Chapter 192

Seoul, ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍1969.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍office of Cha Jaehee, the president of Hyeonseong Construction.

Cha ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Jaehee, who spent every day busy restoring the damage from the Great Rift, stood before a mirror wearing a fairly neat suit.

Normally, ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍he only wore work clothes to move between sites and the office, but today was the monumental event of the Clock Tower's completion, so he had to dress appropriately for the occasion.

“I ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍really wonder why they scheduled such an event.”

It ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍was already a time when he was incredibly busy with the urban planning of the 4th Scholastic District.

He had told his subordinates to skip external events as much as possible, but the employees strongly insisted that it was unthinkable for Cha Jaehee to miss the event commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Great Rift.

“A clock tower, huh……”

In fact, Cha Jaehee fully understood the employees' intentions.

The existence of a clock tower commemorating ten years since the Great Rift opened…….

Clearly, if Cha Jaehee, the president of Hyeonseong and the man practically leading Seoul, personally graced the event, the Clock Tower could emerge as a landmark of Seoul.

Especially now, when foreign construction companies were desperate to win jobs in Seoul, there was nothing better than the Clock Tower to solidify Hyeonseong Construction's position.

“This should be enough.”

After finishing his grooming, Cha Jaehee picked up his coat draped over the back of the chair.

At that moment.

“You look decent enough.”

A familiar voice came from the window, which he hadn't realized was open.

To Cha Jaehee, this was a person he could not be more glad to see, nor could he ever forget.

“Yuseong, do you have any idea how long it has been since you last returned to Seoul?”

“I don't know, maybe half a year this time.”

It was the Sword Saint, Kim Yuseong.

Unlike the neatly dressed Cha Jaehee, Kim Yuseong wore a shabby cloak, as if he had just crossed a desert.

In an era like this, where people began making clothes from monster loot, such attire wasn't strange, but it was very unusual for the neat Kim Yuseong to wander around in such a state.

“Where did you go this time?”

“A desert on the other side of the planet.”

“You certainly roam around a lot. Why don't you just buy a private jet?”

“If you'll pay for the fuel.”

“Just keep flying economy class.”

Kim Yuseong sat on the windowsill.

He then looked down at the city outside the building in silence.

It didn't seem like he had come to find Cha Jaehee with a specific purpose.

Rather, he looked like he had sought out an old friend, a resting place for his soul.

“Your travels must have been exhausting.”

“Just for a moment. I'll just rest for a moment before I go.”

“Shouldn't you ask how your friend is doing after not seeing him for half a year?”

“I can check that you're doing well enough from foreign newspapers.”

“That isn't a proper greeting.”

Kim Yuseong shifted his gaze to Cha Jaehee.

“Who... are you getting married?”

“Is that the only thing you have to ask?”

“It's the only thing that stands out.”

“SIGH, I just dressed up for the completion ceremony. This is business, business.”

“You live an exhausting life.”

“You're the last person I want to hear that from.”

“Come to think of it, I did hear. They say ten years have passed since the Great Rift opened? That clock tower thing.”

“Yeah, time flies. ……Coincidentally, the day after tomorrow is the anniversary of Hye's death.”

“…….”

“You entered the country to match that timing, didn't you?”

“Perhaps.”

Silence fell again.

Before he knew it, Cha Jaehee was leaning against his desk, staring at the side profile of Kim Yuseong, who was looking out the window again.

“Why don't you stop now?”

“……Stop what?”

“Searching for the newly born Source of Gray.”

“…….”

“The war with the Demonic Beings ended in our victory. They've been nearly annihilated, and those who fled are few. So…… why don't you settle down in Seoul and lead the people? If you properly unite the power of the awakened, we'll be able to win even if the Demonic Beings plot again.”

Despite Cha Jaehee's suggestion, Kim Yuseong did not look back at him.

Instead, he spoke after swallowing a long silence.

“The only thing allowed to me is atonement. Atonement for failing my duty as a warrior.”

“A new era has opened. Hye would understand you too.”

“I don't seek her understanding. I just don't want to repeat the same mistake.”

“Are you saying the Demonic Beings will use the Head of the Shrine again?”

Kim Yuseong shook his head.

“I don't know. The future cannot be predicted so easily. I will search for and protect the Head of the Shrine and hunt down and kill Gen until the moment my strength fades.”

“……What if that obsession is killing you?”

Only then did Kim Yuseong look at Cha Jaehee.

“That is what I desire.”

“…….”

Kim Yuseong stood up from the windowsill.

As he was about to jump out of the building, Cha Jaehee spoke to him.

“Are you leaving?”

“I'm going to see Ujae for a moment.”

“Where are you going this time?”

“I'll stop by Gangwon-do first.”

“Hyun Yuyeol?”

“Yeah, I want to borrow the power of his Demonic Eye.”

“Good. If you see him, tell him that 'I'll kill him the moment he sets foot in Seoul.'”

“I don't want to get involved in the grudge between you two.”

“Do you really think I'd kill him? I'll just throw a few punches.”

“I heard a Bureau is being established soon? What is the future Director-General of that organization doing, creating trouble?”

“Hmph, I don't care if there's trouble or not.”

Kim Yuseong laughed as if he found it absurd.

Cha Jaehee clicked his tongue as if responding to that laughter.

“Aren't you going?”

“I'm going. ……Ah, Jaehee.”

“What.”

“Thanks to you, I felt at peace, for the first time in a very long while.”

“What are you talking about……”

Kim Yuseong vanished from the building in an instant.

Cha Jaehee lingered there for a long time, as if soothing his regret.

'Atonement, huh……'

It was a word not easily borne.

How could he not feel that way, having failed to protect his beloved right before his eyes?

Eventually, he put on his coat.

It was time to leave.

Sure enough, an attendant knocked on the office door and spoke.

“President, the vehicle is ready outside.”

Cha Jaehee followed the attendant and got into the car.

Around the time they reached the plaza in District 2, the attendant asked.

“By the way, President, have you decided on a name for the Clock Tower?”

“A name……? Ah, that's right.”

Cha Jaehee cast his gaze out the car window.

There, a bizarre-looking clock tower was waiting for its completion ceremony.

It looked as if it were gazing down at the plaza.

'Atonement, huh……'

Cha Jaehee continued.

“Let's call the Clock Tower Grayroot.”

“Pardon? What is the meaning of the name?”

“The Source of Gray.”

“And what is that supposed to mean……?”

“You don't need to know. Besides, if I just toss the name to the media, they'll interpret it and report it however they want anyway.”

He immediately got out of the car and walked toward the Clock Tower where people were gathered.

However, he soon stopped at a suitable distance and looked up at the tower.

A sense of grandeur that couldn't be felt from a distance poured down from the top of the Clock Tower.

Overwhelming.

Thrilling.

But Cha Jaehee did not succumb to the atmosphere and curled his lips.

As if smiling comfortably while facing someone.

'Watch from there, and see how I lead this city that you loved.'

***

We reached the dolls' settlement at an incredible speed.

As much as I wanted to cross the wall on the eagle, doing so would surely have made us targets.

The fact that a monster that should only be in Gangwon-do had crossed the wall was a problem in itself, and my existence as someone who could dominate that monster would be seen as a huge threat.

Just like Hyun Yuyeol had been decades ago.

Anyway, as soon as I arrived at the Alchemist Victor's workshop, I looked for Park Chaeshin.

According to our agreement, he should have returned across the wall with us when we came back, but…….

“I knew it would turn out like this.”

“Hmm? Are you saying you expected me to stay?”

Park Chaeshin expressed his desire to stay with the dolls and take care of them more.

He couldn't say when he would return, but he wanted to help them become independent as much as possible.

“That is because you have finally found it, haven't you? Your own sense of value, what you want to do, and what you must do…….”

Park Chaeshin was a character who would have died early at the hands of Lee Eunho in the original work.

Having given him a new fate, I was simply grateful that he had found his own path.

Of course, it was a bit unsettling that he was researching the leftovers of the Alchemist Victor, but I had to be satisfied with having a trustworthy person to monitor the Broom of Gluttony.

“I am always grateful to you. So I will definitely be of help to you.”

“I appreciate the sentiment.”

“Listen to you talk. ……Ah, more importantly, are you planning to cross the wall immediately?”

“I have to. They say to strike while the iron is hot.”

“Excuse me……!”

It was the voice of Hyeon Jinseok, who had been listening quietly until now.

When I looked back at him, he spoke cautiously.

“There is something I want to show you.”

“To me?”

“Yes, this.”

The boy took a newspaper out of a worn bag and handed it to me.

It was a Seoul newspaper published just a few days ago.

“A few days ago, humans who crossed the wall passed near here. While investigating the traces of their camp, I happened to find this.”

Park Chaeshin added.

“You should read it yourself. It seems the situation outside the wall is not good right now.”

“What on earth is happening for you to say that……”

I didn't need to look at the newspaper for long.

The front page was filled with news that the execution of Kim Shinwoo, the principal of the Hero Preparatory School, was to be carried out.

The charge was plotting with Demonic Beings.

Furthermore, it stated that Jang Incheol, the master of the Ironflame guild, had also plotted with them.

“……Bullshit.”

I expected the Demonic Beings to take active measures.

But this was too extreme.

They must have already realized that I entered Gangwon-do to find the magic tool.

Even if they didn't know yet, it was only a matter of time before they realized it, as contact from the Alchemist Victor had been cut off.

To take such extreme action in a situation where they might have lost the magic tool…….

“I suspected as much, but it's true.”

“What is?”

“The way to open the Rift without the magic tools.”

“That is impossible! T-there's no way such a thing exists……!”

“They are doing this because it exists. They probably didn't intend to gather all the magic tools from the start. It would be physically difficult because of the broom.”

Bruno cut in.

“Do you have any idea what that method might be?”

I did.

But since it wasn't certain, I couldn't jump to conclusions easily.

After all, if they were utilizing the desires of non-awakened people through forced awakening potions, even I, as the original author, would be a bit shocked.

Could there really be a desire as tenacious as that of humanity wanting to awaken…….

Whatever that truth was, it was clear that Do Minyeong was in danger.

In the end, nothing could be done without the Vessel of Jealousy, who had the ability to amplify magic.

Fortunately, she was still safe.

The fact that they were advertising Kim Shinwoo's execution meant they hadn't gotten their hands on Do Minyeong yet.

Therefore, my priority was to confirm her whereabouts and protect her.

I folded the newspaper roughly and tucked it away.

“Let's check for ourselves how things are going. By the way, Bruno……”

“What is it?”

“What do you plan to do now? Our contract ends here.”

“…….”

He had taken revenge for his boss and uncovered the truth…….

Therefore, all that remained for him was to return to the remnants of the Psychic Mafia.

If he was the character Bruno that I knew, he wasn't someone who would ignore his subordinates.

Since he became the boss of the mafia in the original work, it would be best for him to stay quietly hidden to avoid the storm, if only for the sake of the organization's revival.

He soon gave the expected answer.

“I plan to return to my place and rebuild the organization…… however.”

“……?”

“I cannot just stand by and watch a foul stench waft through Seoul.”

“Does that mean?”

Bruno turned his back to me with a 'Hmph.'

As he moved toward the cave exit, he stopped unnaturally.

“Well, I will cooperate until I use up all my bullets.”

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