Chapter 52: The Legend has returned? (3)

There was a reason Lee Gun had come to Cheongwadae in person.

***

Seven in the morning, the day after the incident at the press conference!

“What did you just say?” Hugo received a rage-inducing phone call early in the morning. After taking a beating from Lee Gun, he had been in a half-conscious state. However, the phone call had woken him right up. The content of the call was that bad.

“What did you say? Gun’s… You won’t be able to return Lee Gun’s bank account?”

– Yes. The bank account and the tributes being held by the government can’t be returned to Mr. Lee Gun.

Hugo was dumbfounded after receiving the call. The politicians had been sweet-talking him earlier about returning Lee Gun’s assets. They had said it was par for the course. “Why—”

How could they change so abruptly in one day? However, the person on the other side of the call cut Hugo off before he could ask the question.

– The Japanese government is overseeing Lee Gun’s bank account and the tributes. Please talk to them.

Hugo was so dumbfounded that he was having a hard time speaking. “Why would the Japanese government have his…”

The person on the phone let out a long sigh, expressing his annoyance.

– Do you want me to be honest?

“Of course.”

– The Korean government does not trust the Archer Saint. Weren’t you originally a citizen of Australia?

“!”

– You might be taking orders from the Australian alliance. We have to be careful.

Hugo was dumbfounded. “Look here. I gave up my Australian citizenship fifteen years ago…”

– If not, is it because you need the money? Is that why you want to get your hands on Lee Gun’s tributes?

“…!” Hugo was so taken aback that he was about to say something. However…

“Koohk!”

Lee Gun suddenly snatched the phone away from him.

– We know the Archer Saint is poor. Even if you’re hard on money, you’re putting us in a tough spot by doing this. Don’t you have any dignity as a Saint?

Veins popped out on Lee Gun’s face.

– Anyway, we….

“Hey, You wanna die?”

Hearing Lee Gun’s words, the person on the other end became flustered.

– H-Hello?

“Where are you?”

The flustered man became indignant.

– Who are you?

“I’m the owner of the account. Why?”

– Huh. It seems he’s roping in his young kid to do this. You shouldn’t always take your father’s side. You should study hard so that you don’t have to do this. 

Lee Gun laughed. Killing intent could be felt from his hand. “Shut the fuck up! Where are you calling from?”

It seemed the other person didn’t like being cussed out. He sounded disgruntled.

– I’m calling from the executive affairs office in Cheongwadae. I’m talking with your father about Mr. Lee Gun’s account.

“Ok. Challenge accepted.”

– What? What are you….

Click!

Lee Gun ended the call, and as soon as the call ended, Hugo shook in anger. Suddenly, Lee Gun shouted, “Hey!! You want to die!”

“…!” Hugo quickly got out of the way when he heard the loud voice explode forth from Lee Gun.

“You were naturalized as a Korean citizen. Why are you accepting such treatment? You want me to beat you?”

Hugo felt aggrieved when Lee Gun tried to throw the statue of the horse. ‘What did I do wrong!’

Lee Gun looked furious. “I could understand if the one being treated like that were me, but how dare they treat you like that!”

Hugo quietly pushed back on that idea. “Thank you for getting angry in my stead. However, don’t you think something is terribly wrong here?”

Lee Gun completely ignored his words. His friend hadn’t killed Red Eye, but he had a part in saving Korea and the world. Hugo was a hidden hero. “I always told everyone to treat my friend well. And instead of helping you out, they decided to harass you?”

“…?” Hugo had never heard Lee Gun say those words. In fact, the one to torment him the most was Lee Gun. 

Hugo spoke as if he found everything to be understandable. “You made an appearance on TV, but how many people truly believe that you are Lee Gun?”

Lee Gun had changed too much for the better. A large ogre had turned into a young and handsome man.

Hugo continued, “Didn’t he say he’s from the executive affairs office in Cheongwadae? That office should be in charge of your assets, but it also serves as a government facility for the Japanese government. I was already expecting them to make things difficult, but…”

Lee Gun had created a big scene at the press conference. Yet, there was no way the government would easily acknowledge his existence. It was to be expected.

“Most of the people in the office took bribes from the Gemini Saint.”

Anyone who used to be in Lee Gun’s corner had been purged a couple of years ago.

Hugo added, “All of the politicians readily agreed to build a facility for the Gemini Saint. They even modified your records.”

Lee Gun let out a savage laugh. Basically, the politicians had done too much wrong. They would fall into an awkward situation if Lee Gun had really returned alive.

“Ah! I told you to get my account because I knew it wouldn’t end with words if I met those bastards.”

That no longer mattered since things had turned out this way. Lee Gun got up from his seat, making Hugo flinch. The Archer Saint asked, “Gun? Where are you going?”

“I’m getting my stuff back.”

“…!”

Amongst his assets that the government had was an important item Lee Gun had to recover.

***

And that was why the government conference center was filled with shock and fear in the evening.

“I’ll make this short.”

“…!”

“You want to get beaten to a pulp, then give me my money? Or do you want to take a beating after you give me my money?”

“…!”

The bombardment from the Gemini Saint had already burned down Cheongwadae’s official building. So, the politicians had been busy getting ready for a meeting with the Japanese government. This development had shocked them.

They were surprised when the Lee Gun from the live broadcast had shown up in front of them, but his words were shocking as well.

‘What did he just say?’

‘Either we get beaten, then we relinquish his money, or we give him his money first, then take a beating….’

‘He’ll kill us either way!’

Cold sweat ran down the backs of the politicians. Of course, they knew what had happened at the Saintess’s press conference. That incident had already become a hot-button issue around the world. However, the politicians had inquired about the incident with the Japanese government, and the Japanese government had reassured them that the person they had seen was most likely not Lee Gun.

‘They said his data was different!’

‘They said there was no way he could turn back time on his body by that much!’

“I see you guys still haven’t changed the passcodes for the most part. The reference room too!”

Everyone became terrified when they saw the documents Lee Gun now held.

“…!”

There was no doubt now. The past government had set up this old reference room, setting a special open-door policy toward Lee Gun in the process. A regular person wouldn’t know the password.

That wasn’t all.

‘Several of the door locks contain Lee Gun’s biometric data.’

‘That means this person is indeed Lee Gun…’

Doom and gloom appeared in their gazes. However, some still shook their heads in denial.

‘Are you kidding me? There is no way he’s Lee Gun!’

Suddenly, they heard Lee Gun’s shout. “What the hell? Why aren’t you guys answering me?”

“…!”

“No. That is…”

“I’m sorry! This is all too sudden. I just can’t think right now…!”

Lee Gun didn’t bother with their words. “I want you to give me an answer using those slow brains of yours. When will you be able to give me my bank account and tributes, which were supposedly under your care?”

Unrest rose among the politicians as they looked at each other.

‘What the hell? I thought that subject was put to rest.’

‘I was told the executive affairs office took care of it today.’

In truth, most of the people gathered here weren’t residents of Korea. The protection from the gods held more power than the power the Korean president had. In reality, the bribes these politicians had received from the Gemini Saint had gone back to the gods for the protection skill. That was how these people were able to run away to safe countries.

The only reason they had rushed back to Korea was the destruction of Yin & Yang palace. They had come here for the Gemini Saint. Even if the Japanese government was angry, it was more important to calm the Gemini Saint. They hadn’t paid attention to anything else!

Kwahng!

Screams rang out as they heard the sound of the conference desk being broken.

Lee Gun let out a cold smile. “I won’t give you much time. Don’t use your small brains to come up with an excuse. Just give me an answer.”

“…!”

“When will you be able to give me my items and tributes?”

The politicians knew their comeuppance had come. They shook in fear, yet tried their best to disguise their fear. 

“Aside from the items managed by the affairs office, the tributes are all gone.”

“Really?” Lee Gun asked.

“Yes. They were donations. We used it in Mr. Lee Gun’s name. It was used in damage recovery projects. We gave it to low-income families and underprivileged groups…”

Kwahng!

“Ahhhk!”

The politicians screamed. After receiving a hit, one of them lay stretched out on the ground.

Lee Gun let out a bright smile as he shook off the blood on his fist. “I’ll really kill every one of you if you continue to give me some bullshit answer.”

“…!”

A terrifying smile appeared on his face. “The figures don’t match. The ledger talks about it being given to someone’s wife or son-in-law. That’s helping the underprivileged? Do you want to die?”

The politicians shook, and this time, Lee Gun let out a menacing smile. “I don’t want to be in the news today for causing another mess. Let’s end this peacefully.”

‘It’s already far from a peaceful meeting!’

In the end, everyone realized that they would die if they lied. Someone immediately yelled, “I… I’m so sorry! However, we really don’t have the money! We’ve already spent all of it as tributes to the Gemini Saint a couple of years ago!”

“T-That’s right…”

Lee Gun let out a bright smile as if he had expected this. “It seems you guys are under a misconception.”

“!”

“If the original fund is gone, you have to return it using your assets. Of course, there should be twenty years worth of interest along with it. Right?”

“…!!!”

“Choose! Do you want to get hit and give it up? Or do you want to give it up and get hit?”

‘This crazy bastard!’

One of the politicians tried to run away. 

With the bright smile still on his face, Lee Gun spoke, “Ok! You want to get hit first? I accept.”

“N-no—”

Bbah-gahk!

“Kuh-huhk!”

“Ahk!”

“Senator!”

Lee Gun kicked the people trying to run out the door. The aides and the guards rushed forward, but they were useless.

“Ahk!”

Bloody screams rang out. Everyone was in disbelief as they watched this scene.

‘They received protection from the god, yet…’

Some became fed up and yelled, “The president won’t take this standing down!”

“Even if you’re the hero of Korea, you won’t…”

Splashed with blood, Lee Gun tilted his head. “Isn’t Hyunshik the current president? Yoon Hyunshik.”

“Uh… Yes?”

“He’s been a good friend of mine from when I was young. He won’t care at all,” Lee Gun replied.

“…?!!”

Lee Gun wasn’t someone who cared about the ire of the president in the first place.

Bbah-gahk!

“Ahhhk!”

Tables were destroyed, and loose teeth fell to the ground. It was a ridiculous sight to behold.

“Gasp…! Help…!”

Then… 

“Ah! Whatever! Do you guys know whose signature this is?” Lee Gun shook the documents he had brought from the old reference room. 

The document surprised the politicians.

‘It’s the document that ceased the support to the Archer Saint!’

The Archer Saint was one of the heroes who had participated in the raid to take down Red Eye. However, any support and reward that was supposed to be given to the Archer Saint had been ordered to a halt around ten years ago.

The document basically said the government didn’t care if the Archer Saint starved or died. It said to ignore the Archer Saint.

This was the piece of information that made Lee Gun the angriest. ‘I’m sure the other Zodiac Saints gave out money to make this happen.’

Lee Gun let out a bright smile. “Whatever! I’ll give you guys ten seconds to come up with the people who signed this.”

“!”

“Ten!”

Everyone shook in fear. All of them knew who had signed it.

“Five!”

Even the bloodied politicians tried to take the temperature of the room. They did so because someone very important had signed it. 

In the end, Lee Gun laughed as if he had no choice. “Ah! I was going to spare the life of the one who gave up the people who signed this.”

Suddenly, a man shaking near the door yelled, “I…I know it!”

“…!”

“Kwon….”

“Ah! It’s fine. I won’t know who they are even if you give me a name. Put checkmarks next to their performance report.”

Lee Gun held the performance report, which included the photos of each person. After receiving the report, the man quickly put a checkmark next to the names.

“I put a check on all of them!”

“Ok!”

“Thank you! I will be heading out now!” The man said. He slowly tried to inch his way out of the conference room.

Kwahng!

“!”

However, Lee Gun slammed the door shut with his foot. “Where are you going?”

“You said you’ll let me live if I snitch.”

“I said I’d spare you, but I didn’t say I wouldn’t kill you?”

“…?!”

Everyone’s face turned pale.

“Please let us live! We didn’t want to do it!”

“We didn’t have a god!”

“That’s why we asked for help from a neighboring country… Kuh-huhk!”

Lee Gun scoffed as he stepped on the politicians. “What? You have a naturalized citizen in the Archer Saint, so why were you looking toward the neighboring countries? How much did you receive from the Gemini Saint to say such nonsense?”

“…!”

“What? Let’s see if you can ask for help from your neighbor right now!”

Screams filled the conference room.

“Huh-uhk…!”

Suddenly, someone barged through the entrance, yelling. It was Choi Sunghyuk. He knew something bad was about to happen, so he had left to minimize the damage. The general had been trying to delay the meeting with the Japanese government.

‘What happened while I was gone? I’ve heard of his temper, but…’ This was beyond imagination. However, that wasn’t important right now. ‘It is impossible to have a meeting in this state…!’

Choi Sunghyuk knew he had to hurry up and cancel the meeting.

“Do you realize what time it is right now?” Another person entered the conference room with excellent timing. “Why did no one come out to greet us? We saw no one until we stepped into the main building.

“Also, what is all this ruckus about…!”

This newcomer was an official from the Japanese government. “Whatever! It’s fine. Please lower your heads.”

“What?”

“The Gemini Saint has arrived!”

“!”