“Call them? Don’t tell me you’re trying to start the plan you just mentioned just like this? No. You can’t do that! That’s absolutely way too unprepared. I might be able to say some stuff myself, since I can just say later on that I was simply talking nonsense, but what you’re trying to do sir, is on an entirely different scale. You might not even be able to be allowed into the Association!”
However, Jefferson was made to call the Association.
And that day, Yu Jitae managed to enter the Association straight away.
“So you did somehow make it… But it’s only just the beginning. When they start investigating with the search party, they will immediately try to identify the truth behind the way you’ve saved the hostages. What will you do when they don’t find any proof?”
The superhumans belonging to the Association that were skilled at searching retraced how Clone 1 found the hostages, with reference to his testimony.
And soon found proof.
“I see, so you have prepared evidence already… But now you need to go through an interview with the HR department. Those guys are meticulous and their eyes are abnormally remarkable. They managed to find 4 demons from 2270 new superhuman recruits. Can you hide all the suspicious points from them?”
Yu Jitae took the interview, and wasn’t discovered.
“How in the world… no, even then. Asking for the military advisor position straight away is pushing it too far even in this situation. Well, the position is indeed vacant and it’s also true that there aren’t many military authorities right now. But even then, how would you become a military advisor simply based on your ability to track other people?”
Jefferson’s opinion was that it might be too obvious that he was acting in collusion with Yu Jitae.
“Just do it,” said Yu Jitae.
“It might render all the effort thus far meaningless.”
“Do it.”
“I cannot. Please be a little bit more prudent.”
This time, Jefferson was stubborn.
However, when the report about the investigation was sent up by the search party, the higher-ups thought very highly of Clone 1’s tracking skills, and Jefferson soon received a call from the chairman of the Association.
The next day, Clone 1 became the military advisor.
“…”
It shouldn’t work.
None of them should have worked.
So why did they all work?
At this point, Jefferson thought the world was being mischievously manipulated by someone, with him being a clown in the centre. Right, how could these things ever make sense unless it was ‘The Truman Show’?
“Help me meet the head of the military strategy council tomorrow.”
That would most definitely not work.
The head military strategist wasn’t a random bloke. She would definitely spot something strange from these people, and obstinately try to find the truth from them.
“Where’s your reply.”
“…”
“You think it won’t work?”
But at this point, Jefferson couldn’t even put such doubts into words.
“…I will try.”
On the way back, Jefferson contemplated. Things like their identities could have been approved because of the credibility behind his name – because of the 25 years he stayed loyal to the Association.
But even then, other elements must have been proven solely with their ability but this was unbelievable in itself. The search party was none other than the investigation authority of the Association.
Even if there were 1,000 people that dedicated their lives to tracking skills alone, there would still be 10 legendary veterans and the leaders of the Association’s search / investigation party were definitely those 10 veterans.
They were already standing high above in the skies, with no-one above them.
However, all the superhumans that saw the tracking skills of that guy called ‘One’, all said the same thing.
“Haha… Mister Jefferson. The Laikharf Tracking Arts that I’ve trusted in for 35 years ever since I started at 12 were shaken from its core in just 35 seconds. In just 35 seconds, that person flipped the theories I had faith in. And yet even now, I can only understand half of the skills he used.” They said with dejected voices.
It wasn’t just the tracking skills. ‘One’ was a superhuman who went against common sense even more, evident from how the high rankers who had been the interviewers of his interview were astonished.
“His understanding of military tactics are incomparable…”
“His mana and killing intent were unimaginably high. I dare say that he is either a two-digit ranker or even higher.”
“He was extremely wise and experienced with wars. As you said, he must be our senior warrior, who had weathered through the Great War…”
Jefferson was still half in doubt at this point. However, hearing the words of the head chief of the Association’s military strategy council, Zhuge Haiyan, made him feel miserable inside.
“Old man. How did you bring these insane people?”
Wearing circular-framed glasses, and a tidy ponytail, her rather dry eyes appeared to have a gun breathing within.
Zhuge Haiyan… This Chinese woman, who was in her late 30’s, in charge of the Association’s military tactics, rarely ever complimented other people. Because of that, Jefferson had to ask what she meant when referring to both ‘One’ and ‘Season’ as insane people.
“Did the two of them do something wrong?” he asked.
“What do you mean.”
“Then what is it?”
“With the two of them taking the military advisor seats, the Association can expect an explosive growth in overall power. It’s to an astonishing degree. You should have brought them earlier if you had that kind of connection.”
“Is it that much? How much more in numbers?”
“112%. In just one year.”
Zhuge Haiyan was a superhuman with a unique computer inside her head. The calculations she made were never wrong.
Jefferson was thus shocked. Two people increasing the military power by 12% in just one year… he had never heard of anything as absurd as that in his entire life.
“Anything else you reckon won’t work?”
A few days later, when Season, the boss of One, asked him that, Jefferson shook his head. What in the world was happening… Cluelessly, Jefferson replied with a sigh.
“What, what do you want me to do now.”
“Help me meet the chairman.”
But Season’s next words caused Jefferson to make a fuss instinctively. They were practically being ignorant of how high the heavens were, and after somehow managing to reach a building-top and a mountaintop, he was trying to reach outer space now.
“That, that will definitely not work…!”
Jefferson wanted to cry.
*
This time, it seemed that it really wouldn’t work.
Well, it was true that it was still premature to meet that busy old man.
The time One needed to stabilise himself as a relatively important figure inside the Association was just 2 weeks. And while he was at it, Season (Yu Jitae) was also able to get a spot inside the Association as a comrade of One (Clone 1).
The two of them were superhumans beyond the realms of standard regulations, and since the Association was currently having less and less personnel, they welcomed them with open arms.
Of course, the Association won’t be offering them any tasks that were significantly important for the next few years and some people could be spotted stealthily observing them from time to time.
This large living and breathing organisation was watching the two of them.
For the time being, they needed to earn their trust.
During the day, Yu Jitae spent time with the kids at Lair and entered the headquarters of the Association at night when it was time for the hatchlings to fall asleep.
At the Association, he worked as a 4th grade agent and fulfilled his task as a military advisor.
His role as a military advisor was simple. He had to have a meeting with the ones in charge of each corps and give them realistic and substantial advice on how to improve their military output.
Over the next 2 weeks, without resting for a single day, he met the heads of both large and small squads of the Association and talked about their military prowess.
“How were you able to discover all those points in such a short period of time…?”
There were no words he could say in return to one of the captains who asked with an astounded voice. After all, Yu Jitae couldn’t tell him that it was something he found out after staying in their camp for 4 years and a half.
Yu Jitae wasn’t that wise when it came to military science. There was a limit to how much wisdom he could build up with experience alone.
However, there was a history he built up over his life and 90 years of service. Countless solutions were revealed during that process.
It was as simple as following the good examples of the past, and those were therefore effective.
“Just do as I tell you to. Don’t ask anything.”
“Ah, yes…!”
But approaching something always required caution and sufficient time. This was the case in both organisations and interpersonal relationships.
Side effects were inevitable if one was in too much of a hurry.
As if to prove that, in the following morning when Season, One and Jefferson were having breakfast together, a woman appeared in front of them.
“Hello? My name is Kang Ahjin, and I have come from the Association’s Command Centre.”
She was a Korean who looked like a puppy, just like her name*. She looked pretty just like other superhumans but her smiles appeared especially more innocent so Jefferson replied with a wide smile.
“Nice to meet you. Miss Ahjin. I’m Antonio Jefferson. But Command Centre? I haven’t heard anything regarding this.”
“Following the order from the 5th Command Room, I am here to assist you.”
“Ahh, the 5th Command Room huh…”
There was a special title given by the Association to the five strongest living superhumans.
[Five Transcendents of Kalyovan]
This included BM, the current Rank 2, Rank 3 Heleon, and a veteran ranker from the past generation, Kristoff, as well as other powerhouses.
The 5th Command Room was a unique department of the Command Centre dedicated for the Transcendents. It was a group that did not share information with anyone else apart from the chairman of the Association and the members of the 5th Command Room.
“We don’t really need an assistant though,” replied Clone 1.
“I’ve heard that we were dealing with venerable sirs. It would be much appreciated if you could see it as the thoughtfulness of the 5th Command Room!”
While smiling from her eyes, she referred to herself as One and Yu Jitae’s assistant.
“You might be taken aback since it’s our first meeting, but please do rely on me. I can do several things.”
“For example which?”
“Simple errands. I can make good coffee as well.”
She didn’t receive a good reception, but smiled instead and added.
“Is that too simple? Then how about this. I belong to the 5th Command Room and I have my name value. When it comes to tasks inside the Association, I can add some weight behind my words. Even things that require a fair amount of authority should mostly be done if I say it, so you can think of me as a decent human-drain-opener.”
“Very talkative as well, I see.”
“Of course. I am good at listening, and am also good at staying still. Would you like to have a look?”
After saying that, Kang Ahjin naturally sat next to Yu Jitae with a wide smile and didn’t say anything ever since.
Some people might feel uncomfortable but her appearance and tone of voice were mysteriously friendly. How many people would despise a small puppy waving its tail? That was the atmosphere Kang Ahjin was giving off.
Jefferson was therefore very positive about the idea and thought that the 5th Command Room must have taken a liking to Season and One a fair bit.
However, One didn’t have a good look on his face.
“Hello, Miss Soldier.”
“Yes?”
“We don’t need an assistant. You can go back if you want to.”
“Sorry? I can’t do that. A soldier must listen to their given command.”
“And we don’t need people working just because of other’s commands either.”
“What do you mean? I volunteered for this myself.”
“Thought you said something about soldiers.”
“Yes! You see, my dream was to become a soldier from a young age. But when I actually became a soldier, I realised that it was scary to actually fight. Instead, I realised that my calling was to help the ones that fought!”
“…”
“Ah, please. You can trust me on this. You won’t find any assistant out there that’s better than me.”
“…”
One was still disinclined.
“Anyways, good luck today as well sirs. Let me leave now for my duty.” It was time for the chairman of the Association to come so Jefferson left the spot after saying that. He wouldn’t come back to them during the next six hours or so while the chairman was staying inside the headquarters.
Clone 1 was also about to get up from the seat for his own work and Kang Ahjin stood up with him.
“Hey Miss.”
“Yes?”
“If you really want to be an assistant, don’t follow me and follow him instead.”
“Uh, so…”
“Don’t talk back and just listen. Weren’t you an assistant?”
Kang Ahjin was put in an awkward spot while the clone forced the baggage onto Yu Jitae. However, it was true that Clone 1 acting individually was more important right now, so it was correct for Yu Jitae to be the one bringing this woman around.
Just like that, Yu Jitae had to stay alone with Kang Ahjin.
He didn’t necessarily talk to her. Without saying anything, he stood up and walked off, and Kang Ahjin also stood up and followed behind like a puppy.
But in the end, taking her along wasn’t the worst thing in the world.
“Ah, could you please wait for a little bit? We haven’t gotten contact from our superior yet.”
“I’ve gotten the message to come at noon. You still haven’t gotten contact?”
“Well the thing is, there are actually some procedures that we need to undergo, sir.”
In Yu Jitae’s memories, he had never stepped into the headquarters of the Association with the position of a mere 4th grade agent. Because of that, he was about to get irritated from all the ‘procedures’ that were dragging him behind.
“Hello. Pass me the phone please.”
“Sorry?”
“I’m the 5th Command Room’s Kang Ahjin.”
When the person in charge nodded with an astonished look on his face, Kang Ahjin showed her temper.
“Ah, just pass me the phone right now. Hurry up. Do you hear me?”
The words of a person belonging to the 5th Command Room gave him a bit more power and the unnecessary procedures were minimised.
That day, his task ended earlier than usual. After the work, he found Kang Ahjin wearing a proud and confident smile.
“How was that? I’m really useful right?”
“…”
She reminded him of Yeorum and he almost gave her compliments unconsciously but remained quiet.
In any case, it should be about time now.
Soon, the long-awaited message arrived from the Vintage Clock.
<Identifying the Identity of [Great Hostility]: 10%…>
<The Authority, [Vintage Clock (EX)] identifies new facts about the [Great Hostility]>
<The Authority, [Vintage Clock (EX)] formulates the data into a video and sends it!>
An image sent by the Vintage Clock started appearing inside his head. The first form of the Hostility, which if not for him, would push the world into chaos –
It started clearly revealing itself inside his head.