Chapter 112
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: The Councilors - [3]
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I furrowed my brow. Me, crazy?
His attitude wasn't meant to insult me—it was just him spilling his honest thoughts. And that made it all the more infuriating.
"I'm crazy?"
"Yeah, you are..."
"What should I have done, then? Act rationally? Rally the less than a hundred thousand Awakeners across the country and judge the current regime through some sacred vote?"
"Awakeners are such a tiny minority that it's hard for them to make their voices heard in politics. But doesn't social influence exist? Ever thought about leveraging that?"
"Leverage it how?"
"You're a hero. Not just in Incheon, but across all of Korea. Ever considered using that influence to speak out for society? Instead of pulling this insane stunt, why not appeal directly to the people?"
I wondered what nonsense he was about to spout, and sure enough, there it was. I let out a sigh.
"I've never even considered it."
"Why not?"
I turned to Um Geun-oh, who was pressing me like I was some frustrating puzzle.
"Because I've already tried. You know I spent over two years in the Korean Awakener Alliance... that Awakener rights group?"
"Of course I do."
"Back when I was active there, the representative, Councilor Park Mi-hyeong, would call reporters every chance she got. Know how many times our activities made the news?"
"How would I know that?"
"Zero times. Not once! Newspapers? Zero! Online articles?"
Did he even feel ashamed? As Um Geun-oh clamped his mouth shut, I shouted.
"Exactly four! And even those were because Park Mi-hyeong paid out of her own pocket to get them written. Three of them are gone now—no matter how hard you search Google, only one article about our group pops up. Does that make any sense?"
"That's why people don't know about my history with the rights group or my connection to its representative, Park Mi-hyeong. So they have no idea why we're close and jump to conclusions like she brainwashed me!"
I held back from pointing out that this was all the result of their media control. A councilor like him should know better than anyone.
Um Geun-oh's expression was a sight to behold—complicated, like a storm of thoughts swirling behind his eyes.
I raised my voice even higher.
"Social influence my ass! And what else? Appeal to the people? I tried that during my Korean Awakener Alliance days, and it was useless!"
"Once, while we were operating, a gang of middle-aged guys barged into our office. I tossed them all aside and pinned them down! I figured they were hired thugs sent by the government to disband us. But nope."
"..."
"Interrogated one of them, and he said he was just a local resident. Asked why a local resident would storm in, and he said an Ice Ability group operating in the neighborhood made people uneasy and could tank property values, so they wanted us gone."
"Ordinary folks act like that, politicians don't need the votes of our measly tens of thousands so they play dumb, TV stations and online rags all toe the government line and won't print a single article... So what the hell am I supposed to do?"
Um Geun-oh squeezed his eyes shut, then cracked them open narrowly. I shouted on.
"I wasted two years figuring it out: in this so-called democracy, every avenue's blocked, so this is the only way left!"
Silence settled in the car for a moment.
It took quite a while before Um Geun-oh spoke again, his tone far from the composed one he'd had earlier.
"Still, this can't go on. Think of the damage to society from undermining constitutional order..."
"Damage to society? Is crushing Ice Awakeners thoroughly also about worrying over societal damage? Is that why you made your brilliant decision?"
"Yes."
"Then I guess I'll have to be the risk you face when you make those brilliant decisions. Show you that trying to minimize social damage could lead to even bigger harm. That's the only way things might change. Right?"
Um Geun-oh closed and opened his eyes again. He seemed to sort through his thoughts before speaking.
"You've got a lot pent up. I thought you were just lashing out impulsively because negotiations with that old man Park Joon fell through... Did he tell you to support that damn law?"
"Yeah!"
And then Councilor Um Geun-oh said,
"Promise you'll vote yes next time. In return, make one promise yourself."
"I'm not negotiating with kidnappers."
"Hear me out. It's beneficial for you too..."
I crossed my arms, watching to see what offer he'd make. Um Geun-oh spoke.
"I'll take responsibility and try convincing the elders. I'll explain why you're going this far and that letting this drag on could make things worse. So please, no more kidnapping councilors, alright?"
He'd convince his fellow councilors himself? I narrowed my eyes.
"If you put in the effort, can that law pass?"
"Can't guarantee it. But a sitting councilor coordinating opinions directly would be way more effective than this thug crap—and a lot cleaner. So, yeah?"
He then asked for just six months. Said he'd do everything he could until his term ended.
Honestly, the offer didn't sit great with me. Who knew if it'd yield results in half a year? It felt like he'd say to wait and see, then decide whether to pull this again.
Still, I nodded in the end—for the sake of not escalating things further.
I glanced at the driver.
If it were just me, I could've blown this up as much as I wanted. But I wasn't alone anymore. When others were involved, it was better to wrap it up quick if possible.
As I nodded, Um Geun-oh finally relaxed and spoke again.
"And this isn't a warning—it's genuine advice: after this mess, lay low. Stick to Hunter work for a while, yeah?"
"Why should I?"
"Right now, councilors and the government might look powerless to you, but they won't stay that way. The country's just short on resources and still adjusting to this changed world, so they can't mount a proper response yet. They're working on countermeasures. Even for Behemoth, they had preparations..."
"What preparations? I saw them firing mortars at Behemoth and missing everything."
"It happened faster and more suddenly than expected. Both your stunt and Behemoth. With more time, the response would've been different."
I had no idea what gave him such confidence. A sudden thought slipped out.
"What makes you so sure? Making tactical nukes like China or North Korea? Something that can burn Force Field exoskeletons or whatever?"
The moment I asked, I clearly saw Um Geun-oh's eyes widen briefly before shrinking back.
He quickly schooled his expression and either changed the subject or continued his train of thought—I couldn't tell which—as he said,
"When I called you a hero earlier, it wasn't flattery. I meant it."
"Hmph."
"I reviewed your file. It was beyond exceptional—straight-up inspiring. 'Heroes emerge in troubled times,' I thought. Maybe the country's not doomed after all."
His follow-up made it clear he'd actually read my records.
"Your actions over the past year are astounding. It's not just luck with powerful abilities—you're tough as nails yourself. Even as an Awakener, you faced near-death crises over and over, fighting hundreds of times more fiercely than others. You saved an entire region. And with the recent Behemoth incident, you earned the whole country a massive debt."
The unexpected praise lifted my mood a bit, but I also thought: And yet they kept my sister locked up until I came back from the Soma Gate? Saving her for leverage in a deal? Bastards.
"So, what's your point?"
"You could be Korea's hope. Not just Incheon—you could wield that superhuman influence elsewhere too! I don't want you wasting that power."
"I'm not wasting it—I'm using it right."
"Please, don't! Keep provoking the government like this, and their responses will get harsher. Don't let things polarize..."
With that, I decided to part ways with Um Geun-oh.
I grabbed his wrist and Teleported.
Back at the National Assembly building, a group was waiting for us.
More precisely, for me.
"Kim Geuk here. I'm on site!"
I took in the stares directed my way and the Force Field blades aimed at me.
Special Task Force agents. Of course—after I smashed the roof of the National Assembly, they wouldn't just sit idle.
And among them, I spotted one particularly young-looking guy.
Han Hee. He met my eyes awkwardly and looked away.
If I claimed seeing him left me unfazed, that'd be a lie.
Han Hee was still a serious threat, even with how much I'd grown. One-on-one, I could take him without much trouble, but it'd require my full focus on him.
Preoccupy myself with just him, and if a Deathclaw's Force Field blade slipped through... it'd be a disaster.
Especially since Han Hee was itching to kill me. No doubt he'd prioritize me over his parents' and siblings' killer.
Why? Because I knew about his murders. He'd want to silence me to ease his conscience. Just like Nguyen (in my imagination) would have. Han Hee surely felt the same.
No matter how well I'd treated him or helped him, you can't trust a black-haired beast. Except for Park Mi-hyeong and my round girl...
"Don't move, get on the ground, hands up, you piece of shit! Send the councilor back now—"
Even as they yelled, the gathered Special Task Force agents didn't approach me. Pointless, since I'd just Teleport away even if they closed the distance? Or because I had a councilor with me—worried I'd harm a hostage?
To ease those worries, I shoved Um Geun-oh toward the agents.
Instead of relief at securing the hostage, I saw confusion on their faces.
I could guess why. They'd wanted to use the hostage as an excuse to stall.
I raised my hammer and grinned. Muttered loudly enough for all to hear.
"Oh, Deathclaws?"
Even after I gripped my weapon and released the hostage safely, they still didn't advance.
Didn't want to clash? Made sense.
The agents kept eyeing each other, seemingly waiting for me to Teleport out.
But no dice. I had no intention of running.
I could escape easily with Teleportation, but I couldn't let these halfwits think ganging up could threaten me.
And above all, I hated the Special Task Force.
Time to show off my power—smash a few legs at least before leaving.
"Hey, Kim Geuk! Do as you're told right—"
"Deathclaws talking?"
Even if it cost me limbs against the lot of them—even if I died—I had to take down a bunch.
"No matter how amazing, Deathclaws get crushed on sight."
I stepped forward with a laugh. Their faces twisted, and they finally started advancing on me.
Just as collision loomed.
A shout rang out.
"Get the hell out, you goddamn Deathclaw bastards!"
I recognized the voice, awkward profanity and all.
Jeong Jin-yeong? Why was he here?
And he wasn't alone.
I saw Jeong Jin-yeong charging with a Hunter rifle, followed by a group. All moving at superhuman speeds—Awakeners, clearly.
They'd rushed here in seconds and now stood around me. Protecting me? I hadn't even called them.
This unexpected turn threw me more than seeing Han Hee. I asked Jeong Jin-yeong beside me,
"Bro, why are you here?"
He replied softly but proudly.
"Saw it in the news! Of course I'd come help if something like this happened."
Wait, did he know exactly what I was doing?
I spotted Seok Jang-sil slyly blending in among the reinforcements and was stunned again. Why'd this spy tag along?
And the backup didn't end there.
One agent bulged his eyes and pointed skyward.
"Up there, in the air!"
I and the other Awakeners looked up and widened our eyes. Some in shock, some in joy.
"Association President!"
One—no, one beast?
Something inhuman was flying toward us from the sky.
The winged creature soon cast a massive shadow over us. Looking up, I felt overwhelmed by its size.
Wingspan alone was at least thirty meters. Wings of taut membrane, body mostly covered in scales.
A textbook dragon. A Western-style one at that.
Real name Choi Yong, HuntWeb nickname Dragon.
The new Hunter Association President, elected after Kim Hyeong-man's death.