Chapter 118
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: The Mayor and Repentance
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TV is humanity's worst invention.
Actually, scratch that. TV itself is innocent. The guilty ones are the humans yapping inside it.
NNC's star anchor was screeching a full tone higher than usual.
[Yes, as the expert said, the dominant analysis is that thanks to this Silver Exodus, a green light has turned on for Neo Incheon's future.]
Behind her, a CG population pyramid so flashy it could induce eye strain was spinning around.
A golden-ratio pyramid straight out of a textbook—no, even the textbook's ideal model would have to bow down to this one.
[Not only has the population structure improved dramatically, but opportunities for the youth to enter society have expanded massively, and the resource competition—the root cause of chronic generational conflict—is expected to resolve naturally.]
"Expected to resolve," my ass. Does this woman even know what she's saying?
Packaging the elderly leaving the city as some grand operation called "Silver Exodus" was absurd enough.
The screen switched, and an even more unhinged panelist appeared.
Self-proclaimed pundit, Kim Youngtae.
[This is a miracle not even in textbooks! There's no precedent in human history for a city's population structure being remodeled overnight by an entire generation relocating!]
"No precedent? It's because no one's insane enough to try it!"
[Mayor Lee Garam is the alchemist who changed the city's fate! This is Neo Incheon's Renaissance—no, Neo Renaissance!]
Alchemist? Isn't that turning lead into gold?
I just sent the elderly to Seoul. Isn't this less alchemy and more moving company?
[This is justice realized! Seoul has ruthlessly plundered our province's resources for decades—now it's finally taking responsibility! Mayor Lee Garam just held them accountable! Seoul sucked everything up, so sucking up the elderly too is only fair, right?]
No, how is that fair? What is this, a vacuum cleaner? Sucking people up like dust?
The shamelessness of spouting such ridiculous logic without batting an eye.
Those are the cancerous elements that sicken society. And now those very cancers are elevating me as a national hero.
Is there a more horrific tragedy in the world?
"Ha..."
I fished out the remote from under Nero and turned off the TV.
My face reflected in the pitch-black screen looked like a rotten fish, festering away.
Yeah, that's broadcasting for you.
Always megaphones barking on the side of power. Truth doesn't matter.
What matters to them is ratings, ad revenue, and keeping the powerful happy.
But the internet might be different.
The anonymous public square.
Maybe there I'd hear raw, honest voices.
I remember clearly how much betrayal my Brutus Project inflicted on the youth.
Their anger won't fade so easily.
I opened my laptop and logged into the "Lee Garam Minor Gallery."
Just an alchemist lol. Unfolded city-scale synthesis array.
Sent 70% elderly to Seoul, youth city complete ㄷㄷㄷ
That's right, Lee Garam!
Seoul took it upon themselves lololol
From now on, whatever the mayor does, no suspicions. Just trust and follow.
I trusted him!!! (tbh I was cursing him yesterday)
Deck compression lololol
Keep the key cards, send the rest to Seoul lololol
"......"
What? Deck compression?
My brain short-circuited for a moment. Did I just read that right?
Isn't that a term from card games? Removing unnecessary cards to streamline the deck to essentials.
And they're applying it to people—to the elderly who left the city?
"You crazy bastards! Are you calling the elders monster cards?!"
My hands trembled.
I kept scrolling.
(Image: Lee Garam screaming out the window)
"Nooo! Come back!!" lololololol
Look at that acting lololol Thought he was really sad.
Method acting insane ㄷㄷㄷ
Academy Award for Best Actor go
But he was probably laughing inside? lololol
Grinning like "just as planned"
(Just as planned con)
(Image: Let's keep going like this!)
Woooooo! RiceRiceRice!
Long live Mayor Lee Garam!!!!
Gazuaaaaaaa!!!!
Market share rising, logins rising
Don't play Warren Buffett. Dungeon & Rice is invincible. NewGaram is god.
Mayor Lee Garam normalizing rice prices too lololol
Taught elders games → Got Seoul money for gacha → Rice prices up
I already sold all my rice ㅠㅠ Ruined my life ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
But honestly, isn't this a bit inhumane? [General]
No matter what, laughing about the elders being dumped in Seoul feels off...
Dumped? lololol They're in Seoul getting 1.5 mil monthly plus omakase. If that's dumped, dump me too pls.
And Seoul's right next door, just visit lololol
Jealous? Then get old lololol
Humanely, they're happier in Seoul.
Agreed, my grandma went to Seoul and she's thrilled.
VoiceOfConscience got attacked and sank.
122 dislikes.
Conscience can't survive the internet, it seems.
(Photo: Vice Mayor Kim Jinsu sweating at press conference)
"No budget shortages at all"
"Seoul finances are solid"
"Don't worry"
lolololololololololol
Sweat like a waterfall lololol
Dehydration incoming? lololol
Kim Jinsu: Ah fuck why so many
lolololololololololol
Omakase, 50% taxi payback
Healthcare too? ㄷㄷㄷ
Aging city Seoul vs Youth city Neo Incheon
Lee Garam: Take good care of our elders^^
Moment you pick a fight with Lee Garam, you're done
Never try to beat the mayor
For real, don't touch him
"Someone you shouldn't touch..."
I'm just a pathetic politician.
Just an incompetent mayor.
Just a citizen who wants to get impeached.
Why is no one criticizing me?
Why does everyone understand and accept it?
Why are my actions always interpreted in the exact opposite of my intentions, in the most horrific way possible?
Then, in the MIGA fan cafe, a particularly eye-catching notice caught my attention.
Returning Members: 'Statement of Repentance and Reflection' Contest
[Author: JusticeReporter (Admin)]
"Ha?"
A hollow laugh escaped me.
We welcome back members who foolishly doubted the mayor and now return to MIGA's embrace. Confess your past failings in sincerely failing to grasp the mayor's great will, and show your loyalty on how you'll support him as a MIGA member henceforth. Top entries win a 'Nero Premium Photocard SSR Grade 5-Pack Set' prize.
My cat's photo being used as a trophy mocking my failed impeachment?
SSR grade? Don't rank my cat!
I scrolled down.
Repentance statements flooded in.
One with sky-high views stood out.
As of today, I withdraw my support for Lee Garam.
From today, I escape the supporter-fan relationship
And become one body with Lee Garam.
From now on, attacks on the mayor are attacks on me.
If there are 7 billion Lee Garam fans in the world, I am one of them.
If there are 100 million Lee Garam fans, I am one of them.
If there are 10 million, I am still one.
If there are 100, I am still one.
If there's one left, it might be me.
If there's not a single Lee Garam fan left, only then do I cease to exist in this world.
Lee Garam, my love.
Lee Garam, my light.
Lee Garam, my darkness.
Lee Garam, my life.
Lee Garam, my joy.
Lee Garam, my sorrow.
Lee Garam, my rest.
Lee Garam, my soul.
Lee Garam, me.
"Kuaaaack!"
I slammed the laptop shut.
This is horror. Scarier than any horror flick—pure reality.
Where did those youths go who gnashed their teeth cursing me?
Where are the Brutuses who wielded blades of betrayal?
Now they're repenting their foolishness, prostrating at my feet begging forgiveness.
The university student council that led the protests posted a huge flyer.
[We bitterly reflect on our shortsightedness in failing to recognize the visionary wisdom ahead of our times]
The cyber sleuths uploaded apology videos.
[Apologies to Mayor Lee Garam. (Sincere)(Tears)(Shaved Head)]
The comment sections overflowed with liars claiming "I believed from the start" and hypocrites saying "Good you realized now."
The MIGA fan club cafe's server nearly crashed from ex-members rejoining.
They started a 24-hour praise relay begging forgiveness for doubting the mayor.
Like a cult of fanatics.
No, it was exactly that.
"Nero."
"The world's going mad. Or already mad."
Yeah, good thing I have you at least.
You won't call me a hero, right.