The Saint Wants to Rest - vanish into fiction

Ian leaned back lazily against the sofa. The eyes of the man named Park Gi-tae were filled with shallow greed.

“So, what is it that you want?”

At Ian’s indifferent attitude, Park Gi-tae leaned forward with a bright expression. He seemed to be under the illusion that since Ian looked young, he could be easily coaxed.

“It is not a difficult request. The demand for the badges is exploding right now, but isn’t it too much for a single religious organization to handle? The state is offering to step in and help with the management. Hand over the manufacturing secrets and distribution rights to the Bureau. If you do, we will not only ensure your personal safety, Ian, but we will also provide you with a handsome reward.”

That is not management. That is stealing someone else’s property. I didn’t think he would be this blatant about it, though. Ian took a moment to gauge the situation before speaking.

Was this fellow’s intelligence low, or had he misheard? A quick glance at Vermouth suggested it was the former.

Ian let out a short, scoffing laugh.

“I decline.”

“…Excuse me?”

“You must be hard of hearing. I said I’m not selling. The Bureau should only communicate through Team Leader Yoon Tae-gyeom. I have nothing to discuss with an uninvited guest who trespasses in this manner.”

At the firm rejection, Park Gi-tae’s face turned a mottled red and purple.

“Look here! Are you saying you intend to play business while holding national security hostage? Do you know who I am? I could conduct a search and seizure of this building right now for violating the Hunter Act!”

Park Gi-tae stood up abruptly, the veins in his neck bulging. Simultaneously, the menacing bodyguards standing behind him released a wave of intimidation all at once. It was a blatant threat to use force to scare him. Of course, such a method would never work on Ian while he was with Vermouth.

‘This part is the same whether it’s Lancia or Earth.’

Even while the world was perishing and people were dying, there were always those who only cared for their own greed. Most of them were executed during the Holy War or locked in dungeons, though.

“Vermouth.”

When Ian called his name, Vermouth, who had been standing still the entire time, took a step forward. His sword slid out from his waist by about half a span, and a suffocating bloodlust filled the room and settled down.

“Kah…!”

“Ugh!”

The bodyguards turned pale and collapsed to the floor, foaming at the mouth. Park Gi-tae also tumbled onto the sofa, gasping as if his neck were being crushed by a giant, invisible hand.

Vermouth’s amethyst-colored eyes flashed coldly.

“A dog that barks without my master’s permission shall have its tongue ripped out.”

At the low and cruel voice, Park Gi-tae trembled like an aspen leaf. This man was the real deal. A true monster who would not hesitate for a single second to take a life right before his eyes, regardless of the state or anything else.

Ian looked down at Park Gi-tae, who couldn’t even steady his body, and issued an order for them to leave.

“Go back and tell them. If you want a miracle, the Director himself should come and obtain it by kneeling and praying day and night. Vermouth, open the door for them.”

“Yes, Ian.”

As soon as Vermouth withdrew his bloodlust, Park Gi-tae’s group pushed past each other like baggage and fled the office.

Only after the door slammed shut did Ian let out a deep sigh.

“How tiring.”

“Shall I kill them?”

“No, leave them be. Scum like that will only gather more in the future anyway. It’s a hassle to care every time.”

This guy suggests killing someone at the drop of a hat. I wonder when he will realize the preciousness of life.

As Ian pressed his temples, Vermouth naturally approached and began to massage his shoulders.

“Please rest for a bit. There is a meeting scheduled with a special envoy from Russia this afternoon.”

“Ah, the bulk purchase of the badges. I actually thought it would take a few days for them to sound out our intentions.”

True to a country in the most urgent situation, their processing speed was fast. And that afternoon, Ian felt a strange emotion for the first time in his life.

Vladimir. An S-class Awakened dispatched from Russia. The man with the ability to manipulate ice stood over 180cm tall with striking silver hair and blue eyes. In Korea, he was a great figure often called the Sovereign of Russia.

In fact, his family possessed both power and wealth.

‘A feast for the eyes.’

Of course, it was not comparable to Vermouth. Vermouth possessed an appearance that made one wonder if they were even the same species to begin with. He was a person who seemed to have been crafted by a goddess’s mistake.