What It Means to Be Police in This World(2)

The woman planned to use what she had newly learned generously for the only person she loved.

The fact that she had discovered the emotion of love doesn’t mean she suddenly understood the emotions of ordinary people.

It would be more accurate to say that the amount of information she could accept and meaningfully interpret had increased.

New Hope. She had used Yagi to torment the girl named Mina, but the child didn’t crumble as she had hoped.

Honestly, it didn’t matter to her that Mina didn’t break down. Sai also thought that Mina, a congenital superpower user like herself, would never crumble from just that.

The scheme using Yagi was, by Sai’s standards, simply harassment and an action close to preparation for future schemes.

But what she didn’t expect was none other than Yagi’s last words.

Sai had intended to remember the final words of someone who had served well as her right hand until now. Honestly, Sai thought that the person Yagi would look for until the very end would be herself.

She had made her that way, raised her that way, and cultivated her that way, so naturally she thought that would be the case.

But the words Yagi uttered at the end were words filled with regret.

It was truly surprising. No, it would be more correct to say she was impressed. Despite Sai meticulously removing ‘herself’ from Yagi, she could still harbor regret?

The Sai of the past would have just dismissed it as an interesting happening, but the current Sai was different.

She knows all too well what it’s like to regret the past. She knows how painful it is.

She came to understand how terrible that emotion is, an emotion that even a doll like Yagi could not help but feel.

If even a doll with self-awareness can have regret, then surely the one called New Hope would have it too.

Yes, Sai intended to bring Mina’s past, which she regretted, into the present and throw it before her, cut to pieces.

Mina might overcome simple hardships, but even with the help of the special task force, it was Mina alone who was actually defeating the supervillains, so fatigue would inevitably accumulate.

Moreover, she would move more than necessary in order to find Sai, so there’s no way the exhausted hero could overcome what she had prepared this time.

A masterpiece that even she herself could not withstand. The time she had been quietly waiting was also time to prepare ‘that’.

Of course, this wasn’t simply about getting attention from the one she loved and being by his side to torment him. This was the final process for her to realize her dream.

The woman, Sai, slowly looked down at the scenery beyond the window.

The view of the city from the highest hotel in Seoul was gloomy, as if submerged in dark clouds.

But in the eyes of the people visible below, there was a faint hope that the situation would improve.

The daily success stories of the special task force and New Hope, who stood up and knocked down supervillains like falling leaves despite everything that had happened, must be the source of that hope.

Sai found their appearance quite ridiculous.

These people who shake just from being kicked without any intention, finding hope in such insignificant things even in this situation.

Shameless, dull, and pathetic, but that’s why people didn’t easily crumble.

Even if she killed New Hope and destroyed her right now, people wouldn’t give up. And even if she endured the annoyance and killed everyone she saw, people would just tremble in fear and run away.

And as long as there were such people, the man Sai had fallen for would never give up. That’s why she was waiting.

For the perfect timing to destroy everything.

She would let everyone know when those who proudly stood up to face her were swallowed by regret, collapsed, and fell down with their breath stopped.

Then even those tenacious ordinary people would have no choice but to give up.

If someone were to see how she’s acting, they might ask why she’s going to such troublesome lengths for the sake of love.

To that question, Sai would answer like this: because the love she wants is a difficult love, she must first obtain freedom. Freedom from the past.

Making it so that the wrongs she committed aren’t considered crimes, the law cannot judge her, and people can’t even dare to look at Sai herself.

If that happens, Detective Lee Munsu would also look at her. He would have no choice but to look.

Sai imagined a future where everything was successful.

His gaze, wary and hateful yet attentive towards her, would once again turn to her.

That voice, gruff in tone yet containing consideration for the other person, would again tickle her ear.

And to prevent and interfere with any potential misdeeds she might commit, he would always be by her side.

Under a clear sky, if she could just see him beside her, chatting idly as before, drinking something like coffee, saying he hopes there won’t be any incidents—

It would be so happy.

Of course, Sai also knows that she already had a chance, and it was she herself who wasted that opportunity.

If she had known it was an opportunity, she wouldn’t have let it slip away.

“Haha……”

Sai felt herself laughing at the thought that suddenly came to mind.

Look at this. Regret that suddenly stabs you like being hit by a car. No matter how much you try to escape, you can’t, and it draws a trajectory of attachment and sadness.

But everyone living in this world has such emotions. That’s what makes it most horrible and frightening.

That’s why Sai was even more convinced that this plan wouldn’t fail.

Who could possibly overcome regret that even she couldn’t overcome?

“Deputy Director, do you also have things you regret……”

Suddenly, Sai voiced a curiosity that came to mind.

He always charged forward. As if he wouldn’t leave any regrets.

Does such a person know regret? Does he have a past he wants to close his eyes to and a heart boiling with sadness?

She couldn’t know right now. In this incident she prepared, he wouldn’t get involved, nor would he get hurt or die.

Well, he would have to see those he knew crumble, but she could comfort him for that much after everything succeeded.

If that detestable thing disappeared from his side, she could fill that place, after all.

Thinking like that, Sai turned her gaze backwards.

What she saw behind her were dozens of monitors filling the hotel room interior. And on the monitors were people at a certain location.

People running urgently in protective gear marked with the Special Task Force emblem. New Hope, who had thrown herself into the trap Sai had prepared.

And—

“—I’m going now, Deputy Director. This is the final step.”

Sai placed her hand on the LCD screen as if reaching out to the face of the familiar man in the monitor.

After calculating several times, Sai was convinced that neither New Hope nor anyone else could possibly overcome what she had prepared this time. Absolutely impossible.

Thinking that way, Sai laughed softly. Lying on the bed, she slowly watched the monitors as if enjoying a movie.

The Special Task Force and New Hope were facing those pathetic ones who, despite the fact that the fraud king they followed had already disappeared, couldn’t believe it and were just spouting nonsense.

And her love standing in the midst of it all. Even if it’s a movie with a predictable ending, it’s worth watching just because the one you love is in it.

Thinking so, she fixed her blue glowing eyes on the monitors.

She watched as the woman installed as the leader of the Chosen Ones approached the Special Task Force people in a bizarre appearance, receiving adoration from her followers.

She was wearing only a white jacket, and not only had she attached a lot of white feathers to that jacket, but she was also covering essential parts with feathers.

Is she trying to imitate the appearance of the winged one who was previously the leader of the Chosen Ones?

It’s a truly disgusting appearance, but the distance between the Special Task Force and the Chosen Ones began to close. A situation where a fight could break out at any moment.

In that tense moment, Detective Lee Munsu was going to the front of those who so desperately wanted to kill him, and was about to create a great surprise and atmosphere, but.

The doll Sai had prepared appeared, and after that—

“Huh?”

It didn’t continue as she had thought. Seeing a situation that shouldn’t happen within her expectations and calculations, Sai’s face contorted.

Why you? How could even someone who’s not him? What is the difference between you and me?

What filled her inside was jealousy towards something she couldn’t comprehend.

Sai twisted her beautiful face like a demon and raged.

---

Upon hearing that the Chosen Ones were approaching, the Special Task Force people and I moved quickly.

We made a barrier line, moved armored vehicles to prepare for an immediate fight, and evacuated nearby citizens as much as possible.

Meanwhile, I was exasperated to hear reports that these crazy bastards were approaching, destroying all public facilities in their way, as if something had made them so angry.

Fuck, those bastards aren’t the ones paying for the repairs, so they’re just causing havoc.

According to Yuna-ri’s investigation, the Chosen Ones seemed to disappear rather quietly after Park Jeonghun was captured.

But when Park Jeonghun died on the day the superpower user prison Mugan was destroyed, they seemed to have completely burned their already loose restraint and thrown away even the ashes.

They gathered scattered followers with nonsense that Park Jeonghun wasn’t actually dead but had gone to build his strength to save his followers on the promised day, and that they would be saved on that promised day.

According to police confirmation, the one at the center of the Chosen Ones now was the previous secretary of Park Jeonghun, which was even more strange.

But was that stupid woman smart enough to create and lead a cult religion? I had doubts.

However, seeing those idiots that came into view, I realized that wasn’t the question I should be asking right now.

Judging by that appearance, wearing only a white jacket with feathers attached just to the jacket and essential parts—

Beyond capability or not, I should be thinking about whether this secretary has gone mentally ill.

Crazy woman.

“Listen, you lowly ones who defy the Chosen Ones! We have come to save you! Behold! One day we will reach the new heaven and enter paradise! Do not block us! Join us! For we are the Chosen Ones!”

“Ohhh!!!”

Approaching with their followers while zealously making speeches, they gave the impression of a festival procession.

The Special Task Force people rolled their eyes at that scene full of madness.

Honestly, those guys aren’t that scary with Dokkaebi and Mina here. But the problem is the mutants accompanying them.

If they decide to rampage, there might be significant civilian casualties now when evacuation isn’t completely finished.

And listening to Dokkaebi’s testimony, it’s obvious that Mina wouldn’t be able to fight properly if she sees the family of the dead person, so it would be right to evacuate Mina too, but—

The number of mutants moving with the Chosen Ones is at least 6 just from what’s visible. That’s enough to turn this street into a wasteland.

In addition, there might be ones hiding in invisible places, so we should assume there are at least more than 6.

Without Mina, can we stop those guys with just Dokkaebi?

We can’t run away either. It would be nice if they waited until the citizens’ evacuation was complete, but those guys are all out of their minds.

It’s visible even from a distance that the secretary woman is truly out of her mind and rampaging.

The confrontation between these crazed people lost in ecstasy and the police trying to stop them created a tension that could explode with the slightest provocation.

In the midst of this, I asked Mina:

“Kid, are you going to be okay?”

“…Yes! Don’t worry! I’m fine!”

Mina clenched her fist and raised her arm as if showing off her biceps. Even though I thought there was no way she would be fine and felt anxious.

But I couldn’t forcibly pull her out either, so I swallowed my anxiety and looked ahead again.

Does she know how much fatigue Mina has accumulated? Can Dokkaebi fight properly now?

While calculating the state of our side and what would happen if we fought the opposing side, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

…The person commanding those mutants must be that secretary woman, right?

Looking at the mutants, it’s clear that Sai orchestrated this, but if she wanted to strengthen their forces, she would naturally have given them the authority to control the mutants.

Honestly, the current problem is the mutants. And the one expected to command those mutants is that crazy woman standing brazenly at the front.

• • Let’s try stabbing her first?

I went back with a hopeful feeling and got a tranquilizer gun. Then I aimed at the insane secretary woman and fired.

The tranquilizer gun, modified to work on superpower users, flew with a noise like a real gun being fired.

The secretary woman made an “Ugeok” sound and collapsed.

…Did, did that idiot really just get hit?

As expected of me. As I was nodding my head, self-praising my shooting skills, the surroundings were wrapped in sudden silence.

Immediately after, the captain, who had been looking back and forth between me and the fallen secretary woman with trembling, approached me and shouted:

“Wh-what crazy thing are you doing, you bastard?! Suddenly shooting like that!”

“It’s a tranquilizer gun. But when she’s making a fuss like that, isn’t it weird to just leave it alone? And let’s be honest here. Should we just let that kind of strip show continue? I can’t stand it, damn it! My eyes are suffering!”

“…That’s true.”

The captain, who had been furious, nodded at my words. He probably also found such an ugly sight hard to bear.

Doing such antics in front of armed police with that kind of appearance is honestly beyond just stupid behavior, isn’t it?

After thinking that far, I rolled my eyes to look at the Chosen Ones.

The followers were in confusion, but the mutants showed no reaction. More precisely, they weren’t moving at all, like puppets with their strings cut.

Good. The meaning of that appearance was simple.

“Good. It worked.”

As expected, the secretary was the one commanding the mutants. And with the secretary down, they stopped because the person giving orders disappeared.

I did it because there was nothing to lose even if it failed, but to succeed so easily. I clenched my fist in joy, but.

I saw Dokkaebi’s still-stiff face and instantly sensed that this wasn’t over yet.

“It’s coming, Detective.”

With Dokkaebi’s words, fog suddenly surrounded us. A thick fog that obscured even the face of the person right next to you began to envelop everything.

Immediately after, from beyond that, from the depths of the fog, the sound of something approaching began to be heard. Footsteps steadily approaching.

As the sound gradually grew louder, as if the fog amplified it like a speaker, I swallowed and aimed my rifle at whatever was approaching from beyond.

And at the moment when that something faintly revealed itself—

“…Sister?”

Mina murmured like a sigh upon seeing that something. Dokkaebi also stiffened his face. Even the Special Task Force colleagues and the captain lowered their gun muzzles with a face like they had seen a ghost.

The reactions of people who seemed to have instantly lost their fighting spirit. It was a reaction as if they had encountered their dead loved ones, as Dokkaebi had said, and everyone was showing such a reaction.

Despite everyone here knowing what they might see, they reacted like that. Is this the result of a power within the category of superpowers?

But to my eyes, what revealed itself from the fog looked like nothing more than an unpleasant mutant resembling a dried-up mummy.

Does his ability not work on me now? Why?

No, more than that, people’s reactions are more serious than what Dokkaebi described.

I looked at Mina who was sitting down with a face that looked like she was about to die, breathing heavily and mumbling something, then regretted that I should have sent her away, and glared back at the mummy-like mutant.

It didn’t move and stood in place, making strange sounds that reverberated in the air.

I thought about it. The Special Task Force who had half lost their reason and given up the fight.

In contrast, the Chosen Ones, who were regaining consciousness in the chaos after losing their leader, were trying to rush in. It was a dangerous situation for us if we didn’t counterattack immediately.

In this situation, I thought the reliable Dokkaebi would maintain his sanity since he had experience.

Good heavens. Even that guy is not in good condition. Is there really no one who can fight here right now?

Even the bald captain was just mumbling strange things like “Sorry, I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” so I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

“The enemy of the prophet!!”

Ah damn. I was caught off guard!

Suddenly, a familiar one in the form of a huge polar bear rushed in.

I tried to counter by raising my gun, but that damned thick skin doesn’t even let bullets penetrate. I was just pushed back and rolled nastily on the ground.

Fuck this—

I’m going to be torn apart by the bear at this rate. As I closed my eyes tightly waiting for the bear’s attack, there was no pain even after a long wait.

“Don’t disrespect my family! My family! The people I love!! They would never say such things! Don’t be ridiculous!!!”

I don’t know what she heard or saw. But Mina, in indignation, blocked the bear’s attack and sent it flying in reverse.

Mina was standing in front of me, tears streaming down. She was looking ahead, weeping though silently.

…Alright. The reason why we need to kill that damn mummy-thing immediately has become clear. If it can’t be killed with guns, we’ll just run it over with an armored vehicle.

In this nauseating situation orchestrated by Sai, I was about to fight with gritted teeth in boiling heat after checking Mina’s condition, to somehow deal with that mummy bastard, but—

“No. I can do both.”

Mina said so, wiping away the tears she had been shedding until now, and stood up with a bold appearance.

I was surprised at that sight.

I know better than anyone how much regret she carries as she fights forward. But Mina is standing up to fight even after enduring that regret.

That back figure was enormous, as if showing the world who the protagonist of this world is, and even gave me an inexplicable sense of relief.

I was about to offer words of encouragement to this child, but immediately felt something strange.

With a sensation as if every cell in my body was screaming, something fell from the sky and trampled the mutant that had a mummy-like form.

Blood and flesh scattered, and the fog that had enveloped everything began to dissipate.

But replacing it, with a cold that seemed to freeze bones, it appeared.

“Why. How? What exactly is different about you and me?”

It was wearing a black dress soaked in blood. With a beauty that could momentarily stop the heart, it was glaring at Mina with a ghost-like face, letting down its long blonde hair.

“Aren’t you in pain? Aren’t you sad? Don’t you want to turn back time?”

The way it questioned why Mina had stood up was like a ghost filled with resentment.

What on earth is that? At the appearance of the ghost with long blonde hair and blue eyes, everyone couldn’t breathe.

“Because Deputy Director is by your side? If that’s really it, if that’s the difference between you and me, then I can do it too, right? Like you.”

From the words that thing said while smiling, I realized that what appeared before my eyes was Sai.

Looking at the form that was incomparably more chilling and frightening than before, I thought.

Fuck, that crazy woman has really lost her mind. With the sudden appearance of the main enemy we need to capture somehow, contrasting with allies who still haven’t regained their senses.

In this worst-case scenario, I bit my lip and reflexively spat out a swear word.

“Shit.”