Chapter 2411 – 2411. Eternal Eden
“…Your Excellency. Before answering, may I ask about your sudden intention to put a leash on Seong Yu-jin?”
“Hmm? I thought you’d know without me having to say it…”
“I have an idea. But how could I perfectly grasp your intentions? My guess might be wrong, and it would also help in planning future operations.”
“That’s true.”
Jeong Woo-hyeon stroked his chin, choosing his words carefully. After a moment, he opened his mouth.
“All Awakened should be under the state’s control. Their abilities can be beneficial if used well, but they can also be poison. A prime example is mental ability users. The state managing Awakened… that’s also your opinion, isn’t it?”
A being with powerful strength can cause chaos just by existing. Knowing this, all Awakened must be managed. This was Lee Yeon-hee’s opinion, and it hasn’t changed. In fact, more than half of the criminals causing problems in Korea right now are Awakened.
Lee Yeon-hee was able to become the 4th Deputy Director because several conditions aligned, but the biggest reason was the existence of Awakened. The 4th Division was created for the purpose of managing Awakened in the country. Dealing with zombies and mutants is just a secondary task.
“That’s right. I believe I am doing that job well.”
“Of course. You’re capable. You’re doing your job well. Thanks to you, Awakened control is better in Korea compared to China, Japan, and the United States. What I especially like is your cold-blooded handling of eliminating uncontrollable Awakened without hesitation.”
“……”
Jeong Woo-hyeon misunderstands Lee Yeon-hee. Her criteria for killing Awakened isn’t about control.
Control? Of course, it’s important. But more important is whether they are beneficial to Korea.
If they are controllable, even if they aren’t very helpful to Korea, they are still useful. Because they can be used somehow.
If they are helpful but uncontrollable, she deliberates. She weighs the risks and returns, and if the risks are too high, she eliminates them.
Seong Yu-jin was high-risk, high-return. It was a kind of gamble. If it were the normal world before the disaster, she would have eliminated him immediately.
But this world is already broken. The existing order is collapsing. Korea had to take a gamble to survive. And that gamble was successful by her standards.
“But it’s not perfect. Seong Yu-jin has become too famous now. It’s not easy to touch him. You seem to have known Seong Yu-jin before he became famous… why didn’t you control him?”
“It wasn’t that I didn’t control him, it was that control was impossible. When I discovered him, he already had powerful abilities. Even the US’s special Awakened forces couldn’t handle him.”
“Ah, the CIA. Those guys who steal Korea’s Awakened…”
“Even if I gave up on controlling him, I didn’t give up on managing him. Management has already been successful. The fact that he remains in Korea despite having spoken with US President Michael is proof.”
Seong Yu-jin additionally awakened healing abilities. Thanks to that, his value skyrocketed. He might be worth more than Korea itself.
“Yes. He’s a remarkable person. He seems to have some patriotism as well. That’s why he needs to be under our control even more. Before he changes his mind and leaves for another country.”
“…Seong Yu-jin has established himself in Gangseo-gu and built his own power. He has too much invested in Korea to leave for another country.”
“Haha. That’s what makes me uneasy. A mere citizen commanding a private army. Do you think that makes sense? Among those who follow Seong Yu-jin, there are many Awakened and even three players, right? And they are a Technologist and a Bionics. Isn’t the Technologist the talent we’ve been desperately searching for? For the future of Korea, we can’t leave them there forever.”
Three players.
Lee Yeon-hee maintained her poker face, but she felt cold sweat running down her back. Jeong Woo-hyeon knows about Yu Seo-jeong and Kim Ji-hee. Lee Yeon-hee hasn’t submitted a report about them yet. Her mind raced. Perhaps he knows that Seong Yu-jin attacked the Tsushima secret research lab.
“…Your Excellency. What kind of information did you exchange with Japan?”
“It was about diplomatic matters. I can’t tell you. But… I suppose it’s okay to tell you that I had an unofficial meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister yesterday. I’m disappointed in you. So, answer this question well. Do you have a means to control Seong Yu-jin?”
One thing came to mind.
Using a beauty trap.
Seong Yu-jin was particularly drawn to beautiful women. But could he be perfectly controlled as desired with just a beauty trap? She wasn’t sure.
“……Controlling Seong Yu-jin is impossible. Maintaining a cooperative relationship as it is now is the best option.”
“You disappoint me again. Take a break for now. The 1st Deputy Director will take over your duties.”
Jeong Woo-hyeon put his hand in his pocket. He pressed a signal device in his pocket.
Soon, the office door opened, and a middle-aged man entered. He was a stern-looking man with a parted hairstyle and rimless glasses. Wearing a suit, he confidently walked into the office.
Lee Yeon-hee knew the man. She couldn’t not know him. He was a Deputy Director from the same National Intelligence Service.
“Your Excellency. You called?”
“1st Deputy Director Shin Young-soo. Things didn’t go well. It seems 4th Deputy Director Lee Yeon-hee needs a break for now. I’d like you to take over her duties. Is that possible?”
“Ah, of course. Managing Awakened is simpler than dealing with North Korea.”
Only then did Lee Yeon-hee realize what was going on.
Jeong Woo-hyeon and Shin Young-soo had joined hands long ago. It wasn’t just a relationship between the President and a Deputy Director of the NIS. There was something more between them.
Originally, Jeong Woo-hyeon and Shin Young-soo couldn’t pay much attention to domestic affairs. If they made a mistake, war with North Korea could break out. But after the armistice with North Korea, they had some leeway.
The reason they want Seong Yu-jin? It can be explained by his healing ability alone. And Seong Yu-jin also has a Technologist and a Bionics. They are greedy for what Seong Yu-jin possesses.
‘It’s all good. I can understand up to this point. But an unofficial meeting with Japan? They couldn’t have just received information. There must have been some kind of deal.’
There was something Lee Yeon-hee could never tolerate. It was Japan and China. To her, Japan and China were enemies of a thousand years.
‘No. I can’t make a hasty judgment yet. I don’t know the details of the unofficial meeting.’
Lee Yeon-hee calmed herself down.
Meanwhile, the conversation between Jeong Woo-hyeon and Shin Young-soo flowed smoothly.
“Deputy Director Shin Young-soo. Can you control Seong Yu-jin?”
“I can control him. I’ve already secured Seong Yu-jin’s parents and younger sister. It was easy because Deputy Director Lee Yeon-hee had agents on them. They followed immediately when we offered them delicious food. Haha.”
“Oh. Family. Not bad.”
Jeong Woo-hyeon was impressed and smiled contentedly. Lee Yeon-hee spoke in a calm tone.
“Your Excellency. Seong Yu-jin has never looked for his family since the disaster. Seong Yu-jin cannot be controlled with family.”
Shin Young-soo glanced at her. His brow was slightly furrowed.
“Don’t worry, Your Excellency. Even if family is meaningless, there are many ways to control Seong Yu-jin. First, food. So far, Seong Yu-jin has been getting food through deals with Deputy Director Lee Yeon-hee. That means he is dependent on us for food. Even if he has stockpiled food, it wouldn’t be a large amount. We can use food to shake Seong Yu-jin and his forces.”
“Good idea. I’m also having a headache with the food problem… what can that brat do? You’re the best, Deputy Director Shin Young-soo. Have I told you that I trust you the most?”
“Haha. I’m just doing what I have to do.”
They were playing their own tune. Their atmosphere was amicable.
Lee Yeon-hee considered pointing out Shin Young-soo’s opinion but stopped. She was already a useless person. No matter what she said, they would only see it as opposition for the sake of opposition.
“Deputy Director Lee Yeon-hee.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“Take a break. You’ve been too busy and haven’t been able to take a proper vacation. Take this opportunity to rest well and come back. I’ll speak to your family.”
A disciplinary measure disguised as a break.
Lee Yeon-hee wasn’t stupid enough not to know this. Her opponent was the President who had declared martial law. His power was more formidable than usual. Even Lee Yeon-hee couldn’t resist. She obediently bowed her head.
“…Yes, Your Excellency. I’ll take my leave.”
As Lee Yeon-hee left the Blue House, she thought. Contacting Seong Yu-jin is dangerous. Shin Young-soo would be monitoring her every move, including her call records.
Her prediction was correct. As soon as she left the Blue House, she felt someone following her.
‘…It won’t be easy.’
• • •
“So. What do you want me to do with this?”
Na Chae-yeong said in a cold voice. She didn’t seem to be in a good mood, even though it wasn’t her period.
I glanced at Na Chae-yeong, then pointed at the supercar. It was a supercar I picked up nearby. A Lamborghini Roadster. The color was yellow, which I didn’t like, but it wasn’t like I could choose the color I wanted, so I had no choice.
The bumper was dented, but it could be fixed.
“Fix it and modify it. It would be nice if it could fly. And the yellow is ugly, so the color… white.”
“…Do you know what kind of times we’re in? There’s no time to modify a supercar.”
“Well, you know. When the roads are fixed, we’ll need to drive, right?”
“It’s faster to take a helicopter. Or a drone. There’s also a hoverboard.”
“Ah, just do it.”
“……”
Her and my staring contest began. I couldn’t back down either. It was about time I had my own car.
I won the staring contest. Na Chae-yeong sighed.
“Haa. Fine. I’ll modify it little by little when I have time. But… who is that again?”
Na Chae-yeong pointed at Choi Hye-jin, who was sitting in the driver’s seat of the supercar. Choi Hye-jin was stepping on the accelerator and turning the steering wheel wildly. The engine wasn’t on.
“Wow, damn. This car is awesome! Hey, give me this car!”
“That’s my car. If you want a car, go get one yourself.”
“Where did you get it?”
“I got it in a residential area. That was the only one that was somewhat intact.”
“Damn. I’m going to get one too!”
Choi Hye-jin got out of the car and ran towards the building of the Divine Guard. It looked like she was going to lead the Guard outside.
Na Chae-yeong shook her head and went into the main building.
I looked at the supercar and imagined how to modify it.
‘First, it definitely needs a booster. It would be even better if I could install missiles. But if I install missiles, it might not look cool? Should I get another car?’
I also had to consider the weight. If it’s too heavy, I won’t be able to put it in my inventory. I’m not strong enough to lift a car right now.
‘It’s a cheat, but if I dope myself with drugs, I might be able to lift a car.’
Brrrrr.
My smartphone vibrated. I got a call from an unknown number.
‘It’s been a while since I got a call from an unknown number.’
Curious, I answered it.
“Hello.”
-Hi, Oppa. It’s me.
A young woman’s voice. But it wasn’t a very pleasant voice. I instinctively felt repulsed.
“There’s still voice phishing in this era. How much free time do you have? Hang up, you moron.”
-What? Oppa! It’s me, Seong-
Click.
I hung up.
Brrrrrrrrr.
They kept calling persistently. For a voice phishing scam, they didn’t know how to give up. I blocked the number entirely.
Then, I got a call from a different number. Annoyed, I answered it. Let’s hear what nonsense they’re going to spew.
-Ahem. Yu-jin? It’s your father. You seem to be doing well these days. The reason I’m calling is…
This time, it was a man’s voice.
“Damn it. My mom and dad run a beauty salon in Gangwon-do. Not this kind of voice phishing.”
-G, Gangwon-do?
“Hang up, you bastard.”
Click.
I hung up first again.
Even when the world was destroyed, voice phishing still existed. They were persistent bastards.
