Chapter 214: Why Did You Meet Him?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 214: Why Did You Meet Him?
Regression.
Even as I said the word, I felt a wave of secondhand embarrassment.
Of course, having experienced something similar to regression—possession—I had to maintain a poker face while lying to Randall about being a regressor.
To think I’d reveal to Randall that I know the future, even if the "how" was a lie.
I’d only told Yukina so far. I never dreamed that Randall, a guy I had no real connection with and who possessed a trash personality to boot, would be the second.
Well... despite his massive personality flaws, he’s someone I can trust when it comes to competence.
Lying about being a regressor seemed more realistic than telling him this world was a game. I didn't think I could convince him otherwise.
As dirty and petty as Randall can be, the one thing you can count on is that he puts himself first. He’s greedy and prioritizes his own safety, so he’ll recognize the value of my knowledge of the future and make good use of me.
It was a waste, but I threw in the cure for the Whitening Phenomenon as a bonus, so he won't be able to discard me easily. He might be using me, but I intend to use him to the fullest in return.
By the way, the power of public authority really is something else.
I spent my whole life as a corporate slave; when would I have ever truly felt the weight of state power? At most, I’d dealt with a cop during a traffic stop.
But once Randall got involved, every obstacle that had been blocking my path vanished. He handles everything with the efficiency of someone like Frey. Even when I made requests thinking they might be a bit much, he’d just snort and ask if I’d called him over for something so trivial before resolving it with ease.
Note to self: never mess with the government.
I realized just how reckless I had been in the past when I briefly considered pretending to be a criminal to evacuate citizens from the zones to solve the Tyran Energy crisis. I must never get on the government's bad side.
With Randall’s intervention, the plan I’d set in motion progressed at lightning speed. Now, all that’s left is to tighten the noose around Fable’s neck.
And by "tightening the noose," I don't mean doing anything complicated. I just have to walk up to him and shout, "Your leadership is trash, GG."
Was it the Security Bureau’s 7th Division that was working on this?
The files provided by the 7th Division were packed with the criminal records of the Organization’s leadership, including Fable. From tax evasion and murder to the distribution of illegal magical tools—and, of course, the ever-present sexual harassment and assault—the list was so long that you could name any crime and it would likely be on there.
It was a bit terrifying to know that a third of these charges were framed evidence fabricated by the 7th Division, but that still meant the other two-thirds were crimes they actually committed.
Now that Randall is managing the Organization, I could technically stop here. As long as the Organization is restrained from attacking Yggdrasil, I can just restore the land once the Tyran Energy research is finished.
Actually, no.
Thinking about it again, there’s no telling what a greedy man like Fable would do if the land expanded due to Tyran Energy. Would the government even hand over enough land to satisfy them? They’d probably just act up again and trigger a total annihilation ending.
Since I can keep them pinned down until the research is done, the only remaining problems are Fable and the rest of the power elite.
In the end, I have to make Akane the head of the Organization.
As I was contemplating whether I’d missed anything before the final move, Akane approached me carrying a basin full of water. Despite her small frame, she carried it effortlessly, which felt strangely out of place.
As I watched her, Akane set the basin down in front of me.
"What’s this?"
"I’m going to wash your feet."
"...Why?"
"Because I’m grateful."
...Is this some kind of tradition in her clan?
Washing my feet... it’s a bit embarrassing, to be honest. No matter how thick-skinned I usually am, I’ve never received this kind of treatment before. It makes me feel shy.
However, Akane, with a look of determination, took my feet and guided them into the basin. The sensation of her small, soft hands carefully washing my feet was awkward, yet pleasant.
But why does she trust me so much?
To be blunt, isn't Akito more reliable than me? Looking at how he got involved in the Organization’s affairs, it seems like he might have tried to progress Akane’s route in his own way.
In game terms, it’s already too late and her route should be impossible to clear, but maybe it’s possible for Akito since he has protagonist power.
"You heard what I’m planning to do, right?"
"Yes, I remember."
"Then why do you still trust me?"
My plan to purge the power elite is something Akane has every reason to be suspicious of. She doesn't have a thirst for power, and her loyalty is strong. So how can she trust a guy who shows up claiming to save the Organization, only to suddenly start swinging a blade at the heads of her superiors?
If I were in Akane’s shoes, I would have doubted me and stabbed me in the back already.
"Why? Are you doing something bad, Yeon-woo?"
When she looks up at me with such innocent eyes and asks that, I’m left speechless. I still can't quite read her thoughts.
When I didn't answer, Akane lowered her head and went back to diligently washing my feet.
"No one knows Yeon-woo as well as I do."
Well... in a sense, that’s true. No one else probably knows the color of the underwear I’m wearing today. Not that anyone would bother asking.
"Yeon-woo isn't bad. You're doing this for the Organization."
"It is for the Organization, in its own way... but people usually have different goals in these situations. The 'right' answer can change depending on the direction you're heading. Like Akito."
"Akito is annoying."
Wait, what? Aren't you his heroine?
As she washed my feet, Akane calmly recounted what had happened with Akito. Her unique, fragmented way of speaking made it a bit confusing, but to summarize... Akito had been constantly following her around, trying to woo her.
It wasn't exactly sudden—Akito has always been a womanizer, so it’s typical of him. But Akane found him annoying and avoided him, and even though she made her dislike clear, he kept obsessing over her?
It was quite fresh to hear that Akito—the "Gentleman among Gentlemen" and the "King of Simps" when it comes to women—kept pursuing her even after she explicitly said no.
She also mentioned that Akito only brought me along to the Organization because Fable wanted it; he hadn't given Akane a second thought.
While telling these stories about Akito, Akane, who had kept her head down for a long time, finally looked up at me.
"Yeon-woo was honest with me from the start."
I only told you I was a Guardian of the Source because I was trying to clear your route...
Thinking back to our first meeting made me feel a bit guilty. Akane gave me a small smile as she saw my awkward expression.
Ah.
That’s a smile that only appears a few times in the entire game. Since she was a girl who always blew bubblegum with a blank expression, seeing her smile was incredibly cute.
"... ..."
Our eyes met, and a strange tension filled the air. As I leaned forward, Akane lifted herself up, bringing her face closer to mine.
We were close enough to feel each other's breath. Akane slowly closed her eyes.
Ding-dong—
"Seo Yeon-woo, it’s me. Open up."
Dammit. Randall really is a master at being irritating.
The mood for sex was instantly ruined. I let Randall inside.
"Oh, you have good taste. A foot bath in the living room?"
"... ..."
"Did I have bad timing? Wipe those looks off your faces. You can enjoy yourselves all you want after I leave. It’s still broad daylight, but you two certainly have a lot of stamina. Is it because you're young?"
Randall spoke with a smirk, clearly having read the room. He’s a man I truly want to punch. How did I ever think of partnering with him?
"Why are you here?"
"Why else? I finished everything you asked for, so I came to pick you up. Let’s go crush them."
He’s done already?
Government employees really are efficient. Is it because the Security Bureau is leading the charge? I thought the administrative procedures would take some time, but Randall finished them in a flash and was already pushing to deal with Fable.
"You made sure Akito isn't involved, right?"
"Yes, I even met him in person to have a little 'consultation.'"
"You met him... in person?"
Why would you meet him?
Randall chuckled at my bewildered look.
"Don't you know that guy well? A type like him is bound to stick his nose in. I had to tell him to stay put before he started acting up."
That’s true. I can't deny that. Akito’s meddling and stubbornness are world-class.
Hmm... I guess it doesn't matter? Even if Randall spoke to him rudely, they were always entangled in the game—fighting like bitter rivals while still helping each other save the world. As long as Akito doesn't get hurt in this mess, it’s fine.
"So, Akito agreed to stay out of it?"
"Who knows?"
Hey, if you're going to say that, why did you even meet him? I really want to smack that mouth of his.
Randall continued with a sly grin, as if he enjoyed my expression.
"Think about it. I warned him, but guys like that are so full of themselves that they never listen."
"Then why did you meet him?"
"When I see people acting high and mighty, I just want to torment them. Isn't it thrilling every time you make someone realize how insignificant their position really is?"
"... ..."
"Ah, my mistake. I said my inner thoughts out loud. What I meant was, if I just left him alone, he’d 100% interfere, so I had to try something. I’m only guilty of working hard for your sake."
He certainly has a way with words.
Fine, I expected that Akito wouldn't give up easily. That’s why I asked Randall instead of trying to persuade Akito myself. No matter what that guy tries to pull, I’ll use Randall’s authority to forcibly act as if nothing happened.
Even if Akito is right there, he isn't. No matter what he does, those events don't exist. Fable and the power elite are the only problems; Akito is just an innocent citizen who has nothing to do with any of this.
"Just make sure you do what I asked."
"Yes, that won't be a problem. I’m only bringing agents who are tight-lipped and reliable."
That’s enough. Now, it’s time to make Akane the leader.
Two days later, we gathered at the Organization’s headquarters.
Akane, Park Yu-jeong, Justina, Chika, and the representatives of numerous groups who had supported the Organization under the pretext of backing Akane stood behind me. Along with them were the agents Randall had brought.
"It’s been a while since I’ve worked with the suits."
With Turk and the Greyhound mercenaries present as well, it felt like we were heading off to war. The Organization members guarding the entrance were already visibly trembling at the sight of us.
As I began to walk forward with Akane, the massive crowd followed behind me.
I was prepared to break the door down if they didn't open it, but as we approached, the doors swung open and a handsome man who looked like he could excel at anything stepped out.
"Stop right there."
Seeing Akito showing his resolve to fight to the death, followed by his supporters, I smiled.
Yeah, I knew you’d show up.
It wouldn't be right if you didn't.