Ch.191191. Confinement

From here on, it’s uncharted territory. I can no longer hide it, and it’s time to tell the truth.

How much should I reveal? Let’s set aside the loop. Just clarify the monster’s purpose and condition.

The enemy must be curious about how much I know, so I need to preemptively address that.

After organizing my thoughts, everything around me was quiet.

Everyone was just staring at me from a distance.

There were probably various gazes. Some were purely surprised and shocked, while others were angry or aggressive.

“Jeonghyun Do was a monster?”

“All this time, right beside us…?”

Ah, having sharp hearing is annoying at times like this. Even hearing the surprised voices of the protesting friends.

In this standoff, guilds begin to gather around me one by one.

Without exception, their eyes show nothing but hostility. Probably fear or terror.

That fear seems to transform into hatred and hostility, with killing intent piercing my body.

Let’s see, that guild is the Wind Arrow Guild, right? Quite a renowned guild has arrived.

“Don’t move!”

Guilds surround me and approach gradually.

“So you’re a human monster.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Don’t you transform into a monster?”

“That’s true, actually.”

Come to think of it, there’s not much difference. Whether this is their actual reaction or not, I hear shouting from all around.

“Then you are a human monster.”

“I suppose it looks that way. But I’m not, am I? If I were a human monster, there would be no reason for me to refrain from attacking.”

My words make them hesitate. But already, people intent on subduing me were approaching from all sides.

“I’m not doing anything. So could you please stop approaching me so menacingly?”

Above all, my body is starting to ache. Especially around my chest where I was hit.

But regardless, they pounced on me from behind like I was some hostage-taker.

“…What are you doing?”

“Cuff his wrists! Yongchan! Tie him with the belt!”

They’re putting effort into restraining me even though I’m not resisting. In the end, with handcuffs and abilities suppressing my body, everything was over.

I was captured and escorted to a Jaeger specialized prison with Jaegers as bodyguards on both sides.

It was expected. The moment I revealed I was a monster, I never thought we’d laugh together and strengthen our bonds like in a comic book.

This situation was inevitable.

I was imprisoned in a high-security Jaeger prison, under 24-hour surveillance in a fan-shaped cell.

Naturally, all my possessions were confiscated. Including my card deck.

And then, an indefinite waiting period followed.

After several days, Gojun Dokgo came to visit me.

And he also told me that they had finally launched a full-scale attack against the Goegyeopdan.

*

One day before Jeonghyun Do’s arrest

Gojun Dokgo’s face was gleaming with anticipation. Camouflaged among the bushes with the help of his sidekick, he could see the Daejeon branch of the Goegyeopdan before him.

The Goegyeopdan had branches worldwide. Since they were disguised as legitimate businesses, their locations were actually well-known.

So if one wanted to raid them, it would be quite easy to approach.

The only thing was that this surprise attack would be carried out swiftly.

What they were targeting was the secret base beneath the branch.

“My lady certainly brought us some excellent information.”

Seonghui Jo, or more precisely Serin Eun, had confessed the location where they obtained information about the Goegyeopdan.

This was the moment when Gojun Dokgo’s goal, which he had pursued so aggressively that he even resorted to torture, would finally be achieved.

“We’re ready.”

The sidekicks were maintaining the tunnel dug by the combat team and digging underground. Gojun Dokgo connected with Taesan Park.

“Handle it well. We don’t know what kind of people will be there. Especially the byproducts of ancient species—we must take care of them ourselves.”

[Damn it! I know! You just do your part well!]

Gojun Dokgo smiled at his friend’s usual profanity and gave the signal.

“Internal investigation?”

“Internal assessment successful.”

After checking the records and building plans detected by the sidekicks, Gojun Dokgo finally ordered the attack.

It was time for this mysterious cult called the Goegyeopdan to fall.

On this day, starting with Korea, Goegyeopdan branches worldwide began to be raided one after another.

Naturally, their power was greatly diminished, and all their secrets were exposed.

However, not everything was successful.

Some locations had to retreat after being ambushed due to internal leaks.

But even so, at this point of global coordination, they could no longer operate officially.

Especially as powerhouses like Gojun Dokgo and Taesan Park, who had reached the Avatar stage, began tearing them apart, the Goegyeopdan was swept away like fallen leaves in the wind.

Gojun Dokgo was at the forefront and harbored a massive grudge against them.

After clearing the Goegyeopdan branches in just one day, they were preparing to go abroad.

“We’ll go to Russia first. My old friend Zhukov said he failed due to information leaks. We need to help him eradicate them completely.”

They were packing again for an expedition after completing their extermination, accelerating this situation.

However, an unexpected event slightly delayed their departure.

The TV news was full of stories about the human monster, Jeonghyun Do.

Gojun Dokgo clapped his hands as soon as he saw the screen.

And he called for Chaerin Lee.

“Did you see? I was right, wasn’t I? He was a monster. I told you so!”

“…Are you happy about this?”

Gojun Dokgo cleared his throat at Chaerin’s incredulous face.

“No, I mean, I was right. In the end, that boy was the monster.”

“…”

“I need to meet him. Set up an appointment.”

Chaerin told him she had already arranged it in response to his order.

“Are you reading my thoughts now?”

“It’s obvious. But… you’re not angry?”

“Angry?”

“A man who would go crazy trying to kill monsters is calmly looking at this? You’ve really changed.”

Gojun Dokgo pulled Chaerin closer.

“Do you dislike that?”

“…Well, it makes you more human, which is better.”

Chaerin, nestled in his arms, stroked his short beard.

“You’ve changed.”

“People need to live, after all. That’s how we have these experiences. Shall we go meet the cause of this change?”

“Yes, yes. The appointment is tomorrow at 4 PM.”

“Can’t be helped. Tell everyone to take a short break.”

On TV, Jeonghyun Do’s name and photo kept appearing.

This was making an impact that was shaking not just South Korea but the world.

A monster who is human, a human who is monster. Countless voices were debating about this one man.

*

Life in a 24-hour surveillance prison was, how should I put it? Embarrassing.

Shouldn’t they at least not film the bathroom out of decency?

The bathroom door where I was sitting was half open. At least my upper body was visible to the surveillance cameras.

They were monitoring to prevent any tricks from inside, but honestly, I hadn’t committed any crime.

Being a monster was the only issue, but in this world, being a monster was a serious offense.

I left the bathroom and looked at the small TV.

The news they occasionally showed was continuously broadcasting the truth about the Goegyeopdan.

But content about me was also being aired.

Honestly, my name was mentioned more often than the Goegyeopdan.

Everyone was asking what kind of person I was, starting from the Mahana incident.

This was also true for the Academy.

[Excuse me! A word about student Jeonghyun Do…]

[Do you know who I am? Keep the reporters out!]

Our dear reporters were being cut off at the entrance of the Academy, which had heightened security due to the attack incident.

Of course they couldn’t get in. Did they think they could enter as they pleased?

Moreover, since they were dealing with Jaegers, they couldn’t act excessively.

However, students who were on sick leave or arriving late fell victim to their clutches.

[Let go!]

[Just give us one comment! Your friend was a human monster!]

[Hey, how dare you push away an adult?]

It was chaos, like a press conference for a celebrity who had caused a scandal.

I feel a bit sorry about that.

The news is shown for about an hour and then ends. What else do they show? Very pious religious broadcasts.

“…I’m bored.”

Since I knew the truth about the enemies and their contents, my goal was clear.

My current objective was to reveal that and fight together.

They would surely try to extract information from me while keeping me captive.

I planned to tell them we needed to cooperate.

But where are the higher-ups?

I’ve been locked up for two days now, and no one has come.

Shouldn’t they be investigating me? What’s the point of just surveillance?

Was this how Jiang Taigong felt waiting for King Wen of Zhou?

But my expectations were met within two hours.

Among guards emanating terrifying killing intent, the big shot, Gojun Dokgo, appeared.

“The liar’s words are quite interesting.”

“I had my reasons.”

Gojun Dokgo. Yes, this person needed to come. He’s essentially the commander-in-chief of the current Jaegers.

Now the conversation proceeds in front of a specially designed alloy door.

But I can’t trust carelessly. Like with Morgan, I need to consider the possibility of manipulation or disguise.

Above all, Ujin Si was beside him. That human monster. I must get rid of him just in case.

“I’d like to talk one-on-one. I’d appreciate it if you could remove the extras.”

“What?”

Ujin Si reacted, but Gojun Dokgo waved his hand.

“Don’t you trust me? Surprise attacks absolutely won’t work now. I’m constantly on guard.”

“But…”

“Leave.”

With Gojun Dokgo’s short command, Ujin Si had no choice but to leave.

“Everyone else too, please.”

“It sounds like you have something important to tell me.”

“If I didn’t have anything to say, I wouldn’t have revealed my identity in the first place.”

“Is that so?”

But wait, Gojun Dokgo’s expression is changing strangely. Suddenly, magical power like an active volcano reached me.

“Ugh!”

I almost lost consciousness from the immense pressure felt at the door.

At the same time, a resounding echo filled the entire place.

“Everyone, stand back. From now on, only this boy and I will have an important conversation! Anyone who dares to step in or eavesdrop will have their head cut off by me personally! Stand back!”

The brilliant light condensed to something like a small lamp, and at that moment, the door separating us shattered.

“Wow…”

“This is an Avatar. Undeniable proof that I am who I am. Do you still doubt me?”

Wait, did I say I was checking if Gojun Dokgo was really Gojun Dokgo?

He skipped several steps in the sequence. As expected of Gojun Dokgo. He’s quick-witted.

“When discussing important matters, I’m not foolish enough to talk carelessly. Including verification of who I am.”

I’m glad he understands. Wait, if this pattern continues…

Gojun Dokgo’s sword was pointed right at my nose.

“Then you should prove yourself this time. Transform into a monster. Right in front of my eyes.”

I knew this would happen.

“But I need my card deck to transform.”

“Card deck? So without it, you can’t use much power?”

“More or less.”

That chimera-like being would probably emerge.

“Fine.”

Gojun Dokgo withdrew his light. Simultaneously, wind swirled around.

Gojun Dokgo told me to wait in that state.

“I ‘just’ sent a message. Since I used magic for soundproofing, I had to go directly, you see.”

“Haha… I couldn’t even see you.”

“Same for the others.”

Now it was my turn to prove myself. While waiting for the card deck, we engaged in small talk.

“Was it a sudden change of heart? I remember how desperately you denied it before.”

“We’re in the final phase now. And if you found out I was a monster, you’d cut off my head first, wouldn’t you?”

“That’s right. At least not now. But the me from back then, certainly.”

Is that how someone who knows me would talk?

But just then, Gojun Dokgo suddenly grabbed me.

“It’s coming.”

“What?”

At that very moment, the ceiling began to collapse.