Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World
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As I watched Jeong Je-hwa's trembling pupils, I tried my best to stay calm.
But I couldn't help feeling tense.
This was the first time I was revealing my ability to someone else.
Jeong Je-hwa looked greatly shocked.
To him, who couldn't say a word, I got straight to the point.
"I have a request for you, sir. A machine that can measure dark addiction rates."
"A dark addiction scanner."
"If possible, in a form that can be distributed to as many Awakened as possible. I'm sorry for the tricky order, sir."
"Don't say that. Good items deserve to be that way. But... are you sure about this?"
It was a worried question.
"Once the scanners are distributed, everyone will know the true nature of your ability, Nayeo-ju-ssi. Every time you use your skill, the addiction levels will drop visibly for all to see."
"That's true."
Honestly, that part scared me a little.
To become the only person who could solve the Awakened's chronic issues of addiction and rampage.
But everything has its time.
"I wasn't planning to hide it forever anyway."
We needed to push for the widespread distribution of dark addiction scanners as soon as possible.
If everyone knew their own addiction rates, the number of Hunters rampaging in dangerous situations would drop dramatically.
And that would inevitably shake the narrative Sama Young was trying to build, pitting Awakened against non-Awakened.
"Why?"
Jeong Je-hwa asked me.
"Wouldn't it be more comfortable to keep hiding it?"
"That may be true."
"Then why ask me to make the dark addiction scanner?"
The dark addiction scanner was one of the pieces needed to prevent this world's apocalypse.
So I thought about it.
Why had I started moving in the first place?
Various reasons came to mind.
The lottery winnings, the desire to live without vanishing with the world—many things surfaced.
But in the end, only one answer remained.
"Because someone has to do it."
Jeong Je-hwa, who had been silent after my response, soon broke into a faint smile.
And in a calm voice, he said,
"Alright. I'll help you."
A few days later.
Sama Young surveyed the packed press conference hall full of reporters.
Following his red eyes' gaze, flashes from countless cameras erupted.
Every step he took, every gesture of his hand, was captured and recorded by the cameras, but he remained utterly confident.
"Please, have a seat, Seong Rosa Hunter."
He even had the leisure to pull out a chair for Seong Rosa, who entered the hall after him.
As Sama Young took his seat at the center podium with the microphone, the guild masters of Cheongmun and Utopia also finished entering.
The sudden appearance of four top guild masters—all except Camellia Guild—caused a massive stir in the conference hall.
Sama Young waited patiently with a smiling face until the commotion died down.
And when all eyes finally focused on him, his red lips parted.
"Thank you all for coming."
His smooth, low voice filled the hall.
"Today, Sama Guild and a total of 946 other guilds have urgently gathered here to announce our unified stance."
Tadadak—.
Reporters' fingers flew busily over their laptops, jotting down Sama Young's words.
"The Guild Alliance for Coexistence—our provisional name—from this moment forward, will boycott all gate raids."
Chalruruk—!
Another barrage of flashes followed Sama Young's bombshell statement.
"This is a decision for the healthy coexistence of Awakened and non-Awakened. The Guild Alliance for Coexistence condemns the recent irrational blame directed at Awakened and the unilateral legislative plans restricting our lives. As one pillar of this society, we Awakened have the right to the same freedoms as non-Awakened. This boycott is an expression of our will toward that end and by no means a threat to non-Awakened safety."
At the final sentence, reporters quietly exchanged glances with colleagues.
Sama Young's words just moments ago had clearly been a threat.
A threat that non-Awakened would be in danger if they didn't accept their demands.
"The government and National Assembly must immediately halt the ongoing oppression, including restrictions on Awakened residential areas, Awakened tax reforms, and summary execution orders for rampaging Hunters. These are the demands of the Guild Alliance for Coexistence. Furthermore."
His red eyes stared straight into the camera broadcasting the conference live.
"To all the Awakened watching this conference, we ask you to join us in our cause. Thank you."
A heavy silence fell over the vast hall.
But it was short-lived. Sama Young's next words, delivered with a relaxed expression, shattered the impending quiet in an instant.
"I'll take questions now."
That fucking bastard.
Watching the emergency press conference, I ground my teeth.
I'd spared him just before he could fully turn rotten, and this was what he did?
The real-time comment section looked like a bomb had gone off.
On the other hand, reactions in the Hunter community were split almost evenly.
...
...
...
While I monitored public opinion on my phone, the Q&A session continued.
And when a question came for Fantasia, Seong Rosa's face filled the screen.
"Unbelievable."
Sung Yo-na stared at her sister's cold expression on screen with wide, trembling eyes, her face drained of color.
In the end, one reporter covering the conference burst out in frustration.
I hurriedly searched for the Bundang A-rank gate.
"Fantasia's lost their minds."
Less than six hours remained until dungeon break.
If an A-rank dungeon break erupted right in the middle of Pangyo, the casualties would be beyond counting.
The people at the conference reached the same conclusion, as another reporter shouted.
But Seong Rosa's response was ice-cold.
"It's a full-on hostage situation."
One of the guild members watching the broadcast with me muttered.
At that moment, Sama Young—who had been observing the situation like it was someone else's problem—spoke up.
As Sama Young rose to signal the end of the conference after those words, Kang Han beside me also stood.
His face was stonier than I'd ever seen.
I followed silently behind him as he headed for the training ground door without a word.
"Where are you going?"
Lee Yu-eul asked from behind.
I didn't need to ask Kang Han directly to know where he was headed.
"Awakener Association. I'll be back."
As expected, the area in front of the Association was already swarming with crowds.
"Get your act together, Awakener Association!"
"Arrest the Hunters who joined the Alliance!"
"Do something!"
On one side, furious people were yelling with veins bulging in their necks, while Association Hunters, armed head to toe in items, blocked them from entering the building.
Kang Han protected my shoulder to keep me from getting swept in the crowd while effortlessly parting the throng and pushing forward.
As soon as we reached the firmly locked Association doors, one Hunter scowled and shoved Kang Han's shoulder to block us.
"Guild Master Kang Han, what brings you to the Association?"
Kang Han glanced down at the hand on his shoulder, then met the Hunter's eyes before replying.
"I'm here to see the Association President."
"The President is busy right now. Please head back for tod—"
"Hands off. Open the door."
Before long, yellow lightning swirled in Kang Han's green eyes.
"I don't want to hurt any innocent bystanders either."