Ch.135Chapter 5. Do Ji-hwan’s Ambitious Project (12)

“Anyway, people are searching desperately for Platinum Sun. Just like how they tried to track down Goblin’s activities and identity when he first appeared, the whole world is now focused on Platinum Sun.”

Since we’re talking about Goblin, this is the perfect opportunity to mention something else along with his story.

“What do you think is the reason? The S+ combat ability? Or the supernatural power? The Golden Magistrate costume?”

“The ability to purify demons into humans.”

Baek Seol-hee answered.

That’s correct.

“That’s right. Ymir has the power to purify demons. Until now, all demons had to be killed, but now things are different. It’s a bit crude to put it this way, but it’s like a cure has been discovered for what was previously considered an incurable disease.”

Corruption is a disease.

An incurable one, and those who become demons turn into killing machines driven by delusions to murder humans.

At first, they appear rational.

They make reasonable judgments about the circumstances that led to their demonic corruption, but after resolving those emotions, all that remains is resentment and hatred toward the world.

“All demons eventually try to kill humans. There have been no exceptions so far. The only difference is how long they can maintain their rationality. Everyone thought the only way to save a demon was to kill it.”

“But now it’s different?”

“Yes. Since Platinum Sun can save demons, even demons themselves will come looking for her.”

I opened the “Demon” entry on the Villain Wiki.

Particularly, the demons with established entries.

“Among demons, there must be those who want to return to being human.”

This actually appears in the original work.

It’s an episode that comes quite late in the story, and it was such a messy incident that many readers who were already struggling to follow the plot dropped off during this sticky and unpleasant episode.

“Like a demon who falls in love with a human, or someone who wants to turn a demon back into a human after giving birth to one.”

“……”

“Yes. For a powered person to give up their power is like an ordinary person cutting off their limbs. Actually, it’s worse. Because they’re losing something they’ve had since birth.”

“But still, there might be beings who have reasons why they must become human again instead of remaining demons.”

Ymir responded gravely to my words.

She must have met such demons and felt many things while purifying them.

It’s the way of the world that even an extremely rare case—one in 6 billion—can change your entire outlook on life.

“Everyone has different values they hold most dear, and that must be true for demons too. I’m not condoning killing people, just saying that there might be demons like that…”

It must be because she’s seen such cases that Ymir wants to save demons.

“If I can save such people, I’ll go anywhere.”

At Ymir’s strong resolve, Baek Seol-hee gently closed her eyes.

“Ymir… you’re choosing a very difficult path.”

“Even if it’s difficult, if I can save even one person from death by walking this path, a little hardship is fine. Hehe.”

Just as I had confirmed Ymir’s determination, Baek Seol-hee reaffirmed Ymir’s mindset.

“Being just a hero without government authorization will be tough. You won’t receive tax support, and you’ll have to walk the paths of both an ordinary person and a hero simultaneously.”

“That’s why I’m getting help now, right? From you, teacher. And if possible, I’d appreciate it if you could turn a blind eye to some of my activities, Seol-hee.”

“Of course. I’m not that kind of person. I wouldn’t tactlessly report Ymir to the government. I’m quite perceptive, you know.”

“……”

“Why aren’t you answering? Is there something I don’t know?”

“It’s not that you lack tact, but there’s one more thing I wanted to mention.”

I quickly changed the subject.

“It’s this.”

“…Disappearing?”

“Yes. Both Goblin and Platinum Sun have this technique of suddenly vanishing after battles.”

The foundation and nature of their powers are clearly different.

But the result—suddenly disappearing from the battlefield and escaping people’s sight—is the same.

“People will think: this has to be teleportation, right? And it actually is.”

When someone suddenly appears out of thin air?

Anyone would naturally assume they possess teleportation abilities.

“And they’ll think: Teleportation? Does that mean Platinum Sun can now appear anywhere in the world when crisis strikes?”

“Such an ability…”

“Whether it’s possible or not, people will think: She appeared out of nowhere in Ulleungdo, so maybe she can suddenly appear on the opposite side of the earth without any explanation.”

The very concept of physical travel time gets erased.

“Individuals will think that she might suddenly appear to save them when they’re in danger.”

When a demon tries to kill me.

“Save me, Platinum Sun!!” There might be people who cry out like this.

It’s natural.

If she saved that adulterous man in Ulleungdo who caused corruption, why wouldn’t she save someone more virtuous like themselves? It wouldn’t be ‘fair’.

Because a righteous hero should protect everyone in danger equally.

“Well, this is fine. Anyone in crisis hopes to be protected by a hero. But the government is different.”

I pulled out some documents.

“The government wants powered individuals they can deploy anywhere, anytime. Whether it’s a dangerous situation or whatever, they want powered people who can be deployed immediately. If Platinum Sun can teleport anywhere in the country to handle villains? If that happens…”

“…They’d want to use her 24/7. To put it extremely.”

Baek Seol-hee showed a hesitant expression with a sour face, then sighed deeply before speaking.

“The government planned a project. The Hero Designated Residence System. They planned to station S-class heroes in metropolitan cities, and below them, A and B-class heroes in smaller cities and neighborhoods… placing one hero in each administrative district, like members of parliament.”

“They planned something like that?”

“Yes. Ymir might not know since she came from abroad, but there was a major legislative discussion about this just three years ago. It was withdrawn after causing much controversy.”

Baek Seol-hee smiled bitterly as she displayed a map of the Korean peninsula on the screen, dividing it into north, south, east, and west.

“If they forcibly assigned regions to heroes, those assigned to the west would strongly object. Especially…”

“Nobody would want to go to Seoul.”

Seoul is less popular than Chungcheong and Jeolla provinces.

While infrastructure is important for living, what matters most to powered individuals is being as close as possible to Sejong Island, whether by land or sea.

“Either you get a steady paycheck in places with no people where villains don’t rampage, or you’re in a populated area close enough to Sejong Island to help increase your magical power or develop your abilities.”

For powered individuals, magical power is paramount.

And in this era, more important than proximity to transportation or schools is whether there are powered individuals nearby—the “hero-sphere.”

“At the very least, the old capital region… the Seoul area has become the most meaningless place for powered individuals in this country.”

That’s why Seoul collapsed.

When heroes left Seoul, naturally those who lived there also moved to be near the heroes.

“And now a teleporter appears. Someone who can appear anywhere? Someone who can respond immediately to crises? Sigh. What’s the point of even discussing it?”

“They were trying to send people to different regions to handle situations, but if there’s a teleporter, there’s no need to send people to the provinces.”

“Heroes would be delighted. ‘I was feeling awkward about being asked to be a hero in Seoul since it’s my hometown, but now I don’t need to go to Seoul at all!'”

“But that means dumping everything on Ymir.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Because she’s S+.”

It’s not just humans who are selfish.

Correction.

Since powered individuals are also human, all humans are selfish.

“That’s why I’m helping Ymir. No matter what hardships she faces, I want to protect her from those who try to use her. That’s why I called you here, Seol-hee.”

“……”

“I know that making this request to you is just like the requests from those higher-ups you despise. Setting things up so you can’t possibly refuse, then making such requests—it’s disgusting.”

And I, too, am selfish.

“Still, Seol-hee. Will you help? So that Ymir doesn’t have to live 24 hours as Platinum Sun, but can at least sometimes live as the human Ymir.”

“…That’s unfair. When you put it that way, how could I refuse? I also want to be human Baek Seol-hee when I’m with you, Ji-hwan.”

Baek Seol-hee reached out to Ymir with a warm smile.

“I look forward to working with you, Ymir.”

“…Me too, Seol-hee… unnie? Um, is it okay if I call you unnie?”

“Yes. Of course.”

Ymir clasped hands with Baek Seol-hee.

“…I look forward to working with both of you. If you have any concerns, I’m here to listen, so please tell me anytime.”

Because when it comes to women’s mental care, I’m more confident than anyone.

I, Do Ji-hwan.

I will help these two women avoid going berserk or losing their minds from all the world’s injustices.

Even if I have to sacrifice myself.

For the sake of the world.

For a safe and peaceful world governed by the Syndicate.