Chapter 115
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: The Mayor and Division
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Human society is full of contradictions.
Among them, the greatest contradiction has to be welfare.
Everyone wants welfare.
But no one wants to pay for it.
It's like wanting a free lunch but refusing to foot the bill.
The real-time public opinion poll graph on the tablet screen was proof of that very contradiction.
2030 Youth Support: 47.5% (▼31.3%p from previous)
60+ Seniors Support: 92.4% (▲48.5%p from previous)
A precarious dead cross formed by the two lines intersecting.
A work of art created by the youth's rage in red and the seniors' cheers in blue!
This is my masterpiece, the 21st-century Guernica drawn by me, Lee Garam!
As expected, the youth's anger spread like wildfire.
The initial atmosphere of reluctant acceptance—"It's for our grandparents, after all"—had vanished completely.
Newspaper front pages were plastered with my face.
[A New Paradigm in Senior Welfare: Mayor Lee Garam's Bold Move!]
[Economist: "Lee Garam's Populism Will Lead the City to Ruin"]
[Unyielding Amid Populism Criticism: "I'll Take Responsibility"]
[Irresponsible Welfare Policy: A Runaway Train Without Brakes.]
Turn on the TV, and pundits were spouting their opinions.
[Neo Incheon Focus - Emergency Debate]
[Pundit Kim Young-tae: Honoring war veterans is the state's basic duty, and it's finally being set right.]
[Professor Choi Jin-ah: There are major fiscal concerns, but Mayor Lee Garam's strong will is silencing the debates. Still, the youth's discontent won't fade easily.]
[Pundit Kim Young-tae: They say you buy suffering in your youth!]
[Professor Choi Jin-ah: That's only if it's voluntary!]
I sank deep into the mayor's office chair, watching it all unfold with a satisfied smile.
Behold. Neo Incheon, fracturing and dividing.
Fuel the seniors' favor with the youth's rage, then use that massive support as a shield to justify my incompetence and indulgence.
Divide et impera.
Caesar. Napoleon. Lee Garam, let's go.
Everything is going smoothly.
Everything according to plan.
That was when it happened.
Crash!
"Argh!"
The reinforced glass window shattered and melted away in an instant.
And a red-haired woman descended into the office.
"Hey! Lee Garam! Where are we eating today!"
A woman strode in, radiating the energy of an active volcano.
Hero Association President, Jin Yeonhwa.
Today, her body carried an especially thick scent of sweat and scorching heat. She must have just rolled around in the training grounds.
"President! Please use the door! Can't you just come in through the door?! This is the third time this month already!"
"And?"
And? What do you mean, and?
I jumped up in protest.
"Do you know how much it costs to fix the window? You think reinforced glass is free? The city budget doesn't grow on trees! Forget the money—I'm scared out of my wits every time!"
Jin Yeonhwa's eyebrow twitched dangerously.
The surrounding temperature began to rise sharply. Oh no, I poked the bear.
"What? You dare lecture me?"
Heat shimmered up from her body like a mirage.
Ah, mistake. I poked a dragon. A hungry one, at that.
"N-No, that's not it!"
I quickly changed the subject.
"Actually, I've been waiting for you, President! I have special news just for you!"
"Special news?"
Her killing intent softened a bit.
"Yes! Tailor-made welfare benefits for you, President!"
"What...?"
Jin Yeonhwa's brow furrowed.
I excitedly grabbed her arm and led her to the sofa.
"President, now you too can enjoy Neo Incheon's proud senior welfare benefits! Starting with 1 million won monthly in senior happiness support funds, free joint physical therapy and cataract surgery at the superpowered medical center! And at the senior centers, unlimited denture bread..."
Before I could finish.
Crack.
A powerful pressure clamped around my neck.
"Gurk!"
Jin Yeonhwa's arm coiled around my neck like a steel noose.
The world's most powerful and lethal headlock.
"Who are you calling a senior, you little brat?"
Her voice was low and hot like lava.
"No, President... by resident registration age... I mean... out of respect... Gah! Mmph! Grblbl!"
"I'm still in my prime."
Her arm tightened further.
At this rate, my neck bones would snap.
"No! You're young! Young and fresh! Forever young!"
I desperately tapped her arm, and only then did Jin Yeonhwa snort and release me.
Thud.
"Cough, cough..."
I collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath.
I thought I was done for. Oxygen is this sweet?
She stood with arms crossed, looking down at me.
"So. What do you have left after giving it all away?"
A sharp question.
"Does the city budget grow on trees? Or did you dip into your slush fund?"
"S-Slush fund? How dare you! I don't have anything like that!"
I flinched and waved my hands.
"Of course... we're in the red right now. But long-term, the health improvements for seniors will cut medical costs, and the spending boost will create economic ripple effects..."
"Cut the nonsense."
Jin Yeonhwa cut me off.
"You? Thinking that far ahead? What's your real game?"
I looked up at her with an innocent expression.
"Game? I just want the seniors to live happily."
"Bullshit."
Jin Yeonhwa turned away without pressing further.
"Idiot. You'll lose your head first."
A cool breeze blew in through the broken window she vanished from.
What? Was she here to worry about me?
Surprisingly sweet of her.
I rubbed my neck and grinned.
'But President. That's exactly what I want.'
She came like a storm and left like a storm.
Perfect.
Even the Hero Association President thinks my policy is insane.
Let's keep this up!
A short while later.
The Planning and Economy Director stood before me, pale as a ghost.
The screen was filled with red numbers.
Rapid city fiscal deterioration due to senior happiness promotion budget
Youth job creation subsidies fully cut
College student loan interest support program suspended
Newlywed housing fund support budget cut by 80%
"Mayor, we have no usable budget left. With money going out as fast as it comes in, continuing to expand senior welfare means we'll have to fully cut youth job support and college scholarships next quarter. Other programs will suffer too..."
"Hmm, is that so."
"That's not all. At this rate, we'll need to at least double resident taxes next year to avoid fiscal collapse!"
"Can't be helped. We'll have to tighten our belts for a while."
"Mayor! Young staff are losing motivation. They're openly saying, 'Our taxes are just pocket money for seniors!'"
"Welfare is about priorities. Support for seniors must continue."
Steal food from the youth's bowl to fill the seniors' table.
The most primal and reliable fuse for generational conflict.
The Economy Director left my office with a face on the verge of tears.
Through his slumped shoulders, I could almost see my successful future.
Knock knock.
Seria entered with a new report.
"Selling out the youth's future to buy senior votes. Quite the profitable deal."
Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Deal? Perish the thought. This is a sacrifice for everyone."
"Does that sacrifice include you, Mayor?"
"I, I'll sacrifice later...!"
"The Neo Incheon College Student Union has announced a massive protest under the slogan 'Give Us Back Our Future.' They're planning a candlelight vigil in front of city hall."
"Oh ho."
"Shouldn't you start cleaning this up? If you let it fester, it'll spiral out of control."
Indeed.
The youth who had mumbled, "Well, they're veterans..." now spoke out as their own wallets were directly threatened.
"Seria. Welfare is noble. Helping the weak is obvious. But what if that burden falls squarely on your shoulders? Taxes double, benefits vanish—what then? Can people still sing of lofty ideals? Yes, this is a kind of social experiment."
"...You're the worst kind of fool."
I had successfully ignited intergenerational conflict.
All that's left is for the flames to roar and propel me onto the altar of impeachment.
Meanwhile, at that time in Seoul.
In the deputy mayor's office at Seoul City Hall, the heart of Korea.
Bam!
Deputy Mayor Kim Jin-su slammed his fist on the massive mahogany desk. The premium hardwood creaked and cracked faintly.
"Lee Garam, that damn bastard!"
His eyes were bloodshot with rage.
The tablet on the desk showed live footage of a terrorist attack in the middle of Gangnam: cars floating defying gravity, citizens scattering in screams, heroes powerless.
Resistance Freefall. S-rank villain Gravity Zero.
Last month, that wretched woman had lifted the entire Nanjido landfill and dumped it in Gangnam. With a mocking message: "Clean up your own trash."
And that was just the start.
Zodiac remnants, the Zodiac Stars, had bombed Hongdae babbling about Virgo. Copycats of Black Hound tried robbing a Myeongdong bank, failed, and took civilians hostage. Dragon King Cult scraps stirred chaos trying to plant seaweed in the Han River. Even magical girls causing accidents dreaming of becoming Sugar Girl.
All vermin crawling out of Neo Incheon.
Why should Seoul clean up their mess?
He was doing his best. All-nighters were routine; he commanded sites on catnaps.
But all he got was blame.
[Anchor: Experts criticize Seoul's inadequate initial response. Especially among citizens, comparisons to Neo Incheon's Mayor Lee Garam are rampant.]
The citizen interviews poured fuel on his rage.
[Citizen 1: If it were Mayor Lee Garam, it'd be solved already. He makes villains surrender with a word, right?]
[Citizen 2: Look at Neo Incheon. The mayor rides in on a cat and fixes everything. Villains tremble at his name.]
[Citizen 3: Where's our tax money going? Neo Incheon is so livable, why is Seoul always a mess?]
Click.
Kim Jin-su turned off the screen.
"Lee Garam. Lee Garam. Leeee Garaaaaam!!!"
The whole world seemed to chant that young punk's name.
Just weeks ago, their video call haunted him.
That arrogant face picking his ear with his pinky, yawning.
[Isn't that proof Seoul's disaster system is inadequate?]
[With all those S-rank heroes, why can't you handle one puny villain?]
Grind...
Kim Jin-su gnashed his teeth.
That brat's cocky voice. That arrogant attitude like he knew everything.
'A provincial rich kid dares mock the capital Seoul?'
Newspapers and the internet were full of his praise.
[Hidden Dragon Lee Garam, With Citizens Today]
[Solitary Hero Mayor Lee Garam's Leadership]
[Superman on a Cat, Protecting the City]
[Champion of Multiculturalism: Perfect Settlement of the Kurukumo Clan]
And fanatics like MIGA—Make Incheon Great Again.
Even Seoul citizens lamented, "Why isn't our mayor Lee Garam?"
Boiling inferiority surged to his throat.
"Cocky little punk..."
Kim Jin-su was Korea's top elite.
Top of law school. Top of the civil service exam.
A prodigy who rocketed to youngest deputy mayor.
And Lee Garam?
Grad of some no-name overseas pay-to-enter college.
A greenhorn who lucked into mayor via accidents dropping rivals and family clout.
Zodiac cleanup? Dumb patrol orders accidentally worked.
Hero Association audit? Thanks to competent subordinates.
Insimdang? Lucked into Sugar Girl.
"Yeah... just lucky. All of it... pure coincidence."
Kim Jin-su brainwashed himself.
I'm different. I'm the real elite.
Lee Garam just rode the wave.
But no matter how he denied it, the lump in his chest remained.
He desperately downplayed Lee Garam's successes, but the inferiority clawed at him.
"Deputy Mayor, the materials you requested."
His secretary cautiously handed over the tablet. Neo Incheon's latest administration report.
Skimming it, he stopped at one spot.
[Mayor Lee Garam, Bold 1 Million Won Monthly 'Senior Happiness Allowance'!]
[Youth Budget Cuts Spark Controversy... Igniting Generational Conflict?]
[Economists Warn Strongly: "Blatant Populism Will Bankrupt City Finances"]
Kim Jin-su's lip curled.
"Pfft! What's this? Cutting youth budgets to hand cash to seniors?"
Insane by any measure. Blatant populism. Fiscal suicide.
"Good riddance, you fool. Digging your own grave."
Yes, the punk's true colors were showing. Luck ends here.
His laughter faded slowly.
A flash of suspicion hit him.
'Wait.'
Lee Garam couldn't be this stupid.
Past moves flashed by.
Always turning crises into opportunities unpredictably.
Drawing success when all said failure.
Master of odd strategies. Modern Zhuge Liang. 21st-century Solomon.
"...No way."
Kim Jin-su's eyes narrowed.
'There's definitely a hidden plan this time too.'
He stared through the screen.
Not just simple senior welfare.
Lee Garam wouldn't do dumb populism threatening his seat without thought.
What was he after using seniors?
Long-term rule with them as base?
No, too obvious.
Forming a Silver Hero Legion of superpowered seniors?
"Damn it, what are you aiming for?"
Thoughts chained endlessly.
One certainty.
This was all Lee Garam's elaborate scheme.
And at its end, unimaginable gains awaited.
"Whatever your plan, I'll smash it."
A venomous smile spread on Kim Jin-su's face.
Revenge burned.
"You'll pay for mocking Seoul."