Chapter 68
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 068
Chapter Title: Terminal Corporal Kim Yo-han [5]
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It didn't look like this incident would hit the mainstream media, but it was definitely out there on HuntWeb.
Which meant everyone on HuntWeb knew exactly how the operation had gone down.
Kim Geuk! Kim Geuk! Kim Geuk!
Kim Geuk—he's a hero!
Hell, the HuntWeb users even got the full play-by-play of the operation, all thanks to Kim Yo-han blowing the whistle to everyone.
Before my scrap with the Special Task Force guys kicked off, Kim Yo-han must've shown some seriously quick thinking.
He couldn't snag video of the incident, but he managed to snap dozens of photos.
Dozens of shots timestamped in sequence, with Kim Yo-han laying out the whole story.
Something felt off from the moment we got the call-up. No clue why they told me to bring my hunter rifle.
(...)
In the end, Kim Seok-hee surrendered and got down on her knees. Thought it was over, but nope.
Special Task Force guys circled around her. Gave me the chills just looking at it.
Looked like they were trying to shield her with their bodies. What the hell were they hiding, trying to pull off?
So I whipped out my smartphone and started snapping pics, and that's when I saw it—they were all about to stab her with their knives at once. That's when Kim Geuk teleported in, saved Kim Seok-hee,
(...)
Kim Geuk was ridiculously strong, no joke. Took down every last Special Task Force goon, grabbed Kim Seok-hee, teleported out, and vanished. I was clapping like a seal, pounding out applause for my life. Like a thousand times in my head...
After it all wrapped up, I called to check, and apparently the Special Task Force policy is to straight-up kill any Awakener they can't control—instead of just subduing and arresting them? Kim Geuk figured it out, freaked, and fought for his life.
He asked me to hammer this point home and spread the word to everyone on HuntWeb.
The replies to that post were blowing up.
Are these non-Awakeners really that insane?
They were gonna kill her even after she surrendered? That's terrifying. If I get into some mix-up with the Special Task Force, they'll probably ignore my surrender and just execute me on the spot?
No wonder regional forces struggle with Awakener criminals while Seoul handles them so quietly and smoothly.
So what's Kim Geuk's deal? Why isn't he posting himself? Arm get chopped off and he's recovering, can't type?
Nah? His arm's already reattached, but he says he doesn't trust himself to explain it properly in his cute baby mushroom talk. So he left it to me?
So he's just sitting there quiet? What a psycho...
Kim Geuk was insanely badass, no doubt, but is this really okay? Han Hee-seok doesn't give a damn about laws or anything once he sets his mind to something—think he'll come at us straight-up?
They really crossed the line...
After that, I was just basking in the wave of hero worship and praise.
My phone buzzed. Figured it was Park Mi-hyeong, so I picked up. Nope.
"You little shit!"
I recognized the voice of Han Hee-seok, that non-Awakener scum, and my face twisted up.
"Hee-seok? I'm hanging up."
"Hang up and you're dead—"
I cut the call, but it kept ringing. I couldn't just mute it—I didn't want to miss Park Mi-hyeong's call later, since she'd told me to stay ready for it anytime.
This spam was gonna mess with her call, though.
"Why so persistent, huh?"
Had to pick up, and an angry voice exploded through.
"I call you in to help with national business, and you fuck it all up like that?"
"Slaughtering people while ignoring every law—that's 'national business'? Sentencing Ice Awakeners guilty without evidence, wiretapping civilians, summary executions even if wanted criminals surrender?"
"Laws exist to protect society, not society to protect laws, you psycho! You think I gotta explain this shit to a dropout like you who wouldn't get it anyway?"
He was raging hard, acting like all that extralegal crap was totally justified.
I was too dumbfounded to speak, and Han Hee-seok kept yelling.
"What the hell makes you so cocky? Huh? You banking on that coward Kang Jun-chi? Think that pussy's gonna drop everything and ride to Incheon to save your ass?"
"Sounds like you did some solid civilian wiretapping. Guessed his personality pretty well, huh."
"Shut your trap! Where's that bitch Kim Seok-hee?"
"Let her go."
"Cut the bullshit and spill it! No— if you really let her loose, grab her ass again. You got two hours! Got it?"
Threats like that, then the call ended.
I set the phone down and thought. Whether it's the Special Task Force captain or the grunts, they both treat the law like some elementary school morality textbook platitudes.
No wonder their attitude felt repulsive instead of relatable.
People wielding the law as a pretext while trampling it—it's absurd. Even more so knowing they'll shove it down your throat only when it suits them.
Not surprised these bureaucrats pull that crap. I've seen it, lived it, over and over.
From when I beat that academy head and got sent to juvie, to my little sister getting hauled in while presumption of innocence went ignored— the law's "majesty" has always been wielded one-sidedly against us.
And now this? Yeah, it just solidifies that I don't need to play by the rules either.
About an hour later, my phone rang again.
This time it was Park Mi-hyeong. Her voice was urgent.
"Stay inside your house. Got it? You have to stay put! Or teleport as far away as possible!"
"Why the evacuation?"
"Special Task Force is heading to Incheon! Cops here tried to block 'em, but no chance. Looks like they're gunning straight for you...!"
I could guess what they wanted with me.
Since I teleported off with the wanted Kim Seok-hee, they figure grabbing me gets them her location. Probably slap me with aiding a fugitive or some such charge.
And to block the Special Task Force, Park Mi-hyeong must've pulled strings everywhere.
Soon, hundreds of people gathered in front of my house.
Incheon locals first... The same folks who'd protested with pickets when I got summoned by the Special Task Force—they were back, this time to protect me.
"Special Task Force, get lost! Special Task Force, get lost!"
And there was my hunter team, of course. Armed to the teeth—what the hell were they planning?
Plus the head of my hunter academy and its students, even Incheon city officials all showed up. The mayor and Park Mi-hyeong were up front.
Oh, and HuntWeb had caught wind of it too.
I hadn't called anyone, but HuntWeb comrades rolled in. I spotted the five Awakener Hunters from the last meetup, plus others I didn't know.
Seok Jang-sil stood out especially. He'd wrapped his whole body in granite, turning into an 8-meter rock giant—thanks to spirit traits, even force field blades couldn't touch that invincible armor.
Remembered how he'd watched my rock spirit hunt vid and whined he couldn't beat me. Now I see it was just friendly hype.
Wondered how these Awakener Hunters knew—turns out my round girl heard from Park Mi-hyeong and posted on HuntWeb.
Special Task Force mobilized to nab Kim Geuk. Everyone assemble!
And so the HuntWeb Awakeners gathered. Not just to protect me—protesting the extralegal summary executions of Awakener criminals too, no doubt.
Feels like scenes I've seen in comics a hundred times. Allies rallying to defend the protagonist. Heartwarming stuff.
Damn, it really hits. Incheon folks, Awakener Hunters—all here for me?
All the clutter in my head just washes away clean.
The tangled world snaps into clear black-and-white.
Look—Incheon's the good guys, Seoul's the villains. Awakeners are right, non-Awakeners are evil.
No one can deny this stark divide. This moment proves it...
Minutes later, the Special Task Force arrived at my place.
"Kim Geuk, show yourself!"
This time, their ace Han Hee-seok was with them. Wasn't gonna be easy.
Sword-wielding Special Task Force goons squared off against my protectors. Their thug-like shouts echoed like hired muscle.
"You gonna move or do we gotta gut you?!"
Watching people body-block the Special Task Force, I thought: Can't let this burden these good folks.
What if I let them take me? Forced guilty verdict? Fine by me. Super Regeneration means immortality anyway—rot in jail a few years and bounce.
If they try killing me outright, just teleport out smart-like...
Decision made, I stepped out. Door opened, I walked forward, and every eye locked on me.
One Special Task Force grunt yelled.
"Kim Geuk—that fucker's ours! Grab him!"
They charged, and my Awakener protectors surged to intercept.
Tensions ratcheted up...
And, wait.
"Huh..."
Everyone's eyes went wide. All gazes, mine included, fixed on one spot.
A taxi pulled up, and a man stepped out.
Everyone knew him. Had to.
Among countless superhumans, he stood tallest. Superman among capes, Dr. Manhattan among heroes, king of Korea's superhumans.
Kang Jun-chi.
A Special Task Force guy muttered.
"Kang Jun-chi? How..."
Why was Seoul's big shot in Incheon? But me and every HuntWeb Awakener here didn't care.
We just chanted his name wild.
"Kang Jun-chi! Kang Jun-chi!"
I waved happily when our eyes met. He nodded back, gave an awkward little wave.
Then Kang Jun-chi walked toward us.
Like Moses parting the sea, the crowd split naturally.
He strode through, blending seamlessly with the Awakeners. Asked for a mic; Kim Hyeong-man handed one over quick.
Mic in hand, Kang Jun-chi spoke.
"When the country tried conscripting Awakeners, I said I'd flip the whole damn table if they did."
Calling out this Awakener mobilization.
But that wasn't the only reason he came.
"And now guilty Awakeners get killed even if they surrender?"
His voice rose. Kang Jun-chi growled.
"Try killing me too, you mudskippers."