“One could say that the current Egypt is completely controlled by the Nile.”
While those who had left Korea were arriving, Lee Jun-Kyeong spent his time studying the current situation in Egypt. Yoo Kyeong-Tae seemed to follow news about Asgard enthusiastically, but other than that, he had no other shortcomings.
With both conciseness and skill, he perfectly briefed the current situation in Egypt for Lee Jun-Kyeong.
“Although other countries may have their secret organizations involved in many things from behind the scenes, it wouldn’t be as much as Egypt has.”
The size of the Nile, the secret organization of Egypt, was huge.
The number of Heroes that belonged to them was overwhelming, and most of them were senior Heroes as well. It was a secret organization that could never be underestimated.
The secret organization that held the world’s attention here was the Nile, which controlled all of Egypt.
"In Egypt, the Nile is involved in everything from politics to business to the Association."
Even among the public ventures, the Nile had an overwhelming grip.
They dominated everything, similar to how the ruling dynasties had done before.
“It’s almost like…” Lee Jun-Kyeong spoke with a bitter smile. “It feels like Korea.”
“...”
He didn’t know what Yoo Kyeong-Tae was thinking about as he talked about the Nile, but it seemed to Lee Jun-Kyeong that he was talking about the situation in Korea.
To be honest, Korea was worse than Egypt.
‘In Egypt, an organization called the Nile is shaking everything, but Korea is held by a single fist.’
It was Odin.
As the head of Asgard, he reached out to both politics and businesses, and he was also the head of the Association himself.
If it were compared to Egypt, then Korea would only ever be described as worse, never better.
“That’s not true, sir.”
However, Yoo Kyeong-Tae disagreed with Lee Jun-Kyeong.
"What’s different about this from Korea is the nature of this organization called the Nile."
“…?”
"In Korea, there aren’t any big problems because the president of the Association alone holds most of the power."
What Yoo Kyeong-Tae said was not a lie.
Korea was dominated by a dictator who monopolized everything, which was why there hadn’t been any big accidents.
Since everything moved under Odin's control, there wouldn’t be any major problems as long as Odin didn’t make any decisions with bad intentions.
'But that's why when Odin starts to move...’
The results would be even more catastrophic.
Yoo Kyeong-Tae had said the situation in Korea was different from that in Egypt.
"The organization called the Nile is largely divided into three branches."
“…”
"Memphis dominates the political world, while Hermopolis dominates the commercial district."
There was one that hadn’t been mentioned yet.
"Lastly, Heliopolis rules over the Hunters and Society."
Heliopolis.
Apparently, Inebu belonged to this branch.
“Because they continue to struggle and always attempt to siphon away each other’s powers, the current situation in Egypt is…”
"What a mess."
From the outside, it looked like a huge organization dominated Egypt, but the reality was different.
In the end, there were three organizations who were fighting to take control of the country.
Of course, the three were still all members of one big organization, which meant that they would still join forces in a big crisis.
“That’s right… Originally, the Heliopolis branch had been the most dominant, but after Horus’ accident, its power had been dampened.”
"Horus?"
“Yes, he was the son of the Hero Osiris, the present head of the Nile. Basically, a prince who was to later take over the Heliopolis branch,” the branch manager said.
"I thought Egypt was a republic?”
Yoo Kyeong-Tae smiled.
"It's only a republic on the outside."
“…”
"After Horus' accident, however, there's also been a disturbance inside Heliopolis itself."
It really was a complicated organization. However, there was a point that needed follow-up, the point that Lee Jun-Kyeong should pay the most attention to.
"What was Horus' accident?"
“It’s not exactly known. Our strings within the Nile aren’t as quite as good as they once were. That said, the only thing we know is that he is in critical condition due to an accident that had occurred during a gate raid.”
A critical condition.
‘Please come to the Nile!’
It was as if he could hear Inebu’s pleading again.
‘Please save Lord Horus!’
Lee Jun-Kyeong had wondered how the Hunter had wanted him to save Horus, who was in critical condition due to an accident. After all, Lee Jun-Kyeong had only come to Egypt because of Inebu’s pleas.
It was the only word he had been able to shout before being banished by Merlin’s spell.
‘The red jewel!’
Madness.
“For now, there is one Hunter that I’d like to meet with,” said Lee Jun-Kyeong after learning about the situation in Egypt.
If things had gone the way he had expected, then he should have been able to meet with him when he had been taken by the Egyptian Association.
"Who?" Yoo Kyeong-Tae asked.
“Inebu, the Hunter that leads Egypt’s Warguard.”
***
Smirk.
Lee Jun-Kyeong couldn't hide his emotions and was smiling.
Although he had many reasons to be smiling, the biggest reason he had such an expression was that that person was just so funny.
“...”
That person might actually be the only one who had a particular expression as he got off a private jet that other people would beg to get on.
"Long time no see, Mr. Jeong."
Lee Jun-Kyeong was welcoming the Korean Hunters who had just arrived.
Jeong In-Chang, who had got off first, stood on the stairs looking at Lee Jun-Kyeong.
“…”
He looked as though he had a lot to say.
It might have been because he couldn’t sleep on the plane, but the dark circles under his eyes were down to his chin.
Pffft.
As Lee Jun-Kyeong started to laugh again, Jeong In-Chang shook his head and came down.
After the Hunter was Fenrir.
“Snort!”
A grinning brat ran down to Lee Jun-Kyeong’s arms.
The Vanagandr was a white wolf that was so incredibly powerful on its own that the giants called it a special being.
Even though he was currently in the form of a child, Lee Jun-Kyeong laughed at the incompatible appearance of the wolf and his enthusiastic greeting.
After the wolf was Won-Hwa.
"Mr. Won-Hwa."
Lee Jun-Kyeong had an apologetic expression. He knew that the schedule must have been difficult anyway, and he felt bad about having to ask the physician to take another plane to come all the way here.
“Excuse me, Mr. Lee…?”
Although it seemed as though something was making noise next to him, Lee Jun-Kyeong ignored it.
"Don't make that face. It's been a long time since I went abroad…it’s good. Moreover, it's been a long time since I’ve been anywhere this hot,” Won-Hwa laughed as if he was being considerate of Lee Jun-Kyeong.
“Thank you for being understanding,” Lee Jun-Kyeong said.
“Excuse me, Mr. Lee…?”
After Won-Hwa was the person Lee Jun-Kyeong already knew was about to exit.
‘Baldur…’
The Hero descended with a clear face and shining beauty.
He came down the stairs gracefully, as if he had been on a private jet often, and smiled at Lee Jun-Kyeong.
“Are you not excited to see me too?”
Lee Jun-Kyeong smiled brightly at the man, who looked stunning even while he was being cheeky.
“How could that be?” Lee Jun-Kyeong teased back.
He had to hide how he really felt. He had to hide his emotions.
He had practiced it countless times to face Odin.
While he had no particular feelings regarding Baldur, for some reason, whenever he looked at the man, he couldn’t shake off a sort of uncomfortable feeling.
"Thank you for your hospitality,” Baldur said, simply shaking hands with Lee Jun-Kyeong.
"Why are you here?” Lee Jun-Kyeong said with a bright smile.
Unfortunately, his efforts to hide how he truly felt were a failure.
‘Well, it’ll be fine even if I don’t hide it.’
Lee Jun-Kyeong knew little about the man.
Whether it was the Book of the Demon King or the information he had learned in the future, Baldur’s story within them had been small.
He just had a face that made them feel uncomfortable.
Baldur remarked, "Are you showing your true colors right away? You’re going to make me a little upset."
“…”
“I’m just joking. The President of the Association sent me. I was tasked with helping Mr. Underdog, who had gone on an expedition to another country in place of the returned Heroes,” said Baldur, Oh Hyung-Seok.
“As the Special Gates that appeared in Korea are closing faster than we had originally thought.”
Jeong In-Chang and Won-Hwa looked over at Baldur.
The reason why the special gates had been closing a little faster was right with them.
Jeong In-Chang and Won-Hwa.
They had not existed in the original history, but they had been closing the special gates according to Lee Jun-Kyeong’s will. In addition, the White Tiger Clan had also grown. With the aid of Sangun and Ungnyeo, they were targeting special gates with only a little bit of struggle.
“Regardless, please take care of me,” the Hero continued with a bright smile.
“Until we return to Korea.”
Lee Jun-Kyeong had a hunch, until the end, that this was going to be an inconvenient trip.
***
"They refused."
The next day, as Lee Jun-Kyeong hoped, Yoo Kyeong-Tae had asked for a meeting with Inebu.
However, Nile had refused.
Lee Jun-Kyeong realized that there was something forcing them to be reluctant, whether it was how they refused to accept him as a guest or how they refused to allow him to meet with Inebu.
"Something must be going on inside the Nile," Yoo Kyeong-Tae said.
“According to our strings from within the Nile, the entire Nile is in a state of disarray."
"A state of disarray?”
“Egypt, just like the other countries, has been gathering their Heroes back into the country.”
There were also special gates that appeared here as well. Thus, Egypt had summoned their Heroes just like any other country.
“But then, Set returned.”
Lee Jun-Kyeong tilted his head at Yoo Kyeong-Tae's words.
"The second-in-command of the Helio Police."
“…”
“There have always been accidents where he is concerned,” Yoo Kyeong-Tae said, his expression turning unsettled.
Even he didn’t seem to welcome the arrival of Set.
‘So he is a Hero that isn’t welcome by either his own people or others…’
It was surprising.
Lee Jun-Kyeong didn’t know that there was another person who was like that.
‘The Demon King.’
He had been a Hero who had not been welcomed by his own people or others too.
He was a Hero that only Lee Jun-Kyeong knew.
However, the being known as Set seemed to be a little different.
"There are rumors that Set was involved in Horus' accident too."
“…”
"As I said, while Egypt is a republic, the Nile is no different from a kingdom. If Horus were to be in an accident and failed to succeed in his position...”
Yoo Kyeong-Tae trailed off.
"Set, the second-in-command, will receive it instead,” Lee Jun-Kyeong finished.
Yoo Kyeong-Tae nodded as if he was sure of it.
"Set is the most powerful Hunter in the present Nile."
“…”
Yoo Kyeong-Tae's face distorted, almost as if someone had disrespected God.
Lee Jun-Kyeong saw his reaction and spoke, anticipating his thoughts.
"How does he compare to Odin?"
Yoo Kyeong-Tae dropped his head.
That was enough for Lee Jun-Kyeong to take it as an answer.
‘So he’s a Hunter comparable to Odin...’
It was unexpected.
Lee Jun-Kyeong knew that there would still be a strong person left in the Nile, the secret organization behind Egypt. However, to think that the strong person, whom he wasn’t even sure wouldn’t be an enemy, could be comparable to Odin.
‘How difficult.’
Lee Jun-Kyeong recalled his confrontation with Arthur.
After using all his strength, he was only able to leave a measly scratch on the knight’s cheek.
Although it was strange to describe that level of strength as mere, that meant that this Set was even stronger than Arthur.
However.
“It’s too early to be sure,” Yoo Kyeong-Tae said.
Whether it was if Set was as strong as Odin or if Set would be the enemy, then couldn’t be too sure either way.
'There’s a chance he’s not the enemy.’
Whatever it was, they needed to find a way.
He couldn’t have come all this way just to surrender to the flow.
“Please continue to request for a meeting with Inebu,” Lee Jun-Kyeong said.
"Mr. Underdog...?”
“I’ll try to create a meeting through my own methods as well.”
Yoo Kyeong-Tae replied with difficulty, "I understand."
***
"So what is it that you want to ask?" said the man in front of Lee Jun-Kyeong.
He was welcoming Lee Jun-Kyeong with a bright smile.
Although it hadn’t been that long since he had come to Egypt, Lee Jun-Kyeong was already completely indifferent to him. He hadn’t come to find him, and he had even avoided him whenever the man had tried to meet.
But now, Lee Jun-Kyeong had seemingly come to visit him first.
“Baldur.”
Lee Jun-Kyeong called out the man's name.
Having been considering how to meet Inebu with another method, Lee Jun-Kyeong had thought of meeting with the Asgardian Hero.
The reason was simple.
"Which Hero among Nile’s host belongs to Asgard?"
Baldur's face completely distorted.
“One could say that the current Egypt is completely controlled by the Nile.”
While those who had left Korea were arriving, Lee Jun-Kyeong spent his time studying the current situation in Egypt. Yoo Kyeong-Tae seemed to follow news about Asgard enthusiastically, but other than that, he had no other shortcomings.
With both conciseness and skill, he perfectly briefed the current situation in Egypt for Lee Jun-Kyeong.
“Although other countries may have their secret organizations involved in many things from behind the scenes, it wouldn’t be as much as Egypt has.”
The size of the Nile, the secret organization of Egypt, was huge.
The number of Heroes that belonged to them was overwhelming, and most of them were senior Heroes as well. It was a secret organization that could never be underestimated.
The secret organization that held the world’s attention here was the Nile, which controlled all of Egypt.
"In Egypt, the Nile is involved in everything from politics to business to the Association."
Even among the public ventures, the Nile had an overwhelming grip.
They dominated everything, similar to how the ruling dynasties had done before.
“It’s almost like…” Lee Jun-Kyeong spoke with a bitter smile. “It feels like Korea.”
“...”
He didn’t know what Yoo Kyeong-Tae was thinking about as he talked about the Nile, but it seemed to Lee Jun-Kyeong that he was talking about the situation in Korea.
To be honest, Korea was worse than Egypt.
‘In Egypt, an organization called the Nile is shaking everything, but Korea is held by a single fist.’
It was Odin.
As the head of Asgard, he reached out to both politics and businesses, and he was also the head of the Association himself.
If it were compared to Egypt, then Korea would only ever be described as worse, never better.
“That’s not true, sir.”
However, Yoo Kyeong-Tae disagreed with Lee Jun-Kyeong.
"What’s different about this from Korea is the nature of this organization called the Nile."
“…?”
"In Korea, there aren’t any big problems because the president of the Association alone holds most of the power."
What Yoo Kyeong-Tae said was not a lie.
Korea was dominated by a dictator who monopolized everything, which was why there hadn’t been any big accidents.
Since everything moved under Odin's control, there wouldn’t be any major problems as long as Odin didn’t make any decisions with bad intentions.
'But that's why when Odin starts to move...’
The results would be even more catastrophic.
Yoo Kyeong-Tae had said the situation in Korea was different from that in Egypt.
"The organization called the Nile is largely divided into three branches."
“…”
"Memphis dominates the political world, while Hermopolis dominates the commercial district."
There was one that hadn’t been mentioned yet.
"Lastly, Heliopolis rules over the Hunters and Society."
Heliopolis.
Apparently, Inebu belonged to this branch.
“Because they continue to struggle and always attempt to siphon away each other’s powers, the current situation in Egypt is…”
"What a mess."
From the outside, it looked like a huge organization dominated Egypt, but the reality was different.
In the end, there were three organizations who were fighting to take control of the country.
Of course, the three were still all members of one big organization, which meant that they would still join forces in a big crisis.
“That’s right… Originally, the Heliopolis branch had been the most dominant, but after Horus’ accident, its power had been dampened.”
"Horus?"
“Yes, he was the son of the Hero Osiris, the present head of the Nile. Basically, a prince who was to later take over the Heliopolis branch,” the branch manager said.
"I thought Egypt was a republic?”
Yoo Kyeong-Tae smiled.
"It's only a republic on the outside."
“…”
"After Horus' accident, however, there's also been a disturbance inside Heliopolis itself."
It really was a complicated organization. However, there was a point that needed follow-up, the point that Lee Jun-Kyeong should pay the most attention to.
"What was Horus' accident?"
“It’s not exactly known. Our strings within the Nile aren’t as quite as good as they once were. That said, the only thing we know is that he is in critical condition due to an accident that had occurred during a gate raid.”
A critical condition.
‘Please come to the Nile!’
It was as if he could hear Inebu’s pleading again.
‘Please save Lord Horus!’
Lee Jun-Kyeong had wondered how the Hunter had wanted him to save Horus, who was in critical condition due to an accident. After all, Lee Jun-Kyeong had only come to Egypt because of Inebu’s pleas.
It was the only word he had been able to shout before being banished by Merlin’s spell.
‘The red jewel!’
Madness.
“For now, there is one Hunter that I’d like to meet with,” said Lee Jun-Kyeong after learning about the situation in Egypt.
If things had gone the way he had expected, then he should have been able to meet with him when he had been taken by the Egyptian Association.
"Who?" Yoo Kyeong-Tae asked.
“Inebu, the Hunter that leads Egypt’s Warguard.”
***
Smirk.
Lee Jun-Kyeong couldn't hide his emotions and was smiling.
Although he had many reasons to be smiling, the biggest reason he had such an expression was that that person was just so funny.
“...”
That person might actually be the only one who had a particular expression as he got off a private jet that other people would beg to get on.
"Long time no see, Mr. Jeong."
Lee Jun-Kyeong was welcoming the Korean Hunters who had just arrived.
Jeong In-Chang, who had got off first, stood on the stairs looking at Lee Jun-Kyeong.
“…”
He looked as though he had a lot to say.
It might have been because he couldn’t sleep on the plane, but the dark circles under his eyes were down to his chin.
Pffft.
As Lee Jun-Kyeong started to laugh again, Jeong In-Chang shook his head and came down.
After the Hunter was Fenrir.
“Snort!”
A grinning brat ran down to Lee Jun-Kyeong’s arms.
The Vanagandr was a white wolf that was so incredibly powerful on its own that the giants called it a special being.
Even though he was currently in the form of a child, Lee Jun-Kyeong laughed at the incompatible appearance of the wolf and his enthusiastic greeting.
After the wolf was Won-Hwa.
"Mr. Won-Hwa."
Lee Jun-Kyeong had an apologetic expression. He knew that the schedule must have been difficult anyway, and he felt bad about having to ask the physician to take another plane to come all the way here.
“Excuse me, Mr. Lee…?”
Although it seemed as though something was making noise next to him, Lee Jun-Kyeong ignored it.
"Don't make that face. It's been a long time since I went abroad…it’s good. Moreover, it's been a long time since I’ve been anywhere this hot,” Won-Hwa laughed as if he was being considerate of Lee Jun-Kyeong.
“Thank you for being understanding,” Lee Jun-Kyeong said.
“Excuse me, Mr. Lee…?”
After Won-Hwa was the person Lee Jun-Kyeong already knew was about to exit.
‘Baldur…’
The Hero descended with a clear face and shining beauty.
He came down the stairs gracefully, as if he had been on a private jet often, and smiled at Lee Jun-Kyeong.
“Are you not excited to see me too?”
Lee Jun-Kyeong smiled brightly at the man, who looked stunning even while he was being cheeky.
“How could that be?” Lee Jun-Kyeong teased back.
He had to hide how he really felt. He had to hide his emotions.
He had practiced it countless times to face Odin.
While he had no particular feelings regarding Baldur, for some reason, whenever he looked at the man, he couldn’t shake off a sort of uncomfortable feeling.
"Thank you for your hospitality,” Baldur said, simply shaking hands with Lee Jun-Kyeong.
"Why are you here?” Lee Jun-Kyeong said with a bright smile.
Unfortunately, his efforts to hide how he truly felt were a failure.
‘Well, it’ll be fine even if I don’t hide it.’
Lee Jun-Kyeong knew little about the man.
Whether it was the Book of the Demon King or the information he had learned in the future, Baldur’s story within them had been small.
He just had a face that made them feel uncomfortable.
Baldur remarked, "Are you showing your true colors right away? You’re going to make me a little upset."
“…”
“I’m just joking. The President of the Association sent me. I was tasked with helping Mr. Underdog, who had gone on an expedition to another country in place of the returned Heroes,” said Baldur, Oh Hyung-Seok.
“As the Special Gates that appeared in Korea are closing faster than we had originally thought.”
Jeong In-Chang and Won-Hwa looked over at Baldur.
The reason why the special gates had been closing a little faster was right with them.
Jeong In-Chang and Won-Hwa.
They had not existed in the original history, but they had been closing the special gates according to Lee Jun-Kyeong’s will. In addition, the White Tiger Clan had also grown. With the aid of Sangun and Ungnyeo, they were targeting special gates with only a little bit of struggle.
“Regardless, please take care of me,” the Hero continued with a bright smile.
“Until we return to Korea.”
Lee Jun-Kyeong had a hunch, until the end, that this was going to be an inconvenient trip.
***
"They refused."
The next day, as Lee Jun-Kyeong hoped, Yoo Kyeong-Tae had asked for a meeting with Inebu.
However, Nile had refused.
Lee Jun-Kyeong realized that there was something forcing them to be reluctant, whether it was how they refused to accept him as a guest or how they refused to allow him to meet with Inebu.
"Something must be going on inside the Nile," Yoo Kyeong-Tae said.
“According to our strings from within the Nile, the entire Nile is in a state of disarray."
"A state of disarray?”
“Egypt, just like the other countries, has been gathering their Heroes back into the country.”
There were also special gates that appeared here as well. Thus, Egypt had summoned their Heroes just like any other country.
“But then, Set returned.”
Lee Jun-Kyeong tilted his head at Yoo Kyeong-Tae's words.
"The second-in-command of the Helio Police."
“…”
“There have always been accidents where he is concerned,” Yoo Kyeong-Tae said, his expression turning unsettled.
Even he didn’t seem to welcome the arrival of Set.
‘So he is a Hero that isn’t welcome by either his own people or others…’
It was surprising.
Lee Jun-Kyeong didn’t know that there was another person who was like that.
‘The Demon King.’
He had been a Hero who had not been welcomed by his own people or others too.
He was a Hero that only Lee Jun-Kyeong knew.
However, the being known as Set seemed to be a little different.
"There are rumors that Set was involved in Horus' accident too."
“…”
"As I said, while Egypt is a republic, the Nile is no different from a kingdom. If Horus were to be in an accident and failed to succeed in his position...”
Yoo Kyeong-Tae trailed off.
"Set, the second-in-command, will receive it instead,” Lee Jun-Kyeong finished.
Yoo Kyeong-Tae nodded as if he was sure of it.
"Set is the most powerful Hunter in the present Nile."
“…”
Yoo Kyeong-Tae's face distorted, almost as if someone had disrespected God.
Lee Jun-Kyeong saw his reaction and spoke, anticipating his thoughts.
"How does he compare to Odin?"
Yoo Kyeong-Tae dropped his head.
That was enough for Lee Jun-Kyeong to take it as an answer.
‘So he’s a Hunter comparable to Odin...’
It was unexpected.
Lee Jun-Kyeong knew that there would still be a strong person left in the Nile, the secret organization behind Egypt. However, to think that the strong person, whom he wasn’t even sure wouldn’t be an enemy, could be comparable to Odin.
‘How difficult.’
Lee Jun-Kyeong recalled his confrontation with Arthur.
After using all his strength, he was only able to leave a measly scratch on the knight’s cheek.
Although it was strange to describe that level of strength as mere, that meant that this Set was even stronger than Arthur.
However.
“It’s too early to be sure,” Yoo Kyeong-Tae said.
Whether it was if Set was as strong as Odin or if Set would be the enemy, then couldn’t be too sure either way.
'There’s a chance he’s not the enemy.’
Whatever it was, they needed to find a way.
He couldn’t have come all this way just to surrender to the flow.
“Please continue to request for a meeting with Inebu,” Lee Jun-Kyeong said.
"Mr. Underdog...?”
“I’ll try to create a meeting through my own methods as well.”
Yoo Kyeong-Tae replied with difficulty, "I understand."
***
"So what is it that you want to ask?" said the man in front of Lee Jun-Kyeong.
He was welcoming Lee Jun-Kyeong with a bright smile.
Although it hadn’t been that long since he had come to Egypt, Lee Jun-Kyeong was already completely indifferent to him. He hadn’t come to find him, and he had even avoided him whenever the man had tried to meet.
But now, Lee Jun-Kyeong had seemingly come to visit him first.
“Baldur.”
Lee Jun-Kyeong called out the man's name.
Having been considering how to meet Inebu with another method, Lee Jun-Kyeong had thought of meeting with the Asgardian Hero.
The reason was simple.
"Which Hero among Nile’s host belongs to Asgard?"
Baldur's face completely distorted.
