The Foreigner on the Periphery - Chapter 108

Jeongpal parked the car in front of the agent’s house. Minjun told him to wait for a while before going in alone. He was alone when he came back a few minutes later, and he was still empty handed 

“What are you bringing?” 

“I got it.” 

Jeongpal tilted his head and started the car. The next destination was the hospital. “Kwak Do-chul’s wife is hospitalized here.” 

At this, the two entered the hospital ward together. Jeongpal saw an unexpected scene there. “I heard the message from the president in advance.” 

A dwarf in a suit was waiting in the lobby.

“I’ll take you with me while you’re here. This is it.” Pointing in the direction, he introduced himself as the hospital director. 

A question mark then appeared in Jeongpal’s eyes. ‘Why the chairman?’ 

Upon hearing this, Minjun nodded with a calm expression and simply expressed his gratitude. Then, without any further horses, he began to walk after him. Jeongpal couldn’t understand how this particular solution was going to work. Moreover… 

‘Chairman? What’s suddenly happening? What kind of president…?’ 

Minjun hadn’t made a single phone call while he was here. Jeongpal couldn’t figure out how to keep the president of the university hospital on standby for that short period of time, or why they were actively participating in the protocol in the first place. The chairman spoke as he walked. “I don’t know if you heard it, but it seems that the patient’s guardian has also been contacted. I agreed to the agent’s entry into the hospital room, but they say he’s coming this way because he doesn’t feel relieved.”

Jeongpal’s eyebrows then twitched. If you were a guardian, then it would be Kwak Do-chul’s father-in-law. The father of a woman lying unconscious after the murder of her husband, and a four-term lawmaker with great prestige. “It doesn’t matter.”

The president, who had guided them to the VIP room, said that he could call anytime if he needed anything, and then disappeared. As the door closed, Jeongpal looked like he wanted to ask a question. Instead of looking at him like that, Minjun looked at the bed with strange eyes. 

“It’s a wonder he didn’t die.” At this, Jeongpal followed his gaze. This spacious hospital room was currently occupied by a human woman. Various tubes and electrodes were also connected all over the body. There was a swollen form reminiscent of a drowning body. Her face was also badly damaged, so Jeongpal could not find her original shape. It was just like a completely different person. 

Minjun turned his eyes away and stared at the ceiling for a moment. ensuing silence. 

“···········?” 

As Jeongpal was about to open his mouth, Minjun spoke first. “Let’s wait like this for a while. This will take about half an hour.” 

“Ah? Half an hour?” 

“Let’s just sit down for a moment.” Minjun looked around the hospital room with a relaxed attitude and picked up a magazine arranged for visitors. Then, he began to sit down on a sofa made of unicorn leather. He started turning the pages with his legs crossed. 

“Aren’t you here to check?”

Minjun said without taking his eyes off the magazine. “I came to check.” 

“But why…?” 

“It’s not time yet.” 

Jeongpal had no clue. The fact that Minjun had unlocked the basement seal before coming here and sent out the aliens hidden deep inside… And that the priest followed the car without being seen by anyone, not to mention Jeongpal, and now he was following Minjun’s instructions on the roof of the hospital. 

Meanwhile, he was impressed by the fact that Minjun’s preparation time was quite short, as promised. ‘I expected a cure, but that only took 30 minutes? That’s great.’ 

Presuming that the agent wouldn’t give any more details, Jeongpal gave up asking any further questions. How much time had then passed in that state? 

“Sell it.” Minjun, who had lost interest while rummaging through a magazine filled with photos of elf models, then spoke up of the blue. 

“Yes, brother.”

The agent brings up a completely different topic. “Are you really going to be a police officer? Are you full of retirement age?” 

Jeongpal silently nodded. He knew why the agent had brought up this story. The attitude of the 2nd Team leader he saw today suggested a lot. 

“Sorry. Was it uncomfortable to watch?” Minjun was embarrassed when he apologized first. 

“No, what do you have to apologize for? That bastard isn’t cheap.” 

He could remember the name and face. However, Minjun had an intuition that he would not be the only person who showed such an attitude toward Jeongpal. In addition to this, even if all of them had been afflicted with such a mysterious disorder, Jeongpal’s treatment would not change. He didn’t like it. 

“How about working with me instead of working part-time every now and then? The police beat him right away.” 

“Ugh, brother.” 

“Even if you don’t make it to the retirement age, your pension amount won’t change much. I will treat you so generously that you won’t even be able to find it in yourself to complain.”

He made similar offers over and over again, but each time he refused. Each time, he made several excuses.

“…” 

After thinking about it for a while, Jeongpal began to confide in a story he had never spoken about before. “Brother, do you know that there aren’t many Orc cops?” 

“Yes. And, you know why it’s rare.” 

Many people found it awkward to see Orcs wielding public power. This was because he thought it was better to be arrested. The problem was that many police officers thought so. 

“Actually, I am not the first Orc cop in our country.” 

“Ah, yes. I’ve heard about it.” 

“Do you know this too? Although it’s not the first time, I’m an Orc police officer with the longest tenure since the founding of the country, even though there are seniors who were commissioned before me.” 

“…” 

Minjun quietly blinked. “That means….” 

“Yeah, I killed all the Orcs with the police badge sooner than I did. Somehow, I became the oldest. Why couldn’t they survive? You can guess that it’s not just about aptitude or job satisfaction.” 

No one could bear to stand the struggle. A plausible reason could be that the Orcs’ characteristic rage managed to explode every time. 

However, Jeongpal persevered. Using an enormous amount of patience, might one add. “I am confident in my patience. Isn’t that quite the Orc-like character? No matter how I am to endure it, I only have 5 years left. But didn’t you get quite greedy when you came here? It’s not that big of a deal, but if it’s a dream, then I’d want to pursue it. I wanted to be the first Orc police officer in Korea to retire after reaching the retirement age.” 

It was not about revealing grand ambitions, such as wanting to leave a mark in history. 

“I want my kids to see me and know. Oh, of course they know that even Orcs can be cops. No one knows that the door has been opened legally.” 

Appointment was possible, but only after special requirements have been set in place. Jeongpal was simply pointing out that part. “I just want them to change their minds. I want to break the stereotype that orcs have no choice but to slap them rather than dirty them if they have a decent job. Wouldn’t the perception change if even one person takes the courage to set a precedent? Instead of giving up without even trying. ‘That kid’ also worked until retirement age and then retired peacefully, so I hope I can do it too.” 

Most of Jeongpal’s jurisdiction was an Orc community. He patrolled there more often than any of his teammates. From the bar owner to the gangsters on the playground, everyone he met knew Jeongpal. It was what he had intended. He wanted everyone to become more familiar with the concept of the Orc Police. He hoped to draw attention to the possibility that the Orcs could become the ones issuing restraints instead of being the ones handcuffed.

Minjun quietly pointed out, “Then they will look dirty too, right?” 

The Orc laughed as if he had guessed. “If you become a police officer, they will look dirty too. They’ll appear more Orc than me. The more people shiver, the more it will change. The louder the voice, the better.” 

Jeongpal had expected that something would change in the next generation or the next generation. “I am neither a civic activist nor a revolutionary, so it will be difficult for me to change anything with my own hands right now, but I know I can do what I’ve managed to do well. Everyone survives, right? It’s really not all that great.” ”

At this, Minjun pondered his words in his head for a moment before speaking once more. “I know what you are thinking. Let’s talk about this later. There are guests outside.” 

At that moment, the door to the hospital room opened, as if the one standing behind it had been waiting. “Ah, sorry – I am a little late.”

It appeared to be an old Orc who had said that. He went inside and then extended his hand towards the attendants who were about to follow them in, blocking them effectively. He then closed the door again. 

At this, Kwak Do-chul’s father-in-law greeted Minjun. “It’s the first time I’ve seen you face to face, Agent.”

“Yes, I know.” 

The man’s face displayed emotions that were quite difficult to read and discern. The old man’s gaze alternated between Minjun and Jeongpal in turn. The person who greeted him was Minjun, but his gaze stayed longer on Jeongpal. 

It was a subtle difference. His eyes returned to Minjun again. Choi Pan-seok, a fourth-term member of the National Assembly, said: “I only found out today. You said that President Jenkinson recognized you as a ‘friend’?” 

“?!?”

Jeongpal’s eyes widened, almost as if they were about to pop out. He thought he heard it wrong, but he knew he didn’t. 

“I was shocked when Dragon suddenly contacted me, but I was even more surprised to hear about it.” 

Words like confirmation and killing came out of Choi Pan-seok’s mouth. This was counted as one of the three major fears of modern people along with bonds and guarantees. 

‘Dragon? And that… President Jenkinson?’

That same Jenkinson from the Jenkinson Company? An ancient red dragon that made Korea its territory?! 

‘It’s ridiculous!’ 

Did that kind of old dragon recognize the quarter elf as a friend? It was beyond common sense. While Jeongpal was confused, the agent asked calmly. “Did the president even talk like that in the first place?” 

“····!” 

Instead of denying it, he even accepted! Jeongpal felt his breathing get short and his vision blurred. “Yes, the old man persuaded me.” 

He then looked at the foster daughter at the bedside. “It is not her blood, but it is her daughter she carries with her heart,” she said.

He was worried that an immigration agent would dare to interrogate a child who had not yet even been charged, even at the crossroads of life and death. When he expressed concern, the gentle dragon mentioned that ‘the friend’ would be visiting. 

If it was a friend he had recognized, it would definitely be that old dragon visiting him. 

“Who would dare give a congratulatory order?” An angry look was shot at the agent.

“I have received numerous anonymous death threats so far because of the adoption of humans by Orcs. They said that it harms human dignity. Some of them actually tried it instead of just having the plan in their head. It is the child who has been protected through the ordeal. So… please, please.” 

He spoke in quite the heavy voice. It was an utterance that even led to mourning. “I know you are a warlock. This child has been caught up in a mysterious artifact and is currently in critical condition, but is not yet out of breath. If you’re going to turn my daughter into a hideous workhorse and dig up information using her, I’ll use everything I have to resist…” 

“Oh, wait a minute.” 

At this, Minjun frowned. It was because he knew the reason why that member of the National Assembly suddenly recited this particular story. He had been misunderstood. 

“I am not talking about turning your daughter into a gangster or a zombie right now.” 

“····?!” 

For the first time, the senator gave out a bewildered expression. Minjun gave his assertion. “I will wake you up.” 

At this, the old Orc shook his head. He, too, knew the condition of his daughter. Such was an injury that could not seem to be recovered unless a high priest were to come. However, it would be impossible to invite such a priest at this time. 

He struggled in denial, knowing that he would soon have to let his daughter go. However, to make his daughter into an undead was only an unjust sound. “Again, I would never want to wake you up like that…” 

Soon, Minjun realized that no longer explanation was needed. 

= Hwashin, the preparations are complete. = 

Minjun answered with an accompanying spirit wave. ‘Do it.’ 

At that moment… 

Because Yuntus had intended to do so, his divine power was not accompanied by splendid light or dazzling colors. An invisible, pure divine power came down through the walls of the building. This was a skill that was rarely seen on Earth. This was also why no one, except Minjun felt it. However, there were visible and audible changes, and they in turn reacted to it. Leeeeeveee!

“Oh, no!” 

With the harsh sounds of bones breaking, people’s eyes were all focused on the hospital bed. Choi Pan-seok hurriedly approached the hospital bed. A cry that was close to a scream soon rang out. 

“No!” Thinking something was wrong, he hastily rang the emergency bell. The waiting doctors rushed in. anticipating the worst. However, what they saw was a different sight than expected. 

“Hey, this…?!” 

A strange phenomenon soon appeared in the eyes of the medical staff. The iron core that had then been pierced through several surgeries was smooth In the process, the bandage was torn and the plaster cast was broken, revealing the patient’s bare skin. The swelling subsided and the wounds eventually healed. 

He could see the twisted skeleton taking its place. The face that once looked like a drowned body was then restored to its original shape. There had been no divine light to testify to the fact that the priest was using his power from some unknown location. To the people here, it looked like just an inexplicable miracle. 

“Stand, Seon-ah!” 

Something daunting came up from the legislator’s throat. The foster daughter let out a light moan as she regained consciousness. 

“···Dad?!”

The Orc screamed. “Daughter!” 

Happy chaos ensued. Minjun couldn’t see her because he and her medical staff had obscured her from view. He decided to give them some time, instead choosing to congratulate his disciple. 

‘You did a great job.’ 

= I am just grateful to be able to serve you close. = 

A storm then swept through the hospital room once. Minjun spoke from behind them. “If you see that there is nothing wrong, would the medical staff go out for a while? I have something to check with the patient.” 

When the medical staff noticed, the Orc nodded. As they vacated the hospital room, Choi Pan-seok spoke, his voice was still trembling. “Agent… thank you Thank you very much!” 

The momentum that once hosted that threat was gone. It was thanks to this man that his daughter, who had gone to the brink of death, survived. On the other hand, Minjun was found looking slightly shy. 

There was no intention to abuse that priest’s power in the future. It didn’t suit him to go around treating all the critically ill in the world. Even if he offered ten million gold in return, he planned to refuse. It would be difficult if the rumor were to spread and would get into the ears of the committee. While not knowing this, a member of the National Assembly was moved by the miracle. 

“··········!” 

At this, Minjun’s expression changed. This was because he saw something. His eyes were fixed on the patient. She was horribly swollen and indistinguishable at first sight, and shortly after she recovered, was her appearance only now revealed. Choi Pan-seok’s daughter…

 ‘What? That woman!’ 

Minjun knew her. A slender woman who appeared in an unsuitable attire in a secluded tobacco shop run by a troll. The agent felt confused. 

‘…That’s the woman in the memory of the congressman’s murderer!’ 

On the other hand, Detective Orc was also confused. ‘Are you really alive?! Did you save a critically ill person who can’t be touched by any priest…?’

In Jeongpal’s mind, the events of the day passed quickly. The realization quickly became a shock and a thrill that began to engulf his whole body. The Orc then looked at the agent. This was a man professed as a friend by the old dragon who controlled the economy of this country. He was a man who performed a miracle by restoring a woman who had been waiting for only the day she would die. 

A person like this couldn’t be an ordinary quarter elf. It was only then that Jeongpal seemed to know the true identity of Minjun. 

“…Brother.” The voice that leaked out of Jeongpal’s mouth was strangely twisted and echoed. He asked, feeling his chest sinking. “Brother, you have been disguising your identity until now. Did everyone suddenly catch up?” 

At this, the agent turned his head and saw Jeongpal’s serious expression. Their gazes converged in the air. The voice that broke the brief silence was pale. “Your brother is not really a quarter elf.” Jeongpal recited the words he was half-assured by, and Minjun, who heard it, felt absurd. He even forgot the embarrassment he felt because of the lawmaker’s daughter. 

“…Were you a dragon with a hidden identity?!”

“….” Minjun couldn’t help but feel insulted.