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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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Incheon. Chinatown.
Before the Great Transfer, it was a tourist attraction that drew people from all over the country year-round.
However, after the Great Transfer, the atmosphere of Chinatown changed 180 degrees.
In the immediate aftermath and chaos of the Transfer, the already high percentage of foreigners, coupled with its proximity to the port, led to Chinatown’s rapid descent into a cradle of crime.
The streets that once attracted tourists now drew criminals from all over Northeast Asia.
The vast slum that formed around old Chinatown grew so deep and extensive that the government was unable to intervene.
Of course, everyone knew that this growth involved collusion between criminal organizations and political and business figures.
Thus, the South Korean government eventually gave up on Chinatown.
Rather than stir up a hornet’s nest, they decided to build a fence and guarantee a sanctuary for criminals, as long as they stayed within its confines.
And now.
An Enforcer who intensely loathed criminals, and his companions, set foot within Chinatown’s borders.
“Whoa, the atmosphere here is really intense…”
A makeshift structure resembling a checkpoint was set up on the main road leading into Chinatown. Near it, members of a vicious criminal organization sat like guards, scrutinizing every outsider who entered.
“Chinatown is a haven for criminals. Just as they rarely leave, they are also highly wary of outsiders entering. You’ll need to get used to it quickly.”
“Enforcer Kwon seems accustomed to it. Have you been here before on official business?”
Kwon Tae-ho hesitated briefly at Ha-yeon’s question before shaking his head.
“No. There’s a general non-interference agreement between law enforcement and Chinatown. I just…have some personal connections here, so I’ve visited occasionally.”
“Is…that so?”
At his vague answer, Ha-yeon could only nod vaguely in response. Yoo Seol approached Kwon Tae-ho and asked,
“By the way, Enforcer Kwon, we’re here, but how do we find the person who transferred the superpower in this vast Chinatown? Are you planning to visit a private investigator?”
“Something like that. I know an information broker here personally. They’re well-connected and know everything about Chinatown’s inner workings, so they should be able to answer our questions.”
Doubt clouded Yoo Seol’s expression at his words.
Kwon Tae-ho fundamentally loathed criminals. And any information broker in Chinatown would be involved in crime in some way.
Yet he had a personal connection with one?
Yoo Seol was puzzled not only by the fact that Kwon Tae-ho had a criminal acquaintance but also that he was willingly seeking their help.
“May I ask what kind of connection it is?”
“Just a long-standing one. That’s all you need to know.”
Without a proper answer, Kwon Tae-ho ventured deeper into Chinatown.
-Creak.
They finally arrived at a small Chinese sundry shop crammed with various items, located on the second floor of a building tucked away in an alley.
It didn’t seem to get much business, as layers of dust covered various spots. Kwon Tae-ho strode through the narrow aisles and, standing at the counter, shouted,
“Mei Lan!”
“Yes! Coming!”
A cheerful voice responded from the dark hallway behind the counter.
Moments later, a flamboyant woman came rushing out.
She had long, crimson hair that reached her waist, a form-fitting black cheongsam, and a thick leather jacket casually draped over it. The hairpins and ornaments in her hair jingled noisily as she walked, giving her a frivolous air. The woman addressed the three of them in a boisterous tone.
“Welcome! Mei Lan’s Sundries, where we sell everything from women’s sewing kits to Green Dragon Crescent Blades! Feel free to browse-”
However, the moment she saw Kwon Tae-ho’s face, her frivolous and cheerful demeanor vanished in an instant.
“It’s been a while, Mei Lan.”
“Kwon Tae-ho.”
Her voice was subdued.
However, it wasn’t out of dislike. A faint smile touched her lips.
“Indeed. It’s been a long time.”
Her voice was tinged with nostalgia and longing.
Taken aback by the sudden shift in atmosphere, Ha-yeon looked back and forth between the two before gasping in surprise.
Kwon Tae-ho had just said that he had a long-standing connection with the information broker.
“Assistant Director. Is this, by any chance, Enforcer Kwon’s ex-girlfriend-?”
“Ha-yeon. There’s a time and place.”
Ha-yeon quieted down at Yoo Seol’s reprimand. Oblivious, the two reunited acquaintances gazed at each other.
“Three years, hasn’t it? You haven’t even glanced at this place since Master passed away. What brings you here? Business?”
“Yes, I need your help with a case.”
“Serious enough for you to ask for my help?”
“Nine people are dead. More could die if we delay.”
“What do I care if they die? They have nothing to do with you, right?”
“Nothing. But I can’t let a murderer run loose. Now that I know about them, I have a duty to apprehend them and put them behind bars.”
Mei Lan smiled wistfully at Kwon Tae-ho’s firm response.
It seemed her acquaintance hadn’t changed at all in three years.
Or rather, his unforgiving attitude towards criminals might have even intensified.
“So? What information do you need?”
“Recently, there’s been a series of murders in the metropolitan area targeting only Returnees with criminal records…”
Kwon Tae-ho relayed the details of the investigation and the information he needed to Mei Lan.
“So, I want you to investigate whether there are any individuals or groups in Chinatown capable of transferring rare superpowers like the Avatar ability. And if anyone has received that ability from them.”
“…….”
“Mei Lan? Hey, are you listening?”
Despite Kwon Tae-ho’s question, Mei Lan remained deep in thought, arms crossed. She chuckled and then spoke to him incredulously.
“I think the person you’re looking for is currently in Chinatown.”
“What?”
“A man around 180cm tall. Wields two swords. Combat prowess close to S-rank…”
She recalled the description of the perpetrator Kwon Tae-ho had given her. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became that her guess was valid.
“You know there are several Chinese gangs operating in Chinatown, right? There’s a branch of a group called the ‘Thousand Tigers’ here. One of their executives got sliced up by some lunatic yesterday.”
“Gang rivalry?”
Mei Lan shook her head at Kwon Tae-ho’s question.
“Every gang is denying involvement. And that’s probably true. No gang in Chinatown wants an all-out war with the Thousand Tigers right now.”
“Are the Thousand Tigers that powerful?”
“They are. Within Chinatown, their power is comparable to other gangs, but the Thousand Tigers are one of the three major powers in mainland China. Nobody would dare mess with them if they valued their lives.”
“So, the person who sliced up the Thousand Tigers executive is an outsider unfamiliar with Chinatown?”
“Yes, and the witness’s description matches the perpetrator you just described. A middle-aged Asian man around 180cm tall. Uses two swords. Doesn’t that sound similar?”
It was similar, but that wasn’t enough to confirm he was the perpetrator. Height and weapon choice could easily coincide.
“Do you know anything else about him?”
“Just the circumstances of the incident. Do you know why that lunatic sliced up the Thousand Tigers executive? Apparently, he was protecting a bar hostess the executive was harassing. Sounds like something out of an old Hong Kong movie, doesn’t it?”
“Did the man and the hostess know each other?”
“I don’t know. You’d have to ask the hostess.”
“Where is she?”
Mei Lan stared at Kwon Tae-ho at his question, as if asking if he really needed her to explain that as well.
And from that look, Kwon Tae-ho could guess the hostess’s whereabouts.
“Don’t tell me……”
“Yep. The Thousand Tigers are desperate to find the man. They took the hostess. She’s probably being tortured right now to confess her connection to him.”
“…….”
“That man is such an idiot. What’s the point of saving her on the spot with some shallow sense of justice? Now, instead of just feeling a little shame, she’s been kidnapped and tortured. His meddling just screwed her over.”
“So, did the Thousand Tigers get any information about the man from her?”
Mei Lan shook her head at Kwon Tae-ho’s question.
The incident occurred last night, and the Thousand Tigers kidnapped the woman this morning.
“Judging by the fact that they haven’t made any noticeable moves in the hours since…it’s one of two things.”
Either the woman was keeping her mouth shut despite the torture.
Or she genuinely had no connection to the perpetrator.
“In this situation, we can’t currently confirm whether that man is the perpetrator we’re looking for.”
As Yoo Seol frowned in frustration, Mei Lan let out a hearty laugh.
“You said the perpetrator you’re looking for obtained a superpower here, right? Then we can start our investigation from there. Even though Chinatown sells all sorts of things, there aren’t many people who deal in superpowers.”
“That’s a small mercy. Enforcer Kwon, let’s ask Mei Lan to do that for now-”
Yoo Seol stopped mid-sentence. Kwon Tae-ho seemed to be lost in thought, a serious expression on his face.
“Enforcer Kwon…?”
Sensing something, Ha-yeon tilted her head. Kwon Tae-ho didn’t answer.
“Hey, wait. Don’t tell me……”
Mei Lan was the first to have a bad premonition. Although she hadn’t seen Kwon Tae-ho in years, she knew how his mind worked.
“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of rescuing that hostess?”
Kwon Tae-ho didn’t answer. Silence meant affirmation. Mei Lan’s face paled.
“Hey, Kwon Tae-ho. Snap out of it. We’re talking about the Thousand Tigers. One of the largest mafia groups in China! Sure, this is just one of their overseas branches, but you’ll be in serious trouble if you pick a fight with them. You might not make it out of Chinatown alive.”
“A civilian is in danger.”
Mei Lan was dumbfounded by his short reply. She waved her arms incredulously and snapped at him.
“There are tons of civilians in danger in Chinatown! Besides, this isn’t even your jurisdiction! It’s none of your business! You’re an Enforcer who deals with Returnees, not a police officer!”
“The Thousand Tigers probably have a Returnee or two among them, right?”
“What? Of course they do, but-”
“Then it’s my jurisdiction.”
His logic was incredibly flimsy.
“……Sigh.”
Mei Lan gave up trying to persuade him. Kwon Tae-ho was never one to be swayed by reason. He had always been like this.
“I’ll ask about the superpower. We’ll go and rescue the hostess and get her statement.”
“Fine! Do whatever you want! I’m a fool for worrying about you! I don’t care if you get yourself killed!”
“Don’t worry. I’m much stronger than when you knew me.”
“W-who’s worried?!”
Mei Lan retorted irritably and stomped back inside.
Was she telling him to get lost and leave her alone? Just as he thought that, Mei Lan returned and shoved a few sheets of paper in front of him.
“Here’s the hostess’s information. Name: Liu Feifei. Taiwanese. And this is her home address, the bar’s address, and her contact information. Be careful if you go to the bar. The Thousand Tigers are probably still watching it.”
Despite her earlier outburst, she was surprisingly helpful. Kwon Tae-ho accepted the papers and grinned.
“Thanks, Mei Lan.”
“If you’re grateful, pay me properly when this is over! No friend discounts. I’ll charge you extra!”
Mei Lan waved him off dismissively. After leaving the shop, Yoo Seol glanced back inside and nudged Kwon Tae-ho with her elbow.
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“You two seem close. What’s your connection?”
“Why are you curious? Isn’t there something more important right now?”
“If she’s your secret lover or something, I, as your assistant director, need to know.”
“Huh?”
Ha-yeon’s eyes widened at Yoo Seol’s words, staring at Kwon Tae-ho. He paused for a moment, then sighed and answered,
“Mei Lan and I trained together under Master. That’s all.”
“If she was Enforcer Kwon’s master…”
Yoo Seol pondered, then her eyes widened in realization.
Kwon Tae-ho’s master. Yoo Seol didn’t know much about her, but she knew a few things.
She had died in an unfortunate accident shortly before Yoo Seol joined Kwon Tae-ho’s office.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked…”
“It’s fine. It was a long time ago.”
“??”
Ha-yeon, caught between the two, was completely lost. Yoo Seol cleared her throat and changed the subject.
“So, you said you’re going to raid a branch of China’s largest mafia group. Do you have a plan?”
“I’ll threaten one of their members to find out Liu Feifei’s location. Once I know where she is, I’ll go straight in and rescue her.”
“We don’t usually call that a plan…”
Yoo Seol considered for a moment, then nodded.
“Not bad. It’s the simplest method.”
“Right? If you have enough power, you don’t need a complicated plan. Going straight ahead is the easiest and most reliable way.”
“But even for you, Enforcer Kwon, wouldn’t it be difficult to handle the combat and the rescue all by yourself?”
“So?”
“Let’s divide the mission. Diversion and rescue. We have another Enforcer here. A trainee, but still.”
Yoo Seol glanced at Ha-yeon.
“What do you say, Ha-yeon? Think you can handle it?”
A sudden mission assignment.
But there was no reason to hesitate. Ha-yeon, eager to prove herself as an Enforcer, saluted dramatically at her first mission and exclaimed,
“Yes! Leave it to me!”
Kwon Tae-ho Enforcer Office, Chinatown debut.
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