Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Seraphim's Dilemma
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Despite learning this staggering truth, my daily routine remained unchanged.
“Director? The mutant registration numbers have all been issued.”
“Ah, thank you for your hard work. So now we have full identification and location tracking on every mutant in the country?”
“Yes.”
Thanks to the capable agents from the Mutant Management Bureau, the complicated tasks had finally been wrapped up to a certain extent.
They really did send only the best people, just as promised.
The bureau relocation was also progressing smoothly, so we were now commuting separately to the Mutant Management Bureau instead of the National Intelligence Service building.
In any case, people had adapted remarkably quickly considering the mutations had happened so suddenly.
With no mutants causing trouble and proper care in place, our country had the lowest incident rate involving mutants anywhere in the world.
...When I thought about it, wasn’t that obvious?
I’d step in personally to stop anyone who caused problems, so no one dared act out.
Mutants had stopped running wild ever since my full capabilities were made public.
A fragile peace held steady, and public perception of mutants wasn’t all that bad.
Above all, many people had friends or acquaintances who’d mutated, which led to more folks defending those close to them.
Even those who’d disliked mutants before couldn’t bring themselves to hate their own loved ones.
In any event, with this major workload finally done, the bureau agents let out sighs of relief.
Yeon-hwa unnie and Ha-rin, who’d suffered the most through it all, looked like their souls had fled as they slumped into their chairs.
“......Huaaah. It’s finally over......”
The four of us—including the Deputy Director—had borne the brunt before reinforcements arrived, so their joy was understandable.
With the big tasks cleared, we were back to punching the clock for our salaries.
Yeon-hwa unnie turned into a bat and dozed off in a cozy spot, while Ha-rin donned an eye mask and reclined her chair as far as it would go.
I wondered if that was okay, but given how much they’d endured...
* * *
Tae-hoon finished her classes at action school.
One might question what kind of action school it was, but... her initiative was impressive.
Acting in movies?
The film industry quietly welcomed mutants.
They saved on CG costs, and as stunt performers, none were better suited.
Of course, only proven mutants who could control their strength.
Mutants working as actors wasn’t uncommon.
Tae-hoon figured there was no reason she couldn’t be one.
Especially in action genres—none matched her.
Oni-type mutant. Skilled with swords and fire.
Her mask was striking too, so with decent acting chops, she could land any role, big or small.
Acting relied on talent, but Tae-hoon wasn’t worried.
She could train at action school, build connections, and start with bit parts or stunts.
If push came to shove, she could ask Seo-hyun to pull strings at the bureau.
Better than graduating Korean Studies with no prospects—this gave her a path forward.
...Though being male would’ve been preferable.
Her plans for the future were progressing steadily.
But she had her worries too.
Her best friend Yoo Han-gyeol, holed up in her room.
She messaged Han-gyeol directly.
[Han Tae-hoon: Hey, what’re you doing? Still locked in your room?]
[Yoo Han-gyeol: I can’t go out;;]
[Han Tae-hoon: Why? You can hide your wings, right?]
[Yoo Han-gyeol: This damn halo won’t hide......]
[Han Tae-hoon: Oh yeah, you can swear in chats?]
[Yoo Han-gyeol: Only when speaking does the auto-filter kick in.]
[Han Tae-hoon: Ah lol]
[Yoo Han-gyeol: So what’s up?]
[Han Tae-hoon: Nothing much, wanna go for a walk?]
[Yoo Han-gyeol: Walk my ass......]
Han-gyeol had become a total shut-in.
As a devout believer before mutating, she knew exactly what would happen if she stepped outside.
[Han Tae-hoon: If it’s that bad, ask Seo-hyun for help.]
[Yoo Han-gyeol: Help with what?]
[Han Tae-hoon: Get you into the bureau and ban religious visitors.]
[Yoo Han-gyeol: That won’t fly.]
Han-gyeol was certain.
The moment her identity leaked, religious groups worldwide would pressure the bureau to hand her over.
Seo-hyun meant little to them.
With a real angel proving God’s existence, who’d fear a mere dragon?
They might make her the Vatican’s mascot, like Seo-hyun was for the bureau.
Oh, the horror.
She recalled the recent conclave.
Didn’t the newly elected popes all complain of the terror?
If popes felt that way, she might too.
At best, they’d accommodate her as God’s angel...
Who knew.
Pessimism clouded her hopeful thoughts.
‘......I wanna blow a horn.’
She didn’t have one, of course.
She just felt like it.
Her parents worried too.
Their once cheerful daughter had turned into a shut-in overnight, and as lifelong believers, they knew why.
Then her smartphone lit up.
A message.
‘Tae-hoon again?’
She tapped it, but it was from Seo-hyun.
‘What now?’
Not a text—a call.
“What is it?”
-Come out. Let’s figure out a plan.
“I told you, I can’t go out.”
-Why not? I’ll disguise you. Forgot I can use magic?
“Oh.”
* * *
So Han-gyeol was at the bureau now.
“Your worry is not knowing how the Vatican will react?”
“......Yeah. You know how religious folks go nuts over angels or the Lord. This’ll be the same.”
Fair point.
Catholics and Protestants worldwide would riot just to see her once.
“So, what kind of angel are you?”
“Seraphim.”
“......Seraphim? Like, those chief angels?”
“Yeah. Some say the four archangels or just Michael, but it’s definitely a high rank among angels.”
“Ooh... You got a horn or something?”
“Nope.”
“Bummer.”
“And even if I did, would I blow it?”
“True. But seeing that stuff, doesn’t it mean Jesus is real too?”
“He is.”
“......He is?”
“Yeah. Heaven too. I can feel their existence. Didn’t at first...... but being cooped up lately, I started sensing it.”
Here’s what Han-gyeol said.
At first, realizing she was a Seraphim, she wondered if other angels existed.
But fully awakening as a mutant in her room made Heaven’s presence clear.
......That was huge.
What I’d seen were dragon memories.
Sure, Paradise in those memories featured Earth’s myths and legends, but that didn’t prove Heaven.
Heaven’s existence was something even I couldn’t confirm.
Yet the angel Han-gyeol said it did.
“Then you can go to Heaven? Kinda curious.”
“Not yet. There’s some...... barrier? But it’s thinning, so maybe soon.”
“......Fantasy’s invading daily life, and now Heaven shows up.”
“Hell too.”
“Figured with demon-type mutants...... but it’s real?”
“Like Dante’s Inferno. Exactly.”
“O. But if Heaven or Hell’s gates open, won’t that cause disasters?”
Han-gyeol shook her head at my question.
She gazed afar and said,
“Heaven and Hell aren’t for ordinary people. Only the dead, or transcendent spiritual beings. Like...... you.”
“......Me?”
I startled as she pointed at me. Why me all of a sudden?
“Honestly, are you just a dragon? Doesn’t feel like a normal one.”
“How’d you know?”
“Just a feeling. Nothing divine would scare me otherwise. But seeing you, it’s like my soul’s crushed by something overwhelming—more than the Yoon Seo-hyun I knew......”
Han-gyeol had grasped my essence more accurately than I expected.
“You see right through me.”
“Did you know, Seo-hyun?”
“Had a dream recently, so I know roughly what I mutated into.”
“......I see.”
“So nothing for me to worry about then?”
“Yeah. Even if Heaven and Hell go public and I can return, ordinary people can’t go. It’s the Lord’s rule. Daily life might shift subtly—people realizing those vague faiths and fantasies are real.”
I nodded at Han-gyeol’s words.
At least no angels or demons rampaging—that was a relief.
“But what about you or that demon from before?”
“We’re like heralds. The Lord doesn’t want worldly chaos.”
“So what now?”
“......No idea.”
Han-gyeol sighed.
I made a suggestion.
“How about this?”
“What?”
“Go straight to the Vatican. Announce it: the Lord’s messenger has come.”
“You nuts? I’d be their mascot for sure.”
“Add the Lord’s word: restrict her actions, and face divine punishment.”
“......Tell me more.”
“Just like I did—cause a scene. So no one dares touch you.”
“But arbitrarily adding the Lord’s words...... Huh?”
She froze.
“What?”
“......It’s okay. My mutation was His will, sent to quell human chaos a bit.”
Did she just hear God’s voice?
I could only gape in disbelief.