Gathering

“So each virus contains energy? No wonder science couldn’t solve this.”

The virus writhed ominously as if alive.

Yuseong instinctively concentrated his consciousness, wondering if he could control the energy contained within the negative dimension virus.

It was an impulsive attempt, and even while doing it he didn’t really expect it to work.

Even combining the magic power of an entire ampoule wouldn’t reach 0.1 points, and the energy contained in a single virus was so minute that even cutting-edge devices couldn’t measure, let alone detect it.

Interfering with such an infinitesimal amount of energy would require extreme energy sensitivity and control beyond limits…

“This actually works?”

As luck would have it, Yuseong possessed both those abilities.

Yuseong burst into hollow laughter as he watched the virus move according to his will with embarrassing ease.

Only one thought existed in Yuseong’s mind.

The thought that obtaining Eye of Truth was the greatest luck of his life.

“What is this nonsense? It’s just completely versatile, absolutely versatile.”

Though he said that, in truth this wasn’t achieved through Eye of Truth’s power alone.

It was possible due to various factors overlapping – wisdom stat approaching 3000, spirit power stat that could enhance Eye of Truth’s performance, and so on. With just Eye of Truth alone, such a technique would have been impossible.

Of course, without Eye of Truth he wouldn’t have known the negative dimension virus contained energy in the first place, so Eye of Truth did play the decisive role.

‘In that case, I should be able to modify it with my abilities…’

Yuseong’s eyes glowed.

He had Choi Hyunseong’s research journal, knew the nature of the unknown realm that science couldn’t analyze, and even had means to interfere with and manipulate it.

Whether it was instinct or inspiration from the Forbidden Knowledge skill he wasn’t sure, but he felt certain the results would be good.

“…Shall I give it a try?”

* * *

After monsters appeared, one thing that disappeared was freedom of residence.

Moving was free but safety afterward couldn’t be guaranteed.

More precisely, rather than freedom of residence disappearing, it would be more accurate to say people weren’t exercising their freedom of residence.

However, there were people who truly lost their freedom of residence – the Contractors.

“Wait. What do you mean? You’re saying I can’t return to my country?”

“I’m just here on a short trip! What right do you have to stop me from returning to my homeland? Is this some communist country?”

Contractors were humans but simultaneously precious combat forces that could oppose monsters.

News of cities or countries being destroyed seemed to come every other day – who would just watch as combat forces leaked away?

From the people around them to the government, no one let Contractors move to other regions, let alone other countries.

This was why Yuseong received worldwide attention when he went to America.

When even ordinary Contractors going abroad would become an issue, there was no need to mention when one of less than ten heroes in the world was involved.

“Unconditionally blocking Contractors’ movement is shortsighted thinking. The biggest problem now isn’t increasing casualties and economic damage or monsters, but the imbalance of forces. Some countries have enough leeway to defend against monster attacks and hunt for profit, while others can barely hold on. To resolve this imbalance, we shouldn’t block Contractors’ movement…”

The International Contractors Association raised objections to this bad practice.

As soon as it launched, the International Contractors Association actively advocated for Contractors’ freedom and worked to establish a supranational response organization to efficiently block monsters.

However, despite such efforts, there were no significant results.

Though they rationally knew the International Contractors Association’s claims were right, when it came to actually guaranteeing Contractors freedom, anxiety rose about them possibly leaving for other cities or countries.

Everyone expected it would take quite a long time for Contractors to gain freedom and for the International Contractors Association to fulfill its role.

However, that expectation was proven beautifully wrong.

“Russia’s hero, Ice Queen Olga Petrova’s plane is landing at Incheon Airport!”

“After Bruce, Kasim, Isaac Edward, and Tanaka Ryuhei, this is the fifth hero to visit!”

“Ah! As I’m speaking, Olga Petrova is getting off the plane!”

Incheon Airport was a crucible of excitement.

When Olga waved with a smiling face, the fervor intensified further.

Olga, who moved to a pre-prepared helicopter instead of going through the airport for safety, put on an emotionless cold expression the moment the door closed.

Everyone in the helicopter kept their mouths firmly shut as if by agreement.

They instinctively realized making noise would lead to unpleasant things.

Until arriving at the Contractors Association headquarters, no sound was heard in the helicopter except the rotor spinning.

“…We’ve arrived.”

Leaving behind people whose faces had turned pale from tension, Olga got off the helicopter and followed the guide to arrive at the conference room.

After watching the guide’s back as they fled like they couldn’t stay there a moment longer, Olga opened the door and went inside.

“It’s been a while.”

The first to greet her was GreatMage Kasim.

Olga, who slightly nodded her head, quickly scanned the conference room.

Bruce who seemed deep in meditation with eyes closed, and Ryuhei waving his hand with a welcoming expression.

Fortunately, the face of that unpleasant person was nowhere to be seen.

‘Is he somewhere else? Just thinking about seeing that bastard’s face even a bit less makes me feel somewhat relieved.’

She let out a small sigh of relief, but it was too early for relief.

“Did something bad happen? Why the sigh?”

With superhuman patience, Olga held back from saying “because of you” and silently went to sit as far from Isaac as possible.

The best way to deal with Isaac was to ignore him.

Because any conversation would inevitably lead to a fight.

Usually he would have persistently tried to talk, but fortunately, perhaps because Bruce was present, Isaac didn’t pester further and sat in his seat.

The conference room was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

Though there were people who had close relationships, there were also those who didn’t, so everyone just kept their mouths shut.

A new figure broke the silence.

“The atmosphere is much heavier than expected. There are only 10 of us in the world – would it hurt to be a bit friendlier?”

“That’s rich coming from you. Considering how you tried to fleece our entire country…”

“Okay, stop there. Come to think of it, this level is fine. Isn’t it something that we’re not trying to kill each other?”

Kang Changseok, who had confidently appeared, raised both hands before even exchanging a few words.

Olga, who had been looking at the slick-faced Kang Changseok with contemptuous eyes, belatedly came to her senses and opened her mouth.

“So what’s the reason for gathering users so urgently?”

The users, who rarely left their territories, had lifted their heavy bottoms and come to Korea because of Kang Changseok.

A message saying there was important business related to Earth’s defense and asking them to definitely come to Korea.

Since this was the first time receiving such a direct message, they had come, but couldn’t stay long.

“The giants’ movements have been unusual lately so I can’t leave my post for long. Skip the small talk and get straight to the point.”

“That works for me. I arranged this meeting today for two purposes. One is because of the International Contractors Association issue.”

“I expected that.”

Kasim nodded as if he’d known.

“You’re planning to use the name?”

“Right. People’s resistance was stronger than expected, so even after years, Contractors’ overseas travel would be impossible through normal methods. So right after this meeting ends, I’ll hold a press conference announcing that the heroes share the International Contractors Association’s aims.”

Though they had received notice about borrowing their names without any prior discussion, while some frowned or clicked their tongues, no user objected.

This was because they knew how important the issue of Contractors’ movement was.

Though Contractors had power not even worth mentioning compared to users, when gathered they were by no means insignificant.

Though they might be swept away like fallen leaves before monsters above a certain level of strength, they were far more suitable than a single user for protecting civilians and cities or dealing with large-scale monsters.

Except for some special cases like Korea or Japan, most countries, even those with users, were always struggling with insufficient forces, so there was no particular reason to object to this matter.

“If the heroes officially support the International Contractors Association, public perception will change too.”

“Public perception is important, but isn’t the inclination of those in high places more important?”

“I’ll handle that side. They should quiet down if I put in some donations.”

“Won’t that be too much loss for you?”

“Considering the benefits obtainable through the International Contractors Association, that level should be seen as investment.”

An organization that can deploy Contractor groups anywhere in the world.

And the representative leading that organization.

The smell of money was obvious.

“Is that all you called us for?”

Olga, who had been listening to Kang Changseok and Kasim’s conversation, protested in an irritated voice.

If the purpose was simply borrowing names, they could have just expressed support from their own countries.

Of course, gathering the world’s preeminent heroes in one place for the first time to unite their intentions would look much more convincing than expressing opinions through broadcast TV, YouTube, or SNS, but still somehow felt like a loss.

Not just Olga, but seeing other people’s expressions turning ominous as well, Kang Changseok immediately continued speaking.

“No. I said earlier there were two purposes, right? The other one is…”

Creak.

The door suddenly opened.

Where everyone’s gazes focused stood a pair of a man and woman.

The woman was someone everyone knew.

The issue was the man.

A face both familiar yet unfamiliar.

Someone muttered.

“RoomDweller?”

“I’d prefer if you called me Han Yuseong.”

Han Yuseong.

Though everyone present already knew he was a user, people wore strange expressions hearing it directly from his own mouth.

‘So this is that guy…’

‘After saying he couldn’t trust us and felt uneasy, coming before us and revealing his identity like this means he’s gained some confidence in his abilities?’

‘Is the power shown in the video real? Can someone get that strong in such a short time?’

Receiving gazes filled with people’s complex emotions, Yuseong approached the podium where Kang Changseok was.

“This guy will explain the other one.”

Yuseong, who had gone up to the podium, scanned the people in the conference room.

Eight people including himself.

‘Carlos, Nirvana.’

After reciting the nicknames of users not present, Yuseong spoke in a low, powerful voice.

“I’ll properly introduce myself. I’m Han Yuseong.”

“Surely the second purpose isn’t some new user’s self-introduction or welcome party?”

A sneering voice.

The owner of the voice was Isaac.

Yuseong gave a faint smile toward Isaac who was looking at him as if he were laughable, while recalling his profile.

‘Three Intermediates. Ark Knight. Skilled but a strange guy who believes in white supremacy and aristocracy.’

No good would come from getting entangled with him.

Finishing his thoughts, Yuseong ignored Isaac and took out something from his chest.

“I gathered you all here today to show you this.”

In Yuseong’s hand were three ampoules.