Chapter 38
Among the notable cases were the grand dungeon experiments in the small South American country of Chiolé, the contamination experiments that only affected Awakened individuals, and awakening experiments conducted on children.
It is assumed that Gnosis’ experiments are still being conducted around the world today, with estimated casualties numbering in the tens of thousands.
Although the international community officially condemned Gnosis’ criminal activities, the victims were mostly from poor Third World countries. Moreover, the participants often held key positions in those nations and erased traces of their actions, so there has been virtually no progress in investigations.
“That’s right. They’re truly evil villains. So, Princess Gru, you need to be careful too, right?”
“Yeees!”
How cute. Siwon raised his hand, intending to pat her head.
At that moment, sharp gazes shot toward him from both sides. He obediently lowered his hand again.
“By the way, you’re from ‘Kirus,’ right, Team Leader Jin?”
Gidan stared at him in surprise at the sensitive question.
Siwon blinked slowly.
“Yes. That’s correct.”
He continued without showing much expression.
“That’s why I had to seek asylum.”
Kirus, a small country next to Russia, was a prime experimental site for Gnosis. It had completely declined after the grand dungeon breaks conducted by Gnosis.
Gidan crossed his arms and scanned Siwon up and down.
“Alright, let’s stop here. If you have any other questions, please send them to the guild in writing, and we’ll handle them immediately.”
Gidan gestured toward Kidan.
“Even though he looks fine, he’s still a patient. He should be allowed to rest a bit.”
Siwon jumped up, knocking over his chair in the commotion.
“Ah, yes! Yes, you’re right. I’m terribly sorry.”
His face was flushed bright red as he set the chair upright.
“Well then, Hunter Gidan, if anything comes to mind, please contact us anytime.”
“Yes…”
Gidan accepted the business card with a nod.
“Guild Master On. See you next time.”
“Hmm…”
Gidan gave Siwon a crooked look. His striking appearance always made people nervous, yet as usual, he seemed bored.
‘…!’
Siwon pressed his lips together as he looked at the window appearing in front of him.
[‘On Jurim’ is pondering how to hide your corpse.]
[‘Ruler of the Frozen Land’ is enjoying seeing you flustered.]
Although it’s only commonly known as a high-level reading skill, Jin Siwon’s skill is ‘Barret’s Whisper (SSS)’.
It not only forcibly opens the opponent’s status window but also conveys their thoughts and feelings through indirect messages.
Having accidentally read On Jurim’s thoughts, Siwon smiled gently at him.
‘Does he know about my skill?’
For a Hunter, revealing their skills is highly sensitive. However, Siwon had to disclose some of his abilities when seeking asylum.
It’s possible that some of that information reached Jurim’s ears.
‘I need to be careful.’
More importantly…
‘Two messages…’
Two indirect messages appeared, clearly from two people: Guild Master On Jurim, the “Ruler of the Frozen Land,” and…
“Thank you for your cooperation. We will return the byproducts to the guild as soon as possible. That’s all for now.”
Siwon bowed and waved to Gru.
“Take care.”
“Bye-bye!”
Unable to resist her cute farewell, Siwon smiled and responded,
“Bye-bye.”
[‘Han Gru’ feels sad to see you leave.]
[‘Fragment of the Ruler’ is observing you with interest.]
[Information on ‘Han Gru’ is concealed by a veil.]
‘A veil hiding information from a ruler…’
A veil is an item used to hide information from those with reading skills. Usually, it would make the reader see false information. But since Gru’s item was lower in rank than Siwon’s skill, the fact that the information was hidden was revealed instead.
Siwon suddenly recalled the first time he met Gru:
The guild members in the guild hall, a monster that had just exited the ecological hall, and then the magic suppression…
Did they block all the magic in the Awakened Center to hide Gru’s rank?
‘Hmm…’
Siwon scratched his chin thoughtfully.
‘I didn’t think humans could do something like that…’
That’s why the magic suppression incident at the Awakened Center was simply closed off as an abnormal phenomenon.
‘Creepy.’
If turned into an enemy, it could be disastrous. Even now, he didn’t seem entirely friendly, but Siwon smiled softly, remembering how Jurim had been thinking about killing him and hiding his corpse.
‘What rank could Gru possibly be to warrant such measures? Surely not B-class?’
B-class at age four. Even worldwide, that would be an extremely rare record—maybe even unprecedented. Usually, if awakening occurs too early, stats and mana are low, so the rank is measured lower. Most couldn’t even surpass D-class.
Yet this child possessed an unknown being.
If the secret leaked, it would instantly bring massive spotlight on her, and with that, the risk of dangerous attention would be unavoidable.
‘I can’t let that happen.’
Even if not for Jurim, he intended to protect the secret. He wouldn’t allow such a small, adorable child to be thrown into the world as prey. He only hoped the child would avoid entanglement with Gnosis as much as possible.
Because the most exceptional children are exactly the ones Gnosis loves to experiment on.
