Chapter 47 – I Feel the Same Way!

He could actually watch videos.

Although it was possible to attach things like photos on the general bulletin board, videos were impossible. The video attachment function was opened on the video board used by higher-level members.

What was important to him was to raise the martial arts he already possessed to a higher level.

To do that, it was necessary to insightfully observe martial arts from more diverse perspectives.

In that respect, the video board was more useful than the tips board.

However, hunting a disaster-grade monster was far, far away. First, he had to be awarded the Black Mark, then go to the place where the disaster-grade monster appeared and participate in the raid. Disaster-grade monsters were not very common enemies.

“I must become a Black Mark quickly.”

Disaster-grade monsters are managed by the World Headquarters of the Raid Alliance.

When their appearance was foretold, the relevant country requested support from all over the world, and Raiders from each country who wanted to deal with the disaster-grade monster also volunteered.

However, since the grade was what it was, almost no applications below the Black Mark were accepted.

“A Raider’s life has no peaceful days…”

Se-min looked further at internet articles on his cell phone.

Because he was busy, he had not been in contact lately, but the Dragon BBQ launched alongside McKellan was slowly preparing for its first opening. An advertisement shot by Se-min and Lee Yu-jin together was hung on an internet banner.

Across a brilliant table, Se-min and Lee Yu-jin were facing each other.

The copy written above was like this:

A special gastronomy that no one in history has experienced before

John McKellan recruited the best chefs so that they could handle the special ingredient called monster meat.

Among gourmets who could afford the price, this new restaurant was already becoming a hot topic.

Who would have eaten monster meat?

Moreover, McKellan had already finished special viral marketing.

It was news that made even men who were not interested in food prick up their ears.

TodayTooHatbahn: They say monster meat….. is so good for… stamina….. I also….. must visit…. energized…

GreatTeacher: They say eating this is so good for the body. I will not say where it is good. If you are a man, you must eat it. Absolutely!

Although it was groundless rumors, people began to believe this.

Thanks to that, a strange rumor also spread.

SpiderGang: They say monster meat is so good, but if so, what on earth is Raider Lee Se-min, who has eaten monster meat since the past, like?

└ EndOfYouth: According to rumors, his nickname is wild horse. Because he runs like a wild horse without tiring…

MourinhoThisYear: It is a rumor but… someone said they saw Lee Se-min in a public bath… but… there was a reason he walked around in a souvenir jacket…. Literally… they saw a dragon….

RaiseYourHead: He is truly a man who has it all…. Even that is so outstanding…..

HourglassHuman: I envy you! Cry out Lee Se-min!

Let’sEatMonster: Cry out Lee Se-min!

He felt like he should be in a good mood, but it was a strange situation where he was not entirely pleased.

Se-min left a comment for now.

SML: Correct. Lee Se-min is a perfect man with nothing lacking. If I am born again, I want to be like Lee Se-min!

And he pushed the cell phone aside.

Although he was of thick skin, it was not pleasant that people mentioned him at will.

It would be the share he had to bear as a famous person.

“I am really bored.”

Since he was bored staying still, he opened the book he received as a gift.

It was a book handed over by Park In-jae, who visited him, telling him to read it since he would be bored while hospitalized. The title was ‘I am an Orc, but Praise Me.’ At a glance, it smelled like a third-rate novel, so he didn’t even look at it, but as Park In-jae said, he ended up reading it because he had nothing to do.

“As expected, it is boring.”

Se-min read a few characters and pushed it aside.

He decided to go for a walk.

***

He slunk out of the hospital room and went down to the first floor. When he walked with his head bowed, no one recognized him.

People passed by. Patients walked while pushing their IV stands, and visitors chatted while laughing.

In the midst of that, he saw a child walking ploddingly alone.

Judging from the fact that the child was not wearing a patient gown, they were not a patient. Would they be about ten years old now? Their face was full of worry, so it did not look like a child’s expression.

The child, who was walking while looking at their feet with arms crossed, suddenly discovered a person standing in front of them and raised their head.

A man was standing.

“Why does a young brat look so miserable?”

“Yes?”

It was a face frightened by Se-min, who suddenly appeared.

Se-min smiled gently.

“I will specially listen to your worries, so tell me.”

The child just shook their head side-to-side. Since a person they saw for the first time suddenly told them to spill their worries, they seemed even more uncomfortable.

The child ignored Se-min and tried to turn around.

However, they met the wrong opponent.

Se-min was standing behind them as well.

The surprised child looked back again.

Se-min was standing there too.

The child looked up at Se-min in surprise.

“I am a ghost.”

The child was cleverer than Se-min thought.

“Are you a Raider?”

“I am a ghost.”

“I really hate Raiders.”

The child got angry, pushed Se-min, and ran away. Hit on the area injured while fighting Black Castle, Se-min sat down on the spot and clutched the injured part.

The back of the child grew distant.

“Hey.”

The kid did not look back.

To hate Raiders, which shone as the first place in elementary students’ preferred occupations, what kind of story did they have?

Se-min hopped on one foot, chasing after the child.

“Kid, why do you hit a person?”

“You blocked my way first, mister.”

“It is a misunderstanding. I pursue technical soccer.”

“What are you talking about?”

Even if he was injured, the child could not shake off Se-min. Se-min caught the kid and seated them on a bench in the garden in front of the hospital.

“Stay still.”

Se-min went to the vending machine and took out two colas. One was given to the child. The kid said, accepting the cola.

“The doctor said carbonated drinks are bad for health…”

“Those doctors smoke and drink alcohol behind our backs. Look at that.”

Se-min pointed to the smoking area. There, doctors in white gowns held cigarettes in their mouths.

“There is no one to trust in the world. Right?”

At Se-min’s joke, the child laughed slightly. And they popped the can and took a sip of cola. They grimaced slightly, perhaps because the carbonation stung their throat.

Only then did Se-min realize this child was a girl. Because her hair was short, he thought she was a boy.

“Why did you come to the hospital?”

“…”

At a time like this, if a child was in the hospital, there was a part he could guess.

“Was someone hurt?”

The child nodded.

The Friday the 13th Incident, where missing gates occurred sequentially, left numerous casualties despite quick responses.

Not everyone could face a happy ending. Stories of dead people, the injured, or those who lost their homes and wandered aired on the media every day. They collected donations here and there, but the collected amount was terribly insufficient.

“A friend?”

The child shook her head again.

“Then who is not okay?”

“My dad…”

The child explained in a gloomy voice.

The child’s father went out to work even during the Friday the 13th Incident. It was to earn money. However, a gate appeared at the construction site, and before the monsters emerged, Raiders also appeared.

The child’s father and colleagues hid behind and watched their fight.

The monsters were subdued without difficulty. The problem was the Raiders. Perhaps because they were annoyed by the continuous fights, after dispatching all the monsters, they took out their anger on the people. They did not attack them directly.

They just threw the dead monster’s corpse at the people as if it were a mistake.

‘What are you watching like mice?’

When people dispersed, running away in surprise, the Raiders chuckled.

The problem was what followed.

That monster regained consciousness from the impact.

The monster soon pursued and attacked the people running around them. By the time the Raiders killed the monster belatedly, several people were already severely injured.

Far from apologizing, they laughed even more.

‘It’s only like this because of us. Be thankful you didn’t die.’

Like that, the child’s father was currently in a coma in the hospital.

Although insurance money came out, the hospital bill was barely enough, and above all, future livelihood was a worry.

They could not even demand punishment for the Raiders. They instead intimidated the victims. They could not handle the capital power of the Raider company.

Those who were injured were silently enduring the pain without being able to complain anywhere.

After hearing it, he did not feel good.

“I hate Raiders.”

“Correct. Raiders are full of bad guys.”

Se-min agreed.

“Do you know which company’s Raiders they were?”

“I do not know. I just heard they were Green Marks.”

“I see.”

The majority of South Korea’s Raiders are Blue Mark and Green Mark Raiders. It could not be specified with that.

“I will give you my phone number, so the next time those misters appear, contact me.”

“Why?”

“I will beat them up instead.”

The child did not seem to believe those words, but Se-min snatched her cell phone and entered his number.

At the saved name ‘World’s Most Handsome Man,’ the child frowned.

“Were many other misters also hurt?”

“Yes…”

“I see. What about your mother?”

“She went to work. Since Dad got hurt, she works until night.”

Even if you cannot buy happiness with money, at least you can prevent misfortune.

“What is your name?”

The child said while guarding against Se-min.

“Park Yun-seul.”

“It is a pretty name. Do you know what Yun-seul means?”

“I do not know.”

“Look over there.”

In the front garden of the hospital, a fountain was installed.

The water column that soared into the sky fell back to the water surface, causing ripples.

At each cross-section of the ripples, the dazzling sunlight sparkled.

Se-min continued with a solemn expression. He used the declarative tone once again, which was a symbol of authority.

“That is yun-seul.”

“Correct… Dad told me about it in the past.”

“Everyone has a name suited to them. Shall we make a promise?”

“What promise.”

“To become a person not ashamed of your name.”

“Why should I?”

“Don’t you think it would be good to just nod your head given the atmosphere?”

“I do not even know who you are, mister.”

“You saw earlier. It is the World’s Most Handsome Man.”

“Since you keep saying that, you look like a stranger person.”

Se-min let out a sigh. If this were inside the novel he had pushed aside in the hospital room, the child named Park Yun-seul would have nodded with shining eyes, and a beautiful scene would have been completed.

But as expected, reality is different.

Se-min grinned and stood up.

“Right. Anyway, listen to your mom well. And study hard.”

“I do not like studying though.”

“Is there anything else you want to do?”

“…”

“Until such a thing arises, just study. Mom’s words are all correct.”

Se-min crumpled the finished cola can and threw it in the trash. He waved his hand to Park Yun-seul and walked out. Park Yun-seul remained sitting in the spot.

While returning to the hospital room, Se-min thought of something, then soon opened his cell phone and made a call.

The other party greeted him gladly.

[Hello. I heard the news. You worked hard. You have been well, right?]

“Yes.”

[What brings you to call again?]

“It is always the same matter.”

[I am always grateful.]

“And there is a friend I want to help…”

[Yes. Please speak.]

“It seems there is someone who got hurt because of this incident. The child’s name is Park Yun-seul, her father. Can you find him?”

[Wait a moment…]

At Se-min’s explanation, the other party seemed to tap on the keyboard, then answered soon.

[Yes. Mr. Park Cheol-min’s family. The daughter is Park Yun-seul. They had applied for support this time.]

“It is insufficient, right?”

[Yes. Actually, it is. Funds are always insufficient…]

“I will send money. Please care for that side first. So that there is no problem with the kid growing up.”

[Ah… thank you so much. Everyone will be glad. I am always grateful. Will you do it anonymously this time too?]

“Yes.”

[It is regrettable. Everyone wants to know who Se-min is.]

“It is fine. I can send it as usual, right?”

[How much is the amount…]

“The amount is…”

Se-min checked the account with his cell phone.

When he called out the amount, the other party was astonished.

[Pardon?]

“I will send it now.”

[That much?]

“I have no use for it anyway.”

It was his entire fortune.

If you raid, money gathers.

And Se-min had raided a lot.

Although it was like that in his Blue Mark days, he was now a distant Platinum Mark. Because the front digit changed every day, he lived forgetting how much it was.

Money had no great meaning to him.

If he had a single sword, places that needed him overflowed in the world.

A single raid could buy all the necessary things.

The rest was a burden.

[Ah… yes. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks to Se-min, everyone…]

“I sent it.”

[I-I will check.]

“If there is a problem, contact me.”

Before the other party could answer, Se-min hung up.

On his cell phone, the letters ‘Raider Bureau Social Contribution Department’ floated up.

At the Raider Bureau, they operate a program where they receive donations from Raiders or automatically donate a part of their raid settlement. Se-min also donated not a small amount of money. Every time, the staff expressed gratitude.

Although it was a raid industry where money circulated, surprisingly, the proportion of donors was not high.

“I am broke now.”

His bank account balance became 0 won.

“The hospital bill will come out, right?”

If not, he could just leave. Since his body was slowly recovering, he was thinking of discharge.

The Raider Bureau and the hospital side wanted to keep checking his condition, but in Se-min’s view, merely taking rest was sufficient.

Thinking that he had to leave, he really wanted to leave.

***

Se-min received permission for discharge. It was the product of intimidation.

Se-min, whose aura had returned, had no hesitation. He used Cloud-Stepping Technique to crawl on the ceiling and threaten the doctor in charge, who eventually signed the medical opinion.

Leaving the tedious hospital behind, he was on his way out of the main gate.

Someone called him.

“Mister!”

Se-min looked back.

It was Park Yun-seul.

She had a lively face. When the kid who used to walk around with a miserable face smiled, she was quite cute.

She approached Se-min and said.

“The promise from earlier.”

“Yeah.”

“If you buy me one more cola, I will do it.”

It was a tone of showing extreme generosity. Se-min chuckled.

“Go ahead.”

Se-min pulled out one more can of cola from the vending machine. It was the last cash remaining to him. Now he was truly broke. Se-min resolved to call Hyeon Jae-yeong, his dedicated minus account.

Park Yun-seul held the cola can and bowed to Se-min.

“Are you not eating it right away?”

“I will give it to Mom when she comes.”

“I see…”

Because she was admirable, he wanted to buy her one more, but refrained because he had no money.

Se-min tested her once.

“Is your father receiving treatment well?”

“Yes. He has recovered a lot. And a good thing happened on the day I met you, mister!”

“What good thing?”

“Some extremely grateful person said they would pay the hospital bill instead. They support living expenses until Dad recovers, so Mom does not have to work all night either. He is a truly grateful person.”

“He is an extremely cool and handsome person.”

“Correct. It will definitely be like that.”

Se-min chuckled and ruffled Park Yun-seul’s hair. Park Yun-seul straightened her hair.

“I told Dad about you, mister, and he said your words were correct.”

“What did I say?”

“He said I must become an outstanding person like my name.”

“I have an allergy. An allergy to wrong words. If I do not say correct words, I die.”

“So you promise too, mister.”

“Promise?”

Park Yun-seul chuckled.

“You also promise to become an outstanding person like your name, mister.”

“Do you know what my name is?”

“What is it?”

“It is a secret.”

“Actually, I am not really curious.”

“This kid.”

“Hehe. You will have some good name too, mister.”

A good name.

Se-min chuckled.

The kid was correct. He also had a very good name.

“Right, let’s promise.”

“For real?”

“Yeah. You and I will become outstanding people suited to our names in the future.”

“Deal.”

The two hooked their pinkies.

“Are you getting discharged, mister?”

“Yeah.”

“If I am bored, I will contact you.”

“This mister is busy.”

“Liar.”

“I told you I have a lie allergy.”

Suddenly, Park Yun-seul’s cell phone rang. Answering the phone, she waved her hand to Se-min to go well.

“Mom!”

Looking at the departing Park Yun-seul, Se-min also turned his body.

The sunlight was good.

It was already his second hospital stay.

Leaving the hospital, he always felt good.

The kid is bold.

An outstanding person like her name.

“The kid keeps calling me mister when I am a big brother.”

Se-min waved his hand toward the Ferrari in the parking lot. Hyeon Jae-yeong was waiting for him. Walking toward him, Se-min shook off his souvenir jacket once.

Naturally, he would become a person suited to his name.

“Let’s go, Jae-yeong!”

Lee Se-min (李).

Black Mark Raider.

He returns.

Toward the Ferrari leaving the hospital, reporters pressed camera shutters without rest.

***

The Raider who reached the Platinum Mark while catching Kesia, Lee Se-min.

He blocked Black Castle’s advance alone in this Friday the 13th Incident.

It was not that he fought the monster gorgeously or coolly. He just unfolded aura and silently endured the enemy’s attacks. Rather, it was a disastrous sight.

And for him, five Black Mark Raiders gathered.

Seol Mu-jin of Wugeukhoe.

Ju Ho-san of Hosan Company.

Jang Geon of CCC.

Ryu Gwan-cheol of Cheolmasa.

Oh Jeong-hui of Peacemaker.

They were five Black Mark Raiders representing South Korea. Sitting around a round table, they stared at each other’s faces without a word for a while.

It was a heavy atmosphere.

Silence flowed in the sealed room.

The first to speak was Seol Mu-jin.

“The menu.”

He looked at each of the remaining faces and said.

“Let’s go with Chinese food.”

Oh Jeong-hui shook his head.

“It is Chinese food every time. As expected of someone from China…”

“Then do you have a good opinion, fellow?”

“French.”

Oh Jeong-hui pulled his chair closer to Ju Ho-san sitting beside him, put his arm around his shoulder, and said.

“Let’s go with French. Isn’t that right, Ho-san?”

Ju Ho-san nodded. Although he was the youngest here, he did not walk on eggshells at all.

“Yes. It has a vibe. I also like France. Chinese food is too greasy.”

“As expected of Ho-san. Sophisticated. How about Big Brother Gwan-cheol?”

“I…”

Ryu Gwan-cheol looked at Seol Mu-jin. His face was stiff. Ryu Gwan-cheol smiled gently and added strength to him.

“Chinese style would be good.”

Oh Jeong-hui and Ju Ho-san criticized.

“Are you taking the old man’s side again?”

“Show your sincerity.”

“Hahaha, I am sincere.”

“If it goes like this, it is that fellow again.”

Oh Jeong-hui shook his head while looking at Jang Geon. Jang Geon flared up.

“Why me?”

“Because you have the taste of a country mutt.”

“Do not talk nonsense. Do you know how sensitive I am about food…”

“They say you eat combat rations at home?”

“…”

“How long has it been since you discharged? You still can’t shake off the soldier smell. Sigh.”

“I-I just recall memories.”

Jang Geon was a combat ration enthusiast. The scary part was that unlike other military enthusiasts, he really enjoyed it because of the taste.

“Anyway, I…”

Such a person came to hold the deciding vote. The gazes of the four men focused on him. It was a fierce look. If he made a mistake, it would be big trouble. Whichever he chose, he would receive resentment.

Jang Geon, who was pondering, recalled a clever move.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

He raised his cell phone and made a call. At the sudden action, everyone tilted their heads.

“Se-min, I heard you were discharged. How have you been?”

The other party was the reason they gathered here, Lee Se-min.

Jang Geon switched to speakerphone.

[Yes, big brother. What is the matter?]

“There is nothing else, but I am curious about something regarding you.”

[I am not a dragon. I am ordinary. Do not misunderstand. There is no secret or anything.]

“What are you talking about?”

[Ah, is it not that story?]

“Yeah. I am about to eat lunch soon, and I am curious about your opinion.”

[My opinion? You can just eat what you want to eat.]

“Just answer for now. The weather is good today, and you can only eat two things. It is Chinese food and French food. Which side will you choose?”

[Hmm…]

Everyone focused on the cell phone.

Se-min said calmly.

[Since I grew up poor, I have never even eaten French food. I will just eat Chinese food.]

Seol Mu-jin nodded greatly.

As Oh Jeong-hui flared up and was about to shout something, Jang Geon blocked his mouth.

“This ba… mmm!”

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I will also eat Chinese style.”

[Yes, big brother.]

“Yeah. I’m hanging up! Rest!”

Seol Mu-jin’s face brightened, and Ju Ho-san and Oh Jeong-hui’s faces stiffened.

Without knowing it, Se-min created two enemies and one ally.

It was the moment it was about to end.

Se-min spoke again.

[Wait a moment. Big brother.]

Everyone fell silent again.

Could he be reversing it?

Did he want to experience French cuisine he had never eaten before, was he trying to say something like that?

Seol Mu-jin frowned, and Ju Ho-san and Oh Jeong-hui showed expecting expressions.

Jang Geon asked after swallowing saliva once.

“Uh, why? Do you have more to say?”

[Just in case I say this.]

Se-min said in a cheerful voice.

[For the sweet and sour pork, please dip it. Understood? I’m hanging up then.]

The call ended. It was no big content. He was a simpler fellow than thought.

It was the moment Jang Geon felt relieved and looked at Seol Mu-jin.

“…!”

His face was violently distorted.

“Dipping.”

Seol Mu-jin twisted his lips.

“He is an unpleasant fellow.”

“…”

Ju Ho-san, who had never even seen Se-min, also expressed hostility.

[I do not like that fellow. If I meet him, I must give him mental education first. Accompanying a bit of physical force.]

Se-min turned everyone into enemies by adding a word in vain.

Jang Geon sighed. This was why humans must watch their tongues.

Anyway, the menu was decided.

Ryu Gwan-cheol shook the bell placed on the table. Then the door opened, and a man in a suit entered to receive the order.

Ryu Gwan-cheol said briefly.

“Chinese.”

The man nodded.

“Yes. I will send the rest.”

“Hmm.”

For their demanding tastes, chefs of various fields were waiting. The one selected today was a master of Chinese cuisine. He would receive a reward corresponding to several months’ worth.

They entered the main topic while eating crab meat soup served as an appetizer.

“Anyway, do you all agree to promote Lee Se-min to Black Mark?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The three who felt hurt during the menu selection process kept silent. Only Ryu Gwan-cheol nodded toward Jang Geon.

“So… everyone is in favor, right?”

Everyone was still quiet.

“Those who oppose, please express opposition. If there is no word, it is promotion to Black Mark. Now, I count three. One, two…”

It was still quiet.

“Three!”

Seol Mu-jin laid down his spoon as if he did not like it, wiped his mouth, and Ju Ho-san was absorbed in his cell phone. Oh Jeong-hui pecked at the crab meat soup.

At least, no opposing vote came out.

Jang Geon clapped alone.

“Wow, promotion! Se-min’s promotion! We have also become six people now. Let’s welcome the sixth Black Mark, Lee Se-min.”

It was chilly for the moment a Black Mark Raider was born.

Ryu Gwan-cheol spoke.

“He is a young man of correct character.”

The three who were silent when Jang Geon was proceeding diligently reacted to Ryu Gwan-cheol.

Seol Mu-jin also nodded.

“His achievement is deep at a young age. He does not seem to have outstanding talent, but his will is strong. Talent is not important in reaching the ultimate of martial arts.”

“He is a cute fellow.”

“It would be good to bring him to our company. I think he is better than when I was young.”

Everyone nodded.

Jang Geon was slightly aggrieved but stayed quiet.

Seol Mu-jin spoke.

“Then we must deliver it to the Director.”

“Yes.”

The one they called Director was the head overseeing the entire Raider Bureau and the man connected with the World Headquarters of the Raid Alliance.

“You do it.”

Seol Mu-jin said to Oh Jeong-hui. He disliked the Director. The one who treated the Director comfortably was the affable Oh Jeong-hui.

“Understood.”

Oh Jeong-hui pressed his cell phone.

A low and thick voice answered the phone.