Chapter 938

EP.938 Part 2 Chapter 8-22

Behold, the citizens of Hellfire Peninsula! Armed with the shield of anonymity, they’d bash even a king if given the chance.

The malevolent sentiment directed at Sun Icheol from Seoul’s populace began to spread beyond Korea, engulfing the entire world.

So here’s the question:

What’s the most explosive issue in all this?

“One: Knowing full well that Seoul’s citizens hadn’t fully evacuated during the 2012 monster invasion, Sun Icheol ordered the demolition of all bridges leading into Seoul.”

The atrocities committed by this man known as Sun Icheol across this world are too numerous and cruel to recount.

“Two: He showed no hesitation in eliminating political rivals. Not only did he illegally spy on them, but he also staged suicides through drugging or suffocating them in autonomous vehicles.”

In the modern society of the 21st century, these actions were akin to those seen in far-off lands.

“Three: He recruited individuals capable of issuing forced commands, using them to manipulate villains who, under his orders, assassinated enemies or controlled people.”

From the shadows, like mafia or gang organizations, while seated in the presidential office, he orchestrated these deeds.

“Four: In reality, he is bald.”

He deceived all, portraying himself as righteous and perfect to the world.

“Five: Though seemingly cherishing his daughter Sun Gyeoul, he once buried a high school boy confessing his love for her in a drum and dumped him in the sea off Incheon. The boy’s parents still believe their son was killed by a monster.”

And as if DLC updates weren’t enough, new misdeeds surfaced.

“Six: Under the guise of globalizing Korean cuisine, he created abominable fusion dishes like ‘kimchi chicken.’”

Hidden wrongdoings previously undisclosed were now exposed to the public eye.

“Seven: By exploiting the weaknesses of S-Rank Hero Light Blade, he kept him tethered to his side. After 2012, Light Blade never left New Seoul not out of duty but due to coercion by Sun Icheol. Ironically, Sun Icheol himself never left New Seoul either.”

Evidence emerged showing how personal interests swayed national power.

“Eight: Despite knowing countless people survived underground in Seoul, he classified this information as top-secret presidential decree, prohibiting anyone from knowing. When survivors turned monstrous, he dispatched heroes under the guise of the ‘Seoul Recovery Operation’ to eliminate them.”

Attempting to bury every trace of his misdeeds.

“Nine: His…ahem…penis measures only 3cm.”

“This is all slander and defamation!!”

Denying every accusation thrown his way.

But which issue would capture the public’s attention the most?

“Can you believe it? Sun Icheol’s…you know…”

“But how did he have a daughter then?”

“Was it artificial insemination? Or maybe…the Sun God…haha!”

It wasn’t just one specific controversy pulling aggro.

Excluding issues related to Sun Icheol’s physique,

All other revelations were so horrific, cruel, and distressing that discussing them with others became difficult.

Simply put…

-Latest breaking news. A group identifying themselves as survivors of Seoul, the “Seoul Countryside People,” has launched a website detailing their accusations against President Sun Icheol…

Click, click, click.

-…Currently, it includes not only Seoul’s surviving residents but also the life statuses of people they know…

Click, click, click, click, click!!

With the revelation that survivors existed in Seoul, everyone who fled to New Seoul began searching for their families.

Those who lost loved ones in Seoul.

Even those outside Seoul whose family members went missing.

All clung to the hope that their families might still be alive, focusing intently on news from Seoul.

“Ahhh…! Dad, you’re alive…! You bastard with the 3cm…!!”

Accompanied by curses aimed at Sun Icheol.

* * *

<July 1st, Underground Yeouido, Seoul>

“Is it really okay to connect Seoul’s people with the outside like this?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Since it’s already been revealed that people are living in Seoul, this was inevitable anyway.”

Everyone holds onto hope.

When hope is shattered, despair can be unbearably painful, yet it’s something we cannot let go of—especially when it comes to the survival of our families.

“Statistically speaking, there’s a 3% chance your family could still be alive, so people are searching the lists thinking they’ve got nothing to lose.”

“Even with a 97% probability of death?”

“Someone said before, isn’t 3% pretty lucky?”

While percentages shouldn’t trivialize matters of life and death, 300,000 survivors out of ten million is an impressive number.

“If we call it 3%, having 2 or 3 family members among 300,000 is still success, right?”

“…That’s true.”

Hikari continued updating the survivor list compiled by “Seoul Countryside People,” namely Sun Gyeoul, while conversing with me.

“Look, some people are already confirming each other’s survival via chat and rejoicing.”

Our location: An underground subway station in Yeouido.

On the south side of the Han River, frozen solid with ice walls, within a facility in Yeouido Station where internet lines remained intact, we established a network connection to New Seoul.

By force.

Would Sun Icheol sit idly by as information about himself and the Seoul survivors circulated online?

There will surely be those who support him—or even those who oppose him but share his fate—who will risk their lives to stop it.

But alas.

Here resides the world’s strongest hacker.

As long as it’s “on”line rather than “off”, this genius beyond comprehension can infiltrate government websites with outdated computers and extract data.

“How’s Sun Icheol’s approval rating looking?”

“No surveys have been conducted yet.”

“That makes sense. Everyone’s probably too busy watching Sun Icheol’s moves right now. But…”

Truths transmitted through cyberspace.

-Excuse me, is my mother really alive?! How? She couldn’t cross the Han River bridge…

-I saved her. She barely managed to sneak into the subway station, where we discovered a hole leading underground and survived.

-Sniff, Mom…! But why are you contacting me instead of her?

-Buddy, sorry about that. But listen, don’t be shocked—it’s me, your stepdad now.

-Eww.

-Yeah, it’s been 13 years…a bit too long.

Thirteen years of survivors.

Most conversations revolved around how someone had died, but many also discussed how they had lived.

-Your younger sister is alive too.

-Really? Wow, damn. Thank you, God…

-Hey, brother-in-law.

-What? Hey, what did you do to my sister?

-Seoul underground…as you know, it was a lawless place. It was practically the Stone Age down there. Well, metaphorically speaking…

-Straighten up and speak clearly!

-…Oyakodon, you know what that is?

Through these discussions about how people survived, exchanges between Seoul and New Seoul flourished.

Though impossible to monitor every conversation, both Seoul and New Seoul shared a common sentiment.

-Sun Icheol, you bastard!

Sun Icheol as the root of all evil.

That’s all.

* * *

<Meanwhile, New Seoul Government Complex>

“Sir, it’s a major crisis. Citizens are gathering preparations underway.”

“Where?”

“S-saejong Avenue.”

“Damn…”

Sun Icheol scanned the numerous monitors installed in his office, licking his lips.

“If they all gather on Saejong Avenue, how many do you think there will be?”

“N-not less than a million, sir.”

“How many tanks would we need to disperse them all?”

“…Excuse me?”

The bureaucrat doubted his own ears.

“T-tanks?”

“Yes. Just regular tanks…no, wait, that won’t work. If dumb hunters rush out and seize the tanks, that’d be bad. Contact the Special Defense Division stationed in New Seoul. Put all their heroes on five-minute standby.”

“B-but will they follow orders?”

“Shit, if they don’t? Disobeying a superior’s order during wartime is punishable by immediate execution, didn’t you know?!”

“Wha…?!”

The bureaucrat was horrified.

This line, typical of useless or soon-to-be-dead commanding officers in war movies or protagonists’ foils, had just reached his ears.

And worse, from someone who could actually carry it out!

“Sir! Please reconsider! We may not be able to handle the aftermath!”

“That’s not your judgment to make. History will decide.”

“H-however…”

“Just crush them all.”

Sun Icheol leisurely stroked the magical gear on his wrist.

“Then it’ll all disappear. Someone once said that if a lifelong pretend-good guy is actually evil, they’re not evil—they’re good.”

Sun Icheol’s voice lacked any waver.

“Likewise. No matter what anyone says, if everyone claims ‘there are no people in Seoul,’ then Seoul becomes a fallen city. As long as no one expresses it—by mouth, keyboard, or even thumb—it’ll vanish. …Right?”

“…”

“I asked if it’s right.”

“T-that…”

“Sir! Emergency!”

Another bureaucrat rushed into the office.

“<Toad Leader> is releasing another statement from the Yeouido Parliament!!”

* * *

Ah, ah.

Are you listening, fellow citizens?

And you listening from afar.

Hello.

I am one who transformed into a monster to survive.

Called Tentacle Toad, Toad Speaker, Exposer, Ruler of Seoul, and more…

But none of that matters now.

I am merely one of Seoul’s survivors.

Many may doubt our existence.

But we are indeed alive.

We are not beasts.

It was simply the choice we made to survive underground.

We, who were once human, are ready to coexist with humanity.

Though our bodies may have changed, our hearts, souls, and spirits remain citizens of this nation and humans.

To prove this, we will fight.

All of you.

Watch us.

We will reclaim Seoul.

Starting now.

We will exterminate all monsters residing in Seoul.

Yes.

S-Rank Monster <Snake of City Hall>, occupying Seoul City Hall.

The date is noon on July 4th.

If you wish to reclaim Seoul, come join us.

Let me state clearly.

I was born in this country and will die here.

With this single statement, I affirm my nationality.

An invitation ends here.

Operation Name: <Come On Then>.

The broadcast concludes.