Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Communication with the Mayor
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There is no such thing as a perfect crime in this world.
No, let me correct that. There is no such thing as a perfect plan in this world.
Plans made by humans are inherently flawed, and that very imperfection is proof of our humanity—or so someone once said.
In that case, I failed in the most human way possible.
All my scenarios shattered to pieces before Seria, that inscrutable observer.
So, what did I gain in the end?
Liberation? Freedom? Peace? Not a chance.
Instead, what I got was her "interest."
Yes. Now I'm her lab rat—subject to observation and experimentation.
Seria will stand there with arms crossed, watching to see which maze I'll wander into next, which cheese I'll chase, which trap I'll flail in.
Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine.
What should I do?
How on earth can I escape that predator with her pale pink hair and those cool turquoise eyes?
The answer was surprisingly simple.
Seria Park. She's competent. Incredibly so.
The entire city hall organization is in her grasp, and even the smallest happenings in Neo Incheon reach her ears.
No matter what mess I make inside city hall, she'll deploy her competent subordinates to clean it up perfectly and even spin it into material to boost my reputation.
So then.
A place her influence doesn't reach.
A place where her competence doesn't apply.
I need to cause trouble in that unknown territory.
Does such a place even exist?
Of course it does. You bet it does.
The modern agora, the coliseum. A lawless zone where order breaks down, an altar where new gods are made and toppled.
The internet.
Cyberspace. The ocean of information. That chaotic realm.
I turned on my smartphone and typed a few words into the search bar.
Politician, downfall, gaffes...
A parade of human folly and ugliness unfolded before me in text and images.
[Exclusive] Rep. A Causes Uproar with "Beastkin ability users are potential criminals" Remark on Live Broadcast... Protesters Occupy Office.
Footage of an enraged werewolf hero folding Rep. A's car in half had racked up over 5 million views.
[Breaking News] Minister B in Hot Water Over Erotic Novel Objectifying Actress... Backlash Worsens After "It's Literary Expression" Defense.
He faced a barrage from opposition and ruling party lawmakers during the audit, tendered his resignation, and was banned from all broadcasts and media outlets.
And that's not all.
DUI, fake degrees, plagiarism, tax evasion, power trips, affairs...
Countless human errors were preserved there for eternity.
"This is it."
How brilliant and beautiful these records of failure are.
Politicians of the past fell through classic means like slush funds or power scandals, but modern ones are different.
They destroy themselves with a single sentence or a single photo.
Cancel culture.
The merciless judgment of countless anonymous judges.
A digital guillotine that offers no chance for redemption once it falls.
The modern witch hunt where public outrage socially buries an individual.
Yes. I need to become the witch. Willingly climb onto the pyre and burn.
Even Seria would be powerless before an explosion of public fury.
No matter how competent she is, she can't silence millions of keyboards.
Especially in a world with heroes and villains. A wrong word doesn't just tank approval ratings.
It's an era where enraged superhumans show up personally for "private sanctions"—aka physical punishment.
The perfect self-destruct plan.
A genius escape strategy that neutralizes even Seria's competence.
I opened my SNS account.
ID: @IncheonMayor_Lee
Profile: An awkwardly smiling ID photo paired with the clichéd phrase "For the dynamic future of Neo Incheon!"
Followers: 158,432.
The existing posts were all mind-numbingly boring.
[Attended the 5th anniversary ceremony for the completion of Songdo Super City today. Thank you for your support, citizens.]
[Visited a Neo Incheon daycare on Children's Day. Our children are our future.]
[With the proud Special Task Force that took down a villain organization. We'll ensure Neo Incheon's safety.]
"This isn't real communication."
I clicked my tongue and muttered.
What is true communication? Raw thoughts clashing, unfiltered emotions colliding. From now on, I'll have that kind of "true" communication with the citizens.
Still, 150,000 followers.
That's enough firepower to concentrate in one spot.
Once I toss in a single spark, the kindling will blaze into an uncontrollable inferno.
.
A knock interrupted my plan.
I reflexively shoved my smartphone under the sofa cushion.
"Mayor, do you have a moment?"
The door opened, and Seria entered.
"Ah, yeah. Come in. I was just thinking about today's schedule."
I smiled as naturally and kindly as possible.
"I see. May I ask what you were thinking?"
"Communication with citizens! Yeah, I was pondering communication. Isn't the current method too one-sided and stiff? We need a new paradigm."
I thought I heard Seria sigh softly, but I brushed it off.
"So I've decided. Starting today, I, Lee Garam, Mayor of Neo Incheon, will embark on a new challenge for active communication with our citizens."
"What specific method do you have in mind for this new challenge?"
Here we go—this is the key part. I need to convince her of my genius plan.
"SNS activity!"
I raised my finger triumphantly and declared.
"Engage actively with the younger generation—that... MZ generation, right? Hear their opinions on city affairs, show my human side! Isn't it revolutionary?"
After my speech, silence fell over the mayor's office.
Seria stared at me with her expressionless face. Then she spoke softly.
"You're from the same generation, Mayor."
"......"
Ah. Right.
"Ahem! Well, generation doesn't matter! What's important is the will to communicate—the sincerity!"
"Understood. If that's your wish, I'll immediately direct the city hall PR office to form a 'Mayor SNS Management Team' under it."
"...Huh?"
"We'll assemble top experts to plan content befitting your dignity and monitor 24/7 to swiftly counter any negative sentiment."
Management team? Experts? 24/7 monitoring?
That means pre-screening my posts and putting out any fires before they spread!
'No! My self-destruct plan is in peril before it even starts!'
I waved my hands frantically.
"No, no! That's not necessary!"
"Professional management will greatly help build your positive image."
"I said it before! Sincerity is key! SNS has to be personal and honest! If a team manages it, where's the sincerity? Citizens don't want a polished facade! They want the raw Mayor Lee Garam!"
I emphasized "sincerity" and "raw." Even I thought it was shameless sophistry.
Seria set down her tablet and stared at me intently. Her gaze was so sharp it felt like she could see right through me.
"Sincerity... An intriguing word choice. You showed me quite the 'raw' side just a few days ago."
"......"
Can we please drop that topic?
My face burned.
"Anyway! No management team! This is me, the mayor, declaring my firm resolve to communicate directly with citizens myself! Got it?"
Seria observed me for a few seconds, then nodded slightly.
"Understood. I'll respect your intent."
She seemed to back off easily.
"However, you must take full responsibility for all consequences arising from your SNS activities."
She turned away with the faintest, barely perceptible smile.
"That concludes this morning's report. I look forward to your new communication style."
Tak.
The door closed, and I was alone again.
I sank onto the sofa with a sigh of relief. That was close. My grand plan nearly ended before it began.
I pulled out my smartphone from under the cushion again.
"Alright. Time to get started."
The minefield called modern society is littered with triggers.
Political correctness. Gender conflicts. Villain rights. Environmental issues. Veganism. Vaccines.
So many that it's hard to choose.
Like a gourmet at a buffet agonizing over the first dish, I carefully selected my initial target.
Which landmine will explode the biggest and brightest?
"This is a perfect plan. A few controversial posts, and my political career is done for!"