The Bat, Yu Junseo (1)
Yu Junseo never imagined he'd end up in a place this secretive in his lifetime.
A safe house near Seoul City Hall, deep underground.
After passing through layers of heavy security and multiple reinforced doors, he was finally shown to a seat.
A few political officials greeted him with their business cards, but he couldn't remember any of them.
It was all too bewildering.
Yu Junseo had no idea why the Director of the Awakened Management Bureau like himself had been summoned here.
At first, he thought it was because he was Korea's second S-class Awakened.
But the moment a stern-faced man introduced as the "Director" or whatever started talking, Yu Junseo panicked.
"Wait, you want me to take down Nam Juyeon?"
Their story was downright shocking.
It began with warnings that Nam Juyeon was dangerous, followed by a lengthy speech.
They wanted to detain Korea's first S-class Awakened.
Through the one rival S-class they could call their own—the Director of the Awakened Management Bureau, Yu Junseo.
"Why the hell would I do that? Are you all insane?"
Yu Junseo demanded, flustered.
Their response, summed up, went something like this:
'That guy's uncontrollable. One wrong move, and he could turn terrorist. For the nation's safety, he needs to be eliminated.'
It wasn't wrong.
Nam Juyeon was the one who'd threatened to kill everyone in a room full of assembly members.
But did that mean it made sense to capture and lock up an S-class Awakened?
From what he gathered, they weren't just talking detention—they wanted him dead.
"No, that's ridiculous. What kind of nonsense is this?"
He'd meant to refuse outright.
Storm out then and there.
But Yu Junseo was, as always, just a timid everyman.
No matter how firm his resolve, no matter his high position as Awakened Management Director, being in this shadowy room surrounded by big shots made him shrink.
He stammered out excuses, but the man introduced as the Chairman kept cutting him off.
Nam Juyeon was dangerous, they said, and Yu Junseo could take his role.
The government truly seemed to believe that.
Sure, there'd been some casualties, but Seoul was the best in the world at stopping Rift Eruptions.
The government, riding high on that fame, had grown arrogant—and it made sense they'd coax someone like him, with no real connections in politics.
"Think it over carefully. What's the right call?"
As the talk went in circles, they dismissed it like that.
"Above all, Director, if you take him down, you'll get three 4★ disasters. You could be the greatest man in the world."
"...Even if you say that."
"Choose wisely. Which side to back. What serves you best."
Those last words echoed in his ears even after leaving the building.
"Ugh, fuck."
The next day, Yu Junseo skipped his usual morning ritual of checking community comments.
His head was too messed up; he'd pulled an all-nighter, eyes wide open.
He was exhausted and pissed.
"Those bastards. What the hell do they expect from me?"
The government's demand was simple.
Use Yu Junseo as their hunting dog to tear into Nam Juyeon.
So they could rule Seoul more comfortably, to their taste.
A brilliant choice, really.
Unlike Nam Juyeon, he wouldn't blurt out threats to kill them all in a meeting room.
He wasn't that tough.
And it wouldn't even be that hard.
S-class or not, one bullet would end anyone.
This wasn't some superhero movie.
Nam Juyeon couldn't dodge bullets.
So what should he do?
Yu Junseo knew the phrase "discard the pawn to save the king."
If he took out Nam Juyeon and became the sole S-class, the government would probably sweet-talk him again, like last time.
'Handle things smoothly, Mr. Yu Junseo.'
Meanwhile, Nam Juyeon had dumped government negotiations on him.
That meant he trusted him somewhat.
So was picking a fight with Nam Juyeon—who the government had already marked as a problem—the smart move?
Was that a solid lifeline?
"Fucking idiots."
As if.
Yu Junseo had seen Nam Juyeon's sacrificial play in the last tower raid.
The guy was practically a hero.
So no betraying him, no biting as the bastards wanted.
Never.
Yu Junseo had a knack for spotting paths to his own safety.
He'd made up his mind.
Call Nam Juyeon secretly right now and talk it over.
"Ah, there you are."
A lazy morning.
As usual, arriving at the Management Bureau, Yu Junseo found an unexpected visitor.
"Shall we talk?"
Nam Juyeon was already in the director's office.
With a bottle of fine whiskey.
"Uh, um... Mr. Nam Juyeon? What brings you here?"
Yu Junseo greeted him hastily.
What wind blew him all the way to the Management Bureau building?
He glanced at Kang Se-na, but she just shrugged and left the room.
Awkwardly taking a seat, Nam Juyeon offered the booze he'd brought.
Luxuries like liquor had become rare and pricey in just a few months.
"Just got back from Daejeon yesterday. Heard you pulled a 4★ disaster."
"Ah, uh, yeah. Got lucky."
Accepting the gift, Yu Junseo eyed him carefully.
He looked perfectly calm.
"So... what's this about?"
"Figured I'd drop by to congratulate a fellow S-class. Missed you at the event last night, though."
"Oh, yeah. Had some business..."
"Business at the National Security Office, right?"
Nam Juyeon's casual remark chilled Yu Junseo to the bone.
Did Kang Se-na tell him?
No, she was tight-lipped.
Seo Ye-rin, then? That woman?
Didn't matter now.
Nam Juyeon knew he'd been called by the government for some shady talk.
And sure enough, crossing his legs, he got to it.
"So, what's your plan?"
"P-plan? What do you mean?"
"You gonna turn on me? I know what they said. Not blaming you. Just here to hear your decision."
"..."
Cold silence fell.
Cold sweat trickled down Yu Junseo's back.
As the quiet dragged, Nam Juyeon calmly grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
Breaking news was on.
A faint smile played on Nam Juyeon's lips.
No need to look further.
"Speaking of which! Mr. Nam Juyeon! Those government fuckers dared to pit us against each other..."
Yu Junseo was a bat.
*
Convincing the bureau director was easier than lying down for rice cakes.
The second he saw the news, he tucked tail like a pet dog.
Kept cursing the government, chanting that the bureau needed independence from them—echoing my sentiments nonstop.
Just as it got annoying, Kang Se-na approached.
"Mr. Nam Juyeon, visitor."
"Government guy, right?"
"How'd you... Never mind, dying to ask."
Kang Se-na glanced at the TV still blaring the breaking news.
The incident on the broadcast was my handiwork yesterday, via Selene.
Assassination and terror.
A crime against humanity.
But I felt zero guilt.
I'd already killed six in Daejeon.
One more on the list? No big deal.
"Do what you want."
Kang Se-na dropped it and left.
The one who showed after biting Yu Junseo was the prime minister from the last meeting room chat.
"What brings you here so early?"
"...Mr. Nam Juyeon."
The PM eyed me warily.
He'd rushed over so fast his hair was a mess, glasses slipping down his nose.
Panting, he spoke.
"It's all a misunderstanding. Let me explain."
"Misunderstanding? No idea what you're talking about."
I grabbed the remote and shut off the TV.
The PM alternated glances between me and the screen, then dropped to his knees.
Sharp instincts, not unlike Yu Junseo.
"P-please, give me a chance to clear this up."
"Let's hear it."
"Our side's been divided sharply too. After the last Rift Eruption and the meeting room clash, when we were hashing out Awakened policies, we split into hardliners and moderates..."
"..."
"Yesterday was the hardliners acting alone. We're not involved—we want to make that clear. Us moderates want to keep cooperating with you, Mr. Nam Juyeon..."
I let the rest go in one ear and out the other.
His story checked out, it seemed.
If he was lying, Mirien watching nearby would've signaled me.
Fine, I got their side.
But...
"Why should I care?"
"...Eh?"
My tone sharpened suddenly; the PM blinked.
I propped my chin casually.
"Right? Why do I need to understand your mess? Straight facts: I could kill you right now, no problem."
Months ago, just a cog in society.
Now, threatening a whole nation.
Feels like I'm really becoming the Absolute Ruler.
Not just delusion.
Before I knew it, I was nearing Rift Ruler Actor—and the world's Absolute Ruler.
Reward: 500 Exp / 4★ Ashen Saint's Legacy
Selene's affection achievement popping up proved it.