Chapter 259
Chapter 259
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 259
Chapter Title: 84. Who Is Our Enemy? (3)
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「Thought System (S)」
This was the name of the blessing that Jeon Ha-yeon had awakened.
It created a miniature computer in her mind. Thanks to it, she could take on the role of director in the command strategy room. Naturally, her crisis response and quick thinking far surpassed that of ordinary superhumans.
An unexpected remark slipped from Season's lips. But in a mere 0.08 seconds of contemplation, she grasped what he meant.
The entire world... The phrasing was crude, but the meaning fit perfectly.
Suddenly struck by a thought, Jeon Ha-yeon checked the time on her brain's computer. It was a rare chance to gauge the Federation's reaction speed.
1 second.
The moment the words left his mouth, Kalliovan's furrowed brow relaxed.
2 seconds.
A glint first appeared in Myeong Yong-ha's eyes. Soon after, changes rippled across the faces of several staff officers, including BM and Christoph among the transcendents. Meanwhile, Jefferson, watching from the back, unexpectedly clenched his jaw.
3 seconds.
Now, most people seemed to understand Yoo Ji-tae's words.
Those who still hadn't caught on by this point would take a bit longer—not because they were dim, but because they viewed the world differently.
4 seconds.
Suddenly, Kalliovan's lips twisted into a smirk. What was that about?
That's when someone spoke up.
"Pardon...?"
"The entire world, you say?"
It came from those who saw the world differently.
Jeon Ha-yeon stepped forward.
"By 'the entire world,' you mean the global currents, right? Prophet Season."
"Yes."
"No exceptions, not even 1%?"
"None."
"Why do you think that?"
Yoo Ji-tae pondered his response.
It's usually the case. But there are those accelerating that flow.
...That wouldn't serve as evidence.
Pulling out the prophet card every time didn't fit his style, nor was it the answer they wanted.
He had claimed the role of prophet. Within the Federation, maintaining that conceptual image was essential.
In simple terms, he had to uphold the persona of the guy who "knew everything."
After a moment's thought, he spoke.
"The Invisibles... aren't moving alongside Quasar."
"Why not?"
Jeon Ha-yeon knew the facts well but asked anyway, curious about her own logical progression.
Now was the time to play along.
"As I said earlier, the Invisibles can't challenge the Federation head-on. The demon faction hides its power and doesn't gamble until the perfect moment arrives. They failed to conquer Melishia's ballroom, and Noah—one of their top disaster-class—was killed. They absolutely won't antagonize the Federation directly at this juncture."
"Then?"
"Now, let's consider the demons' characteristics. Demons live long lives. They wield their lifespans as weapons, deeply infiltrating governments to entwine politics and business, slipping into the cracks. Military forces under heavy Federation and government surveillance are tough. But they wield considerable influence in capital, media, and politics outside the military."
For instance, the disaster-class demon holed up in the Lair.
Ma Nam-jun, the Left Seat of the Covenant.
"Doesn't that mean the Invisibles are supporting Quasar?"
"Stop playing dumb, Jeon Ha-yeon."
Jeon Ha-yeon stuck out her tongue and smiled apologetically.
Knowing she intended to help, he decided to indulge her a bit more, tedious as it was.
"At this point, Quasar is just a protruding claw. The comms hub and underground fortress make it obvious they have moving feet."
"What are the feet?"
"The feet are the organization—or individual, or whatever—supporting Quasar. Something comparable to the Mercenary King. The Invisibles are cooperating on that front. That's why military supplies gathered from the shadows of various nations are turning up in one place."
"If there are feet, there must be a body."
"Do you think the governments wouldn't notice the Invisibles moving?"
"Of course they would."
"Right. So what's their response?"
"No known countermeasures."
"No. It's not a lack of response. They're actively standing by."
So demons tightrope-walk the line, doing what they do in the gaps.
But this time was different. The Invisibles had crossed it. While the Federation dealt with Quasar, they'd uncover more nations' military support, pressuring their governments.
The governments would be at a disadvantage.
"Yet the governments won't step in."
Why?
"Because they dislike the Federation's moves."
The current push for military buildup at Yoo Ji-tae's urging was sparking backlash in itself.
Groans rippled through the staff. Everyone knew it. Scattered puzzle pieces that hadn't fit together now clicked into place. Faint concepts sharpened.
And so, the entire world begins antagonizing the Federation.
Watching Quasar's claw from afar.
Not interfering with Invisible backing.
But inaction is just the start.
That's when Kalliovan smiled faintly.
Seated at the head, his face was visible to all.
When a smile spread across his wrinkled lips, curious gazes converged.
"Who is the root cause of all this? Prophet."
One sentence.
It pierced the heart of the entire situation.
Quasar launches terror.
A mysterious entity backs Quasar.
The Invisibles insert themselves.
The world antagonizes the Federation.
And the fundamental issue of this meeting remains unsolved. All roads led back to Yoo Ji-tae.
...Or so Kalliovan was pressuring him.
"Kalliovan. Who do you think bears the blame?"
Yoo Ji-tae turned it right back on him.
It was simple. If Kalliovan had Yoo Ji-tae's power and experience, this crisis would resolve without issue.
"......"
Kalliovan, knowing full well, nodded readily.
"We'll do everything we can. From here, it's the Federation's job."
But he had pressed Yoo Ji-tae for a reason.
"However, Prophet. As a mortal, I can't exceed my abilities."
"That's too humble for the man who pacified the New Epoch."
"Reality dictates it. My hands no longer hold the Witch. The Sovereign barely reaches. Mortals always have limits, and I've hit mine."
Kalliovan flicked his hand. He didn't look a 150-year-old man. The refined gesture suited his forties-like appearance.
"If you wish to complete your grand plan, you must reveal your power."
Kalliovan spoke with low, conviction-filled certainty.
Jeon Ha-yeon rebutted.
"That would be problematic, Chairman."
"Yes. Omnipotent power and near-omniscience prophecy. If such a being existed, backlash would intensify."
"Exactly. If you know that, why say it...?"
Jeon Ha-yeon's face twisted at Kalliovan's follow-up.
"...If we keep wearing the armband as usual."
Bang!
Jeon Ha-yeon slammed the table and stood.
"Chairman!"
"What."
"What reckless words are those!"
Staff, five transcendents, even the Total Heaven Alliance.
All faces mirrored Jeon Ha-yeon's shock.
Then? Lay down the armband? Pick up guns?
Declare military rule over nations?
Chills ran down spines.
Kalliovan was spouting madness—at least in Jeon Ha-yeon's view.
"Chairman...!"
"Do you mean that seriously?"
Kalliovan's voice was firm.
"Why the overreaction?"
"......"
"Think I'm joking?"
Suddenly, an overlooked thought surfaced.
Kalliovan was ruthless.
Post-New Epoch, to forge the current societal order and Federation, he waged war, slaughtering billions of humans and superhumans against their will.
His seat was a blood-soaked throne. The world's fragile balance rested on corpses piled in the cracks.
But war against the world?
'That's insane...'
The next instant, Jeon Ha-yeon blankly turned her gaze.
There stood Season and Yuan.
Unprecedented power. Beings of might never recorded in history. The Federation harbored such entities.
Kalliovan's idea was absurd. Yet paired with absurd power, it suddenly made sense.
Jeon Ha-yeon shivered again. How monstrous was this blade in the Federation's grasp?
But Season's stern expression shook her anew.
It wasn't the Federation holding the blade.
"Who said that?"
The blade was shaking the Federation.
"Of course it's a joke."
Mystical charisma laced Kalliovan's words. His innocent chuckle and raised hands strangely inspired belief.
Ah, just a joke.
Of course. No way that madness was serious.
Everyone thought so. The unease vanished. As the unimaginable faded, relieved staff chuckled weakly. Kalliovan laughed along.
But Yoo Ji-tae didn't laugh. He found no humor.
"Anyway, Prophet. If you're not revealing power, we need evidence. Proof that we're handling this and why."
Yoo Ji-tae nodded.
He was right.
"Or omens. You know. Something symbolic to show the world."
Spot on. Sometimes a vivid symbol outweighs evidence.
If—just if.
The Federation had a 'prophet' to declare.
A real one, capable of true prophecy.
Visible to all.
The Federation's cause would gain legitimacy automatically.
"Handle Federation affairs."
"And you?"
Absurdly, Earth had exactly one living prophet.
Her power level was conveniently low—perfect for display. Thinking of her, Yoo Ji-tae drove it home.
"Everything is prepared."
No objections.
"Focus on your tasks without lapse."
The meeting ended there.
He had killed Kalliovan twice.
Once in the 5th cycle. Once in the 6th.
Because the thoughts he revealed in that meeting weren't jokes.
Kalliovan was a revolutionary.
A smart one who knew how to swing what he held.
Earth had a few who could single-handedly upend global flows. As a regressor, controlling them meant killing for efficiency. The revolutionary at the head table was one.
He'd maintained near-century peace as Federation Chairman because there was no revolution left. A lone wolf guards a stable home.
But does sitting make a dog of him?
Does lying down dull his claws?
When he became the Witch's master, he waged war to purge New Epoch side effects. Good experience, that.
Now he was shaking himself off.
Arrogantly.
On the way back from the meeting, as everyone dispersed.
Darkness split. The Chairman's form vanished in an instant.
When Kalliovan opened his eyes next, he was in pitch-black void. No ground beneath, no sky above. No boundaries defining the world.
There, Yoo Ji-tae faced him.
"Kalliovan."
At the prophet's call, Kalliovan's eyes flickered faintly.