The group, having quickly prepared themselves, finally left the village to head for Tree’s Japan branch.
The Japan branch of Tree was located in Tokyo, and they could reach it instantly through portals set up in various regions.
The nearest portal was about an hour away, and during that time, Eunha briefly explained what they had experienced.
Thanks to Eunha’s unexpectedly high level of sociability—so much so that it made one wonder if her usual prickly demeanor was just an act—the previously tense atmosphere had eased enough to allow for conversation without discomfort.
“Yamata no Orochi… Are you talking about Abeno Takehashi? Are you seriously saying that you guys caught that insane bastard?”
“…Yes. I believe that was his name.”
Yato asked with a face full of disbelief.
“Is there a Gamma-ranked member among you?”
“No. Aside from Deputy Chief Oh Haeyoung, we’re all Delta-ranked.”
Ito, naturally inserting himself into the conversation, shouted loudly.
“That Takehashi bastard may have been an idiot, but didn’t he have Orochi’s tail? That would make him at least Gamma-ranked… And you’re telling me these morons took him down?”
At those words, Haeyoung hesitated before cautiously mumbling, while Yu Gi-jun silently glared at him.
“W-We are not morons!”
“…”
“Epsilon, shut up. Hey, slit-eyed bastard, what’s your problem? What, are you gonna glare at me? What’s a Delta-ranked going to do about it? Wanna go at it right here?”
“…”
Yu Gi-jun’s expression, usually playful, had hardened.
Ever since hearing about what had happened to Taeseong just before their departure, he had been fuming.
“What, are you mute?”
“…No.”
As much as he wanted to lash out, Gi-jun was someone who knew his place.
Even if he fought back, there was no way he could defeat a Gamma-ranked manager, and he understood that it would only make the situation worse.
Just then, Yato interjected to put a stop to it.
“Ito, enough.”
“Tch. Lame.”
Grumbling, Ito turned away.
For some reason, he was incredibly obedient to his sister.
And Taeseong silently watched the entire exchange unfold.
— Taeseong, please! Stop causing trouble! What would you have done if I hadn’t arrived in time? Were you really going to start a fight?
— I would have.
— Ha… I know very well that you’re stronger than the average Delta-ranked. But picking a fight with two Gamma-ranked managers is practically suicide!
— Do you think I would lose?
— Listen carefully, Taeseong. Not all Gamma-ranked individuals are the same. To get promoted to Gamma, you need to achieve truly ridiculous feats. In fact, for most managers, Gamma is the ceiling. Do you understand what that means?
— No.
— It means there’s a huge difference in strength even among Gamma-ranks. Think about it. Would a newly promoted Gamma be at the same level as someone who’s been Gamma for decades?
— No, they wouldn’t.
— Exactly. Only those who have spent years accumulating achievements and recognition can even qualify for the Beta-rank assessment. Yato and Ito are well-known managers, even to me. Whenever people talk about the next Beta-rank candidates, their names always come up—they’re monsters.
— I see.
— “I see” isn’t the right reaction here! Hoo… Calm down, calm down. Anyway, we’re in foreign territory. There’s no benefit to making enemies with them. Let’s keep things peaceful. You understand, right? Also, we’ve secured the entity you mentioned on our end. They compromised a lot, so…
In summary, Eunha was telling him not to mess around because the power gap within Gamma-rank was immense.
However, one thing didn’t make sense.
‘No matter how I look at it, they seem weaker than Team Leader Taesan…’
Taeseong had once exchanged blows with Team Leader Taesan on the day he was first assigned to the management team.
Even considering that Taesan hadn’t shown his full strength, he was undoubtedly a powerful man.
“…So it really was Abeno Takehashi. We had also sent out a separate tracking team, but we never expected him to be hiding in such a remote place. On behalf of the Japan branch, thank you.”
“We only did what had to be done.”
“Did he have Orochi’s tail?”
Although Eunha had anticipated the question, she nearly flinched.
However, she quickly regained her composure and responded without a change in expression.
“Apologies. When we found him, he had nothing in his possession.”
“As expected…”
Murmuring in disappointment, Yato brought up another topic.
“Then, what is your estimated rank for this ‘Red Mask’ entity?”
After a brief hesitation, Eunha answered.
“We estimate it to be Gamma-ranked.”
“Gamma…?”
“Yes.”
Yato’s expression darkened.
“So you’re saying that four Delta-ranked managers took down a Gamma-ranked entity?”
“…It may be hard to believe, but it’s true. As you know, Manager Lee Taeseong, despite being Delta-ranked, possesses the ability to take down Gamma-ranked entities.”
Yato’s gaze shifted to Taeseong.
Taeseong also met her gaze without flinching.
‘They subdued a Gamma-ranked entity with just this group? Does that mean he has that much potential? Judging by the circumstances… Is he some kind of rising star in Korea’s branch? But he’s full of arrogance.’
‘I can’t even tell what kind of ability she has. The brother wields a sword, so does the sister have some kind of supernatural ability? If these two are Beta-rank candidates, then the Beta-rank must not be anything special.’
Neither could read the other’s thoughts, but ironically, they were thinking along similar lines.
“I find that hard to believe. It seems more likely that you misjudged the entity’s rank. You should know, Deputy Manager Eunha, that Gamma-ranked entities aren’t just common stray dogs. The idea that four Delta-ranked managers took one down is beyond my comprehension.”
She was openly questioning how someone of their level could possibly subdue a Gamma-ranked entity.
“…I understand your skepticism. Without Manager Lee Taeseong, subduing the entity would have been impossible. It’s also possible that I miscalculated its rank.”
“Well, I don’t know how strong this Lee Taeseong guy is… but fine. Let’s continue this discussion at headquarters.”
“Understood.”
The conversation ended, but all the necessary information had already been exchanged.
Before long, they arrived at their destination.
A small hut on the mountainside.
Inside, there was an unusual-looking stone statue.
Standing in front of it, Yato issued a warning.
“We will be transporting now, so be careful not to step outside the circle.”
Everyone nodded silently.
A moment later, the talisman in Yato’s hand flew toward the statue, and soon, a red light burst forth from the ground beneath them.
“We’ve arrived.”
A hazy consciousness, as if waking up after sleeping for several days.
Taeseong, regaining his senses at Yato’s voice, looked around.
A massive room, entirely white. It seemed to be at least 30 pyeong in size(100 sqm). Given the presence of a bed, dining table, and other essential furnishings, it was likely a dormitory used by staff members.
“Ugh… my head.”
“…Uuup!”
“Haeyoung… I understand that you’re dizzy, but please don’t throw up here.”
It seemed that everyone in the group was experiencing similar sensations.
Through the slightly open door, they could see people moving busily. Some wore the same specialized suits as Taeseong’s group, while others were dressed in white lab coats, carrying large books.
Observing this scene, Taeseong thought that the atmosphere of “Tree” was not much different whether in Japan or Korea.
‘So, Sooah is here?’
Yato, who had been scanning the group, asked in a calm tone, “Is anyone feeling unwell?”
At that moment, Taeseong recalled that Oh Haeyoung had been injured during their fight with the Red Mask. He turned to look at her. But when their eyes met, Haeyoung simply smiled brightly, oblivious to the situation.
Eventually, Taeseong spoke.
“Oh Haeyoung, is your body okay?”
“My body? Ah! Yes, I’m fine! I’m healthy!”
Haeyoung confidently raised both arms to show her strength.
She did indeed look healthy.
‘That’s some incredible recovery.’
Even Taeseong, who had consumed Orochi’s tail, found her regeneration hard to comprehend.
“Then please rest here for now. I need to go make my report.”
“See ya, idiots!”
As Yato and Ito left the room, a loud noise echoed as the massive steel door closed.
Boom!
Then came the sound of a lock engaging.
Click.
Gi-jun scowled and growled.
“They’re treating us like complete outsiders. At this point, aren’t they just considering us as mere entities?”
“Exactly! I get everything else, but was locking the door really necessary?”
Eunha sighed as if she had expected this and spoke in a bitter tone.
“It’s probably to prevent us, as outsiders, from wandering around. What can we do? We’re already on their bad side.”
Gi-jun, veins bulging on his forehead from anger, shouted,
“Those bastards. At least maintain some basic decency! We didn’t come here for fun. They asked for support because they were short on personnel, and just because of one little clash, they treat us like this? Is this the ‘courtesy’ that Japanese bastards always go on about?”
Then, realizing his slip, he quickly glanced at Haeyoung.
“Ah… I didn’t mean it like that…”
Haeyoung just grinned and responded cheerfully.
“It’s fine! If something’s messed up, we should say so! Even I think this is way too much! Once I become Gamma-rank someday, I’ll make sure this never happens again!”
At that moment, Eunha, sensing something ominous, turned to look at Taeseong.
While everyone else was venting their frustrations, the most unpredictable person remained silent.
‘This guy… what the hell is he thinking now?’
“Taeseong?”
“Yes.”
“What are you thinking about?”
From the moment they arrived, Taeseong had been staring in one direction.
At the door.
“I was wondering if breaking through that door would let me meet my sister.”
He answered matter-of-factly.
At his words, everyone’s faces went pale.
Eunha was the first to speak.
“Ta-Taeseong, just in case, let me emphasize this one more time. You absolutely must not cause any trouble here. This isn’t Korea. We’re in Japan. We’re already unwelcome as it is. If you force that door open, there will be no turning back. You understand, right?”
“M-Miss Eunha is right! Taeseong, we can start looking into your sister now! Just take a deep breath first! Follow me—inhale! Exhale.”
“I agree as well. Captain, didn’t you always stress the importance of staying calm and making rational decisions?”
Looking at everyone in disbelief, Taeseong spoke in a low voice.
“What do you all take me for? Don’t worry. I do think before I act.”
Everyone let out a sigh of relief.
If Taeseong had actually broken through the door, the surrounding administrators would have swarmed him like a hive of angry bees, immediately suppressing him.
‘At least he listens to reason… thank god…’
And then—
Boom!
The heavy steel door suddenly burst open, revealing a familiar face.
Ito, Yato’s twin brother.
Behind him stood several administrators, their faces filled with curiosity.
“Deputy Chief, are these the administrators from Korea?”
“It’s Joseon!”
“For the last time, it’s not Joseon anymore. It’s the Republic of Korea. How many times do I have to tell you? What era do you think this is…?”
“Leave him be. He’s an old-timer. He still can’t even remember my name after all these years.”
“Fair enough… But seriously, are these really the ones who captured Takehashi? They look weaker than our youngest member.”
“Hey. The youngest is dead. From now on, you’re the youngest.”
“Ah… right. Ha… I thought I was finally done being the youngest…”
Ito then turned to Taeseong and grinned confidently.
“Ha-ha-ha! Hey, Joseon guy! Let’s fight!”
Watching the scene unfold, Taeseong smirked.
When prey walks willingly into a trap, how can a predator hold back its laughter?
Eunha, witnessing the absurdity, mouthed a silent curse and clutched the back of her neck.
‘This place is full of lunatics.’
