Leveling Up Alone

Chapter 252: Terror Crisis (3)

They had only fifty minutes remaining, but a renewed vigor filled the command center upon obtaining newfound hope.

Innread.com].

The plan was quite straightforward: Tayarana would enter the hunting ground and keep the terrorists occupied while a team infiltrated beneath the Faiyum hunting ground. With the main plan in mind, the intelligence officers now found it extremely easy to iron out the minor details.

On the other hand, President Phaophator remained dissatisfied with the entire situation. He would have preferred not to send his daughter into danger if possible, but he knew that it was impossible to dissuade her now that a proper plan was in place.

“Haa…” Phaophator let out a sigh after realizing he had no choice in dissuading her.

The only option he had now was to meticulously prepare everything and ensure to minimize as much risk as possible for her.

It was then that the main screen suddenly changed, and the masked terrorist from earlier reappeared.

[Ah, I forgot to mention a while ago that we have identified the locations of all Master Rank Hunters in Egypt, and we will not hesitate to kill the hostages if even a single one of them moves from their current location the moment your precious bitch, Tayarana, enters the hunting ground.]

‘D-Damn it!’

The entire command center froze at those words. The hostage rescue plan had centered around the Ra Rank Hunter, originally from Uganda.

This Ra Rank Hunter, named 'Teheran,' was a counterterrorist specialist who had awakened as a Ra Rank Hunter, and she was Egypt's best hope for resolving this situation. But what if she could no longer be deployed after the threat the terrorist had just made?

[Y-Your Excellency…?]

All eyes were now on President Phaophator, as if seeking guidance on what to do next.

[D-Damn it…!]

Bam!

He slammed his fist on the table, but the table didn't split in half as he controlled his strength.

There was no way he could come up with a new plan now that there were thirty minutes left before Tayarana had to enter the hunting ground. They could have drafted a different plan with another Ra Rank Hunter if they had enough time, but thirty minutes was nowhere near enough to find a Ra Rank Hunter who was not from Egypt.

It was at that moment when Phaophator was slowly losing hope that someone suddenly stepped in.

[I will go.]

[What?!]

[Whoa!]

[Oh!]

It was the new Master Rank Hunter from South Korea, Lee Han-Yeol.

[Y-Yes! We still have a chance!]

[It could work if it's him! He stayed in the guest palace this entire time, and all of the security in that palace were his own people. That means the chances of a spy being around him are almost close to none! They will never imagine he went missing if he pretends to return to the guest palace and sneaks out the back!]

[That sounds like an excellent plan!]

The intelligence officers exclaimed with newfound hope.

Han-Yeol believed this was an excellent opportunity for him to step up. He was contemplating how to convince President Phaophator to allow him to join the operation.

After all, it would be a shame if he missed his chance to seek revenge against the terrorists who had dared to kidnap his people while another Master Rank Hunter hunted them down. His anger could not be appeased if someone else captured or killed the terrorists, as he wanted to take that task into his own hands.

[I’m sorry…] President Phaophator apologized with his head slightly bowed.

Han-Yeol was a guest with no direct connection to Egypt. However, not only had his people been kidnapped in broad daylight, but now he found himself personally compelled to step in and resolve the situation.

[No, please do not worry about that, but… there is something I wish to ask first.]

[What is it? Ask whatever you want, as I will reward you with anything you wish for.]

Egypt was an exceedingly wealthy country, not only possessing the largest cash reserves but also abundant in unique items.

[Well, I am not asking for any reward. I just wanted to inquire if I need to capture them alive or if I can kill them instead.]

He would have relished nothing more than torturing them until their last breath, but such practices were no longer viable in this day and age, as they would flagrantly violate human rights, regardless of whether the individuals were terrorists or not.

The alternative was to apprehend them and subject them to trial, locking them up for the rest of their wretched lives. However, the recent global human rights movement had led to criminals living in exceptionally comfortable conditions in jail.

Therefore, Han-Yeol decided that the best course of action was to eliminate them on the spot.

[Do as you wish. I'm not so shameless as to dictate what you can or cannot do. Besides, nobody will criticize you for killing a terrorist, as most countries have policies to eliminate terrorists on the spot, and the same applies to our country.]

[Alright, that's enough for me then.]

President Phaophator was a diplomatic man, so he didn't explicitly state his intentions, but it was evident that he was instructing Han-Yeol to eliminate every single one of the terrorists. After all, it would set a poor example if the highest authority in the country openly requested someone to take another human life, regardless of whether they were terrorists or not.

Tak… Tak…

President Phaophator tapped Han-Yeol’s shoulder twice.

[Then, I’ll leave it to you.]

He felt guilty about burdening a foreign guest with the country's troubles, but Han-Yeol was actually thrilled that he could personally administer punishment to the terrorists.

[Han-Yeol.]

Tayarana approached Han-Yeol.

[!!!]

[WHAT?!]

[WHOAAA!]

What she did next sent shockwaves throughout the room.

Tayarana was also known as an Ice Princess who never displayed her emotions to others, let alone to another man. However, her Ice Princess facade shattered in an instant with her recent actions.

‘T-Tara...!’

Even her father, President Phaophator, was taken aback after witnessing her do something she had never done in her entire life.

‘Y-You rascal!’

In an instant, all the apologetic feelings he had toward Han-Yeol vanished as his protective instincts as a father took over.

[T-Tara…?]

However, the one most shocked by her actions was none other than Han-Yeol himself. It wasn't the first time he had felt her embrace upon his return from spending twenty years at the Bastro Dimension, but this time it felt different as she was the one who initiated it.

Tayarana slowly released him and took a step back, gazing into his eyes as she offered an apology. [I'm sorry, and please take care of yourself.]

[Haha... Don't worry about me,] Han-Yeol replied with a smile.

He extended his fist toward her, seeking a fist bump. Tayarana observed his fist for a moment before returning the gesture with a gentle smile.

Tak…

[You take care of yourself, okay, Tara?]

[Don’t worry.]

Right after they exchanged good luck wishes, the command center became busy once more.

[It is time to leave, princess.]

[Alright.]

Tayarana was the first to leave the command center, and Han-Yeol followed shortly after.

Mariam had her head held down as she stood in the corner of the command center, unable to shake the feeling of extreme helplessness at this moment.

Tak…

[!!!]

Suddenly, someone placed their hand on her head, causing her to flinch and open her eyes wide in shock. She looked up and saw...

[H-Han-Yeol-nim...?]

She was slightly disappointed to see Han-Yeol instead of Tayarana, but deep inside, she wasn't that disappointed. After all, Han-Yeol was the only man she trusted in the entire world, and she had been feeling closer to him in recent days.

[Do you want to come along?] Han-Yeol asked.

[Pardon me...?]

[The ones those terrorists are keeping tabs on are the Ra Rank Hunters, right? I have to deal with the terrorists right after I meet up with Tayarana, so having you there to command the special forces sounds like a good idea to me.]

[B-But...!] Mariam began.

She almost accepted the offer right away, but she had to swallow her enthusiasm and refuse it instead.

[N-No, I think it would be best if I stayed here…]

[Why?] Han-Yeol inquired.

He couldn't understand why she would refuse such an offer.

[I recently found out that the terrorists were keeping their eyes on Tayarana-nim, and this would naturally mean that they have their eyes on me as well. If I suddenly disappear right after Tayarana-nim enters the hunting ground, then I am certain that they will start suspecting that we are planning something. I cannot place the whole operation in jeopardy just for my own wants.]

[Alright, I will respect your decision,] Han-Yeol replied, still patting her head.

He had no choice but to respect Mariam's opinion, as that was the gentlemanly thing to do.

"Ahem..." Mariam cleared her throat, her cheeks flushed red.

"Ah! Sorry!" Han-Yeol flinched and hurriedly removed his hand.

'Damn it! I got too used to patting Riru!'

He was shocked by his own actions. He had become accustomed to patting Riru's head whenever he had the chance while in the Bastro Dimension, and it seemed he had brought this habit to Earth as well.