Chapter 180: 39th Floor. World of Espers (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 180: 39th Floor. World of Espers (3)
With their preparations complete, All For Equal finally made their move.
Since their ranks included a significant number of Espers, their name became widely known in an instant. Naturally, Kang Jun-hyeok stood at the forefront of their success. The Director couldn't help but marvel at the man, who handled more than twice the workload of anyone else.
"Truly remarkable. It’s almost a shame to call you a mere Sub-Esper."
The hidden truth regarding Espers and Non-Espers began to ripple through society. As the doubts and contradictions people had long harbored were finally addressed, supporters emerged one by one. Soon, those individual voices grew into full-scale protests.
"Rulers, tell us the truth!"
"Is it true you intentionally manufactured these social classes?!"
Significant unrest broke out in five of the twenty-four districts.
The truth reached the Useless city as well, leaving the Non-Espers there deeply shaken.
"Our children... could have been Espers too?"
"And yet they forcibly segregated us like cattle?"
The ripples of truth did not subside. Instead, they surged like a tidal wave, sweeping across the entire city. Chang Ma-yeom reported the news with a delighted expression.
"Protests have erupted in five districts. According to our intelligence, about 3% of the Psychotic city’s population now supports our cause! It’s a small start, but the numbers are growing exponentially!"
"It’s only natural. The truth possesses a power of its own," the Director said, his face glowing with pride. "But this isn't enough. We cannot rest yet. Spread the truth further. Force them to acknowledge it."
"Yes, sir!"
All For Equal accelerated their operations. With a growing base of supporters, disseminating information became easier than ever.
In just two weeks—a mere fourteen days—their movement became a global social phenomenon. By now, there was hardly a soul on the planet who didn't know the name All For Equal. If they had continued at that pace, they would have achieved their goal in no time.
However, they eventually hit a wall.
"W-what is this!"
"What do you think you're doing?!"
Violence broke out as counter-protesters began attacking the movement. The All For Equal supporters tried to resist, but the opposing side refused to back down, shouting with vitriol.
"Get lost!"
"You want us to become family with the Useless? Have you lost your minds?"
"You lunatics! Traitors to your own kind!"
For every person who embraced the truth of equality, another clung desperately to their privilege. Being an Esper didn't guarantee a life of luxury; even in the Psychotic city, many lived in conditions bordering on slums. However, those people held onto one singular pillar of support in their hearts: the fact that, no matter how low they fell, the Non-Espers were still beneath them.
They had lived their entire lives leaning on that sense of superiority. Now that the protesters were demanding equality, it felt like a denial of their very self-worth. They could never tolerate it.
It wasn't just the privileged, either. People who opposed the movement for social stability or financial reasons began to emerge. And the sentiment was mirrored among the Non-Espers.
"We’ve been persecuted for generations, and now you want us to just smile and shake hands?"
"Get out! We deserve compensation!"
"Blood for blood!"
After a long history of systemic oppression, few could easily advocate for harmony. Backlash erupted from both sides of the divide.
The Director, however, did not panic. He had expected this friction.
"Everyone, move out."
"Yes, sir!"
All For Equal acted quickly. Using both the carrot and the stick, they managed the crowds and de-escalated the violence. Through their efforts, they managed to patch the cracks just before the situation reached a breaking point.
Once again, All For Equal had succeeded.
But then, those who had been watching from the shadows finally stepped into the light. Gu Jok reported with a grim expression.
"...The Rulers of the Psychotic city have begun to move."
"They’re finally coming, then."
The Director frowned.
The Rulers of the Psychotic city were shrouded in mystery. Everything—from their numbers to the nature of their psychic powers—was unknown. The Director quickly issued a new set of orders.
"Prepare yourselves. We must hide our tracks as much as possible until we identify exactly who we're dealing with."
"Yes, sir!"
Against an unknown opponent, caution was the only logical path. All For Equal’s response was textbook. Unfortunately, the Rulers were not the kind of opponents such tactics worked against.
"D-Director! We’ve lost contact with one of our branch offices!"
"More than half of our embedded spies have suddenly gone silent!"
"What?" The Director gasped, flustered. "That’s impossible! No matter how powerful the Rulers are, they are few in number. There’s no way they could act with this much speed and precision!"
"But... it's happening..."
In reality, the situation was deteriorating by the second. Kang Jun-hyeok, however, looked as if he had expected this all along.
The average Espers on the 39th floor weren't that formidable. Even the top-tier Espers in the city were limited to being human flamethrowers or moving furniture with their minds. They were still within the realm of human comprehension.
But the Rulers were different. They were Completed Espers—powerhouses of the First Rank.
With telepathy, they could read the minds of hundreds simultaneously. With spatial perception, they could grasp every detail within a radius of several kilometers. It was impossible to counter those who possessed power that transcended human cognition.
Their once-massive influence began to shrink rapidly. The Director bit his lip nervously.
What is it? What kind of power allows them to respond so perfectly?
After agonizing over the situation, the Director made a decision. He needed to confirm the Rulers' abilities for himself. He summoned Chang Ma-yeom, Gu Jok, and Kang Jun-hyeok.
"I am giving you a mission of the utmost importance. Go and uncover the Rulers' secrets."
"Secrets?"
"An informant has brought us precious intelligence. In the deepest sector of the Psychotic city, there is a building to the north that supposedly houses secret documents. We must learn the Rulers' abilities if we hope to counter them."
"...Understood."
"As you command, Director."
Chang Ma-yeom and Gu Jok nodded, their faces grim. Only Kang Jun-hyeok remained composed.
* * *
The trio infiltrated the heart of the Psychotic city. By some miracle, they managed to avoid detection and arrived at their destination. However, the building was sealed with a massive, complex locking mechanism. No matter how they searched, they couldn't find a way in.
Chang Ma-yeom groaned. "How are we supposed to open this?"
"I'll see if I can bypass it with my ability..."
"No. There's no need for that."
Kang Jun-hyeok pulled out the Near-Omnipotent Key. As he inserted it, the lock disengaged with a heavy mechanical screech. He stepped inside without hesitation.
"Let's go."
"Oh... Uh, okay."
"Right."
The interior of the building was deathly quiet. They held their breath, scanning the shadows. Suddenly, a flashlight beam cut through the darkness, illuminating them.
"Who are you people?"
A security guard was staring at them, his face twisted in a scowl.
Chang Ma-yeom gasped. Just as Gu Jok was about to activate his ability to knock the guard unconscious, Kang Jun-hyeok stepped forward.
"We’ve been commissioned."
"Commissioned?"
"The Rulers asked us to retrieve specific materials from this facility."
"...I didn't receive any such notice."
"It was a confidential request," Kang Jun-hyeok said, his voice dropping to a low, authoritative tone. "It would be best for you to keep your mouth shut and stay out of it."
His words carried a strange, undeniable weight. The guard flinched, his body trembling slightly, before he was seemingly persuaded.
"Finish up quickly and leave," the guard muttered, turning away.
Kang Jun-hyeok said nonchalantly, "It's done."
"I've been wondering for a while now," Chang Ma-yeom whispered, sounding dumbfounded, "but are you sure you’re not actually an Esper?"
* * *
They reached the deepest part of the building and successfully secured the hidden documents. Now, if they could just exit without further incident, the mission would be a success.
But as they hurried toward the exit, a voice stopped them cold.
"Who are you guys?"
A young man blocked their path. He had a relaxed, leisurely expression. Chang Ma-yeom spoke quickly, trying to repeat the previous ruse.
"We were commissioned by the Rulers to deliver materials from here."
"Is that so? All right then."
The man stepped aside without a fight. Chang Ma-yeom breathed a silent sigh of relief and tried to pass.
"But I have one question."
"What is it?"
"I don't recall ever giving such a commission." The man grinned.
At that moment, a massive hunk of iron came hurtling toward them.
"Ah!"
It was a block of iron so large and dense it could have crushed a tank. It was the moment Chang Ma-yeom and Gu Jok sensed their impending deaths.
Grab.
Kang Jun-hyeok grabbed both of them by the shoulders and hurled them backward. Instead of dodging, Kang Jun-hyeok took the full impact of the iron block and was sent flying into the distance. Chang Ma-yeom screamed.
"Sub-Esper!"
"Ah. So he was the one? I've heard the name often, but this is my first time seeing him. Well, it'll be the last time, too."
"You...!"
"You bastard!"
Chang Ma-yeom manifested his ability. Surrounding objects floated into the air and launched toward the man. Gu Jok opened his mouth, sending lethal sound waves rippling through the air.
The man simply snapped his fingers.
Creeeeeak!
Nearby metal groaned and flew over, crushing both attacks instantly. Chang Ma-yeom gasped.
"What...!"
Chang Ma-yeom and Gu Jok were high-ranking Espers. To have both of their attacks neutralized so effortlessly was unthinkable. They couldn't win this. Gu Jok shouted urgently.
"Chang Ma-yeom! Run!"
"I can't let you do that."
The man lightly stamped his foot. The building shook violently. Chang Ma-yeom, who had been backing away, stumbled and fell.
Rumble!
"...Huh?"
"Ah... Ah..."
They gaped as a sensation of weightlessness enveloped them. The entire building was rising into the sky.
"T-this kind of power... it shouldn't be possible..."
"Why do you think it's impossible?" The man smiled brightly. "Don't judge the world by your own narrow perspective. The world is far vaster than you think."
"..."
"Do you think you're the first revolutionaries to appear? No. It's happened many times. They were all simply buried and forgotten. Still, you're the first ones to annoy us this much. I'll give you credit for that."
The man waved his hand lightly. The hallway began to crumple like paper.
"So, goodbye."
"No... no..."
It was the moment Chang Ma-yeom and Gu Jok accepted their end.
Suddenly, the man's expression shifted. He hurriedly thrust his hands forward, manifesting a thick metal barrier. With a massive, thunderous crash, his body was forced back.
"Kugh!"
"Eh?"
"Sub-Esper!"
Kang Jun-hyeok—the man they thought had been crushed—streaked through the air like a bullet, his fist slamming into the man's barrier. Shock was etched into the Ruler's eyes as he stumbled back.
"How...!"
"You said the world is wide and vast, right?" Kang Jun-hyeok spoke calmly as he poured strength into his fist. "I'm returning those words to you."
With a final surge of power, the barrier shattered. The man's body was sent flying, crashing violently into the far wall.