Into the Creations 2418

Chapter 2418 – 2418. Eternal Eden

The fact that I could grant youth spread throughout the world. It was an incredible ability coveted by both the powerful and the common people. Public opinion instantly turned in my favor. Calls started pouring in from all over the world. Of course, I just talked briefly and ended them.

The world’s attention, beyond just Korea, was now focused on me. Jung Woo-hyun wouldn’t even be able to wage a public opinion war against me.

‘I promised the officers who participated in the coup that I would give them youth. If too many people know, it’ll be hard to keep it a secret.’

So, I openly revealed my ability. Of course, the fact that I could revive the dead was still a secret.

‘Just being able to grant youth is an incredible power.’

Could I protect that power?

If the coup succeeded, Korea would fall into my hands. Korea’s military power was within the top 10. If I could just get Korea… I wouldn’t have to worry too much about safety.

What I had to be careful about was assassination or kidnapping. No, realistically, I only had to worry about kidnapping. Even if I were assassinated, I could just come back to life thanks to my recovery ability.

Brrr.

My smartphone vibrated. The screen showed Army Chief of Staff Jin Soo-hak.

“I’m on.”

-Yes, Seong-ha. Jung Woo-hyun has called up the 30th Division. He’s declared Seongak Elementary School an illegal armed organization and ordered the school to be surrounded, and all players, including you, to be captured. He specifically ordered that you be captured alive no matter what. The operation is scheduled for midnight.

“Heh heh. He must be sweating bullets. He wants me alive, so he must be coveting my ability.”

Even if I were to be defeated by Jung Woo-hyun, I had no intention of using my ability for him.

-Seong-ha. We can’t launch the coup right now. We’re not ready yet. Most importantly, the military’s attention is currently focused on Seoul, on you. They’ll come running as soon as we start the coup.

“It’s okay. I have a trump card. The military won’t be able to move today. The coup will proceed as planned.”

I hung up and headed to the lab. I picked up the satellite phone and contacted Kim Jae-ji in North Korea. Kim Jae-ji burst out laughing when he received my call.

-Hehehe. I saw it all. There’s been some interesting stuff happening in South Korea.

“Kim Jae-ji. It’s time to repay that debt.”

-Youth. A treasure everyone desires. Shouldn’t we meet sometime?

Kim Jae-ji’s tone was much more polite than the last time I saw him. Our positions were different now than before.

“If you want to make a new deal, you have to pay off your debts first, right?”

-Understood. Tell me what you want.

“You know what you’re good at. Military provocations. I’d like you to do that big time.”

-You’re asking me to break the armistice?

“I only asked for military provocations. If the armistice is broken, you’ll suffer more losses, won’t you?”

-Hehe. Fine. I’ll make it a big one. I look forward to the day we meet again.

Kim Jae-ji hung up, openly revealing his greed.

‘I also owe a debt to the US President. I was the one who cured his son of Lou Gehrig’s disease.’

I couldn’t ask the US President to launch a military provocation just for that. He wasn’t a dictator in the first place, so it was impossible. Others wouldn’t just stand by and watch.

But it would be entirely possible for the US President to personally criticize the South Korean President.

‘Korea pretends not to, but they’re always watching what the US does. And if the US President criticizes them at this time? It’ll be the final nail in the coffin.’

Jung Woo-hyun’s downfall was as good as decided.

‘If he had just done his job and stepped down after his term, none of this would have happened. Heh heh. You stupid bastard. This is the price for messing with me.’

• • •

Three hours before the operation to surround Seongak Elementary School and capture Seong Yu-jin was to begin.

Jung Woo-hyun received a call from Army Chief of Staff Jin Soo-hak.

-Your Excellency. The operation is impossible.

“…Chief of Staff. What are you talking about? The orders have already been issued, haven’t they? I’ll take responsibility. Carry out the operation. Or are you refusing my orders?”

-Your Excellency. The North Korean military has begun to move. Three missiles have already fallen into the East Sea. North Korean tanks have appeared at the border. We’re currently in a standoff. Is an operation against our own people important right now, with North Korea’s military provocations continuing?

Jung Woo-hyun’s expression twisted.

The armistice through talks with North Korea. Jung Woo-hyun’s greatest achievement was shattered.

‘Kim Jae-ji! That damn pig bastard…!’

Why couldn’t they just ignore North Korea’s provocations? This wasn’t a peaceful era. There was a high chance it wouldn’t end with just provocations. In fact, before the talks, they had been on the verge of war. There had even been a few small-scale battles.

-Your Excellency. The officers, including myself, are questioning whether capturing Seong Yu-jin is necessary. He’s a Korean citizen, a member of the National Assembly, and an Awakened one of the Republic of Korea. Don’t you know Seong Yu-jin’s social reputation? He’s never done anything harmful to Korea.

“Chief of Staff Jin Soo-hak! Are you questioning my intentions right now?!”

-Your Excellency. Please be calm. Everyone knows that Seong Yu-jin has great abilities. But he’s not the enemy. Many soldiers have received treatment from Seong Yu-jin. I don’t see what we would gain from this operation. What are you going to do with him after you capture him?

“……He will work for Korea. We need to treat the injured soldiers, don’t we?”

-That’s something we can ask Seong Yu-jin to do. There’s no need to detain him. In fact, he’s doing volunteer work with his abilities. This operation will only lower the morale of the military. And Seong Yu-jin is a member of the National Assembly of this country.

Jung Woo-hyun bit his lip.

He was the President, but he hadn’t completely taken control of the military yet. That’s why the Chief of Staff was defying him.

If there was a cause, maybe. But there wasn’t even that.

“…Alright. I’ll cancel the operation. As for the response to North Korea’s military provocations… just stay on alert for now. If we retaliate with provocations, it could turn into a real war.”

-Understood.

Jin Soo-hak hung up.

Jung Woo-hyun’s ordeal wasn’t over. His chief of staff knocked on the door of his office and shouted.

“Your Excellency! US President Michael has just officially criticized you! Check the news! Check the news!”

“What?!”

US President Michael criticized Jung Woo-hyun through his personal social media. He even filmed a video and uploaded it. He said it was just his personal opinion, but… he was the President of the United States. No one could deny that.

-I’ve heard about what’s been happening in Korea recently. The Korean President is a dictator who has conducted human experiments. I express my concern about the birth of a new dictator…

Jung Woo-hyun’s face turned red, and he slammed his fist on the desk.

“Damn it! Nothing is going right!”

Sweat was pouring down Jung Woo-hyun’s forehead. Nothing was going according to his plan. Moreover, his approval ratings had plummeted. The exact approval rating hadn’t been tallied yet, but it was clear that it would fall below 30%.

He took out three Xenod pills from a bottle and swallowed them. Crunch. As he chewed the pills, he felt energy surge through his body.

‘If I just stay still, I’ll only fall. Then I’d rather… get my hands on Seong Yu-jin. If I can just get my hands on youth and wield it.’

After agonizing, he contacted the Prime Minister of Japan.

“Prime Minister. I need your help. Please provide a unit that can move discreetly. The price? I’ll give you youth.”

The Prime Minister accepted the deal without hesitation. That’s how great youth was.

• • •

Seongak Elementary School was peaceful as always.

A food crisis at Seongak Elementary School? There was no such thing. My status had already changed. Food came to me even if I did nothing.

“Hello, I’m Jo Yoon-sung, a director at KS. I heard that you were short on food, so I came to visit. Our KS will provide 50 tons of rice. Oh, and the chairman would like to meet with you, Assemblyman, at least once.”

KS. A major South Korean conglomerate. It was ranked 3rd in the business world. For reference, Ilwoo Group was 7th.

“Haha. I needed food, so this is great. I’d like to meet the chairman of KS too, but… my schedule is packed.”

Support came from not only large corporations but also small and medium-sized businesses and civic groups. They were all clamoring to meet me.

I met with the chairmen of large corporations and famous politicians and used my abilities on them. I deliberately made them only about 20 years younger. I was letting them know that I was willing to bestow my abilities on them. The rejuvenated ones offered me various things.

“I heard you like supercars. Here’s a supercar I have… I’ll give it to you as a gift.”

“Hehe. Assemblyman Seong Yu-jin. I have some friends… Ah, they’re not chairmen of large corporations. But they’re important people who lead this Republic of Korea. Who are they? They’re people who wield swords. Not real swords, of course.”

“I’m from the US Embassy. I heard you were having food problems, so I brought 70 tons of frozen beef. It’s a gift. Please accept it without any burden.”

Gifts were overflowing.

Every day was like a birthday and Christmas. I didn’t refuse the gifts that contained their hearts and accepted them all.

The powerful could meet me easily, but the common people couldn’t. The means for them to meet me and receive my grace were limited. Quite a few people came to me without any notice, but they couldn’t cross the threshold of Seongak Elementary School.

‘My family is this and that, and they say they’ll do anything if I give them youth, but I don’t really need it.’

Of course, I did accept the pretty ones.

Still, it wasn’t like there was no way for the common people to receive the grace of recovery.

The most representative was the Seongjin Church. Every time they joined the Seongjin Church and achieved results, that grace would fall upon them. Because of that, countless people were knocking on the doors of the Seongjin Church. The Seongjin Church was slowly starting to operate in the open.

There were no media outlets openly criticizing the Seongjin Church.

‘They have to be nice to me, so how can they criticize the Seongjin Church? Heh heh.’

The way things were going was very pleasing.

• • •

Kwaaaang!

An explosion rang out. I, who was sleeping with Na Chae-young in my arms, opened my eyes wide. Na Chae-young did the same. She turned on the tablet next to the bed. A communication from a member of the guard followed.

“It’s an ambush! People armed with guns and bombs are attacking us without warning. We’re trying to subdue them, but it’s not easy! The enemy’s physical abilities are superior to ours! They’re either Awakened or have taken some kind of drug! We’ll take Bister II too!”

Bang bang bang bang! Kwakwang!

Gunshots and explosions rang out continuously. The automatic turrets and drones installed in the main building were moving to attack the enemies. The control was in the hands of the combat AI. Unlike Na Chae-young, who had a serious expression, I quietly chuckled. It was obvious who was behind this.

‘Jung Woo-hyun. Is this your last struggle? Trying to kidnap me no matter what?’

Well, I understand. It would be too unfair to give up everything like this. Even if he did give up, Jung Woo-hyun’s future was already decided.

Behind me, the air rippled. A transparent arm reached for my neck. I ducked my head to dodge it lightly and spun around, swinging my Galchi sword and cutting down the guy behind me.

I turned around and looked at the guy whose upper and lower body were separated. His true form was revealed. He was an Awakened one with the ability to make his body transparent.

“How did you know…?”

It wasn’t Korean, but Japanese.

How did I know? I had been operating electromagnetic waves since I woke up. I knew from the beginning that he was sneaking up on me.

“Do I have to explain every little thing to you?”

I swung my sword and beheaded him, finishing him off.

As I was about to pass by the corpse, I noticed that his body was different from that of a normal person.