Ch.127127. Price

[Hybrid Elimination]

-Monster Points: 4

-DNA Points: 6,500

-Beast, Human, Dinosaur DNA acquired!

The rewards of victory were right before my eyes, but I couldn’t forget what needed to be said.

I dazedly headed outside. Pain would follow soon enough, but for now, I was okay.

Cheongi was dead.

Not just a mere colleague, but someone who had been my friend.

It feels so empty.

Clearly, I’ve vented my anger, but the sadness doesn’t fade.

Killing Yu Deokmin won’t bring Cheongi back to life.

It was simply eliminating a persistent threat.

As I walked away feeling hollow, I spotted people from the Magician Guild.

“Found him! Are you hurt?”

“It’s dangerous, come over here quickly!”

“Protect the child! And grab Aerial’s sword too!”

Weakly, I let them lead me out through the gate.

Naturally, they urgently assessed my condition and prepared for hospital transport.

The Magician Guild was busy moving around, controlling the area.

While I was in a daze, Aerial approached.

“How did it go?”

“He’s dead. Yu Deokmin.”

“So the dinosaur took care of him.”

Aerial sat down beside me. Looking at me with those red eyes, she asked one question.

“How does it feel? Relieved?”

At that moment, I wasn’t thinking at all. Normally, I would have made something up, but not now.

“Not really.”

“Me neither. It’s been such a hard day. I just want to rest.”

“Yeah, I just want to get some proper rest.”

“Hang in there.”

Aerial stroked my head. Completely serious, without any playfulness.

“Right now, focus on healing your wounds.”

“Thanks.”

Eventually, we were transported to the hospital. As we were admitted, countless stories began to emerge about this incident.

*

While I was stuck in the hospital recovering from the side effects of my evolution transformation, the news was digging through everything about Yu Deokmin.

[Please don’t do this!]

[Stop filming!]

Yu Deokmin’s parents were surrounded by reporters, suffering for their son’s mistakes.

Their home was already in chaos with police officers coming and going for the investigation.

“…”

I changed the hospital channel. Every station was filled with stories about this incident.

But my face, along with Aerial’s and Yu Deokmin’s, formed a triangle on the screen.

“…Hah, I never wanted my face to be exposed like this.”

I was already feeling bitter enough, and having my face plastered everywhere like this wasn’t helping at all.

The panelists were analyzing Yu Deokmin’s behavior.

[So it’s like the emotions of an adolescent boy that exploded, right?]

[Mahanaga was first eliminated by Jo Seonghui, and later hunted by ‘Pasha,’ the hero of Pakistan, in a crevasse. The question is how this boy came to possess Mahanaga’s power…]

And finally, it came up.

[There are reports that illegal drugs are involved.]

[Illegal drugs?]

[Yes. These drugs were created with the intention of using Mahanaga as a weapon in cultures that weaponize monsters, but they reportedly cause terrible side effects.]

In the end, the illegal drugs that the Association and Academy had tried to hide were exposed.

Of course, the side effects were revealed too, but what now?

Normal people wouldn’t take them. But that’s only if they’re “normal.” What about criminal organizations?

There’s no way they wouldn’t use this.

When cornered or in crisis, they would definitely take it.

“This is going to get complicated.”

The desire for power can corrupt even the most stable individuals. Even regular Jaegers might succumb to the temptation of such drugs, let alone others.

Just then,

Someone knocked on my hospital room door.

There should be security guards outside. But suddenly, I heard the polite voice of Noona Mina.

“Yes! Identity confirmed. Please come in.”

They’re letting them in without resistance?

The door opened, and a woman with a long ponytail and elaborate clothing entered.

Haha, she’s an incredibly famous person. How could I not recognize her?

It was Jo Seonghui, the head of the Magician Guild, standing right in front of me.

She looks so young despite being in her mid-40s.

But why is she here?

“Such surprised eyes. How childlike.”

The pearl earrings in her ears catch my attention. Old-fashioned sense.

Anyway, this impressive person sits down next to my bed.

“Relax. I’m just here to check on your condition and ask a few questions. Our child (Aerial) is involved too.”

“Yes. She’s certainly impressive. Already carrying out operations with adult Jaegers.”

“That’s because that kid, Yu Deokmin, wanted it. Normally, I would never have sent her. No matter how skilled they are, children should be given experience in safe battlefields.”

I had only met Jo Seonghui once before, when she transformed into a bird.

She’s easier to deal with than Dokgo Jun. Thanks to her, I survived.

“First, let me ask about your relationship with Yu Deokmin. When did he start showing changes?”

“After summer vacation ended.”

“Hmm. Did you know about the red powder beforehand?”

Her eyes sharpened at this point.

“Yes.”

“How did you know? Before the vacation, even we weren’t aware of it.”

“Well… remember that incident where a Jaeger was beaten by a civilian?”

“…And?”

“That was me.”

Suddenly, Jo Seonghui’s sharp gaze softened like the weather clearing up.

Instead, a smile spread across her face.

“Masterpiece. A masterpiece. So, did the police tell you about the red powder?”

“No, not the police. Instructor Eun Serin was with me at that time.”

“Eun Serin?”

Jo Seonghui looked surprised at the unexpected name.

“Serin is an Academy instructor… but wasn’t it vacation time? You were alone with an instructor?”

“No, it was for an assignment. An assignment!”

I quickly changed the subject, sensing the conversation was heading in a strange direction.

“Really? Serin told you about it?”

“Yes, something like that. So I knew about it, but Deokmin appeared different from how he was in the first semester. I think he had already been taking it by then.”

“Good. But why did Yu Deokmin suddenly act that way? I heard he showed interest in our Aerial.”

“Yu Deokmin liked Aerial. But Aerial didn’t reciprocate.”

“That, I know. But why are you involved? Do Jonghyeon, you were in the lower class like Yu Deokmin, and you two didn’t get along. Yu Deokmin kidnapped you and used you as bait to lure Aerial. Do you know what this looks like?”

Jo Seonghui pointed at my heart.

“Are you two dating?”

“What?”

“Don’t be surprised. It’s not uncommon for young men and women to date. Just look at Park Taesang, Dokgo Jun—that man dated so many women. When I think about how my juniors complained to me…”

Why is the conversation going back in this direction? I tried to steer it elsewhere.

Jo Seonghui continues regardless.

“Originally, the plan was to pretend to send Aerial and then ambush them. But Aerial insisted on going herself, talking about the hostage’s life being at stake. Who could stop that stubborn child? I allowed it. Well, considering the uncertainties, it made sense for Aerial to go, but I didn’t think that proud child would have thought of it that way.”

“So you thought we were dating?”

“To be honest, Aerial liking you… no, that’s rude. There are all kinds of love. Your face and body aren’t bad. You’re better than average, though not extremely attractive externally… Ah, sorry. I almost got rude again. My apologies.”

You’re already being plenty rude. But there’s no point in calling her out on it.

“So I wondered, but from our conversation, I understand. You often hung out or trained together?”

“In the first semester, yes.”

“Anyway, I understand why a boy who’s close to Aerial might be targeted. That’s why I asked if you were dating. It’s important from a management perspective.”

“If we were dating, would you have told us to break up?”

Jo Seonghui smiled with her eyes.

“No. By management, I mean things like condition and physical care, not interfering in romantic relationships. We want Aerial to live as happily as possible. Despite her stubborn and willful personality, with proper guidance, she’ll become a great talent.”

“I think so too.”

“If you’re friends, treat her well as a friend, and if you’re lovers, cherish her.”

Jo Seonghui stood up energetically.

“What I just said is beside the point, so don’t dwell on it. Human relationships can always deteriorate. Actually, I came to ask you this.”

“What is it?”

“That dinosaur that Aerial and our people mentioned. How did it fight and behave? You must have seen it, right?”

I can’t lie carelessly here.

“It was a good shot. Like a land battleship. And it could briefly hover in the air with something attached to its sides.”

“A creature over 30 meters that can do that? Incredible.”

“It brought Mahanaga down from the air, then indiscriminately stomped on it with its claws and finished it off.”

“And then?”

“It disappeared somewhere.”

Jo Seonghui stared at my eyes again, as if examining me.

“Our investigation shows it appeared from the entrance direction, but it’s strange that it left in the opposite direction. Well, fine. Rest well.”

“Yes. Yes.”

“….”

But for a moment, I felt Jo Seonghui scrutinizing me from head to toe.

Why is she doing that? Did I seem suspicious?

I bowed to Jo Seonghui and was about to lie back down. But her parting words made me sit bolt upright.

“Oh, by the way, the funeral for the student Kim Cheongi is in two days. He was your friend, right?”

“Where is it?”

“We’re on our way to meet the bereaved family since we’re involved. Want to come along?”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

As a friend, I need to see him off on his final journey. I headed straight to the funeral home.

There, I saw Cheongi’s parents, angry and demanding to know why we couldn’t save him.

Eventually, I sat down and cried, feeling immensely sorry.

If only I had transformed earlier…

I don’t want to hide this form while hunting anymore.

But if I reveal myself, will they accept me? Monster-human, human monster—who can tell the difference?

It’s frustrating.

My expression wasn’t good as I left the funeral home.

It’s difficult, painful, and suffocating.

“But still… but still…”

Still, I have to move forward. Whatever the future holds, I need to do what I can.

Until they accept the monster form, I just have to keep trying in my own way.

*

In December, before returning to duty, I wrote down the events that would happen this month.

[Goegeopdan Incident Log]

-December: Seoul Vacuum Operation on the 15th, Busan Port Blockade Battle on December 30th.

-Next year March: Academy 2nd Terror Attack

-June: Simultaneous worldwide Goegeopdan terrorist attacks; especially in Mexico and South America where mafia forces are strong, governments cannot stop Goegeopdan forces

-Between these major incidents, monster-humans gradually form groups. Deteriorating public safety

-Meanwhile, monsters grow in size and bulk, increased frequency of Void force monsters

-Gate interiors become unstable, frequent occurrences of king emergences and resonance phenomena

Honestly, there’s no need to write down the periodic break phenomena. I just need to worry about monster reports.

“Sigh. I need to earn points before then too.”

The dinosaur and wolf forms are enough for now, but I need to prepare for contingencies.

Especially for the Busan blockade battle, which was complicated by underwater monsters in addition to hostages.

It would be good if I could assist with that.

While I was making plans one by one, my phone rang.

“Aerial?”

[Clear your schedule tomorrow at 7 PM. And come out! Wear the clothes I bought you! Don’t forget this time.]

A typical message from Aerial arrives.

“Trying to comfort me?”

It must be Aerial’s way of showing she cares.

The next day, I returned to the classroom. The atmosphere was still gloomy as we shared our pain with each other.

I’ll have to relieve this depressing mood with my meeting with Aerial. Though it might cause more stress.

While waiting at the meeting place, I encountered unexpected people.

“Jonghyeon?”

I heard Seol Yuhwa’s voice, and beside her was another tall woman.

Lee Chaerin.

The second-in-command of the White Dragon Guild had spotted me while passing by with Seol Yuhwa.

This isn’t good. Something’s not right. As I was about to move away due to the ominous feeling, it happened.

“Hey, Do Jonghyeon! Where are you looking? Huh?”

Aerial came up behind me, slapping my back. And then the women exchanged glances.

“….”

“….”

A complicated silence struck the place. And for some reason, Lee Chaerin was smirking.