Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Apocalypse #7
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Is it that she read my emotional state?
"Your eyes don't look good. Why are you so hostile?"
Jaaldi said.
They ripped out my brain, so of course I'm hostile. Distributing the patient rulebook is praiseworthy, but it won't wash away my grudge. These bastards are my sworn enemies.
But right now, I need to converse with them to learn about the Management Bureau. This is an opportunity. A chance to get closer to their true nature without any major side effects.
"What kind of organization is the Management Bureau?"
"Think of it as an organization that responds to incidents like this. Not that it matters now that everything's gone to hell."
"Is it a government organization?"
"You're quite curious. Are you blaming us for not resolving it? Sorry, but we don't have time. Let's end the Q&A here."
"..."
A pretty stern attitude.
If they're not willing to talk, what should I do? In this situation, if I throw a tantrum and try to interrogate them, it won't go my way. I'll have to exchange words casually and glean information bit by bit.
"The giants made a massive flower."
"It's nearby. Looks like it's broadcasting into space or something."
"Yeah. It's broadcasting."
"Why are they doing that?"
"It's a form of communication."
"Communication?"
"They're trying to summon extraterrestrial giant gods."
Extraterrestrial giant gods...?
Just hearing it sounds terrifying.
"Extraterrestrial giant gods? What the hell?"
"Explaining their true nature would be pointless. Whatever they are, if they descend, it's all over. Even recovery will be impossible."
Recovery?
"Recovery...? You guys have some way to restore this world?"
"Who knows. Whether it works or not is up in the air."
What the hell.
What are these people?
The giants trashed our beautiful blue planet Earth, and they can recover it? Did the Management Bureau have that kind of power? A group where even section chiefs get one-shot by a hospital director like some comedian?
"Anyway, we're planning a last desperate stand. For that, we need the cooperation of you survivors."
"Cooperation..."
"The three of us are going to attack the flower. We'd like you to draw their attention in the meantime."
I'm not the type to misunderstand that.
"You want us to be bait?"
"Bait... well, you could call it that. This side's a suicide mission, though."
"..."
"If we fail, it's all over anyway. If we succeed, anything's possible."
"No, but how exactly are three of you going to do it? The military's been wiped out—there's no way three people can."
It's highly suspicious.
A nun, a terrorist, and an agent. An odd combination, sure, but if these three could pull something off, things wouldn't have gotten this bad.
I know superhumans exist thanks to that Lee Do-hyung section chief incident, but still, three people solving this crisis? No way.
"It's tough. But the only thing that matters is whether we do it or not. We can't just sit here and die. Haven't you survived until today by moving?"
Jaaldi met my eyes as she said that.
"..."
She's right.
This agent named Jaaldi.
She's a lackey of the Management Bureau I despise, but she has a mindset I can relate to. Yeah. We can't just sit and die. If there's hope, we move.
"By the way. Excuse me, brother."
The terrorist approached and said.
"I've been sensing it all along, but there's a very special aura coming from you, brother."
"What are you talking about?"
"This aura... do you perhaps have an Islamic saint among your ancestors?"
"What? No, that's impossible. I'm pure Korean."
An Islamic saint in my ancestry?
Ridiculous.
"That's strange. You're not a descendant of an Islamic lord either... Hm? Could it be? Do you possess an Islamic holy relic?"
"A holy relic?"
I've never had any connection to Islam in my life, so no way I have one of their relics.
Ah.
Come to think of it, Dr. Kim Seonghan's wife gave me a necklace. That madam was Arab.
"Is this what you mean?"
"Clothes."
Clothes?
"O! Oooo! Ooooooo!!!!"
The terrorist suddenly dropped to his knees, sobbing and shouting in ecstasy.
"To think this still exists! Uoooooo!"
"What the—! What's going on?! What is this thing...!"
"This is a fragment of the Black Stone! May I examine it?!"
Black Stone?
"Go ahead."
I unclasped the necklace and handed it over.
"The Kaaba! It truly is a fragment of the Black Stone! Unbelievable! To think such a noble person was in Korea...!"
He's so moved he's shedding tears and trembling all over. A bit more and he might foam at the mouth.
"Allahu Akbar!"
"Aaack!"
I thought he was about to explode, but no.
Just an exclamation, apparently.
"Brother! This is a most precious holy relic! You who possess it are not just my brother—no! You are a true brother to all us Islamic jihad holy warriors!"
It's that big a deal?
"I don't know much, but it must be some relic that moves even you, Saladin. I got it from someone as thanks, so I'm not sure of the details."
"That doesn't matter. The important thing is that you possess it, for whatever reason. You were worthy, so it came to you, brother."
I nodded for now.
"If only I'd known about you sooner, brother!"
At some point, Saladin reached out with both hands, and I found myself dancing with him, hands clasped. I couldn't follow the flow, but it was fun.
"Hoo, vampire hunter. So you're the owner of the Black Stone? Then why all those crosses?"
The nun's expression soured.
"I don't know much either. Someone just gave it to me as thanks."
"Heathen! Shut your mouth! This is a noble among nobles! A heathen like you has no right to speak to him!"
"God. This is ridiculous. Hey, agent. We don't have time for this nonsense."
"..."
At her words, Jaaldi stepped forward again.
"A holy warrior's brother would have that kind of spirit. So, Black Stone owner. Will you accept my proposal? Just draw their attention from another side while we attack the flower."
"You're going to attack the flower while we distract them?"
"Yes."
"What happens if you win?"
"The giants fall. Then we attempt recovery. No guarantees it'll succeed, of course. I might die pointlessly. The holy warrior too. And that nun."
The Management Bureau is my enemy.
But at least this agent is charging toward the last hope, even at the cost of her life.
The organization itself is shit... but it has people like her in it?
That's what I felt.
"Just one question."
"What is it?"
"Agent Jaaldi. Do you know Lee Do-hyung section chief by any chance?"
"What?"
Jaaldi's eyes sharpened at my words.
"How do you know about entity Lee Do-hyung section chief?"
"Pardon?"
Her demeanor turned hostile in an instant. Jaaldi approached right up to my face and grabbed my collar. Entity Lee Do-hyung section chief? What's their connection?
"Hey! What are you doing to my brother!"
Saladin stepped between us, blocking Jaaldi.
"Agent! We're allies for now, but it's temporary! If you attack my brother, I'll break this alliance anytime!"
"Tch. Then convince him yourself."
Jaaldi backed off.
"Brother. You okay?"
"Ah... yes. Thanks for mediating."
"No problem. You're the Black Stone owner. You deserve the respect of us jihad holy warriors."
Saladin's tone was so friendly.
At this point, I couldn't help but genuinely think of Saladin as my brother.
This guy's my bro?
"I'm grateful you say that. So, can I call you brother Saladin too?"
"Please do!"
"Brother Saladin! Or should I say Sal-hyung?"
"Haha! This feels great!"
Sal-hyung laughed heartily and grabbed my hand.
"Anyway, brother. We're trying to take down that massive demon. We'd like your help."
"Of course! If Sal-hyung says so, I have to help!"
I planned to help anyway.
For information, joining them is the better bet.
"Hahaha! Allahu Akbar!"
"Eek!"
I thought he'd burst, but no.
"Agent! My brother will fight with us!"
"Good. It worked out."
"...I thought you were devout with all those crosses you bought. Turns out you're Muslim after all?"
But the nun's eyes aren't friendly... seriously, do these two have to hate each other this much?
Anyway.
Now I get the situation. Survivors from the Management Bureau and the other two organizations have banded together for a suicide squad. Helping them means it'll either be my death or salvation.
"By the way, Sal-hyung. I have something I want to ask that agent."
"Hm, you want me to mediate from the side?"
"Yes."
Saladin called Jaaldi over.
"Agent. I just mentioned Lee Do-hyung section chief. That's why you reacted aggressively."
"...Yeah."
"Since we're already committed to helping, I'll ask straight up. What the hell is the Management Bureau? And that Lee Do-hyung section chief—what's his deal?"
"..."
Jaaldi stared at me.
"Agent. Answer my brother's question. He's already agreed to help our suicide squad."
"Fine. I'll answer."
Ooh...!
This is great news!
I can get info here!
"But first. How do you know about entity Lee Do-hyung section chief?"
Why does she keep saying 'entity'?
That's weird.
"Fine. I'll explain that part."
I briefly recounted what happened to me. Naturally, hiding the regression and only saying what I could.
In summary: I ran into vampires by chance, used my wits to survive, then got chased by men in black suits, ended up at the anomalous hospital, and lived there. I spotted Lee Do-hyung section chief there. Somehow survived and came back, and the world's gone to shit.
The three of them looked stunned after hearing it.
"Br-brother... what the..."
"Whoa... what do you do for a living?"
"..."
No, why.