and this is Balak Odrivazhak."
Both of them merely lowered their heads awkwardly in greeting.
"Hyung. The reason we came to see you like this is..."
"Turn this over before you say anything."
Mikhail looked quite pleased when he saw the card I held out.
Then he slowly turned it over.
It was the High Priestess upright.
"You're curious about what kind of person your younger sister's future spouse is, aren't you?"
"Huh!!"
"He's a good person. You don't need to worry, so rest easy."
"That's such a relief...!!"
"And... there's someone you like, isn't there?"
Flinch.
Mikhail was startled.
"Your superior, huh? Hmm... Well, good luck. It'll work out."
He was delighted.
It was the superior he'd secretly nursed a one-sided love for.
Hearing that she would boldly confess her feelings to him six months later made him so happy he wanted to do a Cossack dance right there beside her.
"And next."
I looked at the man with striking golden hair and silvery-gray eyes.
Balak Odrivazhak, who looked the most manly of anyone there.
He was staring at me with trembling eyes.
Don't worry.
I won't tell them that you secretly like anime with cute characters and enjoy idle pretty-girl gacha games.
I respect people's tastes.
"Your wish will come true."
"....!!!"
He had come to Korea to buy the limited-edition merchandise that was being released this time.
In secret, at that.
I knew it wouldn't be easy to move while avoiding the eyes of Russian intelligence.
"But the process won't be smooth. Still, I can help you."
"...Hyung. I'll obtain what I want with my own hands. That's how I prove I'm a man."
That's a very macho line, but it was a bit of a waste when he was saying it to get a cute-girl figurine and a boob mouse pad.
"Impressive."
In any case, I respected his spirit.
So I decided not to say anything more.
"And... you, my friend Molkovich."
He also turned over the card, and I told him about the future I saw for him.
"Your younger brother has been targeted by a Russian gang."
".....!!!"
"And you'll kill five gang members while trying to help your brother."
"...I do?"
"Yes."
His future ended with him killing five gang members while fighting to protect his brother and being arrested.
This was someone who had fought for me.
So I had no intention of letting such a terrible future come to pass.
"Should I move my younger brother somewhere else...?"
"How about having him apply to the intelligence service where you work? There's a branch in a different area from where he lives now."
"That would be good too, but he doesn't have enough perseverance to pass the intelligence service's entrance exam..."
I smiled and picked up my phone.
"Mr. Kalinin can train him well. I'll tell him about it. And I'll have him deal with the gang too."
The third-highest-ranking man in Russian intelligence.
He had the power to finish off a mere gang in a single day.
"So don't worry and just take care of your own work."
That would bring about a better result for both of us.
"Really?! Then I'll do that!"
In an instant, the future changed.
It was no longer a future in which he killed the gang members who tormented his brother and went to Siberia.
It became a future in which he rose to a high position within the intelligence service and became an agent who used even greater power to protect me.
It was a good outcome for both of us.