Ch.193193. Choice

Do Jong-hyun transforms into a monster, but he still saves people.

It’s because of this one acknowledgment that he’s been allowed to remain as he is now.

However, they don’t leave his personal freedom completely unrestricted.

The Korean Jaeger Association has assigned surveillance personnel to Do Jong-hyun and agreed to keep him within the association for now.

Though he’s freer than before, the problem was public opinion outside.

Public opinion about Do Jong-hyun had been split into two factions, but one day rumors began to spread.

-Do Jong-hyun deliberately caused trouble under orders from the monster side

-He’s planning to betray humanity at the critical moment

-Everyone’s being fooled! Wake up! Haven’t we been deceived by monsters enough?

Of course, there was no evidence, but it was a kind of destabilization tactic exploiting people’s anxiety.

Amidst all this, adult Jun-hoo was gathering as much information as possible.

Although Do Jong-hyun was relatively free, his every move was being monitored, limiting his access to information.

So occasionally, Jun-hoo would collect information and bring it to him.

“These rumors really cover everything from epidemics to politics.”

[As I’ve said before, sympathizers aren’t just among Jaegers. There must be some among ordinary people too. That’s probably why public opinion about you is getting worse.]

“Hmm. Well, I’ve told Dokgo Jun what he needed to know, so whatever.”

[How much did you tell him?]

Jun-hoo was curious about what conversation Do Jong-hyun and Dokgo Jun had after the incident ended.

Starting with whether he had told him everything.

“Not everything. Just that the enemy is raising us to harvest our energy, that I transform using a monster summoning spell, and about the other human monster. The rest they’ve investigated on their own, which made our conversation easier. It’s not that they don’t trust me, but they don’t trust me completely either.”

[But you helped them so much?]

Jun-hoo felt bitter. He understood the hatred toward monsters.

But Do Jong-hyun’s efforts were certainly not insignificant.

Yet they were swept up in rumors and judged him dangerous.

The person in question, however, didn’t seem to mind.

“It’s natural for things to be chaotic for about a month after such shocking revelations. By the way, have you found that fox-eared girl from Goegyeopdan?”

[No. She hasn’t appeared since we last saw her.]

What Do Jong-hyun was actually concerned about was that Goegyeopdan girl who could manipulate emotions.

What made it scarier than mental brainwashing was that while one’s self-awareness remained intact, rage would surge and impair judgment.

Seeing how even Aerial-class individuals were affected, the scope seemed limitless.

If they continued to expand this emotional brainwashing?

Both men agreed it could become a weapon in the name of public opinion.

“I’ve already told you about the Goegyeopdan girl, so let me know if you find her.”

[Yes…]

At this point, Jun-hoo seemed to hesitate slightly.

‘Should I mention this?’

Jun-hoo couldn’t help but think of his sister, Seol Yu-hwa.

After Do Jong-hyun revealed himself as a monster, Yu-hwa was actually the most shocked.

While Aerial had already sensed it and was somewhat certain, Yu-hwa had absolutely believed it wasn’t true.

‘She was indoctrinated at the White Dragon Guild…’

Yu-hwa, who always wanted to succeed, had strongly embraced the anti-monster ideology.

That’s why she had absolutely believed Do Jong-hyun couldn’t be a monster.

But when he was revealed as one, she couldn’t help but be shocked. Jun-hoo hesitated to mention this to Do Jong-hyun because, as evident from the current situation, things were already complicated enough.

‘He has his own complicated circumstances, should I really bring up my sister too?’

But having seen his sister’s miserable state before the regression, Jun-hoo hated seeing her depressed.

After some deliberation, Jun-hoo suggested that Do Jong-hyun contact his sister.

[Because there are many people who are worried about you.]

“True, I should call the kids.”

As Do Jong-hyun went to request a phone, investigators immediately began monitoring his movements.

‘This is going to make it difficult to have a proper conversation.’

Adult Jun-hoo had no choice but to approach child Jun-hoo.

‘Comfort your sister. My past self…’

All he could do was send a signal through his voice to comfort the depressed Yu-hwa.

‘There are so many problems to solve.’

Jun-hoo sighed.

*

Dokgo Jun left me in Cho Seong-hee’s care and departed. It makes sense since he was planning an expedition anyway.

“Wow, he doesn’t even bat an eye despite having a human monster on his team.”

I couldn’t help but recall what Dokgo Jun had said about Si Woo-jin.

[He was a good Jaeger. When he was human.]

The moment someone becomes an enemy, there’s no room for discussion. It’s not surprising, but he’s thorough when it comes to monsters.

And while they were originally supposed to depart for Russia, they changed their destination to South America.

The reason?

Because I finally told them about another human monster.

Marcus.

One of the two human monsters I recalled right after my regression.

Though his full-scale activities would begin after graduation, he would already be “replaced,” so they went to capture him.

Instead, Park Tae-sang went to Russia.

Domestically, Cho Seong-hee is protecting us, with the three major guilds each doing their part.

As I was lying in bed, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

“This must be hard for you.”

Huh? Where have I heard this voice before?

The door didn’t open, but Cho Seong-hee appeared with a lunchbox.

“…Why would the head of one of the three major guilds bring this herself instead of sending someone else?”

“I thought we could talk. Besides, many people are afraid to bring you a lunchbox.”

“Haha, that’s harsh.”

Cho Seong-hee then told me that Dokgo Jun had visited Eun Se-rin just before departing.

“What? I would have expected that guy to say ‘How dare you cooperate with a monster? Face judgment!’ and split her in half.”

“Maybe in the past, but he’s softened now. Thanks to you.”

Cho Seong-hee told me about the meeting between Dokgo Jun and Eun Se-rin.

As expected, Dokgo Jun had condemned Eun Se-rin for aiding research on monsters.

Cho Seong-hee recalled the scene.

“Do you know what Se-rin said? ‘You have to be alive to endure pain.’ You should have seen Jun’s dumbfounded face.”

“What’s going to happen to Se-rin?”

“She committed crimes, but it’s a form of information trade. In exchange for providing benefits, her crimes are being reduced. She’s handed over information about Goegyeopdan raids and experimental subjects. But… many people still hate her.”

Yes, she was seen as a traitor to humanity. It’s natural they would hate her.

This is part of what I need to endure and atone for.

“But leaving things as they are could be dangerous again, so you’ll need to help.”

“Hmm, but won’t many people be uncomfortable if I stay close to her?”

“Most would oppose it. But I give my permission. You two are the final weapons against monsters. You with your physical strength, and Se-rin with her information.”

Cho Seong-hee told me they’re also creating deadly weapons against Goegyeopdan’s monsters and hybrids.

In exchange for Eun Se-rin’s information.

“Alright. If that’s the path to atonement.”

“Good. Then I’ll bring Se-rin here.”

“Yes, please do.”

I’m in a situation where I can’t go out without permission. It would be nice to have someone to talk to.

However, I didn’t expect her to put Eun Se-rin in my room.

“Excuse me?”

“This is the best solution. It’s better than increasing surveillance personnel by keeping dangerous individuals in separate rooms.”

“Huh…”

“By the way, did you talk things out with Aerial? Don’t let things drift or you’ll be in trouble.”

With that, Cho Seong-hee left.

Well.

So I ended up awkwardly sharing a room with Se-rin.

At least the bed is big… what am I thinking?

I cleared my throat.

“Noona. How have you been feeling lately?”

“Better, now that I see you.”

Though she looked haggard, her bright smile was still charming.

“…”

“…”

Eun Se-rin carefully approached me. The look in her eyes was unusual.

As if yearning for something, she sat beside me and took my hand.

Her gaze, which seemed to pull me in, came closer.

Wouldn’t it be disastrous if we were caught? There are surveillance cameras outside, right?

All sorts of thoughts were running through my mind. What about Aerial and Seol Yu-hwa?

I should speak clearly?

Eun Se-rin briefly nestled in my arms and whispered.

“Not now. I don’t deserve it.”

“Noona…”

“I’ll never see the light again. And that’s as it should be. So it doesn’t matter. I’ll always be by your side.”

I could feel Eun Se-rin’s breath softly against my neck.

“So go to the girls who can receive the light first. I’ll be after them.”

“You mean I should firmly win them over, as you said?”

“Do you dislike those two?”

“No. I like them, actually.”

“Then speak clearly. Depending on how those girls feel, wouldn’t it be good if things work out?”

This was an unexpected direction. She seemed sincere, not joking.

She was telling me to focus on Aerial and Seol Yu-hwa without worrying about her.

She’s fine being second?

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I gave up everything for revenge in the first place. But even this state is enough for me now. Just do one thing for me for certain.”

“What is it?”

“Kill my son, Ji-ho. That child will never return. It’s the parents’ fault, so I need to finish it to the end.”

Ji-ho. The face of the boy I met then flickered in my mind.

*

Flowing Milky Way was facing the anger of Goegyeopdan’s middle management.

“Information has leaked and we’re being raided everywhere!”

“You said we would usher in a new era. Now we’re about to collapse!”

“You need to take action yourself!”

Around Flowing Milky Way, the high executive, only Morgan remained now.

“Wait.”

Flowing Milky Way spoke sternly to them. But Goegyeopdan was being eradicated worldwide.

Something that hadn’t happened in the first or second instances.

“Morgan. Your ability is useful. Confuse people and fan their anger. Proceed according to the plan.”

“Yes.”

Morgan disappeared, but these people’s anger wouldn’t simply be calmed.

“Come up with a solution! When will our new world come?”

“Call the leader! What is the leader doing at this crucial time?”

“Are you hiding something?”

The protests grew louder. But Flowing Milky Way didn’t flinch.

Just as they were about to forcibly rush toward Flowing Milky Way.

“So it’s reached the limit.”

Goegyeopdan was being pressured from all sides, and already 100 branches had been raided.

Goegyeopdan’s pretense of being good could now end.

“It’s alright. From now on, we’ll change our approach.”

“How!”

Flowing Milky Way frowned at their disrespectful tone in their excitement.

But soon smiled again.

“He’s here.”

As those words ended, a wave suddenly surged. The bodies of the middle executives touched by that wave began to collapse.

“Uh… Aaaagh!”

A situation where the word “destruction” was all too fitting. A child appeared among the fragments of destroyed bodies.

“You, you told me to go to him.”

The child spoke with a trembling voice. Flowing Milky Way smiled contentedly.

“Yes, you’re quite late compared to the original timeline. Is your wandering over?”

“Mom abandoned me. She rejected me.”

Ji-ho could only recall the image of Eun Se-rin declaring he wasn’t her child. At the same time, the power of ‘destruction’ began to intensify.

Flowing Milky Way smiled with satisfaction at that magical power.

“That’s right. That’s reality. I’ll make you the greatest warrior.”

He would show this boy a world of hatred.

“Now we will overturn this world.”

“World… If mom protects it… I’ll smash it to pieces.”

Ji-ho, filled with rage and hatred, joined Goegyeopdan.