Chapter 746
Returning to daily life usually signifies stability.
But immediately after the mysterious death of Siegfried Bassman, as we each returned to our posts, we were plunged into a breathless period.
“A C-rank Gate in Sokcho, Gangwon Province is showing a rapid increase in Magical Power Distribution. Currently at stage 2… entering stage 3! It’s a Mutation Gate situation!”
“What’s the current available support personnel?”
“Four teams are on standby at the Gangwon Provincial Branch. Using the teleportation magic circle connected to Sokcho City Hall, they can be deployed on-site within five minutes.”
“Dispatch them immediately. If we’re not careful, it could lead to a Monster Wave. Prioritize rescuing survivors and rapid suppression.”
Since our return, things were, in a word, the worst.
Just a few years ago, Mutation Gates occurred no more than once a month. Now, they were happening three or four times a day, and that figure was limited to within the country.
The Magical Power Distribution chart, hitting new highs every single day without fail, had replaced the stock market.
All broadcasting stations reduced their entertainment programming. On the newly established disaster news channels, experts from various fields engaged in fierce debates.
The thing many people overlook is that the rise in Magical Power Distribution has been a steady annual occurrence. In fact, compared to right after the Great Cataclysm, current levels are on the lower side. Once this current situation is resolved, things will calm down quickly, so please, citizens, don’t worry…
– ‘Calm down quickly’? What kind of nonsense is that? And how can you compare right after the Great Cataclysm to now? To put it bluntly, did humanity put down their weapons and all dance the Ganggangsullae after catching the Demon King on ‘Victory Day’? Back then, if you went to Han River Park, you’d see Lizardmen. Don’t you know it took nearly a year just to deal with the remaining monster legions?
– I live in Ilsan, so I never saw any Lizardmen at Han River Park. I’m right.
– What kind of idiot…?
– Hey, you. You’re a year younger than me, watch your language.
‘- A year younger,’ my ass. My parents registered my birth late. Got it?
– Mr. Host. Are you just going to sit there and watch this?
It wasn’t even surprising anymore to see white-haired, authoritative figures from academia red-faced on TV, engaging in title matches over their respective arguments.
Because at the very moment they were grabbing each other by the collar, the news on the next channel was reporting breaking news about a Mutation Gate or Monster Wave happening somewhere in the world.
And amidst those horrific scenes, I fought desperately with all my might.
Sshhk!
White Flame’s spear blade smoothly sliced through hide and bone tougher than armor.
The massive monster—I’d lost count of which one—halted abruptly in its place, then slowly turned and split vertically in two.
Ssssh, thud!
The moment its nearly 3-meter-tall frame fell, split perfectly in half, my eyes met those of a man who had collapsed just a few steps ahead.
In his hand, saved by a hair’s breadth, was a plastic picket written in red paint.
[ARREST INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JIN TAEKYUNG!!!]
Hmm.
Not sure how to react in a situation like this, I simply gave a bitter smile.
Along with the trivial thought that using three exclamation marks was a bit much, no matter how much you hated someone.
“You okay?”
“…”
“You seem fine aside from some scratches, but just stay seated to be safe. It’s all over anyway, so the rescue team will be here soon.”
I turned away from the man whose lips were just moving.
In just over thirty minutes, the street, now devastated, was littered with the corpses of dead monsters and human bodies mixed together.
I sharpened my senses to scan the surroundings, but no more signs of life could be felt.
‘It shouldn’t have gotten this bad.’
It was a pity that a Monster Wave had occurred in this peaceful small town.
And… that the hundreds of protesters who had gathered to condemn me chose this street as their rally location.
Squelch. Squelch.
I crossed the street, stepping on puddles of mixed red and blue blood.
The hyenas who had caught the scent and gathered didn’t miss their chance, rushing in with cameras and microphones.
“What are your thoughts on this Monster Wave?”
“You arrived faster than anyone and suppressed the Monster Wave! First of all, as a fellow human being, I express my deep gratitude…”
“Those people were protesters who gathered to condemn you. Is there any possibility that this Monster Wave was artificially caused by someone supporting you…?”
“Why hasn’t Mr. Sky shown himself yet! What connection do you have with the recent death of Siegfried Bassman?”
“Jin! Say something!”
It felt like filth was pouring in from all directions.
There were those who defended me, but far more were reporters desperate for sensational headlines.
And likely, a significant number among them were being paid substantial sums by someone else in exchange for asking these questions.
For example…
‘The Odin Guild.’
It was something I’d already suspected. I wasn’t even that surprised when I first heard about it from Team Leader Choi Minwoo.
Deteriorating public opinion through media control.
Openly dragging me and the Ares Guild, who enjoyed massive public support, through the mud was not something easily attempted.
But Michael Silbert was a guy with more than enough power and justification to do just that.
The problem was that his attempts, at least where the media was concerned, were working far better than imagined.
“The Prophet still hasn’t shown himself. Please say something to the Prophet who must be watching over you from somewhere!”
“Statistics show that while the Ares Guild handles an average of 3.6 incidents per day, the Odin Guild resolves 6.5. Do you have any comment on this?”
“Mr. Jin Taekyung! Mr. Jin Taekyung!”
“You there! What kind of question is that! And you call yourselves journalists!”
“Everyone, step back! Now!”
It was chaos itself.
Reporters rushing in for more stories and rewards. Police and Hunters blocking those reporters.
Feeling as if my insides were twisting, I pushed through them, listening to a voice that seemed to echo in my head.
You humans… are truly a mess.
To think the day would come when I’d hear such words from a monster.
But I couldn’t think of a retort.
No, maybe I’d been drained since the moment I saw that picket.
“Shut up. It’s noisy.”
Even though I hadn’t used that much Internal Energy, the mental fatigue was considerable.
Giving a short reply to the Skeleton King stored in my Inventory, I took out a Magic Scroll I had kept and tore it.
Fzzzt. Whoosh!
As the teleportation magic manifested, its unique sensation swept over my entire body.
The surrounding scenery instantly swapped. In my rapidly recovering vision, a familiar face appeared.
“You’re back quick? I just got word you were returning.”
A voice steeped in deep fatigue. Song-Yi, with dark circles under her eyes I’d never seen before, suddenly pulled out a handkerchief and offered it.
“Wipe your face first. There’s blood on it.”
Alternating my gaze between the handkerchief and Song-Yi, I clicked my tongue.
“Just curious, are you saving a Clean Magic to make soup with later?”
“Do you think magic is something you use by inserting coins? You can chug potions to replenish Mana, but you can’t restore spent mental energy. I’m already sleep-deprived lately, so shut up and use the handkerchief.”
Knowing who the decisive cause of her sleep deprivation was, I had nothing to say.
Silently wiping off the blood, I handed back the handkerchief. Song-Yi took the soiled cloth and quietly recited an incantation.
“Clean.”
Swoosh.
The dust and blood instantly vanished, leaving a clean handkerchief.
As I looked at her with an incredulous expression, Song-Yi blinked innocently.
“What? This is a luxury item.”
At that bold statement, and at Song-Yi’s demeanor which clearly anticipated this situation, I couldn’t help but let out a short laugh.
“Hah.”
“Now you’re smiling a bit. You looked like death on TV just a while ago.”
“You were watching?”
“Saw the whole live broadcast. Heard those crazy reporter bastards spouting nonsense too.”
“…Well, I have to accept it. When you think about it, I bear some responsibility for this mess happening.”
Song-Yi suddenly frowned.
“You want to talk nonsense too?”
“You seemed fine, why are you acting like this again? If you want to blame yourself so much, do it after you’ve killed those bastards.”
That’s precisely what I don’t want to happen.
But it’s not that easy. Three days had already passed since returning from Switzerland, yet nothing had changed significantly.
Magic Johnson’s investigation still hadn’t produced results, the Prophet’s traces couldn’t be caught with all sorts of magic and satellite surveillance, and the Odin Guild led by Michael Silbert was hitting new highs every day.
“Don’t blame yourself too much, and don’t worry too much either. It’s not just you; others are working hard too. Especially Uncle was hopping mad yesterday, saying he’d go to Paris right then and cut Michael’s head off.”
“That… it’s reassuring, like having gained a mighty army, but if he did that, Uncle’s head would be the one cut off.”
“Yeah. I told him exactly that.”
“…Exactly that?”
“Yep. Because it’s the truth. Anyway, he looked a bit downcast after hearing it, but he accepted it quickly.”
Yeah, for that alone, I’m grateful.
I walked, exchanging various stories with Song-Yi.
And by the time I finished hearing all the news about my mother and Ha-yeon, who were staying at the mansion under ironclad protection, we arrived at the office where Team Leader Choi Minwoo was waiting.
“You’re here.”
A figure even more worn down by fatigue than Song-Yi. The interior of the office, always neatly organized, was in disarray, and the desk was full of empty coffee cups.
“You must have had a long, hard journey. But…”
Team Leader Choi Minwoo, looking alternately at me and Song-Yi, lowered his voice.
“What about the other one?”
“Don’t worry. He came with me.”
I’m here.
Had I left him stored for too long?
I took the guy out of my Inventory, whose voice alone sounded thoroughly pissed off.
To be precise, while pretending to rummage through the spatial pouch at my waist, I recited the command.
[Inventory Open. Summon.]
And the next moment, at the sight of a sturdy white youth appearing with a poof, Song-Yi muttered.
“Wow, a smooth delivery.”
“Shut your mouth. Beautiful but ill-mannered human wench. How dare you compare this body to such a…”
“Thanks. I feel much better now.”
“Damn it all.”
The Skeleton King spat out a curt curse, his face full of discontent, but this was something we couldn’t help either.
‘Even though his identity has been somewhat revealed, we have to hide him as much as possible.’
Although his past and identity were laundered, the word ‘perfect’ doesn’t exist in this world. Even the Pentagon, known for having the world’s best security, was breached in the same way.
Given the situation, we had no choice but to minimize his exposure.
But the next moment, with Team Leader Choi Minwoo’s single sentence, I realized I had to play the Skeleton King card.
“Three minutes ago. Tokyo Bay collapsed.”