At that moment.

*“Khh!”*  
*“Khhh!”*  
*“Kkgh!”*

The movements of the three people approaching Suho suddenly halted.

This was the effect of the *S-grade Intimidation* from his *Dragon’s Blood*. Their bodies stiffened as though they had been hit by the fear of a monster.

*‘At their current level, these Banshees can probably only stand still and breathe.’*

Thus, without any further actions, Suho slowly approached them and began removing their hats and masks one by one.

After removing the first man’s mask, Suho looked at his face and spoke.

“Kim Hyun-min. You’re the mobility specialist with a teleportation skill, and your occupation is a delivery man.”

Next, as Suho removed the second man’s mask, he continued.

“Seo Kyo-won. You’re in charge of making bombs for terrorist activities, and your occupation is a middle school science teacher.”

Finally, Suho removed the last man’s mask and spoke.

“Kwak Du-ho. You’re a day laborer, and despite your thin frame, you handle the heavy lifting in the team.”

Now, only one person remained.

The only female member of the team, the founder and leader of the Banshees, the mastermind who devised all the operations and protocols.

Suho removed the last member’s mask, who was stuck by his *Guiyoung Spear*, and said,

“Goo Yeon-hwa. A student at Korea Women's University, the true leader behind the Banshees, and an EMP specialist capable of disabling electronic devices and magical items, right?”

*“Hh... Hh...”*  
*“How... how do you know that?”*

“It's easy to know if you’re paying attention. But more importantly, take a good look at my face. Who do you think I am?”

“We’ve never met... how could I know who you are?” 

Goo Yeon-hwa responded dismissively, but as she looked into Suho’s face, her expression suddenly shifted to one of surprise.

*“Ah.”*

She knew. 

She, as the brain of the team, would recognize him.

Her eyes widened, and she stammered.

“Y-You’re... Ahn Suho?”

“Exactly. Looks like the brain really knows their stuff. Now, tell them, I’m not some weirdo.”

Suho removed the *Intimidation* and *Shadow Binding* effects from Goo Yeon-hwa.

Her breath, once shaky, returned to normal, and she exhaled deeply, finally relaxed. She lifted her head and asked,

“Who are you really?”

“You should be able to tell by my face. How about we talk about it later?”

“How are we supposed to trust you?”

“If you don’t want to, then don’t.”

“What?”

“You guys have committed three terrorist attacks so far, including the one you were about to do today. No civilian casualties yet, but property damage has occurred, so it's still a crime, right? The police have no idea about what you've done, but I know everything. How you planned your attacks, how you covered your tracks, I know it all. And I know where you live and who you associate with. Now, how about we talk?”

Goo Yeon-hwa’s eyes trembled with shock.

*Exactly.*

No matter how much of a future big player you were, a Banshee leader, you were still just a university student who had recently started your operations.

Suho released the pressure from the other three and spoke.

“Listen up. I’m not from the government, and I don’t plan on capturing or harming you. So, let’s talk. Peacefully.”

The four of them exchanged glances.

Then, Goo Yeon-hwa nodded and said,

“… Fine.”

“Good. But first, let’s move to a different place. We can’t talk about such things here, can we? In that case, your hideout is the safest, right? Hyun-min, open the door, and let’s take a cab there.”

At this, Kim Hyun-min, the team's mobility specialist, mumbled with disbelief.

“… Crazy.”

---

At the Banshee’s hideout on the outskirts of Seoul.

Once inside, Suho casually sat on the sofa, acting like it was his own place.

“Since it’s your hideout, feel free to relax. I’m fine, so if you’re thirsty, help yourself.”

Suho acted naturally, like the owner of the place. Goo Yeon-hwa, momentarily stunned by his boldness, quickly composed herself and sat across from him.

“Alright, enough of the pleasantries. What’s your real identity? Why would a famous figure suddenly appear in front of us? And how did you know about us?”

“It’s my personal skill.”

“What?”

“It’s my personal skill. The fact that I appeared in front of you and knew your secrets, all of it is thanks to my skill.”

“Wha...?”

“Why? Don’t you all have a few skills you keep hidden? You’re using them for terrorist activities. I’m doing the same.”

At that, Goo Yeon-hwa went silent.

She had no rebuttal.

So, she changed the subject.

“… So what do you want from us?”

“Work with me.”

“Work?”

“Have you seen my interview with the reporter from PBS? I mentioned some of my plans there.”

When Goo Yeon-hwa nodded, Suho also nodded and said,

“Then it’ll be easier to talk. You know my goal is to join the Daheon Association, right? I wasn’t just saying that for the interview, it’s real.”

“… What?”

Goo Yeon-hwa’s expression crumpled again.

It was difficult for her to understand logically.

But Suho said nonchalantly,

“Don’t give me that look. Everyone I meet keeps asking if I’m serious about this.”

“So, is it really true?”

“Stop asking. Yes, it’s true. In fact, I plan to take the grade-5 civil service exam.”

At those words, Goo Yeon-hwa and the others' eyes widened in shock.

It made sense, as the grade-5 civil service exam was notoriously difficult, and those who didn’t meet the qualifications wouldn’t even be considered.

“By the look on your faces, you all know how hard the grade-5 exam is. But it’s true, I’ll be taking the exam, and I will pass. After that, I’ll move up through a couple of positions and eventually enter the Special Department.”

*Special Department.*

The air grew heavy.

This was because the reason the Banshees were formed was directly tied to Daheon Association’s Special Department.

Suho knew this well, as he had once worked in the Special Department himself.

But Suho didn’t care and continued talking.

“Why do you all look so shocked? If you can’t even manage your expressions, how do you keep secrets? Don’t worry, I’m joining the Special Department for the same reason as you. It’s personal.”

“Personal reasons?”

“You heard me in the interview. I’m a Gate orphan. At first, I thought I was just unlucky, caught in a disaster we couldn’t control. But later, I realized what I went through was actually a man-made disaster.”

Gate-related disasters could cause massive chaos and spread monsters, but Suho now understood that his family’s tragedy was no accident. It wasn’t a *natural disaster*, but a *man-made disaster*.

“Do you know the saying, ‘Once a shell falls in a place, another shell won’t fall there again’?”

“I know. It’s the same for Gates, isn’t it?”

“Exactly. Once a Gate appears, it doesn’t appear again in the same location. That’s why areas that have cleared Gates are designated as Safe Zones, and the property value skyrockets.”

At this point, Goo Yeon-hwa’s eyes widened.

“Are you suggesting...?”

“Exactly. The government knew the Gate shock was going to happen that day. But they let it happen on purpose. There were multiple development projects tied to that area. I know who was involved in those projects. That’s why I’m trying to join the Daheon Association.”

“So you plan to go in and kill them all?”

“No, I’m not going to kill anyone. I’ll seek my revenge in another way. But you all are the same, aren’t you? You’re all targeting Special Department-related places for your attacks. That’s why I’m here.”

This was all true.

Suho’s past and the reason behind the formation of Banshee weren’t fabricated to trick them. 

Suho continued.

“The Special Department is the most powerful force in Daheon Association. It also influences other government agencies and has investigative and prosecutorial powers over players. I plan to become the head of the Special Department and make those responsible pay.”

Suho looked Goo Yeon-hwa straight in the eyes.

“The revenge you’re planning, I’ll help you carry it out in a more specific and effective way. But for that, we need a lot of preparation. That’s why I’m here. I need people outside the Daheon Association to be my hands and feet. How about it? Isn’t this an interesting proposal?”

Having said all he needed to say, Suho confidently set the paper with his second phone number on the table.

“Think it over. Or, you can decide after watching me pass the grade-5 exam. But if you go ahead and commit another terrorist act before that, I’ll forget this offer and hand you over to the Special Department. See you.”

With that, Suho coolly left the hideout.