Chapter 18

EP 5 - The Hunters (2)

"Miss Pi Chae-won. I heard there are a lot of people in Apgujeong."

So I was thinking of casting a Fire Mage.

"I plan to go to Seoul to help those people."

And while I'm at it, I'll gain some recognition.

"Do you think you can make it back safely?"

It should be fine, right?

Pi Chae-won lay in bed, staring at me with a blank expression for a long time. The girl murmured softly.

"Even if I tell you not to go, you won't listen, will you?"

* * *

"......So you're saying you want to enter Apgujeong?"

"Yes."

Cha Jae-gyun's cold gaze. And the subsequent interrogation.

"I think an explanation is needed."

I don't want the Fire Mages to be taken away.

"We need to give the people confidence."

Standing next to Yang Pan-seok, I learned many things. First, just by adding 'the people' to anything, you can get half of it done.

"The people are afraid."

I continued with a solemn expression.

"Millions have died. It means every citizen has lost at least one acquaintance. Yet, thousands are still alive in Apgujeong. How do you think the people feel?"

Cha Jae-gyun, as always, maintained a calm expression and remained silent. I lowered my voice with a heavy heart.

"Every citizen will hope that their family is among those thousands. And they will wish for the state to rescue them. My going there is a symbol. It shows that the state has not abandoned them-"

"I understand your noble intentions."

"What if Han Seung-moon is there at the scene of history?"

"Indeed......"

Cha Jae-gyun shook his head with a look of exasperation. He looked at me with a disgusted expression, but also with admiration.

"In my 38 years of public service, I've met many politicians, but this is the first time I've seen a first-term representative like this."

"It's just my concern for the people."

Of course, the real reason was to recruit psychics. The first smokescreen to hide this was political ambition.

Politicians usually have other reasons for their actions.

"First-term representatives are always hungry for attention."

"Are you saying you're willing to risk your life? I can't allow that. The military will handle the rescue operation."

"......I know this isn't right! Me too!"

The second smokescreen, loyalty.

"......There's a guy named Kang Seok-ho. I saw his face on the news, thinking he was dead."

"......"

"He was a friend I used to drink with since my days as a lackey in the National Assembly. Like me, he lost his parents and struggled to raise his four younger siblings."

I bowed my head with trembling eyes.

"......When I fled Seoul, I left him behind."

"......"

"I want to go and apologize to him. Minister Cha."

I smiled weakly from my wheelchair.

"Please, send me there."

Translation: If you don't send me after I've humiliated myself this much, I won't work with you.

I can't let the Fire Mages be taken away.

*

"Are you crazy?"

"Why does everyone keep calling me crazy these days?"

"Seoul? Se-oul? Y-ou...! Crazy bastard...!"

Yeo Do-yeon threw a pillow at me. She already looked angry.

"Anyway, you can't go!"

"Ah, it's just a helicopter ride. Just send me."

"Are you trying to die? Huh!? Do you want me to finish you off myself before a monster gets you?"

"Ah! Why are you so dramatic!"

It was a bit too dramatic, but I couldn't back down on this.

To break free from being Yang Pan-seok's puppet and establish myself politically as Han Seung-moon, I can't miss this opportunity.

Apgujeong, where the whole nation is watching.

The Fire Mages, who must not be taken away.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I can't afford to miss.

I've come this far. My judgment tells me this is the moment.

"I've always pushed. That's why I got the badge."

"What?"

I shot back at Yeo Do-yeon, who looked flustered.

"When an opportunity comes, it's a fool who lets it go."

"Right, a fool."

Hmm. This was a calculated line.

"......Anyway, I have to go to Seoul myself."

"Keep showing off and you'll really die?"

"To wear a badge and do politics, you have to put your neck on the line. If you keep hiding, you won't get anything done."

"Ha! You...!"

Yeo Do-yeon pointed at me, warning me.

"Are you willing to risk your life for power now?"

"Who's risking their life?"

I pushed her finger away from my forehead and said calmly.

"Ten transport helicopters. Seven attack helicopters. Even Apaches."

"......What?"

"Ten transport helicopters that can carry 50 people each, and seven attack helicopters that can destroy an entire village on their own."

The rescue plan for Apgujeong, established by Cha Jae-gyun, was simple.

Helicopters capable of carrying 55 people would be deployed in rotation to rescue citizens, with seven attack helicopters providing cover.

It's a waste of resources. With the oil supply from the Middle East cut off, there's no way we have an excess of aviation fuel. Even the U.S. military helicopters were borrowed.

However,

"Our late leader blocked all the airports."

Gimpo, Incheon, Yangyang, Jeju. Daegu, Cheongju.

In the early stages of the crisis, the president blocked all airports to prevent any tycoons from fleeing with their money. Then he died.

As a result, the airports were under military control, and our military commander, Cha Jae-gyun, requisitioned all the aviation fuel from domestic airlines.

"Well, it's a good thing we have some oil, as South Korea is an oil refining and exporting country..."

Without oil, the tanks wouldn't have been able to move, and it would have been a disaster. Fortunately, South Korea isn't that vulnerable. We have a large stockpile of war reserves.

"It's a waste of resources, but Apgujeong has significant political meaning. That's why Minister Cha made a big decision......"

We must seize the opportunity when the tide is in our favor.

I bit my nails nervously.

"This is a golden opportunity. Really. Do you understand?"

"......Hey."

Yeo Do-yeon sat down in a chair, looking exhausted.

"I don't get what you're saying. Can't you just not go to dangerous places? Do you really have to-"

"Sis."

If I didn't go to dangerous places,

kept my mouth shut,

lived an ordinary life,

got married, had kids,

and died of old age.

"Then I wouldn't have gotten into politics in the first place."

I, despite appearances, am an ambitious person.

*

"......Can't I go too?"

"Huh? Where?"

I instinctively tried to dodge, but Gangeun, with his round glasses, smiled faintly.

"I heard you're going to Apgujeong."

"No, how can you, anyway! Are you in your right mind?"

I can go, but you can't.

"Representative! Please, just once. It's not that dangerous, right!"

Why is this guy suddenly acting like this? Has his journalistic spirit finally exploded?

"Hey, why are you suddenly like this!"

"Does a journalist need a reason to go to the scene?"

A guy who usually lives a comfortable life suddenly acting tough. Is he blinded by the prospect of a scoop? If he wanted to be a war correspondent, he should have done it earlier.

Or is he one of those people who thinks the death of one South Korean is more important than the 241 who died in the South Sudan civil war?

He must be more idealistic than I thought. Maybe he smelled something fishy in Apgujeong.

"Let go of that!"

"Representative!"

Tsk. I heard a tongue click from beside me.

"Ji-yoon."

"Yah!"

- Thud!

Gangeun, who was flung into the air, flew off somewhere and was sealed in a blanket on the bed.

Cheon Hwaram and Gan Ji-yoon, who had quickly subdued Gangeun, entered proudly and said to me.

"It seems he's recovering, so his original personality is coming back."

"......Was he always like this?"

"He's a shameless person......"

Gan Ji-yoon, sitting on her father's rolled-up body, was bouncing up and down, chopping him into pieces.

I realized the weight of a father. Since the child is 7 years old, he probably weighs about 15 kg. Parents have to endure a 15 kg weight bouncing on their body.

Cheon Hwaram smiled calmly.

"We'll keep him here, so go ahead. He almost held you back from your big plans."

Speaking of which, Yeo Do-yeon tried to stop me from going, while Cheon Hwaram tried to stop Gangeun and told me to go.

Irony.

*

- Ah. Osprey, Osprey 5008. Helicopter 4 is ready for takeoff. Affirmative. There's a bit of strong wind. Just a moment.

The helicopter's takeoff is slightly delayed. I fidgeted with the loose joint of my prosthetic leg to calm my nerves.

What if a monster jumps out from the sky? It's a bit scary. On the other hand, I'm a bit worried about bringing Yeo Do-yeon.

I can't drag my family into my personal ambitions. I know this is dangerous.

Still, what can I do? People can't live by doing only what they want.

-Osprey 5008. Good to go. Roger. ......Huh? Oh.

The helicopter's engine, which was about to take off, calmed down again. Someone is running from far away.

Not a normal person's speed-

- Thud!

"Ah!"

"Okay! Sir, let's go!"

Yeo Do-yeon, who had been running at full speed from far away, shouted as she tackled me.

The pilot, glancing back, snapped his wrist and flipped three switches on the instrument panel. Impressive.

"Ah, damn... Why are you here."

"Why would I be here?"

I didn't want to go with her, but I was worried, so I followed. She even went to the control room to get permission.

Yeo Do-yeon, looking comfortable, was fastening her seatbelt in the helicopter. I spoke in a flat tone.

"Are you really going?"

"What-!?"

"Put on the headphones and talk."

Yeo Do-yeon took the headphones from a soldier. As soon as the communication was connected, she started arguing with me.

"You just cursed me."

"Stop talking nonsense and tell me if you're really going."

"You said I'd be safe."

"Do you believe that?"

She raised her middle finger and smiled, which was answer enough.

-Osprey. Osprey 5008. Helicopter 4 is ready for takeoff. Roger. Wilco. Osprey, out.

The helicopter soared into the sky over Seoul.

*

"Alright, basically. Ten transport helicopters will take turns flying 50 people at a time from Apgujeong to Namyangju."

"How many people are there-!"

"Adjust the volume on your headphones. Anyway, the exact number of people is still unknown."

"Then how long will this take-!"

"I don't know. Best case, half a day. Worst case, much longer."

"What do we have to do-!"

"Stay until all the citizens are on the helicopters. Give them confidence. And while we're at it, apologize to Seok-ho."

And recruit our cute Fire Mages.

Get some media exposure on live national broadcasts.

Before Yang Pan-seok's puppet gets criticized.

Yeo Do-yeon crossed her arms and legs, looking uneasy. I finally had the leisure to look outside the helicopter.

Smoke rises from the city.

Far away, a high-rise building, built to show off wealth, is spewing black smoke like a burning tree.

The pieces of people visible on the street. The blood, which had spread red, has turned black.

Actually, human corpses don't feel that cruel. When they're scattered, you can't even tell they're human.

It's just, so pitiful.

People who lived their lives with families, power, money, dreams, and other things. Lying on the street, giving their bodies to maggots.

How did the world come to this?

No.

The world was always like this.

Kashmir. Middle East. South Sudan. Balkans. South Ossetia. Moldova. Slums. Mexican cartels. North Korea.

It was always like this.

But.

"Are you just realizing this now......"

-Ah. Osprey. 5008. What's going on? Over. ...What the hell?

The pilot cursed in a dazed voice as the aircraft shook violently.

It's a strong wind. If I didn't have a seatbelt, I would have fallen to the helicopter floor-

- - - !

A terrifying screech echoed. A scream that seemed to tear the air.

The pilot almost crashed the helicopter by diving towards the ground. I felt a weightless sensation.

Then, something passed over the helicopter from behind.

The air was torn, and the aircraft shook violently.

And it started spinning as if it were about to crash.

"Damn-!"

The pilot cursed and manipulated the controls. The aircraft finally stabilized somewhat.

A soldier asked the pilot.

"Captain Park! What happened!"

"Son of a...! The tail fin is gone!"

"What, what!?"

"The tail fin is damaged, you bastard!"

Looking closely, the pilot was not driving but maintaining balance.

In other words, the helicopter was damaged to the point where it would crash if the controls were let go.

I confirmed where the monster that had just passed over us was.

I could only see large bat wings, but it was clearly circling and coming back towards us.

The pilot instantly turned the helicopter to the side. As my body leaned to one side, we spun and headed towards the lower left.

"Jump-!"

The helicopter stopped in mid-air. Of course, it was still shaking, but the pilot was skillfully balancing the controls.

Where are we now?

Looking out the window, I saw the rooftop of a high-rise building directly below. It's high, but not high enough to kill us if we fall.

A soldier who cursed loudly opened the door and jumped out. He didn't land on the rooftop but fell to his death.

As soon as I unbuckled my seatbelt, Yeo Do-yeon picked me up and jumped.

I closed my eyes. The wind messed up my hair. The only sound I could hear was the helicopter engine.

With a strong impact, we tumbled a few times.

My ears were ringing, and my vision was blurry. I barely managed to get up and saw a few soldiers jump from the helicopter onto the rooftop.

One of them fell to the ground like the previous soldier, but most of them landed safely on the rooftop.

Now, the pilot's fate was clear.

The monster returned and collided with the helicopter.

- - -!!!

A loud explosion and flames filled the sky. A few propeller fragments flew past us, but fortunately, no one was injured.

I looked up at the cloudy sky.

A gate had appeared in the sky where we had just been.

Feeling a sense of resignation, I was dragged away by Yeo Do-yeon, who hit the back of my head.

"......Damn it."

The world doesn't always go as we wish.

The gamble failed.