A coffee shop is arguably the best place for a conversation. Frequent haunts carry the risk of wiretapping, but ducking into a random spot that catches the eye makes it difficult for anyone to prepare a response.

  Inside the chosen café, the two remained silent for a long while. It was only after their drinks arrived that the conversation finally began.

  Jihyeon spoke first. Since he already knew everything, the initiative belonged to him. There was no such thing as "unfairness" when dealing with state power. Jihyeon knew well that he had to steer the situation to his advantage without exception.

  "The number of incidents has increased lately, hasn't it?"

  Seok-young nodded. Though they hadn't exchanged many words on the way here, Seok-young had already realized that Jihyeon's knowledge ran deep.

  There was no point in playing games. He could tell just by looking into the young man's eyes.

  Jihyeon wore an expression that suggested he knew even the secrets hidden in Seok-young's deepest core. Seok-young had never experienced anything like this. As an investigator, he had seen countless people—liars, truth-hiders, and everyone in between. He had looked at them all through an investigator’s lens and had come close to the truth many times.

  But reaching the truth itself just by looking? This was a shock he had never encountered.

  Of course, a brilliant investigator can discern much about a person from the slightest clue. A small gesture can hold a wealth of information, revealing the story of a lifetime.

  But Jihyeon was different.

  He already knew. He possessed a composure that felt almost like that of an absolute being. Seok-young was already feeling a sense of defeat. He wanted to ignore that fact, but it was impossible.

  With just a few words, Seok-young had to admit defeat. A weight heavier than any long-winded explanation made him lose his fighting spirit in an instant.

  "To be honest, from my position, I want to be guaranteed the safety of my family in exchange for providing information."

  Once Jihyeon felt the atmosphere was right, he spoke of his true desire.

  The guaranteed safety of his family.

  That was what Jihyeon needed most for his future. If he were living alone, he wouldn't need such things; he could just earn a decent living and get by. If there is nothing to protect, there is no reason to think of anything else.

  However, his family acted as a brake on Jihyeon's potential for total detachment. Jihyeon cherished the time spent with them above all else.

  That left only one option: securing state support. He knew best that if he couldn't be there 24/7 to guard them, borrowing the power of the state was the most effective solution.

  Of course, Jihyeon knew Seok-young didn't have the authority to grant this immediately. What could a lone investigator who came to meet him without even reporting to his superiors offer?

  And if he really wanted to, Jihyeon could shake the police organization through other means to force a security detail. He could strike a deal with the higher-ups without even resorting to threats.

  But Jihyeon didn't want to use those methods. They could backfire later. Therefore, Seok-young's visit was a good opportunity for Jihyeon as well.

  "For now, if I can be guaranteed my family's safety, I intend to spare no effort in providing all possible support. Of course, if negotiations break down, I'll have no choice."

  Seok-young gave a bitter smile at Jihyeon’s words.

  "I see. So your family is your greatest weakness?"

  Seok-young intentionally spoke provocatively. It was a bluff to regain control of the conversation. But Jihyeon replied with a smile.

  "No. It's just that if my family gets hurt, I don't think I'll be able to pull my own 'brakes' anymore."

  Seok-young nodded, and in that moment, he realized something: he had just done something foolish.

  Jihyeon wouldn't take his words as a direct threat, but Seok-young couldn't stop the cold sweat from breaking out.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  "A classic cliché, then. All the more reason to protect them well, I suppose?"

  Seok-young spoke as if it were nothing, but his body honestly betrayed his fear.

  Jihyeon hadn't explained all of his abilities. Nevertheless, Seok-young understood just how formidable the power he possessed must be.

  The problem now was how to persuade his superiors. Agonizing over how to handle the task was far more productive than a petty struggle for dominance in a conversation.

  Still, there was much to gain.

  If Jihyeon lent his strength to a state agency, the response to future incidents would be incomparable to anything before. Even a fool could see that.

  However, Jihyeon was a difficult person to handle.

  A type like Jihyeon turns hostile toward everything the moment a line is crossed. He would eliminate whoever stepped outside his tolerance zone with more cold-blooded efficiency than anyone.

  Thus, maintaining a proper distance was the best course of action.

  But that "proper distance" was a dangerous tightrope walk. It was something one could never truly know without a long period of interaction.

  In the first place, Jihyeon’s ability was closer to something that could not be explained by modern science.

  Consequently, it was impossible to imagine what one should be careful about. Facing an opponent who knew everything about your side while you knew nothing about theirs was an incredibly difficult task.

  It would be easier if Jihyeon were a mere braggart. But through the few proofs Jihyeon had already shown, Seok-young knew his words were not lies.

  "Then, for now, I'll submit a report to my superiors. I hope for a positive response."

  Seok-young spoke, attempting to wrap up the conversation. It was perhaps an instinctive act of avoidance. A fear gripped him that if he stayed any longer, he might be completely mentally consumed by Jihyeon.

  At first, he had thought Jihyeon was just an informant who happened to know a lot about the cases. He thought his appearance in dangerous places was merely an extension of that.

  It was a devastatingly naive judgment. Jihyeon was a being that couldn't be compared to such things.

  Though Jihyeon might still consider himself a human, Seok-young perceived him as an extremely dangerous entity.

  Of course, as long as one didn't cross the line Jihyeon had set, he would likely be a very harmless presence to ordinary people.

  But Jihyeon was already someone who could do anything through his ability to manipulate the internet at will. If he truly wanted to, throwing the entire country into chaos was not impossible. Furthermore, Jihyeon had not revealed all of his abilities.

  While curiosity nudged Seok-young to wonder what Jihyeon could achieve if he truly set his mind to it, it was a question that should never be answered.

  "Oh, and if the talk doesn't seem to be going well, let me know. I'll show your superiors something interesting."

  Jihyeon spoke as if he knew exactly what Seok-young was thinking. His voice was ordinary, but Seok-young felt goosebumps erupt all over his body.

  "And you should tell them to consider this: if I decide to make a connection, should I make it with the police, or somewhere even higher? It’ll be an interesting point for them to ponder."

  Jihyeon smiled as he said this. In that moment, Seok-young couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh.

  "You're certainly no ordinary person, Jihyeon. It takes some serious nerve to speak this way in front of a state agency."

  Jihyeon merely laughed at Seok-young's remark.

  "Well, anyway, I'm counting on you."

  Jihyeon concluded the conversation. Seok-young let out a sigh along with a bitter smile.

  With a sense of unease that the road ahead would be fraught with hardship, Seok-young turned to leave.

  "You bastard! How dare you cause a scene here!"

  An irritated roar echoed. Simultaneously, a rough-looking man tried to drag out a customer who was causing a disturbance in the establishment.

  In any place that serves alcohol, there are bound to be those who get drunk and act out. Some pick fights over trifles, while others break furniture.

  Naturally, such people are meant to be kicked out. Those who just drink and fall asleep are at least manageable.

  But it was a different story for those who resorted to violence. Giving them a proper beating and throwing them out was the best policy.

  They might have to pay settlement money later, but that was just the cost of doing business. The bigger problem was ruining the night's trade by harassing other customers.

  This was one of the larger establishments among the Boss's businesses. Its daily revenue was not something to be ignored. Therefore, it was only natural to clear out the useless trash.

  However, the Boss's subordinate had not yet realized that he had met the wrong opponent this time. The man, who had been causing a scene in a drunken state, attacked the subordinate with startling power.

  "Argh!"

  A scream erupted as he failed to withstand the unexpected blow. The Boss's subordinate was someone who had experienced a fair share of rough work.

  Because of that, he didn't show weakness easily. But this was different.

  How could a human exert such monstrous strength? Unless it were a wooden club or a steel pipe, this was a level of pain impossible to inflict with bare hands.

  "I told you! Why did you touch me?!"

  Whether truly enraged or not, the man began to swing his fists again. Perhaps because he was drunk, his attacks didn't all land, but the way his missed blows shattered the floor looked incredibly dangerous.

  "This son of a...!"

  With curses, other subordinates guarding the place flocked in. Realizing the situation was unusual, they rushed forward to stop him before things escalated.

  But they were no match for the man. The sound of people being beaten echoed, and the customers inside began to scream.

  None of that mattered to the man. He was simply looking for something to vent his rage on.

  It was, in a way, a typical sight. If anyone knew what the strange tattoo-like mark on the man's neck signified, they would all have reacted the same way.

  The man went on a rampage without restraint. Madness could be felt in the way he acted as if this were only natural.

  There was no one to stop him. For a while, the man's madness continued.

  Someone was watching and laughing at the sight of him rampaging alone in pure violence.

  It was a challenge—a provocation. Watching their chosen messenger carry out his mission splendidly, they waited for the Boss's reaction.

  This was a bell announcing the start of a new war between organizations. All that remained was to see who would be the victor and the loser; in that place, justice did not exist.