Ch.4646. Min-seo Choi’s Slip of the Tongue That Brought Pestam

The file discovered by Kang Yerin had the following preface written in it:

—-

· Expected Grade Reorganization Table After Limit Break

Application timing after the third scenario begins

That is, after the Galaxy Empire subjugation

Warning: Do not apply in advance under any circumstances

—-

“What? This little thing caused all this?”

Kang Yerin couldn’t understand the contents written there.

“What does it mean that just changing the units makes you stronger…? The system’s enforcement?”

The other files were full of words whose meanings she couldn’t understand. Kang Yerin instinctively knew that numerous secrets were contained there.

Her chest began to ache again.

Every file had a similar last modified date. Right before the Dark Kingdom subjugation.

Jung Ui-seok was a straightforward man who only thought about fighting for peace forever.

These files were telling her that fact.

Tears welled up.

How lonely his fight had been, and how pathetic she felt for stupidly not noticing it, making her want to tear her hair out.

“He wasn’t influenced by villains.”

The order was reversed.

Despite being disillusioned with heroes, he had no choice but to choose the last resort because he wanted to protect peace.

Because that was the only way to bring down the Galaxy Empire.

“…I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Ui-seok.”

How must he be feeling now?

Would it be disrespectful to even imagine?

What could be the source of strength that allows someone to keep fighting for the world even after losing everything, even after losing loved ones?

Kang Yerin felt such reverence for that superhuman mental strength.

And the more she felt that way, the more she wanted to have him.

No, she didn’t need to have him.

Even being had by him would be fine.

For now, she just wished she could meet him and talk.

So what can I do?

“…I’m a hero.”

Slap!

Kang Yerin hit her own cheek to clear her mind.

There was only one way to prove it.

It was fair to assume there was nothing more to expect from Shin Yukyong, Ji Se-hwa, or Choi Minseo.

Even if it was just her.

Heroes—I—can fight the Galaxy Empire. I can win.

There was no choice but to show that.

As Kang Yerin compiled the files, a new scenario formed in her mind.

Then, while checking the data, one title immediately triggered a memory.

[Pestam Purity Required for Galaxy Empire Attack]

‘That’s not a drug! It’s a weapon! A secret measure to bring down evil organizations!’

‘The evil organization just fell. What are you talking about?’

Jung Ui-seok had definitely said that on the Dark Kingdom’s ship.

At the time, everyone thought the evil organization was just the Dark Kingdom, so they thought Jung Ui-seok was talking nonsense, and Shin Yukyong refuted him as such.

But Jung Ui-seok already knew about the Galaxy Empire.

And what the filename said was clear.

Pestam.

Jung Ui-seok hadn’t purchased it to use as a drug.

Though she didn’t know how to use it, it was clearly a weapon to counter the Galaxy Empire.

“Good grief.”

Kang Yerin once again felt deeply ashamed of her foolishness.

Pestam. Where is it now?

The association president had definitely entrusted its management to Choi Minseo. Kang Yerin immediately sought out the association president.

“Pestam? Why that all of a sudden? We stashed it in a warehouse that only Minseo and I can access, with the highest security level of any weapons facility.”

“Take me there, now!”

Kang Yerin moved with the association president to a facility several blocks away. After going deep underground for quite some time, the two stepped into the warehouse.

When the association president’s security authentication was complete, the thick iron door opened.

And.

“Huh…?”

The association president made a dumbfounded sound.

The warehouse was completely empty.

◈ ◈ ◈

When I got the call, I went to the abandoned warehouse as Jung Ui-seok and found a 20-ton truck inside.

“Ui-seok oppa!”

Choi Minseo ran toward me with a bright smile.

I had checked the entire situation at the abandoned factory through CCTV. Though they were just worthless punks, she killed them all without hesitation.

She was always merciless to enemies.

“I, I brought your stuff, oppa! Did I do well?”

Her eyes expected praise. It was quite disgusting, so I ignored her and checked the contents first.

When I opened the container, it was packed full of Pestam, which looked like unprocessed, hard plastic. I went inside to check if Choi Minseo had possibly switched the contents.

Some had been torn open and removed. That would be the amount she used herself. Already about fifty kilograms were gone.

Seems she skimmed off enough for herself.

So full of greed.

“How is it? I brought everything as promised! Are you surprised?”

Choi Minseo was blinking with wide, sparkling eyes. After putting on my mask, I left the truck and tapped my ear communicator twice.

My subordinates began coming up from underground. They efficiently moved the Pestam.

“Huh? Um… eh?”

Choi Minseo looked around in confusion. She wasn’t grasping the change in the situation.

“Minseo.”

“Yes…?”

“Get lost now.”

I declared with my arms crossed.

Choi Minseo blinked as if she had misheard, then tilted her head.

“U-Ui-seok oppa? What do you mean…?”

“I’m done with you, so get lost.”

“Huh? No, no? Why are you suddenly saying that? I did everything you asked well, I should be praised…”

“You have no shame. Have you forgotten what you did to me?”

“Forgotten? What did I do?”

“Lu-a.”

At my command, Lu-a, who was among my subordinates, lightly shot dark matter at Choi Minseo’s brainstem.

The effect was brief. But intense.

The dark matter brought Choi Minseo’s emotions back to reality.

“Huh? Wh-what? Ah, ahhh?!”

Her subconscious recognizes that what she believed were memories were just memories. She confirms that the Dark Kingdom battle was reality. She also recalls what happened at the party.

The first time she encountered the pink cloud. The visions she saw.

“No, no, nooooo!!”

Choi Minseo burst into tears and collapsed on the spot. She tore at her hair, then covered her mouth, and unable to hold back, vomited what was in her stomach.

“You, you. It was you. That day, you.”

Choi Minseo slowly turned her head toward Lu-a. Lu-a removed her mask and smiled at Choi Minseo.

“Hello, Green Nature? I’m Agent Shin Min-ah from Secret Service.”

“You, youuuu—!”

Choi Minseo began convulsing as she looked at Lu-a.

I walked toward Lu-a and said:

“Don’t hate Lu-a too much. She’s currently my most cherished disciple.”

Hearing those words, shadows fell across Choi Minseo’s face.

“Huh…? What do you mean…? Oppa?”

I pressed my body against Lu-a. I placed my hand on her shoulder and pulled up her thigh, embracing her.

“Still don’t know who I am? Lu-a is the best talent I’ve discovered. She’s a genius among geniuses—it would be disrespectful to even compare her to you all.”

“That’s a lie. Oppa always said I was the best.”

“That was the biggest lie of my life. Do you know how much trouble I went through to encourage pathetic people like you?”

Lu-a took another mask from her embrace and half-placed it on her face. Lu-a smiled mockingly at Choi Minseo.

Only then did Choi Minseo recognize what that mask was.

“Dark… Matter?”

“Now you understand that what I’m saying is true? Lu-a surpassed you all, who I raised for three years, in just two weeks.”

“That’s impossible. Oppa, you’re… Vengeance?”

“Finally. You’re slow to catch on. That’s why you always heard those words.”

I grinned at her.

“Failure.”

“No, no! I’m not a failure!!”

Choi Minseo’s screams grew louder. She began scratching the concrete floor, and gradually her fingernails began to turn red.

“No, right? Oppa. Ui-seok oppa. You praised me. You acknowledged me. You said you needed me.”

Choi Minseo crawled toward me. She put her arms on my legs and clung to me.

“I, I. I made mistakes, but. I know now. I could only exist because of Ui-seok oppa, and I. I need you, but. You shouldn’t do this. I can’t live without you. Hmm? Don’t do this.”

Choi Minseo looked up at me. No matter how lavishly she adorned herself with luxury brands, they couldn’t hide her ugly tear-stained face.

“I, I’ll do anything. Okay? Don’t do this. Teach me again. Show me. Praise me. Tell me I’m the best.”

“You’ll do anything?”

Choi Minseo nodded vigorously, spraying tears.

“Anything, you say.”

Assuming absolute obedience, there are ways to use her. I could plant her as a Trojan horse in the association, or use her as a combat operative for the organization.

Of course, her unstable mental state makes her that much more of a risk.

Above all, considering the constant attention she’d require, it’s not a particularly appealing option.

Anyway, since it’s now public knowledge that Red Dragon is with Gerogius, letting her go shouldn’t cause much trouble.

“I’m, I’m sorry. Oppa. I really shouldn’t have done that.”

Choi Minseo apologizes.

Even hearing it doesn’t stir any particular emotion in me.

“I was jealous of you, oppa. I must have been too stressed. I was always behind, and you didn’t look at me like before, and no one called my name, but the cameras only filmed you. People only called for you. And you had a girlfriend. So I was so envious.”

Come to think of it, the ones who definitely intended to kill me that day were Shin Yukyong, Ji Se-hwa, and the association president—three people.

Choi Minseo and Kang Yerin seemed to have gone along with the plan but didn’t know it would go that far.

Though Choi Minseo readily agreed at the end.

It’s true that the fight with the Dark Kingdom was difficult.

She must have been mentally overwhelmed.

Not that I intend to forgive her, but.

Out of minimal affection, perhaps I’ll end the punishment here.

“I’m sorry, oppa, for everything. I was wrong. For what I did to you there. For not trusting you.”

I lowered my head. I reached out to grab Choi Minseo’s shoulder.

“I’m also sorry for what I did to Somi unni.”

…Wait.

What did she just say?

“What?”

“Huh?”

Choi Minseo’s expression shows bewilderment.

“Hey.”

I grabbed Choi Minseo by the collar and lifted her up.

“Say that again.”

“Ah, no. Huh? This, you didn’t know… Ah. No, I. Another mistake—”

Smack!

I punched Choi Minseo in the face with all my strength. Her small body flew far and crashed into the wall.

“Waaah, huh, nooo!! I, I said we shouldn’t do it! I said we shouldn’t because she might die, I didn’t say it would be fun—”

“Hey.”

I approached Choi Minseo and grabbed her by the hair.

“Choose your next words carefully.”

And I made one decision.

“They might be your last words.”

I decided to kill every member of the Dragon King Sentai without exception.