Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: The Undead Cartel
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American society turned deadly serious in an instant.
Northern Mexico was originally a place where trust in drug cartels exceeded that in the Mexican government.
And the ones who took over that very drug cartel were five mutants harboring intense resentment toward the government.
In particular, bullets had absolutely no effect on the mutants who seized the cartel.
Did that mean other weapons would work? No, they didn’t.
What they had mutated into was none other than... undead.
They were mutants that even ordinary firepower couldn’t bury.
On top of that, they were like the Dullahan featured in novels and media.
Even if you smashed their bodies, they regenerated right away.
You’d need firepower to instantly reduce them to dust, but for some reason, their armor rendered even carpet bombing with U.S. military might completely ineffective.
“...So, they’ve designated it an undead-type mutant. They said to use any means necessary to eliminate it.”
“Any means... you don’t mean nuclear weapons, do you?”
“Probably. If the situation worsens further, it’s not out of the question.”
“Nuclear seems like overkill, doesn’t it? America has plenty of mutants too, right?”
“Well, that doesn’t mean American mutants will step up willingly. The enemy is undead, so it could be tough even for other mutants to handle. Plus, American mutants don’t exactly have great relations with the U.S.”
“...Why’s that?”
“America has rejected mutants. Honestly, if it weren’t for the National Intelligence Service Director, we’d have faced significant public backlash against mutants here too.”
“Ah.”
I’d forgotten.
Overseas reactions to mutants weren’t exactly friendly.
People harmed by mutants harbored hatred, and that hatred got redirected toward innocent mutants. In turn, plenty of mutants ended up hating people because of it.
...Sia was impressive all over again.
Even in that kind of environment, she’d gone all the way to California to fight for mutants.
Or maybe she just liked trees. With Sia’s abilities, she could turn pretty much any mutant into tree fertilizer, so her bold choice made a certain kind of sense.
“Anyway, Sia’s amazing. Negotiating with the California governor to carve out a space for mutants in that environment...”
“It’s thanks to Sia earning trust from everyone around her in all sorts of ways. In any case... that’s the issue. We have to take down that undead-type mutant using any non-nuclear means. But with other American mutants refusing to help, they’re hitting a wall.”
“Man... it kinda feels like they’re reaping what they sowed.”
“Exactly. From what I hear, that mutant fled to Mexico after American society rejected it post-mutation.”
“So, five Dullahans then?”
“No. You know how undead in online games always make you think of certain iconic types? These guys are on that level. A lich, Dullahans... that’s what they’re saying.”
A lich? You mean that lich?
The kind that summons corpses and wields black magic... something like that?
Good lord.
“What’s a lich?”
“They manipulate corpses. Turns out the subjugation team members who died all became puppets dancing to the lich’s tune.”
“...Isn’t the scale exploding out of nowhere? What’s the Mexican government doing?”
This had to be the biggest incident since mutants first appeared.
From the Deputy Director’s account, it sounded like war between mutants and America—or more precisely, Mexico and America—was imminent.
But would Mexico just sit there?
They knew better than anyone that going to war with the U.S. was suicide.
“The situation’s already spiraled beyond the Mexican government’s control. Northern Mexico was already reliant on that mutant-occupied drug cartel just to function.”
“Ah, right...”
“Well, Mexico’s got issues galore anyway. Mix in the mutant problem, and boom—it all blew up.”
“What’s America planning? If they botch another subjugation team, it’ll be chaos. Honestly, mutants on the level you described might be too much even for other mutants.”
“Well... officially, they’re saying they’ll handle it internally.”
Officially? So... something was brewing under the surface.
Ah, was that why the Deputy Director brought this straight to me today?
“Officially? So you raising this now means...”
“Yes. The U.S. military secretly requested assistance from the Mutant Crime Management Bureau. Truth is, we don’t have time to sit here cracking jokes.”
“As expected.”
“The whole world saw the Director’s true form, after all. Even proud America must realize it’s a pipe dream to handle undead that manipulate corpses and lead an army of them across into San Diego.”
“What’s the civilian damage like?”
“Not too severe yet. They crossed the border just today, apparently. But... if they’re left unchecked, it could spread fast. It’s an army of the dead, after all. They might just slaughter anyone in sight.”
“...What kind of lunatics are siding with that?”
“Well, they were mafia from the start. You can’t expect normal thinking from people like that.”
It was horrifying on every level. This wasn’t your run-of-the-mill crisis.
An army of the dead. The scale felt utterly insane all of a sudden.
Just days ago, I’d been celebrating the end of midterms. Not the time for that now.
“So, what’s the Director’s plan? Help America?”
“Is the decision really mine?”
“Yes.”
“Eh?”
This threw me for a loop. Wasn’t I technically a civil servant?
Something like this was up to my discretion?
“I didn’t hear that wrong, did I?”
“The discretion rests entirely with you, Director. If you don’t want to, there’s nothing we can do. Forgot? No one in this country can control the Director. All we can do is ask.”
“Aha...”
Fair enough... I had said at the press conference that I’d raise hell if anyone tried bossing me around arbitrarily. The higher-ups must be steering clear.
“Then, mind telling me what we gain if I help America?”
“It puts America in our debt, so Korea benefits across the board. Bonus: it might shift mutant perceptions in the U.S. a little.”
“Doubt stepping out changes much there. The cycle of hate’s already in motion.”
“Haha... fair point, but America’s the kind of place that goes nuts for heroes.”
Heroes. Talk about random. Was he saying I should play the hero now?
“You want me to act like some hero?”
“You’ve been doing hero work just fine in Korea...”
“Ah.”
Now that I thought about it, yeah...
“So, what’ll it be? If it’s too much, say no. No fallout. America would get it.”
“Why?”
“The top brass made it clear they can’t just order the Director around. Still... I’d really appreciate it if you helped America. Allies, after all.”
“Hmm... yeah. The Korea-U.S. alliance isn’t a one-way shield for us.”
“As expected from someone who’s done military service—you get it right away. That’s part of the upside for Korea I mentioned earlier. Remember what the U.S. President said recently? ‘Korea-U.S. alliance, but why’s America always taking the hit?’ Something like that.”
“I saw it. So helping shuts that noise down at minimum?”
“Exactly. And it lets you push some of your goals too. Not every mutant in the world is bad.”
“True.”
I mulled it over. Sounded like a good deed overall.
Best part: shining there would help Sia in tons of ways.
Kill two birds—meet Sia while I’m at it. Not a bad deal.
If it benefits the nation too... as a taxpayer-funded type, isn’t it my job?
What I liked most: the country acknowledging my autonomy.
I’d figured they’d command me to go. Didn’t expect actual respect for my say.
Even after my threats, this level of deference was unexpected.
No hesitation, then.
Undead? Could be threatening, sure. But honestly? Not sweating it.
Just crush the corpses and torch ’em.
No long deliberation.
“I’ll go. How about now?”
“Private jet on standby... you good?”
“Nah, no need. If I’m intervening, gotta get there fast, right?”
“Uh, you don’t mean...”
“Yeah. Flying straight from here. Make sure the top knows?”
“...Got it. Take care out there.”
“Will be fine. Wrap it quick, then drop by to see Sia.”
“Then we’ll trail behind, just in case. Might be messy handling the aftermath solo.”
“Prep ahead, take your time coming.”
“Ah, notifying the U.S. side first. Dragon-type mutant en route. Can’t have flight mix-ups.”
“Got it.”
With that, I stepped out of National Intelligence Service headquarters. Spread my wings and soared into the sky.
Higher. Higher still.
Vrooom-!
At a good altitude, I shed my human form and reverted to my true self.
The world shrank below, power surging through me.
Sensations human form couldn’t touch—all flooded in.
At the same time, something irritating pulsed from afar.
That had to be the undead energy.
Follow it, and I’d find them for sure.
Wings spread wide, I accelerated.