37. Trial (3)
A fierce verbal clash erupted between the defendant and the spectators, and though Bahamut somehow pressed on with the proceedings,
"I declare a one-hour recess. Everyone, calm your rage-filled minds and bodies."
Unable to bear the escalating tension any longer, Bahamut called for a temporary break. As he lifted the Silence spell to allow a cooling-off period, Jo Sun-do seized the moment, shouting his claims at the spectators and jurors as if he'd been waiting for it.
"Look! Even that dragon bastard can't judge me! I'm an Awakener! Level 19, no less! Is there anyone here who's reached level 19? Huh?!"
"Silence. Defendant, do not provoke others. Guards, drag them away."
Jo Sun-do brazenly flaunted his Awakener level, claiming even the King of Gyeongju couldn't judge him, mocking the crowd—especially the unawakened civilians—with his chosen-people ideology. Head aching at Jo Sun-do's immediate antics the moment Silence was lifted, Bahamut sternly ordered him to be quiet and warned him against provoking others. He then commanded the guards to haul Jo Sun-do to the waiting room. Jo Sun-do and his gang smirked smugly as the cult guards dragged them out.
"This is turning out more troublesome than expected."
Watching the chaos unfold, Choi Yu-na murmured wearily in a voice unlike her usual resolute tone. Even she, beloved by the masses for her dignified presence, seemed speechless at Jo Sun-do's shamelessness, staring at him with eyes that screamed, What kind of monster is that? as he was led away by the cult members.
"Hmm. Where does that confidence come from?"
Bahamut sighed similarly, questioning the root of such audacity.
In response, Yu-na recalled the frequent discussions on Korean online communities about Awakener privileges.
"Because he's an Awakener, of course. He probably thinks the Balhut Cult will declare him innocent—or at worst, give him community service—out of self-interest."
"The reason?"
The reason was simple. Jo Sun-do was an Awakener, and a strong one.
"His high level."
It was true that no one in the Balhut Cult—except Yu-na—matched Jo Sun-do's level. Even Jeong Dong-gun was about seven levels lower.
"There are hardly any Awakeners as strong as Jo Sun-do in all of Korea. He's betting on his own high value."
"So it's because Awakeners are valued too highly."
With so few Awakeners nationwide on his level, Jo Sun-do was playing a bold game: judging him would cost the cult dearly in strength.
Like being too big to fail against the government?
In essence, it was. Punishing him and his gang would slash Gyeongju's Awakener numbers and quality, so he was threatening that they'd have to grant him favors to keep them alive—holding their own value hostage in a twisted negotiation with the Balhut Cult.
"If we set this precedent, we won't be able to harshly punish the next Jo Sun-do that shows up."
"Indeed."
Accepting it blindly would invite copycats. For the cult, coveting Jo Sun-do's value could backfire spectacularly—a poisoned chalice.
Pathetic, isn't it?
Jo Sun-do hadn't repented; he was openly demanding impunity and negotiating, insisting he was innocent. Why forgive trash like that? Bahamut wondered.
"Then, let us resume the trial."
After the hour-long recess, the trial restarted. Jo Sun-do and his gang reentered with smug, relaxed expressions. The spectators' faces soured in contrast—Did the Balhut Cult forgive him? they wondered anxiously.
"Finally, an end to this boring trial. How about a standing ovation in advance? The King of Gyeongju himself graces us!"
Thrilled by their unease, Jo Sun-do mocked the crowd and jurors with a clownish grin. They burned to hurl curses but were gripped by fear: What if the cult declares him innocent? What if he's truly blameless? What if our suffering means nothing to them? Eyes filled with dread and tremors, the spectators watched the proceedings in gloomy silence.
"Hah. How boring."
Dismissing their anxiety, Jo Sun-do sneered. His lawyer, fearing embarrassment, cut in before he could speak.
"Sigh. The defendant Jo Sun-do still claims innocence..."
"Crime? What crime have I committed, counselor? I'm innocent as can be."
But Jo Sun-do interrupted, declaring his innocence to the crowd and boasting his uprightness. The lawyer shot him an incredulous look at the rudeness.
"Shut up for once. Your behavior in court is—!"
"You're useless. I'll speak boldly myself."
Furious, the lawyer told him to stay quiet, but Jo Sun-do barreled forward, bellowing at the jurors and spectators.
"In this apocalypse, that's mild stuff, right? You all browse communities and SNS, don't you? They say I'm conscientious there!"
Jo Sun-do claimed his actions were merciful by post-apocalypse Korean standards, backed by online chatter. The crowd raged at his mockery but couldn't deny his words.
"Looting? We had to for camp survival. Exploitation? We kept them alive. Rape? We made useless women useful, at least."
Outside Gyeongju, cities remained unconquered. Such acts were routine elsewhere; few condemned them beyond Gyeongju. The weak couldn't post online, scraping by daily—who could blame them? Powerless words rang hollow.
"Other places used elders and kids as bait or ate human flesh... I'm plenty merciful. Right?"
Thus, the mighty Jo Sun-do's word was truth. Captured yet defiant, he drew sighs from spectators and pitying glares from jurors.
"So the defendant claims innocence?"
"Yes. Me and my gang are useful, aren't we?"
Bahamut, listening quietly, asked directly. Jo Sun-do affirmed their innocence and utility, banking on his value.
"Seoul's Kim Su-ho says level 20 Awakeners get jobs—evolving beyond ordinary. I'm 19. Invest in me, and I'll grow stronger. Win-win!"
"The defendant requests a plea bargain..."
Citing famous Seoul Awakener Kim Su-ho, he noted level 20 unlocks jobs. One step shy at 19, cult investment would boost their forces—a survival must in the apocalypse.
"Think about it. Better one strong Awakener than worthless trash! Forgive me, and I'll be your sword, slaughtering enemies."
He argued saving him over the irredeemable was pragmatic profit, pledging loyalty as the cult's blade. (Of course, a wolf like Jo Sun-do's promises were worthless; the narrative favored him shamelessly, lacking proof his survival benefited the cult.)
Wow, truly shameless.
No evidence he'd honor it—he could flee with aid or betray for gain, wolf that he was.
"Tempting, no? Me and my men are strong Awakeners! Not worthless eaters!"
Ignoring his own betrayal risk, he spun self-serving tales.
"What can those losers do? Tell me, Jo Sun-do's challengers! Hunt zombies? Monsters? Defy Gyeongju's king?!"
"...Damn it. That's why I didn't want this."
Silence fell post-rant. Ashamed, the lawyer hung his head, wiping secret tears of conscience. Seeing weeping, grim-faced spectators, Jo Sun-do grinned, glaring triumphantly at judge Bahamut—Even you can't judge me.
"...Then, I shall deliver judgment."
Jo Sun-do awaited the dragon's words with baseless bravado.
"Defendant Jo Sun-do. Death."
"...Huh?"
"Hey! What the hell? What nonsense is that?! You damn dragon bastard!"
What? What happened? That dragon dared... dared... DARED to sentence Gyeongju's king?!
"I have sentenced you to death."
Death? Unthinkable. Unacceptable. Why him? Why die?
"You judge me? Ridiculous! Losing me would be tragic for the cult! Got anyone stronger? Answer me!"
"Oh? Forgot me already, Mr. Jo Sun-do? Want another taste of my Yu-na Death Beam?"
"...We're Awakeners! Destined for greatness, deserving special treatment!"
Yu-na menaced with a finger-gun, eyes promising instant execution. Cowed, Jo Sun-do fell back on Awakener exceptionalism for innocence.
"Indeed. Awakened are precious. I understand."
Bahamut nodded.
"Thus, I declare here: Awakener exceptionalism ends. I, Bahamut, can artificially create Awakeners. Without privilege, your claims crumble. No more 'Awakeners'—awakening becomes everyday."
Using Jo Sun-do's tantrum, Bahamut abolished Awakener privilege.
"Insane?! Daring to touch Awakener rights?!"
Jo Sun-do, knowing it best, raged at the madness.
"What's insane?"
Bahamut eyed him quizzically.
"On the contrary: tell me why the Balhut Cult—or I—should spare you. Defendant Jo Sun-do, your chance to argue."
"Well...!"
No reason existed from the start. Even if value tempted, no one would elevate a dispute magnet. His antics foreshadowed betrayal for short-term gain.
Realizing his arrogance against Bahamut too late—had he known, he'd have acted differently—Jo Sun-do clung to his last claim.
"I am Gyeongju's king!"
"Yes. A king without followers. Naked. Without subjects. A true king, Jo Sun-do?"
Such empty bluster couldn't overturn the verdict.
"........."
To the Balhut Cult, the Dragon God's judgment was absolute. Jo Sun-do bowed, silent, sensing his end.