Chapter 40

Even if the two groups were on bad terms, it wasn’t to the point of holding a deep grudge. Whenever the opportunity arose, they would openly badmouth each other, but for the most part they ignored one another and went their separate ways—like a cow looking at a chicken.¹ There was no reason to deliberately provoke the West Sea Legion, whose strength was unquestionable even if they avoided all-out war.

“The vice leader was captured by the Association recently, wasn’t he?”

“Yeah.”

Not long ago, he’d been captured by the Hunter Association and imprisoned in an offshore prison.

Although he lacked the raw ability to be the official leader, making him only the vice leader, he had been the Shadow Knights’ true leader and the one who held the organization together. The people left behind must have taken the loss hard.

If that was the case, then this kidnapping was almost certainly connected to that incident.

Now that she knew who they were, even this outrageously reckless kidnapping made sense.

The Shadow Knights had flown a helicopter straight into the building, smashed through the wall, knocked Morae unconscious, and abducted her.

Objectively speaking, it was a foolish move.

Even if it succeeded, there was no future for them afterward. It was like detonating a bomb in the middle of a city. Anyone could do it, but nobody did.

But if the culprits were the Shadow Knights, then it fit.

They must have been cornered badly enough to resort to such insane, reckless tactics as attacking someone else’s headquarters.

That meant she wasn’t in immediate danger.

As long as this wasn’t driven by a personal grudge, her safety was practically guaranteed until they got what they wanted.

Her life, at least.

“Get me a chair.”

“What?”

“A chair. Something cushioned. I’m hungry, so bring a table, snacks, and something to drink too. I just finished exercising, so I’m starving.”

Having assessed the situation, Morae beckoned with a finger.

The Shadow Knights stared at her in disbelief.

“I heard you were smart, but are you just an empty can? Do you even understand your situation? You don’t get to act like some rich young lady here.”

“Are you stupid? That’s exactly why I’m saying this. If you want something from me, then treat your hostage properly. Do you think I’m going to sit here trembling in fear? How many times do you think I’ve been kidnapped?”

Morae glared back without the slightest sign of backing down.

She truly wasn’t bothered.

After being kidnapped dozens of times, it simply became part of everyday life.

Kidnapping the princess was practically textbook—a cliché.

When facing someone powerful, taking their weak point hostage was both logical and easy to carry out.

It was ethically questionable, sure.

But in chaotic times, who cared about ethics?

Even the Hunter Association had once tried to capture the fully grown Morae and use her as a hostage. If even they did it, what else could be expected from underground Hunters who lived outside the law—or ordinary Hunters blinded by money?

Ever since she’d grown tall enough to reach a normal doorknob, Morae had been kidnapped whenever the opportunity arose.

At this point, she was practically a professional hostage.

She’d become so used to it that she could even classify kidnappings by type.

Kidnappings motivated by hatred toward the West Sea Legion or her parents were Red Alert.

Kidnappings by people with no real grudge who impulsively snatched her hoping to make a quick profit were Yellow Alert.

And kidnappings meant to use her as leverage against the Legion were Blue Alert.

Blue Alert wasn’t particularly worrying.

People with a clear objective wouldn’t casually harm her.

It was even simpler when what they wanted wasn’t money or power.

This incident was Blue Alert.

On top of that, her captors were sensible enough not to dismiss Han Nokyeong as some mere fugitive.

If so, there was no reason Morae couldn’t handle them.

“The chair. The table. The snacks. Don’t make me ask a third time.”

She ordered them again coldly.

If she’d already had a chair, she would have crossed her legs, but sitting on the floor made that difficult.

The kidnappers exchanged hesitant glances before one after another left to carry out her demands.

As expected.

Blue Alert.

They returned with an ergonomic chair, a large table, and a selection of snacks.

Morae calmly sat down, picked up a cream cheese cookie with her heavily shackled hands, and took a bite.

It was surprisingly good.

“It’s not as good as Mom’s baking, but it’s edible. It’d be more convenient if you took these cuffs off too, but I won’t ask for that much.”

“Obviously not. Why would we trust you enough to uncuff you?”

“Imagine bragging that it takes restraints to keep one girl under control. I’m hungry, so prepare a proper meal. One made by an actual chef. If you serve instant food, you won’t like what happens.”

“You… do you think we’re your damn subordinates?!”

One underground Hunter with a scar across his face kicked the table over, shouting.

The snacks and table flew across the room.

Even Morae’s long hair fluttered in the gust.

She frowned, looking thoroughly annoyed.

“Can’t you even treat a hostage properly? You do know who you’ve kidnapped, don’t you?”

When dealing with outsiders, Morae was endlessly arrogant.

“Just the pathetic daughter who inherited neither of her parents properly, despite dreaming big. Honestly, I didn’t expect it’d be this easy to kidnap you.”

“So you’re proud of rushing one insignificant girl with your whole group? It took all of you just to catch someone as insignificant as me.”

Like a boss addressing her underlings, Morae crossed her legs and mocked them.

The scar-faced Hunter flew into a rage and kicked her knee—

Only to clutch his own foot in agony.

Morae had hardened her knee just before impact, making it feel as though he’d kicked solid steel.

Groaning from the sudden pain, he immediately got smacked across the back by his companions.

“What the hell are you doing?! You can’t just lay hands on the hostage!”

“We’re trying to get the vice leader back, not start a war with the West Sea Legion, you idiot!”

The others immediately began chewing him out.

Morae released her ability and hummed lightly.

“See? Your teammates actually understand. If you know why I’m being held hostage, then you should also know how you’re supposed to treat me. The moment I get hurt, you’ll be the ones my dad shoots first.”

A hostage had no value unless they remained unharmed.

Eun Jisung and Han Nokyeong weren’t ordinary people who would simply breathe a sigh of relief just because their daughter was alive.

The moment they got her back, they possessed more than enough power to exact bloody revenge.

If Morae returned completely unharmed, they might decide revenge wasn’t worth wasting time over.

But if she didn’t…

The words “cowards” and “runaways” were used because they never left White City—not because they were gentle people. After all, no one would call people who had sunk an entire carrier strike group and fled “gentle.”

“Be careful. Now that you understand, go prepare my meal.”

The underground Hunter glared resentfully at Morae, who lounged comfortably against the back of her chair. The way she issued orders like an emperor was unbelievably irritating.

But they had no other choice.

Grumbling the entire time, they went off to prepare the food.

While they were gone, Morae manipulated her watch and left a message.

Judging by the red marks around her wrist, they’d apparently tried to remove it, but the watch was made from a lightweight yet exceptionally durable material, so they’d failed.

[Wait. ★That’s an order★]

There was only one recipient.

Yu Pado.

He was the only person she could think of who would charge in headfirst the moment he heard she’d been kidnapped.

“You’re a pretty good cook. How long have you been cooking? You should come work at our place.”

“It meets the West Sea Legion’s standards? I’m honored.”

The chef lowered his head, his face lighting up.

Though he shrank under the reproachful stares of his companions, he kept enthusiastically explaining the dishes to Morae.

“If you soak the rice in shrimp stock first, then stir-fry the shrimp heads, the shrimp flavor becomes much richer. It isn’t too heavy, so even middle-aged men who usually don’t like cream risotto enjoy it.”

“You’re right. It’s good. Now I’m looking forward to your Korean dishes too. If you ever run out of places to go, open a restaurant. I’ll come all the time.”

“I’m honored.”

The surrounding stares became even colder.

Crunching on a shrimp head, Morae looked around at the kidnappers.

“Stop glaring at me like that. I listened to your story properly. So… you want me to find Uncle Jeongeon?”

“That’s right. We need Seo Jeongeon.”

The woman who had been glaring at Morae as though she were a mortal enemy suddenly looked hopeful as Morae continued eating the shrimp bisque risotto with obvious enjoyment.

The Shadow Knights’ situation was simple enough that it could be explained over a meal.

Not long ago, they’d clashed head-on with the Hunter Association and lost several comrades, including their vice leader.

Although the vice leader wasn’t much of a Hunter in terms of combat ability, he had committed enough crimes to be imprisoned in the infamous offshore prison—known for being virtually impossible to escape.

The remaining members of the Shadow Knights had only one goal.

To rescue him.

To do that, they needed Seo Jeongeon’s power and the West Sea Legion’s assistance.

That was why they’d kidnapped Morae.

“Even we can’t find Uncle Jeongeon. He’s been missing for a long time.”

“We’re not expecting much. We just thought he might show himself if your life were in danger.”

An enormous greatsword that looked completely out of place in the modern era was aimed at Morae’s throat.

Its massive, razor-sharp tip hovered just short of piercing her neck.

Morae casually slapped the blade aside with one hand.

When her palm struck the sword, the sound of metal colliding with metal rang through the room.

Her hardened hand effortlessly knocked the greatsword away.

“That’s optimistic… and stupid. If that actually worked, life would be so much easier. Unless you chop my head off and hang it in Gwanghwamun Square, news of me won’t reach Uncle Jeongeon.”

“Then your parents will come. You’ve been kidnapped.”

“I’m telling you this because I have been kidnapped. It won’t work. Who’s going to move over a threat like this? More importantly, bring me dessert. Oh, and you don’t use slimes here? You actually have people serving everything?”

Morae tapped her empty plate twice with her fork.

The chef immediately went to fetch dessert.

Leaning comfortably back in her chair, Morae relaxed.

Before long, the chef returned with a peach dessert and a simple drink, setting them neatly in front of her.

A delicious meal.

Fresh fruit.

A comfortable chair.

A well-ventilated room.

She was wearing handcuffs, but otherwise, she was living a remarkably comfortable hostage life.

If Morae cried or suffered, negotiations would become slow and difficult.

But seeing her looking perfectly refreshed, barking orders around like the boss of the place, wasn’t exactly pleasant either.

The kidnappers’ expressions only grew darker.

“Then your parents will have to grant our request instead. It’s not a bad deal. They only have to rescue our vice leader. We’ll cooperate completely. Once that’s done, we’ll grant whatever request you have. You can even beat us up until you’re satisfied.”

“This peach is really good. Did you grow it yourselves?”

Morae deliberately changed the subject.

She was willing to hear the kidnappers out to some extent, but there was no reason to let herself be dragged entirely onto their side.

She was famous for never losing these kinds of psychological battles.

This time, however, the Shadow Knights refused to back down as well.

They surrounded her in a circle, leaving no opening.

“No one’s ever successfully attacked the offshore prison before, but the facility’s almost twenty years old now. It may have been perfect back then, but there have to be weaknesses by now. If it’s Eun Jisung, he’ll be able to find them.”

“It’ll take an enormous amount of money and manpower.”

“It’ll be worth it. Your fate—and your former Commander’s fate—are on the line.”

“Ah…”

With a piece of peach still in her mouth, Morae let out a muffled sound.

It wasn’t a proposal she welcomed.