Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: ACT.6 The Result of the Choice (2)
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“Dongdaemun?”
“Yes.”
“Why Dongdaemun?”
Dongdaemun was not far from here.
And a small settlement had formed over there.
For now, it was the only safe place nearby.
“…Not bad.”
As Kim Ji-hyeon nodded, the others set aside their doubts.
Lee Seon-yul, however, wore a troubled expression.
“Dongdaemun… but right now, that place is….”
“I know. But for now, it's the safest option. And they might let us in more easily than you'd think.”
Lee Seon-yul tried to object with a troubled look, but when Kim Ji-hyeon pushed forward firmly, he sighed and backed down.
The others, not knowing why Lee Seon-yul was sighing, were just confused.
Knowing what would happen next, I too rubbed the back of my neck.
‘There is an easier way, but….’
A difficult path is bound to have greater rewards.
To gain something else, I had to boldly choose the path of hardship here.
***
We started moving as soon as the sun rose.
It was a place that appeared after traveling west for a while.
Normally, you would see a vibrant, developed street, but now, a high wall was stacked up like a fortress.
As we approached, a man who had been leisurely standing guard called out with a wary voice.
“Who goes there!”
“Kim Ji-hyeon of the Jamryong Guild. Just tell that to Jeon Do-jin, who should be in charge here.”
The guards on the wall muttered amongst themselves before one asked us to wait and then disappeared.
Some people showed their curiosity, wondering what the Jamryong Guild was, but due to the tense atmosphere, they didn't ask out loud.
“…Shouldn't we be a bit more humble?”
“That's just how Kim Ji-hyeon is. I've never seen her use honorifics with anyone other than the Guild Master.”
“What are you whispering about?”
When Kim Ji-hyeon narrowed her eyes, Jo Min-woo and Lee Seon-yul feigned ignorance, as if they hadn't been talking at all.
I think there was a reason for that, too.
It wasn't a very important detail, so I don't remember it well.
“Are you the ones who mentioned Jeon Do-jin?”
Before long, a new figure appeared on the wall.
Seeing his face, I unknowingly scowled.
What? Was there a guy like that in Dongdaemun?
“Yes. We'd like to speak with Jeon Do-jin.”
“So you know Jeon Do-jin.”
The man gave a cold smile and, as if there was nothing more to hear, ordered us to leave.
“Then get lost. You're not allowed in.”
The sound of a bolt being latched came from inside.
Not only the man but also the other guards were snickering, making it impossible not to notice that something was wrong.
Kim Ji-hyeon's face hardened.
“What happened to Jeon Do-jin?”
“Curious?”
It was an incredibly ominous smile.
But more than that, I felt something unsettling about him.
Judging by the atmosphere, I could only think that something had happened to Jeon Do-jin.
But that was strange. No, it didn't make sense.
[Character Information]
Name: Yang Gyu-hyeok
Gender: Male (35)
Strength: 27 Stamina: 24 Agility: 25 Mana: 17
Unique Ability: Dual-Faced Martial Artist (C)
Traits: Strengthened Body (C), Hitman (C)
Skills: Suppression (D), Explosive Force (D)
Jeon Do-jin is an S-rank player.
His role was to guard the Dongdaemun settlement and protect the nearby survivors.
It's impossible for anyone to beat Jeon Do-jin this early on.
Especially not with Yang Gyu-hyeok's stats and skills.
And yet, the problem is that this guy pushed Jeon Do-jin out and became the ruler of Dongdaemun.
Even I, who removed my stat limits, can say with certainty that my chances of winning against Jeon Do-jin right now are 0%. And a guy like that defeated him?
‘Could that guy have played the game too?’
It wasn't impossible.
But I soon shook my head.
Even so, beating Jeon Do-jin was out of the question.
…No, wait.
There was a way to push him out without fighting.
Exactly one ‘cowardly trick’ available.
Lee Seon-yul’s face stiffened as he asked.
“…Did you kill him?”
“No way! I didn't kill him. If I keep him alive, he might be useful as a hostage or something. Why would I kill him so easily?”
Kim Ji-hyeon's face contorted.
It was a short conversation, but it was enough to figure out what kind of person Yang Gyu-hyeok was.
If we bowed our heads and went in, he would surely demand a hefty price. But giving up was also dangerous in its own right.
The cry of a demonic beast echoed in the distance.
As the people flinched and showed signs of anxiety, Yang Gyu-hyeok's smile widened.
“H-hey, wait! We don't even know who this Jeon Do-jin person is! Let us in!”
In the end, someone couldn't overcome their anxiety and chose the worst option.
It was the man who had insisted on staying behind when we first escaped the apartment complex.
How did he even survive until now?
“Oh? If you really want to come in, there is a way….”
The response came immediately, as if he'd been waiting for those words.
Yang Gyu-hyeok scanned our group with eyes steeped in desire.
Then, his gaze stopped on Jeong Ha-yeon.
“Hey. Hand over that woman. Then I'll let you in.”
All eyes turned to Jeong Ha-yeon.
Jeong Ha-yeon's face was twisted into an indescribable expression.
[The Angel of Benevolence glares furiously.]
[The Holy Judge urges you to refuse at once.]
These beings who won't even help are making a lot of noise.
When it comes to this, devils are better. At least they don't meddle.
[The 'Devil Who Mocks the Heavens' chimes in.]
“Why should I comply with such a demand—.”
“W-what are you doing!? Hurry up and hand her over!”
Before Jeong Ha-yeon could even finish her incredulous sentence, the man who started it all pointed a finger and shouted her down.
That wasn't all.
“That's right. If just you sacrifice yourself, everyone else can be safe, right?”
It was the person who had once picked a fight with Jeong Ha-yeon.
He spoke with a sneer, as if this was a welcome development.
“You sure talked a big game when you said we had to go rescue the students at the school. What was it you said? Someone who helps others even if it means sacrificing yourself? I hear you aspire to be that kind of person, so I don't know why you're just standing there now.”
Jeong Ha-yeon bit her lip.
The problem didn't end there.
Agitation is easy if there's a ringleader.
Four of the people who had ridden the train with us agreed with the two and raised their voices.
“That's right! If you're going to talk like that, you should practice what you preach!”
“Anyone can just run their mouth!”
A total of six people were shouting to sacrifice Jeong Ha-yeon.
At that, the people who had fled with us, who were neither on one side nor the other, also began to waver.
“It's not like that woman is particularly important….”
“Honestly, as long as I'm safe, who cares what happens?”
“What is this….”
Jo Min-woo muttered in disbelief, his face a mask of astonishment.
Beside him, Jo Min-ah covered her mouth, looking distressed.
“They aren't human….”
“They're monsters who've lost their humanity.”
Go Yeong-jun's eyes turned cold as he stealthily began to draw his sword, but I raised a hand to stop him.
“Calm down.”
“Why? Those bastards deserve to die.”
Seeing the icy killing intent rising from Go Yeong-jun, I inwardly clicked my tongue.
A middle schooler talking about murder so casually.
I recalled the trait that Go Yeong-jun possessed.
Still, could an ordinary student really change so drastically in an instant?
Or was what happened at the school just that traumatic?
“I have a way, so calm down and trust me.”
“…Yes.”
Still, it was a relief that he obediently listened to me.
I shifted my gaze back to the wall.
The ruler of this place was supposed to be Jeon Do-jin.
Yang Gyu-hyeok was a character I hadn't seen in the original story.
Once again, the events had been changed by someone from reality that I didn't know.
It makes me sick to my stomach.
He's different from Jeon Do-jin, in both personality and desires.
If things continue like this, the main quest's content might change into something I don't know.
‘That can't happen.’
I slowly turned my eyes.
The people still nagging us to hand over Jeong Ha-yeon.
In fact, they were the ones who brought about this situation.
Truthfully, breaking down a gate like that would be no problem.
But doing so would mean it was no longer a ‘safe base’.
I refuse to put the cart before the horse.
“What are you looking at? Did I say something wrong?”
One thing is for sure: those who suggested sacrificing Jeong Ha-yeon must be cast out.
They are people who might sell out others again, anytime, anywhere.
They're dangerous elements who might stab me in the back.
“Stop overthinking it and just do what he says. Why make things hard for the rest of us when one person can just sacrifice herself?”
“You're right.”
“Huh?”
“It's ‘your’ negotiation, so there's no reason for us to pay the price.”
The man's brow furrowed.
“Just as you arbitrarily negotiated with them, we can arbitrarily break off that negotiation.”
From now on, you are not part of our group.
When I drew the line so clearly, the man, realizing the hidden meaning, scowled.
“You bastard…!”
Seeing that things weren't going his way, the man started to move, but he flinched and stopped when I drew my sword.
Among the second-generation players here, no one can stop me.
Even if all those who oppose us rushed me, the result would be the same.
It was only yesterday that I single-handedly blocked the first attack on the stadium.
Since he knew that well himself, the man flinched and then ground his teeth.
“I refuse.”
I stepped to the very front and spoke to Yang Gyu-hyeok.
Yang Gyu-hyeok also looked displeased.
“I wasn't talking to you.”
“Think about it a little more. If you let us in like that, it won't be good for you either.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Do you want to lie on a bed of thorns only to be pierced all over?”
Yang Gyu-hyeok's lip twitched.
“If we accept your condition and enter, we will definitely be looking for a chance to get revenge.”
“Well, now. Saying that makes me not want to let you in. Are you trying to provoke me, having given up on entering?”
“No, I'm saying let's make a deal.”
“A deal? Aren't we already making one? My demand is….”
“Not a deal that leaves a bad taste in your mouth. A truly win-win deal.”
Yang Gyu-hyeok's eyebrows shot up.
He stomped his foot hard on the stone and shouted, his voice full of irritation.
“Aren't you mistaken? You're the ones in the weaker position. You're not in any place to argue!”
“What if I take care of something that will definitely benefit you?”
“…”
“That would be much better. We wouldn't have a reason to hold a grudge against you, and a big worry of yours would disappear. No unnecessary discord.”
I glanced over.
The man whose eyes met mine flinched and broke into a cold sweat.
No matter what happens, we'll become strangers to them, with feelings already hurt beyond repair, but that's of little consequence.
…Assuming we return to Dongdaemun alive, that is.
“Something beneficial, you say. You talk a good game. Go on, tell me what could possibly benefit us!”
“Haven't you been having a headache lately because of the sudden swarm of goblins?”
I didn't miss the momentary change in Yang Gyu-hyeok's expression.
He took the bait.
I was right to think that only the ruler had changed, not the situation in this area.
But Yang Gyu-hyeok wouldn't want to lose his position of power.
Sure enough, Yang Gyu-hyeok put on a composed face and raised his voice.
“Hmph, anyone could figure that out by observing this place for a day or two. It's a transparent attempt to test the waters, but it won't work. If we knew the cause, we would have already taken action. How would you know something we don't!”
“The Sinseol-dong Station underground.”
When I answered immediately, Yang Gyu-hyeok shut his mouth.
No matter how calm he pretended to be, he couldn't hide his trembling eyes.
“The cause is there.”