The Pardon
[Sudden Gate spread continues, authorities helpless]
['Out of control' Sudden Gate rampage, what will happen to the capital region...]
['Hunter Management Department reaches limit in Sudden Gate response' Public anxiety rises]
[Government struggles to block Sudden Gate, requests support from Japan and China]
[Sudden Gate defense line pushed back. Evacuation routes forming little by little.]
The comment sections on the provocative news articles pouring out day after day were also exploding.
People who had been cursing Cheon Yooshin started to feel his necessity one by one.
#
The Blue House conference room was filled with intense tension. The titles of those attending the emergency response meeting were illustrious: the President, the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, and even the Minister of the Hunter Control Department. They were the heads responsible for the nation's safety. Among them, President Cha Insoo opened the meeting with a heavy voice.
"Summarizing the current situation, what is the level of the threat from the Sudden Gate?"
To his question, Choi Jeongwon, the Minister of the Hunter Control Department, replied.
"This Sudden Gate is understood to far exceed existing gates in terms of scale and danger."
"Is it difficult to clear the gate?"
Choi Jeongwon couldn't find the words for a moment. It was obvious. In the current situation, maintaining the status quo was everything. And even that was becoming difficult.
"Where did all the hunters go?"
"They are currently inside uncleared gates. Sudden Gates are one thing, but uncleared gates are also a threat that cannot be ignored."
"What about Hunter Kang Minho?"
Kang Minho was the only A-rank awakener in South Korea. He was the person most needed in the current situation.
"He is currently supporting the clearing of a C-rank gate in the UK."
"Ha... isn't our country in an urgent situation?"
"That may be, but since he has already entered the gate, he cannot come out until it is cleared. Contact is also impossible."
President Cha Insoo rubbed his face with both hands and looked at the Minister of National Defense.
"What is the current response situation of our military?"
Minister of National Defense Han Cheolsoo let out a deep sigh.
"Mr. President, the situation is very difficult. Our military is doing its best to respond, but there are limits. These things have significant basic resistance to our conventional weapons. It's difficult to properly suppress them even with machine guns. Furthermore, their numbers are continuously increasing, so holding out is the best we can do. Finally, due to the geographical characteristic of being in the middle of the city, large-scale firepower cannot be used."
Han Cheolsoo's voice became even heavier.
"As of now, we have barely managed to establish a defense line, but as time goes on, that line will gradually be pushed back. It's natural that our military's fatigue is also increasing. As the minister responsible for national defense, I am sorry to say this, but I don't think we can hold out for very long with the current method."
The conference room was immersed in a heavy silence for a moment. Then, President Cha Insoo asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
"Is there any progress from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"
The Minister of Foreign Affairs shook his head.
"Both Japan and China refused our support, saying they are busy defending their own countries. Other countries are in similar situations."
"Ha..." Cha Insoo sighed as if he were devastated. Damn it, nothing is going right. No matter how much I think about it, there is no escape. No escape. Is there really no talent in South Korea?
That was when it happened.
"Um..." It was Minister Choi Jeongwon of the Hunter Control Department.
"Mr. President, I am sorry to say something difficult, but why don't we consider Hunter Cheon Yooshin?"
The air in the conference room froze instantly. However, Choi Jeongwon recited exactly what Section Chief Lee Eunsoo had strictly instructed him to say before he came here.
"The Special Act on Hunter Management has a clause that allows for the pardon of a detained hunter in an emergency situation. Perhaps he could calm this situation down."
"Ahem, Minister Choi Jeongwon! The political resistance will be fierce. Isn't that too hasty? And a pardon? Hunter Cheon Yooshin hasn't even been sentenced yet. He's not eligible for a special pardon."
Lee Doohyeong, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, who had been listening quietly, reacted harshly. However, Choi Jeongwon had already finished the legal review before entering the conference hall.
"I am talking about a general pardon, not a special pardon. Even someone who hasn't been sentenced is eligible for a general pardon."
"No, does that make sense?"
"Is there any other way? There isn't."
"Even so, to reuse a hunter who assaulted a sitting member of the National Assembly."
"They say to hate the sin, not the person. Hunter Cheon Yooshin must be reflecting deeply on this incident as well."
President Cha Insoo, who had been listening to them, closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them slowly.
"Then, will all the crimes Hunter Cheon Yooshin is charged with be erased?"
"For now, prosecution for the assault charge will become impossible. Because criminal punishment will become impossible. Of course, while criminal liability is exempted, civil liability for damages still exists, but..."
Suddenly, a determined will to decide something was visible in the President's eyes.
"I will decide. In accordance with the special act, I will carry out a general pardon for Hunter Cheon Yooshin."
At his decision, Lee Doohyeong shouted.
"You can't! Mr. President! How are you going to overcome the political pressure! You have less than a year left in your term. So just..."
"So just stay quiet? You want me to finish my term as a powerless president? According to their tastes?"
"You know very well that's not what I meant."
Hunter Cheon Yooshin is the only hunter with the potential to handle the current Sudden Gate. Does Minister Lee Doohyeong not want to appoint Hunter Cheon Yooshin? But it was because of the things that would happen afterward. Assemblyman Park Taeseok is a three-term member of the National Assembly. Unlike a first-term member, he is a figure whose influence is by no means easy to deal with. If he pardons Cheon Yooshin, who assaulted such a person... the arrow of political retaliation might be aimed at President Cha Insoo.
"This is a matter of our country's survival. His ability is needed most right now. The people will understand. And as President, I will take full responsibility for everything."
Minister Choi Jeongwon nodded quickly.
"As you said, I will take immediate measures to deploy him to the scene."
Thus, they decided on Cheon Yooshin's pardon.
#
The iron door of the detention center creaked open. A correctional officer appeared.
"Mr. Cheon Yooshin."
Cheon Yooshin, who had been sleeping soundly, opened his eyes groggily and said.
"Ah, just a little more. I'll sleep for 5 more minutes."
Cheon Yooshin turned his body the other way to try and sleep. However.
"Mr. Cheon Yooshin! Get up!"
"Ah, seriously, why are you bothering someone who's sleeping? But why? Is it already time to eat?"
I feel like I'm hungry too. Humans are truly fascinating. Seeing how they get hungry when it's mealtime even without physical activity.
"What's on the menu today? Slurp."
Thinking about food makes saliva flow from my mouth. However.
"It's good news. A general pardon has been issued. You can leave now. So, please come out."
"General pardon?? What is that, a new ramen flavor?"
The officer said, looking frustrated.
"It's freedom! Freedom!"
Cheon Yooshin stood up slowly.
"Freedom? I've been free until now."
I had never been restrained once. Because Yooshin could leave this place whenever he wanted if he wished. He was just enjoying a 'jail-cation' here.
'No, wait, should I call it a jail-cation instead of a hotel-cation?'
Anyway, the voice of the officer, who didn't know such inner thoughts, grew louder.
"I'm telling you, you're free! So hurry up and come out."
"No, I don't want to! When you told me to go in, you told me to go in, and now you're telling me to come out! I'm not leaving!"
"What are you talking about?! Don't play around and hurry up and come out. My shift change time is almost here!"
Cheon Yooshin moved to the opposite side of the entrance to slowly distance himself from the officer.
"Hey! Seriously, officers! Get this guy out, quickly!"
Eventually, several officers were deployed and began to forcibly drag Cheon Yooshin out.
"Ah, noooo! When you told me to go in, you told me to go in, and now you're kicking me out!!!"
Cheon Yooshin's shouting filled the detention center.
"I want to go back!"
#
[This is an urgent breaking news report. Just a moment ago, news came that Hunter Cheon Yooshin has been released on a general pardon in accordance with the Special Act on Hunter Management. As viewers know, Hunter Cheon Yooshin was recently arrested for involvement in an assault case. However, it appears that this measure was taken based on the judgment that his ability is desperately needed in the current national crisis. We will continue to report on related news. This was announcer Kim Ina. Thank you.]
"...What kind of bullshit is that?"
Assemblyman Park Taeseok froze while eating porridge. The porridge he couldn't put in his mouth flowed down his chin and soaked his hospital gown. Did, did I hurt my head? Who got a general pardon?
Meanwhile, the screen showed the main gate of the prison. The wide-open door. And reporters who had started to return, saying they had wasted their time, could be seen around it.
[According to news from the scene, Hunter Cheon Yooshin left the prison immediately. We will keep a close eye on what role Hunter Cheon Yooshin will play in overcoming this Sudden Gate crisis, enough to warrant a general pardon. We will continue to report on related news. This was announcer Kim Ina. Thank you.]
"This is crazy!"
They're pardoning the guy who dared to assault a sitting member of the National Assembly? And that too, a guy who hasn't even been convicted yet? What kind of bullshit is this?
Assemblyman Park Taeseok's trembling fingers quickly searched the phone screen. He reached the name he was looking for while scanning the contact list.
'Party Leader Lee Youngho.'
When he pressed the call button, the signal rang. After a few rings, a solemn voice came from the other side of the receiver.
[Assemblyman Park Taeseok, are you okay?]
"Leader! It's not about my body right now, what the hell is going on?"
There was a moment of silence. A deep sigh from Party Leader Lee Youngho flowed through the phone.
[I heard it just a moment ago too. It seems the Blue House made the first move.]
"Does this make sense? It's a case of assaulting a member of the National Assembly. Pardoning such a guy. We haven't even had a trial yet."
[I know. But the current situation is not favorable. The Sudden Gate situation is becoming increasingly serious. It seems the Blue House judged that Cheon Yooshin's ability is needed.]
"No, still, this is..."
Lee Youngho cut off Park Taeseok's words midway.
"Assemblyman Park, I understand your feelings well enough. But isn't now the time to see the big picture? The people are suffering."
"Do you agree with this decision too, Leader?"
"Personally, I oppose it, but shouldn't we put out the urgent fire first?"
Park Taeseok was speechless.
"But we can't just let this slide."
[Of course. For now, calm down and recover your health. Let's take action as soon as you recover.]
Park Taeseok's eyes were burning with rage as he ended the call. Meanwhile, Lee Youngho, who had hung up the phone, shouted.
"Honey! Unpack! We're saved!"
At his words, his wife, Kim Miyeon, who had been hurriedly packing, asked with surprised eyes.
"What do you mean by that?"
Their house was not very far from where the Sudden Gate appeared. It was to the point where they couldn't sleep because of the sound of gunfire and the roars of monsters day and night. They were packing to flee because of the anxiety.
Lee Youngho let out a sigh of relief and sat down on the living room sofa.
"It seems the government has made a decision. Because the Sudden Gate situation is becoming increasingly serious."
"Then, is there no need to flee anymore?"
Lee Youngho smiled.
"There is a hunter named Cheon Yooshin. He's the guy who even closed the Sudden Gate where the trolls came out. If it's that guy, it'll be enough."
At his words, Kim Miyeon let out a sigh of relief and sat next to him.
"That's a relief. I was really anxious."
"You've suffered a lot until now."
Unlike Park Taeseok, Lee Youngho looked at his wife and smiled.