Part 1, Chapter 5 (4)

“Haneulseong might be threatening them appropriately, but ultimately, that’s what we want. Don’t interfere with what happens in Seoul from New Seoul! We’ll survive on our own!”

[New Seoul will bear the political burden that comes with that. And international criticism.]

With 60,000 citizens trembling in fear amidst the monsters, what is the government doing? Of course, they would face criticism.

Nevertheless, Seonui Cheol would refuse international aid. He is a nationalist who pathologically insists on Korea’s independence.

“So we’re going to prove that Seoul can survive on its own.”

[By what means?]

I brought up a map of Seoul. The boundary between humanity and monsters, established along the Han River. The Azure Syndicate would establish a land for monstrous humans on Yeouido, which forms that boundary.

Outwardly, it would be known as a voluntary recapture of Seoul, achieved through the collaboration of Seoul residents and the Villain Alliance.

“The Seoul Reclamation Operation. We’re continuing it.”

I pointed to a spot on the map.

South of Gwanghwamun, the administrative heart of Seoul, and the serpent’s den where Seoul’s most formidable and Korea’s worst S-class monster-the Imugi-slumbered.

Seoul City Hall.

“May 15th. In two weeks, we will kill the serpent at City Hall and reclaim Seoul. Without New Seoul’s help.”

[…Seoul will truly become the Seoul Special City, won’t it?]

She’s smart, as expected. I lowered the screen. Eun Yuha stopped smiling and hardened her expression.

[But is it okay to tell someone like me, a mere merchant, something like this? This kind of core information, I could sell it to the President, you know?]

“Then we’d become enemies. My main client wouldn’t be Yuseong, but another group.”

[You’re making quite a cute threat. But a difficult customer like you actually seems like they’d do it, so it’s genuinely scary. Do you only have allies and enemies in your life?]

“Eun Yuha Agassi. Aren’t you the same?”

[…What do you mean?]

I paused for a moment.

“Someone who brings me profit. Someone who brings me loss. A slave to capital who will join hands with villains if it means money, and cut ties with Heroes if they bring loss. How about it? Compared to Seonui Cheol’s New Seoul, is our Azure Syndicate’s Seoul a profit for you? Or a loss?”

[…Hehe. You’re really interesting.]

Eun Yuha on the screen ran a hand through her hair. A bright smile, one she had never shown before, flashed through her scattered hair.

[Do you think I’d be crazy enough to cut off business with a customer I love? Cores roll in by the dozens just by breathing.]

“That’s why I’m doing business with you.”

Eun Yuha.

She’s the main heroine, yet a peculiar individual who shows a malicious streak in a different way than Cheon Gaeul. Mostly in a financial sense.

“Alright. If we conquer the City Hall serpent, I’ll sell you the Cores as a gift.”

[Customer-nim. Will you marry me? I think I’ve fallen in love. With the money you earn.]

…She’s a woman who approached the protagonist and became a comrade solely for his financial value. A heroine who is an impenetrable wall, giving love to no one-not even the protagonist-unless it’s her individual route.

[Customer-nim. Seriously, how much do you want? I want to buy you. Genuinely. It’s been my wish to create a PMC since way back. Just bring your seal. I’ll leave the down payment blank on the contract.]

She’s the best comrade at this point, someone who would never betray you if you pour immense profits into her mouth. I replied to Eun Yuha with full trust.

“I’m taken.”

* * *

“…Alright.”

Jang Hujeong gritted his teeth. He tried to act fine, but the fist clenched under the table trembled violently on his thigh.

“That’s done. You’ve worked hard, Vice Minister of the Countermeasures Department.”

Haneulseong adjusted his fedora with a deeply satisfied expression. As revealed by the expressions of the two representatives who led the negotiation, there was no need to ask which side had a more successful negotiation.

The government’s overwhelming defeat. The effect of the 60,000 hostages was tremendous. Even the Praetor, the association’s representative who came along, subtly sided with the villains in protecting the Heroes and people.

Haneulseong paused for a moment, then spoke to the special envoy.

“We will hand over the 10 Heroes immediately. We will escort them to Gwanak.”

“Thank you for your goodwill.”

Jang Hujeong bowed his head. On the table, the negotiation details were densely written on the paper prepared by the special envoy.

An agreement between Jang Hujeong, Minister of the Monster Countermeasures Department, representative of the Republic of Korea government, and Haneulseong Ryu Cheon-seong, representative of the Villain Alliance.

Even though it was handwritten on the brought paper, the content was quite long. Beacon briefly recited the summarized details from his smartwatch.

“First, the handover of Heroes. On humanitarian grounds, 10 Heroes will be handed over to the special envoy, and the Villain Alliance will escort them to Gwanak.”

The Heroes rescued from the monsters had finished bathing and were placed in individual hotel rooms. Whether it was imprisonment or protection, only they would know.

“Next, the issue of Seoul citizens. One week later, on May 8th, the government will dispatch personnel to re-register Seoul citizens for resident registration. The number of personnel is limited to 30. 15 from the government side and 15 from the association side.”

Most of Seoul’s residents had already been declared deceased. Both the government and the villains expressed difficulty with 60,000 people whose resident registrations had been canceled running rampant without control.

“Instead, resident registration will be carried out according to the free will of Seoul citizens. While respecting individual wishes, the Villain Alliance will notify them of the legal responsibilities that follow. The legal responsibilities referred to here are….”

“It means giving up being a citizen of the Republic of Korea.”

Phantom responded bitterly. While the degree of acceptance might vary from person to person, at least here, the Republic of Korea solely referred to ‘New Seoul.’ Beacon took a brief breath and continued his explanation.

“However, the government has a humanitarian duty to inform the bereaved families of the survival of those who refuse registration.”

Therefore, for those who distrust Seonui Cheol’s Republic of Korea government, the Villain Alliance urged that resident registration be a matter of choice, not obligation.

Of course, the underlying intention was for the villains not to register, but Jang Hujeong didn’t notice due to the final agreement. The Praetor, knowing the underlying truth to some extent, did not argue.

“Finally, the government will appoint as acting mayor responsible for the administration of Seoul Special City until May 31st….”

Beacon’s gaze turned to Haneulseong. Haneulseong took off his fedora and raised an eyebrow.

“Haneulseong, Ryu Cheon-seong. Along with the restoration of Ryu Cheon-seong’s resident registration, all his past criminal records will be expunged, and the government will not interfere in any way with any administration carried out by Ryu Cheon-seong.”

Bang!

Jang Hujeong finally couldn’t contain his anger and slammed his fist on the table.

“The Mayor of Seoul is an elected position! It’s a position that must be chosen by vote!”

Beacon pointed to the agreement and retorted.

“Vice Minister-nim. This is already an agreed-upon matter. If you get angry now, are you saying you want to overturn the agreement? Shall we restart the talks? Meanwhile, the 60,000 citizens of Seoul are suffering, you know.”

As Beacon tilted his head and sneered, Haneulseong raised a hand to stop him.

“Calm down. Hehe. It doesn’t concern me. But Hujeong, you haven’t forgotten the rules of local elections, have you? Who do you think elects the Mayor of Seoul?”

“The residents of Seoul elect them.”

Phantom added. The Praetor sighed.

Haneulseong, who had made a name for himself in Gangnam and remained in Seoul as part of the Villain Alliance until the end, versus some nobody sent by New Seoul through candidacy.

Naturally, blood is thicker than water; the residents would lean more towards Haneulseong, who had shared joys and sorrows with them in Seoul, rather than a candidate from New Seoul who had abandoned them.

Furthermore, it was clear as day who the existing Seoul residents, who had directly experienced the hidden side of the Seoul Reclamation Operation, would vote for.

In the end, Jang Hujeong had no choice but to reluctantly hand over the acting mayor position to Haneulseong.

If an election were held unnecessarily, Seonui Cheol’s government’s standing would only weaken. It would be better to boldly grant Haneulseong the temporary mayoral position and aim for a later opportunity. That was the Maginot Line Jang Hujeong accepted.

“To leave Seoul in the hands of villains for a whole year….”

“If the country can’t protect its people, shouldn’t I protect the country? Hahaha. It’s only a one-year temporary acting position anyway. Once Seoul stabilizes, there will be a by-election for the mayoral seat. And don’t forget. As for the villains active here while I’m acting mayor….”

Haneulseong looked from side to side and laughed.

“I will arrest them with all my heart and soul and lock them in prison at any time. How can I stand by and watch criminals run rampant in the heart of Seoul?”

“If you can arrest them, that is.”

Jang Hujeong clenched his fist in anger. Before he could shout something fueled by malice, the Praetor calmly asked back.

“Do you think you can cover the sky with your palm?”

In response to the Praetor’s retort, Phantom pointed a finger at the ceiling.

“At least the people of New Seoul won’t know anything, right? We have eyes and hands to cover things up, but they’ve completely plucked out their eyes and ears. So they can’t notice anything.”

“…Watch your words.”

Jang Hujeong was angry, but Phantom shrugged.

“Alright. You never know when the Pine Tree Unit might pop out again. The weak should stay quiet, right?”

“…….”

As the Praetor fell silent, Jang Hujeong urgently slammed his fist on the desk and shrieked.

“Anyway! Tell me quickly where the Heroes are! The citizens are waiting for their safe return as soon as possible!”

“Hehe. Don’t rush. Hey, Beacon-gun. Can you prepare?”

“Understood, Haneulseong.”

Beacon stood up from his seat and left the meeting room. As one person disappeared, the Praetor took a breath and scanned the empty seat.

“By the way, Yuseong’s Chairman-nim still hasn’t arrived.”

Had about an hour passed? He was a man who often left meetings, but today, that time was particularly long.

Jang Hujeong frowned and glared at Haneulseong.

“Surely you all….”

Jang Hujeong recalled the secretary who had guided Eun Jaemin to the restroom. A small woman with blue hair tied in a ponytail. A beauty rarely seen even in New Seoul.

And the group chairman who hadn’t returned from the restroom for nearly an hour.

Chairman, secretary, restroom.

A male chairman and a female secretary. An hour spent alone together.

“……Uhm.”

Haneulseong let out a low hum, lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly startled and waved his hand.

“No, absolutely nothing like what you’re thinking! Indeed! Of course not! If something like that happened, I’d immediately tear up that agreement and start anew-“

“What, kind, of, thing?”

Phantom gnashed his teeth and growled. Haneulseong broke out in a cold sweat and averted his gaze. The Praetor’s face turned pale.

“…..A honey trap, perhaps?”

“I’m leaving.”

Phantom swept his mask across his face. At the same time, the floor where Phantom had been suddenly gave way, and Phantom disappeared below.

“What?!”

Jang Hujeong was startled by Phantom, who disappeared using a supernatural ability. The floor tiles in the spot where Phantom had vanished continued seamlessly, as if nothing had happened.

The Praetor whispered softly.

“…He disappeared using a supernatural ability. Don’t be so surprised.”

“I-I wasn’t surprised!”

His flaring nostrils clearly showed his surprise.

“It’s just that, somehow, that villain called Phantom seemed very angry.”

“More than anger….”

The Praetor stared intently at the spot where Phantom had disappeared. Comparing it with his experience with countless superpowered individuals he had seen so far, the emotion Phantom showed at the end was clearly….

“Jealo-“

“Say no more, Praetor.”

Haneulseong cut him off. His expression didn’t seem very comfortable either.

“Sometimes, it’s better not to know.”

The three men fell into silence. Knock knock knock. A knock came from outside.

“Everything is ready.”

It was Beacon. Haneulseong immediately stood up and walked over to Jang Hujeong. Jang Hujeong also sprang up like lightning and grasped the hand Haneulseong offered.

The meeting ended with a handshake. The talks, with no one taking pictures, thus quietly concluded.