Chapter 189
Chapter 189
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: Unknown Number (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Though there's a bit of exaggeration, Dies Irae's opinion carries weight in itself.
It's not clear if Bang Su-byeon is an Awakener or not, but he was at the center of several bizarre incidents multiple times.
Dies Irae evaluated Bang Su-byeon like this.
One thing's for sure—he didn't fear death. He always charged into the most dangerous spots. That's how he made colonel.
The battles on the North Korean side weren't full-scale wars but a series of encounters, ambushes, and accidental clashes.
Most North Korean soldiers dropped their weapons and surrendered with white flags the moment they saw Republic of Korea forces, but some units fought to the last man.
In battles without a front line, Bang Su-byeon volunteered only for the riskiest areas. He lost his unit several times but achieved the higher-ups' objectives.
This is why Bang Su-byeon, an ROTC grad with a major blemish from one discharge, could rise to colonel.
But Bang Su-byeon doesn't have only light in his life.
There was darkness too.
Dies Irae is providing this much info not out of favor for me, but because it stirred up nostalgia for his military days.
Every guy in Korea can talk endlessly about their service the moment it's brought up—especially someone like Dies Irae from a special battlefield.
But Dies Irae's stories alone don't confirm Bang Su-byeon as an Awakener.
Plus, if he's an Awakener capable of a thousands-of-megaton explosion as Dies Irae said (Tunguska was 15 megatons), his eyes wouldn't just glow—his whole body would shine.
Even Kang Han-min couldn't cause that scale.
Yet Bang Su-byeon showed none of the visible Awakener traits.
No glowing eyes, no reflective barriers or waves—nothing representative of Awakeners.
If he were truly one, when Kang Han-min and Na Hye-in were hot news for Alpha Awakening, his unit mates would've reported his extraordinary nature to superiors or media—out of pure goodwill, not malice.
Considering the national hero treatment those two got post-Awakening, it makes sense.
Despite Dies Irae's testimony, the truth about Bang Su-byeon returns to square one.
No reason to call him an Awakener based on this.
Maybe his mistress got it wrong?
Shamelessly, I called her again.
Beep—beep—beep—
She doesn't pick up, probably because I asked about Eom Chang-i last time.
Like Bang Su-byeon, I persisted until it connected.
"Not Eom Chang-i's house."
Jeon Yu-kyeong said with a hint of irritation.
"It's the guy who visited before. With the coal briquettes and synthetic oil."
"Ah."
"Nothing else—just really curious about something."
"W-what?"
"Is Major General Bang really an Awakener? Why do you think he's one?"
Jeon Yu-kyeong seemed flustered by my question but, due to fear of Bang Su-byeon, slowly explained what she knew in a measured tone.
"He said it himself."
Her answer was, well, disappointing.
He said it himself?
I could do that too.
I could go to Viva! Apocalypse! right now and claim SKELTON is a level 99 Awakener.
Hiding my bafflement, I asked back.
"He said it himself?"
"Yes. He told me he used Awakener powers in Sariwon to wipe out two companies of the North Korean Chairman's Guard with an explosion."
"A thousands-of-megatons explosion?"
"He didn't say that."
"Did he ever show his abilities directly?"
"No. Never."
"Did his eyes glow like self-illuminating at night?"
"No. He was normal."
"Then why believe he's an Awakener?"
Jeon Yu-kyeong paused, cleared her throat lightly, and answered.
"Monsters appeared outside the house once."
"Monsters? Where?"
"Not here—the previous house. Somewhere above Sokcho? A small fishing village. Close to North Korea. The general came, spent the night, and as I lay awake in bed, screams came from outside. Monsters. Crown type? First time seeing one."
"...What happened?"
"I hesitate to say, but he snorted cocaine from the bedside table, told me not to worry, and went out. And... came back."
"The monsters?"
"Gone."
"Maybe they just left?"
"I don't know. I don't remember. Honestly, just thinking of him torments me. Can we stop for today?"
I agreed.
Connection ended.
Probably won't connect with her again.
No block on K-Walkie-Talkie, but SKELTON is now a number she never wants to hear from.
Anyway, getting info on unknowns is tough these days.
But thinking it over, no need to chase so hard.
Bang Su-byeon, who claims to be an Awakener, is executed tomorrow at 17:00 behind Chuncheon Prison.
If he's over level 10 as he said, he won't die there.
A man faithful to instincts—abandoning family, keeping a pretty mistress, embezzling supplies—could flip from convict to executioner with a bit of power.
A peaceful afternoon like any other.
No refugees through my area lately.
They take the northern road past my area toward Legion Wave territory.
No reason to cross my area with frequent Mutations when Legion Wave patrols roads and provides safety.
So I'm testing the rice farming I planned last year.
Cleared a small paddy on abandoned farmland beyond the stream below my area and planted seeds.
Direct seeding method.
Just enough for me to eat occasionally.
Haven't irrigated yet—will open the blocked irrigation gate when time comes.
Spring, but weeding and ridging wore me out; back at bunker, I was drenched, body melting.
Early shower, checked watch.
17:20.
"......"
I believe Bang Su-byeon isn't an Awakener.
He's probably dead by now.
Moment of silence for the war hero who gave me much to ponder these days.
The board's buzzing.
Fewer friends now, but they all testify masses of soldiers from east heading to Incheon.
These guys unflinching at raiders, gangs, Mutations—saying this means it's serious.
Watch how it unfolds, but Legion Wave seems set to claim capital region hegemony.
Neither good nor bad.
Solid military like Legion Wave holding top slows monster erosion, but their dominance raises chances of reuniting with Kim Daram.
Either way, won't abandon my area.
My area and fate are inseparable—like water and fish.
Held radio, pondered contacting Woo Min-hui.
Is she alive? Situation?
She'll manage.
As I waffled, K-Walkie-Talkie beeped incoming.
ID: 11_Corp mp
Unknown number.
Unknown, but Legion Wave.
Why me?
Pondered.
Don't know why, but strong feeling it's someone I know. Hit accept.
"Hey, Baek Hunter! It's me! Me!"
Voice slightly off expectation.
Bang Su-byeon.
Not dead?
Military radio—execution delayed maybe.
Or final request granted by executioner.
Unlike my turmoil, he asked brashly.
"How'd it go? You went to Yu-kyeong's?"
"Yes."
"Good! How's Yu-kyeong? She's okay inside?"
Two choices.
Sweet lie he wants to hear before death, or harsh truth.
I chose the latter.
"Living with some guy. No female soldier."
Bang Su-byeon went silent.
Urging voice from receiver.
MP? Executioner?
Or the family he abandoned?
"Hey."
Time short—I asked first.
"One question."
He said nothing, but I continued.
"Awakener? For real?"
"Awakener?"
"Yes. Jeon Yu-kyeong called you one. Wanted to know if true."
"You know my situation?"
"Know it's dire, but I risked my neck too."
"Heard that—fair."
Shouting from receiver louder, but muffled—hand over mic.
"Yeah."
Bang Su-byeon laughed weakly.
"I have power."
"......Really?"
"Yeah. Tremendous power. If I want, I could kill these ropes binding me, the bastard son mouthing off, soldiers checking ammo outside, shitstar spectators beyond—all at once.
Even hunt down that Yu-kyeong bitch and rip the guy who hit her apart."
"That so? Then use that power now..."
"No. Won't."
There, I smirked uncharacteristically.
His bluff too lame.
Maybe his ugly past—dumping embezzlement on family—contributed to my cold laugh.
"Living lost meaning."
He yelled at prodding MP behind probably.
"One minute! Just one!"
Back to me.
"...Killing these guys here and punishing Yu-kyeong—what's the point?"
"Better this life than hell?"
"Used to think so. Changed."
"Trigger?"
"When son shoved evidence, pointed, yelled. I was wrong—ditched blame, cut ties early. He listens only to mom, treats me like nothing.
But thinking it over, getting power and stars was thanks to that son."
"Your son?"
"Prep for his college, needed cash—reserve major me? Reenlisted as contract officer to North. Survived deaths, gained power, made colonel."
Bang Su-byeon laughed loudly.
"But he denies me—not even father. Brushed off at first. Family abandoned anyway. But after, change came. Gradually! Yeah. Everything grew dull."
Unfamiliar male voice nearby.
"One minute up."
"Baek Hunter—no, SKELTON."
Bang Su-byeon said.
"I'm really an Awakener."
His last words I heard.
Next day, Legion Wave broadcast: relief unit arrived Incheon, aid ops started.
End mentioned Major General Bang's execution briefly.
No dramatic twist or heroism in his death.
Five soldiers lined, fired—some pierced heart, head snapped forward.
Not very credible, but another tale.
Dajung shared circulating alt-end in Legion Wave turf.
Same up to soldiers firing.
But Bang exploded at trigger pull.
Explosion tiny—not thousands megatons, just two grenades—but enough to end him.
Debate on how death-row got grenades, but whatever.
Not important to me.
Beep—beep—beep—
Unknown incoming.
ID: DARAM2
This number.
A bit brazen, no?