Chapter 251
Chapter 251
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 251
Chapter Title: 82. Who's Leading? (1)
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About a month ago.
October 1st. 2:05 PM.
The second night had erupted.
A 2.5-meter-tall humanoid monster burst out of the rift. Pitch-black body. A full-body suit bristling with spikes. A terrifying beast possessing single-digit rank-level destructive power.
And to make matters worse, it was armed with a mass-slaughter ability. The creature unleashed over 500 black blades like a storm. These living black blades targeted only the weak, effectively shredding their necks and hearts.
The Alliance's initial response was exemplary.
One had slain the monster in just 27 seconds.
Right after that.
The monster's body erupted in a massive explosion accompanied by a deafening roar and flames.
That was when the monster's ability was revealed. The true nature of the "Charyeok" that the Apocalyptic Clock had warned about—"Seven Hearts."
A blessing lost to antiquity in other dimensions as well, granting seven lives, and detonating its hearts upon death.
The monster exploded like a bomb each time one of its lives was extinguished, sweeping across heaven and earth. The scattered ashes and fragments mingled in the distance, birthing new life.
Season (Yoo Ji-tae) quickly grasped this and informed the Alliance command of the "Seven Hearts'" traits and habits.
As a result, there were seven explosions, and several cities in Inner Mongolia caught in the blasts were reduced to rubble.
However, thanks to Yoo Ji-tae's swift intelligence gathering, the Alliance's prompt decisions, and the wise actions of their well-trained soldiers, the casualties were minimal.
Thus, the incident concluded.
The time was 11:17 PM.
And exactly five minutes later, at 11:22 PM.
The Alliance's United States embassy in Inner Mongolia exploded.
Seventeen people, including embassy staff and officials, were killed. An additional 107 were injured in the aftermath.
U.S. Vice President Rick Vanderbilt, who had come to praise the Alliance, happened to be at the embassy.
The Vice President was caught in the explosion and killed. Finding his body was a small mercy amid the tragedy.
He was a respected politician. The world, especially Americans, was plunged into shock.
Some extreme anti-Alliance media outlets dubbed it the "eighth explosion." Immediately after, arrows of criticism began raining down on the Alliance.
The ruined streets.
The debris from collapsed buildings scattered as dust in the wind. In the aftermath of battle, intact structures were nowhere to be found. Natural elements burned away, while man-made ones lingered as grotesque remnants.
Yoo Ji-tae stepped into that place.
"Welcome, Season!"
From the other side of the ruins, a woman approached, waving her hand.
It was Kang A-jin, an attendant agent from the 5th Command Center.
"I hear things are going well for you lately."
"Word travels a thousand miles without feet, huh? Even you, Chief Advisor, have heard?"
"I only hear about you these days. Who hasn't?"
"I think it's paying off from all the hard work."
"Full of confidence, aren't you?"
"Was I being arrogant? It's all thanks to our advisor!"
Kang A-jin burst into laughter.
The "eighth explosion" at the embassy during the second night incident.
Kang A-jin had rushed to the scene with Jefferson, and was the first to propose that the explosion wasn't caused by the monster. She secured evidence.
Afterward, through Strategist Jeon Gal-hae-yeon, her claim was proven, allowing the Alliance to clear its name.
Why did she think it wasn't the monster? Yoo Ji-tae had asked at the time.
—It's all because I admire you, sir.
That was Kang A-jin's answer.
A prophet's vague words, but she believed in them. A form of lip service.
"You still think that?"
"Think what?"
"That you claimed that because you admire me."
"Sort of. Honestly, it feels like luck too. Finding that bomb fragment was pure chance."
"One compliment and you get honest."
"Well, doesn't everything in the world come down to fate? Serving by your side is my good fortune too."
In truth, even if Kang A-jin hadn't done it, Yoo Ji-tae would have resolved it.
For a regressor like him, it was just one less hassle. But for Kang A-jin, a 3rd-grade agent in the 5th Command Center, it was an achievement she'd never replicate, and the Alliance rewarded her handsomely.
She was promoted two ranks.
Now, she handled prophet escort duties alongside Jefferson Antonio.
Her official rank: 1st-grade agent.
Her job was assisting Yoo Ji-tae and One, so it wasn't much different, but her authority had grown significantly.
"Chief Advisor!"
"Chief Advisor!"
As Yoo Ji-tae entered the temporary conference room in Inner Mongolia, Alliance soldiers saluted him.
Seated at the head, he cut straight to the chase.
"So. Who's the saboteur?"
His blunt tone made the soldiers hesitate briefly. Then, a quick-adapting staff officer spoke up.
"The asymmetric terror crime group, 'Quasar.'"
They were the ones who planted the bomb in the embassy.
In the past, before the New Origin.
There were predecessors to terrorist groups stemming from Islamic extremists: the Taliban and Boko Haram.
Those who committed murder and crime in the name of God.
Some among them underwent a shocking new revelation after the New Origin: "Aren't humans gods themselves?"
It made sense. Unlike the past where you and I lived on nearly equal terms, post-New Origin humans possessed vastly differing powers and abilities beyond humanity. This meant superhumans.
Right after the New Origin, humanity faced major issues: Can superhumans and humans coexist? Can equality exist amid such vast ability gaps?
Extremist thoughts bred convictions, convictions bred group divisions, divisions bred wars.
Many battles erupted. During lulls in monster activity, wars between cold weapons and superpowers broke out.
If the current Alliance Chairman, Kaliovan, hadn't appeared to pacify the chaotic era with justice.
And if he hadn't tamed the almighty ruler known as Witch Valentine like a servant.
Humanity might have fractured irreparably.
But Kaliovan succeeded.
In this era, terrorists steeped in chosen-people ideology were the first to be purged.
Yet, for some reason, the terror groups kept reviving. Like cockroaches.
And now, they even colluded with the Demonic Humans. A fact only Yoo Ji-tae knew at present.
Having lost their original purpose.
They existed solely to hate the Alliance.
As the Alliance grew its military might, it gave them a pretext.
They changed their name each regression cycle with lazy effort. In this, the 7th cycle, they called themselves "Quasar."
Quasar.
Proto-star...
If left alone, they'd forever hinder humanity and the Alliance.
They had to be eliminated.
"I'll handle it from here."
"You?"
"Yes. I know you're busy, Advisor. I didn't want to burden you with this too."
He was so swamped during Alliance stays that he barely had time to sit. He approved nonchalantly.
"Alright. Do your best."
But right after sending Kang A-jin off, he called Jefferson.
"Yeah, it's me."
—Yes, Advisor.
"You'll need to help track and eliminate Quasar. Drop everything else."
—I heard Agent Kang A-jin is handling it from the Advisor’s office. Should I lend a hand?
"No. Assemble your own team separately and hunt them down. They're not just one or two. Use my name freely if you need authority."
—Understood.
"Round them all up, interrogate them, and bring them to me."
—Got it.
Jefferson didn't ask why. A small sign of trust.
Better to proceed thoroughly.
They were annoying enough, and in the 7th cycle, the Demonic Humans' movements influenced them too.
And Jefferson was a genius at mercenary tactics. In other words, no one executed localized operations better.
He could be trusted.
Before hanging up, Yoo Ji-tae asked.
"By the way, no more squid mask these days?"
—Huh? Oh, no. I cleaned it all up.
"Why? Gotta defend the champion."
—When things don't go well, people get distracted, right? No reason now. No time to breathe even.
"Not seeing women either?"
—Nope. Not at all.
'How far can you take me?'
'My car always runs on the Autobahn.'
Yoo Ji-tae teased him, recalling Jefferson's dirty talk with women.
"Run that Autobahn, then."
—Oh god. Don't tease me...
With the voice of a flustered middle-aged man over his embarrassing past, Yoo Ji-tae left the Alliance.
"Got it. Call if there's trouble."
—Yes. I'll return with good news.
No time to rest.
Starting today, something truly important was scheduled for Room 301.
He needed more time with the kids.
Winter thought.
A while back, after Yoo Ji-tae and she went somewhere fun. The touchy red one had become docile.
Maybe that's why? Unlike before, where she'd bristle at the slightest poke, now she was fun to tease.
"...Hey, foot-warmer?"
She dangled her bangs with two fingers.
"What the hell, you punk?"
When Summer bristled, Winter giggled and fled.
It usually went like that.
But teasing the same way three times got boring. And Summer wasn't easy to tease much. After a few days and a couple swats, Winter lost interest.
It was around then.
One morning, Yoo Ji-tae and Bom went out to buy breakfast and took forever.
"Ughhh, why aren't Ajusshi and Unni back? I'm starving...!"
"Hmm..."
Of all combos, Yoo Bom and Yoo Ji-tae. Summer sent a reasonable suspicion via messenger.
[Me: Teacher.]
Reply came quick.
[YooBomDealer: Yeah]
[Me: Why'd you two go buy tomorrow's breakfast? Why aren't you back.]
[Me: No way you're doing stuff in broad daylight??]
[YooBomDealer: No]
[Me: Then why aren't you back ㅡㅡ]
A photo arrived. Long line, waiting.
Grumpy Yoo Ji-tae. Bom smiling faintly.
[Me: Hurry up, gotta work out]
[YooBomDealer: Ok]
[Me: Ok? Coming now?]
[YooBomDealer: Soon]
[YooBomDealer: Our turn now]
[Me: Yeah hurry, Yoo Gaeul the pig is suffering]
"Hey, look here."
"Hm?"
"Make a hunger face."
Autumn acted out an expression briefly, and Summer and Winter burst out laughing.
"Haha, that's hilarious."
"Hehe."
Anyway, she sent a just-taken photo of Autumn.
[YooBomDealer: ?]
[YooBomDealer: What's up]
[YooBomDealer: Why that face]
Phone rang soon after. 'What, teasing for real?' 'Kyahaha! Ajusshi, was I that weird!?' The three cracked up at Yoo Ji-tae's reaction again.
Summer urged them to hurry and hung up.
While the three sat on the sofa waiting.
Hungry Autumn rummaged in the kitchen. Left on the sofa, Winter glanced between Summer and Autumn. Suddenly, a pure curiosity she'd never pondered before struck her.
"...Unni."
"What, punk."
"...Why are your boobs smaller than Autumn Unni's?"
"What?"
Winter gestured toward Autumn, who wore a tight t-shirt. Her upper body showed impressively large curves, almost burdensome.
Then came a weird reply.
"What's the problem? If you're jealous, just grow yours."
"......Huh?"
Problem?
Winter sensed the nuance was off.
She'd simply wondered why bigger or smaller, what caused the difference. Unnis didn't alter bodies with polymorph. Their looks were natural, so would hers be like that? Innocent question.
But Summer's answer was aggressive. Assuming Autumn's were superior, naturally.
And the displeased glance at Autumn lingered three seconds. Winter didn't miss it.
Winter thought.
Was this red one feeling competitive toward Autumn Unni?
Lately, it happened occasionally. She hadn't been like this before. Since when? After both learned to fight?
So Winter asked.
"...Unni."
"What again, punk."
"...Between you and Autumn Unni, who's stronger?"
Summer's eye twitched.