Chapter 50

EP 9 - Jininsa Daecheongmyeong (盡人事待天命) (6)

"The principle of 'Awakening' has been roughly clarified. Humans adapt to magic power, and during this process, changes in cell structure occur.

The researchers from the Pentagon that you connected me with last time had similar thoughts. They mentioned mutants first, yes, that is, sudden mutations.

People who have evolved to handle magic power that has crossed through the gate, those are the Awakened.

To sum it up, this drug is one that promotes mutation. It absolutely does not create abilities.

Normally, people who are suited to it and are exposed to magic power for a long time awaken.

So... in the case of this, this Awakening Promoter? It spreads magic power throughout the body instantly to promote cell mutation.

It doesn't directly change cells; it just spreads magic power to induce cell mutation."

- Clap!

Chun Hwara clapped lightly and smiled faintly, with an expression that said, "Isn't it simple?"

"Did you understand?"

"No."

* * *

Chun Hwara stroked her smooth chin for a moment, then raised her index finger and waved it in the air, continuing her explanation.

"People who fall into water grow gills.

But this drug doesn't create gills;

it puts you in water to make gills grow."

"I understand now."

"Wasn't that a good analogy?"

"You sound like a kindergarten teacher."

"I have four kids, you know."

Chun Hwara shrugged nonchalantly and perched on the lab table. I stroked the handle of my hiking stick and played along with her joke. Her husband is included in the kid count.

"You're too big to be a kid, Mr. Gaminja."

"You seem curious about everything, like a kid... Oh, where was I?"

"Gills."

Chun Hwara carefully lifted the Awakening Promoter. The drug, made from hundreds of people, glowed faintly with a blue fluorescence.

"This is... the drug that puts you in water to make gills grow, right?"

"Yes."

"The gills might grow on your arm or back."

"Are you saying the abilities awaken randomly?"

"That would be a gentleman. You've seen the test subjects. They lost their minds and became half-monsters, rampaging wildly."

"......So this drug doesn't create Awakened, but monsters?"

"What's the difference between an Awakened and a monster?"

"Consciousness?"

"Then, what's the difference between a drug that creates conscious monsters and one that creates Awakened?"

"Let's talk about that later."

There's no time for idle talk. I frowned and looked at the faintly glowing flask. "......So, if I take this, will I lose my mind?"

"No, that part is stable. Relatively."

"Then what's the problem?"

Chun Hwara smiled bitterly and began her explanation.

"There's a part of DNA called telomeres. As cell division continues, they shorten-"

"Can you explain it a bit more simply?"

"Cells divide a fixed number of times.

When that number decreases, we say we're aging.

But if you suddenly awaken and grow a third arm, for example,

that arm also grows through cell division, so naturally-"

"More simply."

"You age faster."

Damn.

"Does this happen to people who awaken normally too?"

"No."

"Then why does it only happen to people who awaken through the drug?"

"I don't know."

I felt like screaming.

"AAAH!"

I pressed my temples and slumped into a chair.

"Is this really unusable?"

"......There's the lifespan issue. Even if it's stabilized initially, it's uncertain whether you'll really retain your sanity. It's questionable whether it will awaken you in a useful way. There's a risk of death during awakening. You might not be able to control your superpowers-"

"Made by killing hundreds of people?"

"......"

Chun Hwara muttered, as if to comfort me.

"Without knowing the principle, there's nothing we can do-"

Shit. I can't stop here. I lifted my head with bloodshot eyes. Chun Hwara flinched, perhaps sensing the half-mad look in my eyes.

"......Right. Minister Cha Jae-geun couldn't deduce it, so he solved it through induction, right?"

[He didn't know the principle, but he just injected the needle and worked hard to solve it, didn't he?]

"Ugh, Doctor...?"

I stared at Chun Hwara in silence for a long time. She swallowed nervously.

"Dr. Chun. Do you remember the ability test I did with Ji-yoon?"

"......At the martial law headquarters?"

"Ji-yoon said that when she was with my sister, I also appeared blue. But when she was separated, I didn't appear blue.

Doesn't that mean I'm just a normal person if I'm not in contact with a superpowered individual? There's no magic power in my body."

"......No, that's-"

"I tested something when we escaped on the Shinbundang Line."

"......No, no. That doesn't seem right."

"If I'm in contact with more than two superpowered individuals, the later one's effect applies."

"Doctor, I can't do that."

"......If I awaken my ability through the drug and then make contact with Dr. Chun, won't the drug's effect be canceled?"

"Doctor!"

In other words, infinite biological experiments are possible.

"......Let's try it once."

We confirmed for the first time that day that this method worked.

And we conducted it 231 times over half a year.

We finally completed it.

*

[There are three conditions to becoming a hero.]

"I thwarted Cha Jae-geun's plot and obtained the monsterization potion he completed. Although I suffered from the terrorism of his remnants, I was able to secretly modify the monsterization potion and develop a drug to create Awakened."

[Achievement]

"I conducted 231 biological experiments on myself. Although my telomeres wore down and my lifespan was significantly shortened, I successfully created an improved drug."

[Sacrifice]

"Of course, with only me as the sample, I cannot definitively say the drug is perfect. It is stable, but side effects have not been completely eliminated, and a shortened lifespan is certain. However, this is the best for South Korea."

[Vision]

"Ladies and gentlemen, please take this drug."

[Bowing to the audience, I am making a recruitment ad for the entire nation.]

"5.26 million people have died. They are not just numbers."

[Raising awareness of the crisis]

"The politicians of this country, in their collusion and division, have failed to protect the people."

[Provoking anger]

"The world is on the brink of destruction."

[Recognizing the blood.]

"If it weren't for the sacrifices of the national army, we would have been giving our bodies to the monsters."

[This is not just an emotion stirred by a few words.]

"There is a promised destruction. The sea routes are blocked, and our resources are not infinite."

[All the plots so far are to incite as many people as possible at this moment.]

"And we don't know how to close the gate."

[I am]

"The moment we run out of ammunition or oil, South Korea will fall."

[Relaying Cha Jae-geun's prophecy.]

"Fundamental reform of the national defense system is necessary."

[Stimulating fear to demand change]

"Only superpowered individuals can stop the monsters."

[Infinite enemies, limited resources.]

"We need more superhumans, and we have a drug that can awaken them at the cost of lifespan."

[We need to use human resources, not material resources.]

"......I hereby request the blood, tears, and suffering of the people."

[Only I can demand such sacrifices from the people.]

"I have nothing to offer. I can only ask for your sacrifice for the country."

[The current situation gives credibility to my argument.] "This is what the politicians of this country, fearing a drop in approval ratings, have not dared to say until now."

[Having laid a plausible foundation, I introduce a new card.]

"......Ladies and gentlemen, please look at this."

[Revealing all the hidden magestone technology.]

"These are the results of secret research at the Foundation's laboratory."

[Reviving the economy.]

"And this part is the basic method for creating a magic power treatment."

[Luring companies.]

"This is a potion that drastically enhances human recovery through magic power."

[Look at this.]

"Injuries and illnesses heal, but the natural recovery ability of humans is consumed, and lifespan is reduced accordingly."

[Doesn't it seem profitable?]

"This is the current situation."

[The demand for magestones will skyrocket.]

"We must sacrifice our lifespan to secure survival."

[Magestones will be money.]

"I humbly request the people to sacrifice for the country."

[Homeless, family-less people, refugees in the capital region, and countless orphans and unclaimed individuals will be desperate to become Awakened.]

"Please, sacrifice for the country."

[With such a plausible reason, why hesitate?]

"I also request the cooperation of companies and the government. We must unite to overcome the national crisis."

[Development is usually done through a free market economy.]

"......I humbly request your cooperation."

[By now, Hong Seon-ah has resigned from David Kim and will establish a private PMC with the help of Kim Geun-soon. Whether it's a Hunter Association or something else.]

"......For a free, just South Korea, and"

[The GS Group signed a magestone business deal with the Han Seung-moon Foundation just before it was investigated by the prosecution. She has all the magestones. She will release the many magestones collected over half a year into the market, forming a relatively stable and nutritious market. Geun-soon is not someone who doesn't know she'll be shot if she monopolizes. She'll eat her fill.]

"For the endless glory of the people."

[Reviving the separation of powers to make the rigid country flow.]

"I will conclude this shameful speech."

[Using all the chaos and fear that arise in the process as the driving force for national reform.]

"That is all."

[The era of Hunters will begin.]

"......I will accept questions."

[Go in peace, Minister.]

Han Seung-moon was instantly surrounded by reporters. He elaborated on his speech and the South Korea he envisioned, dabbing his moist eyes with a handkerchief.

"......"

However,

Bae Chae-won heard a slightly different speech from a distance in a corner.

The girl silently watched the politician.

Fear, death, chaos.

And stability and reform.

The girl looked at the ground, bowing her head.

He had succeeded, and she had not. The desire to create a better world was also in her. But she had not succeeded.

Suddenly, the black eyes of the experimental subject she had shared hardships with came to mind. The poignant smile trying to endure the pain, the yellowish tears, and the scattered brain fluid.

The world was truly cold. So the girl cried.

She was sorry for the experimental subject who was shot dead, and she felt sorry for the agent who committed suicide after shooting the subject. She hated a world built on someone's sacrifice and hated herself for just watching.

Because she couldn't come up with an alternative. Because she couldn't confidently say that this was wrong. Because she couldn't say what she disliked.

The girl sat alone among the empty chairs, sobbing.

*

The prosecutor charged me with treason. The country had been turned upside down, but they were the ones who handled the law.

I stood before the full bench of the Supreme Court, which included the Chief Justice and 14 justices, for my trial.

And.

"Judgment! I give up!"

The Chief Justice threw the gavel. Seeing him throw away something he didn't even use in front of the camera, I thought he would make a good politician.

The justices jumped up from their seats as if they had been waiting for it.

......This is a judicial crisis.

To witness something that had happened less than ten times in South Korean history.

In fact, I was prepared to go to jail. I was sure I would be released on a special pardon on March 1st after just having my right to be elected revoked.

Even if I was kicked out of politics, the National Party wouldn't fall. I was enough as a spiritual symbol and a political weapon to cause division in politics.

The country will run well even without me.

But.

"The judiciary is not a rubber stamp."

"How can a member of parliament call the Chief Justice to decide a sentence!"

"The court cannot be used as a tool to suppress political dissidents."

Yang Pan-seok threw me a lifeline.

I was acquitted.

Nenguri smiled.

*

In front of the Yeoju Correctional Facility.

Chun Hwara, who had been arrested on suspicion of biological experiments, punched her husband who had brought tofu and hugged her beloved daughter.

"Mom!"

"Ji-yoon...!"

"Was the prison food good?"

"......" Chun Hwara smiled gently and whispered in the patient's ear.

"I told you not to say weird things in front of the kids."

"I didn't...!"

"Anyway, what's with the tofu, tofu......"

Watching this, I quietly put down the black plastic bag.

I shouldn't have bought it.

"Dr. Chun!"

"Oh, Doctor!"

"I really put you through a lot... You didn't deserve to be in prison, especially with a family."

"Prison? I just got interrogated for a bit..."

Chun Hwara smiled warmly and greeted me. The couple bombarded me with questions.

"So, what are you going to do now? You're a complete star."

"I watched the Supreme Court live last night. It was intense, right?"

I smiled bitterly.

"First, I need to see my family."

"Oh......"

"Do-yeon went down to Tongyeong but is on her way back to see me."

"Oh......"

The future is clear. She'll cry and hit me. I smiled poignantly and waved slowly.

"It's cold, let's go inside."

"Oh, right."

"Ji-yoon, where do you want to eat?"

Gan Ji-yoon didn't answer.

"Ji-yoon?"

Now that I think about it, she was like this the first time I met her. She was looking at the floating blue things and ignoring everything else, just focusing on the magic power.

"Ji-yoon-"

"Blue."

"Uh...?"

Gan Ji-yoon pointed at the cloudy sky with her finger.

"The sky is blue."

EP 9

Jininsa Daecheongmyeong (盡人事待天命)

The story of Zhuge Liang (諸葛亮)

: After doing what one can, one waits for the will of heaven.

: No matter how hard you try, if your luck is bad, everything will go to waste.

END