Kidnapped Dragons

, and because he didn’t need to ask questions, there was no need for unnecessary conversations.

“First, you can take back all the guys listed as missing people.”

Jefferson squinted his eyes.

“I assume you won’t be giving them back just like that… And how are you going to describe how you found them?”

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He was fast at understanding things, and made the conversation a lot easier.
Yu Jitae pointed at Clone 1.

“This friend here is called ‘One’.”

In that moment, Clone 2’s name was also decided as ‘Two’.

“He’s a nameless superhuman that had been running wild during the Great War, and his individual power level is above those guys with Unlimited Dungeon Raid Qualification Privilege.”

Yu Jitae’s words caused Jefferson to widen his eyes.

There were only 30 superhumans worldwide with access to an Unlimited Dungeon Raid Qualification Privilege – the so-called Dungeon Free Pass, and most of them were in two digits or less.

“His main ability is in searching and backtracking.
As long as he wants to, he can find the location of the witch, Valentine, who hid herself pretty deep.
So… he’s a league above the sloppy search party of the Association.”

Jefferson squinted his eyes.

This was another nonsensical story.

There was not a single superhuman who was unaware of the fact that the witch was living in secret.
However, Rank 1 Oscar Brzenk was the only one who knew the exact location of the witch.

It was already more than 10 years ago that the previous Rank 1 had decided to live in secret after her retirement.
Who could dare be confident that they could find her?

“Why.
Is it strange?” Yu Jitae asked.

“Sorry? Ah… no.”

“That’s the scenario you need to say to the Association.”

Ah, no wonder.
Jefferson thought to himself as Yu Jitae continued his words.

“You came across him by accident and requested him to look for the 3 missing people which he did.
Using that as the reason, recommend him to the Association as a military advisor or something.
They have it rough these days with soldiers retiring from their post endlessly, so the chairman should welcome your proposition with open arms.
Besides, the military advisor position is also vacant anyway.”

How was he so knowledgeable about what was happening inside the Association?

Jefferson touched his beard in thought.

“Please wait.
How were the 3 of them able to smile at me? Did you perhaps brainwash them?”

The ‘hostages’ hadn’t been returned yet, and they were currently still under the supervision of Clone 1.
Clone 1 replied.

“No.
They haven’t been brainwashed.”

“So then?”

“I explained it to them.
They understood it very well and agreed with my lord’s objective.”

Explain?

It was another nonsense.

Jefferson frowned.

If someone else had told him the same thing, he would immediately leave the seat after dismissing them as mental patients.
However, since some fairly strong people were being serious about it, he found it hard to determine how believable it was.

In the first place, the story about 3 SSS+ dungeons appearing out of the blue was unbelievable in itself.

A conversation without any trust was meaningless, since the listener wouldn’t be able to understand it even after listening to it.
Plus, the listener wouldn’t listen to their suggestion even after hearing it.

The only things stopping him from stepping away from this frustrating conversation were the undismissable power level of the opponents and the hostages in hand. 

Jefferson realised that this was beyond what he could control.
It wasn’t something he could dare chime in and refuse.

He was like a child in front of an adult holding a gun.

It was okay for him to die, but it wasn’t okay for the Association to be placed in danger.
Due to that, Jefferson decided to act like he was on their side for the time being.

For everything to go without a problem, these ‘strong people’ living in a well had to know what kind of place the Association was.

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“…Hmm.
I understand.
However, I do not think that things would go that easily.”

“What does that mean?”

The person called One asked in return.

“Even with the life of 3 missing people plus my recommendation, the Association will investigate the case and determine your exact identity before adding you into the military.”

“It’s a military with all the soldiers leaving at this point.
Is there still a need to be that sensitive?”

“That’s… What you’ve been saying for a while now is not the most pleasing thing to hear.”

“What?”

“Please mind your words, sir!”

Kwang!

Jefferson powerfully struck the glass down on the table but not a single person looked their way inside the cafe as the sound had been cut off.

“We are the ‘International Superhuman Association’ – we move military globally and we are the only organisation that can interfere with the soldiers of every nation ever since the New Era.
I assume you are aware of that yourself?” Jefferson asked.

Leaning back on the chair, One crossed his arms and waited.

“We have 72 troops and over 1400 rankers.
They are our hands and feet.
That’s not the end.
You should know them yourself – the ‘Returnee’, the ‘Druid of Regeneration’, the ‘Wings of the Wave’ and the ‘Sword of the Royal Family’, as well as other countless superhumans serve the Association as its sword and shield.

“If there is something you wish for, you must tread more carefully.
It will do you more harm if you look down on the Association! No matter what revelation you received – no matter what prophesy you’re following, if you recklessly try to push that forth, it will be nothing more than senile words of retired superhumans for the Association! You have to be more meticulous and elaborate!”

Jefferson widened his shoulders like a frilled-neck lizard opening up its frill.

Although he sounded impudent, he was advising them to be more careful when dealing with the Association.

This was in fact the same as him trying to protect Yu Jitae, since the ‘sublime Association’ of his should be able to deal with everything as long as Jefferson listened to Yu Jitae on the outside.
However, since there was no reason for Jefferson to protect Yu Jitae, it seemed that he was saying that to protect the hostages. 

Jefferson appeared to be thinking of Yu Jitae and Clone 1 as old seniors of the past generation – like the eccentric men living secluded lives, who were unaware and ignorant of the Association, who believed in nothing but their individual strength which helped them survive through the harsh times of the Great War.

Jefferson had no idea.

In the 1st iteration, Yu Jitae was a soldier under the Association.

In the 2nd iteration, Yu Jitae was the centurion of the Association’s Platoon 107. 

In the 3rd iteration, for a short period of time, Yu Jitae was the brigade commander of the 10th Brigade under the Association.

In the 4th iteration, Yu Jitae was a member of the Grand Natural Society, while also being the commander of the 2nd corps of the Association, although for a short period of time.
After ranking 3rd, he took the role of the vice-captain of the Association’s final suicide squad, and was chosen as one of the 5 Transcendents.

And in the 5th iteration, he was the chairman of the Association for around 10 years.

“Antonio Jefferson.”

“Yes?”

“How long have you been of service for the Association?”

“Well, around 25 years.
Why would you ask that?”

In total, Yu Jitae had been working for the Association for around 90 years, and this was even longer than the history of the Association.

As if talking to a pitiful person, he opened his mouth.

“Nothing.
Stop being cocky and just call them.”

 

Reverse Scale (역린 – 逆鱗): A widely known concept in Eastern Asia, I believe.
A dragon is said to have scales that are reverse-shaped around their neck.
It is their weakpoint and thus touching that part of the body infuriates them.
The word is often used to describe something that upsets a person the most.