Chapter 940

EP.940 Part 2 Chapter 8-24

-We will retake Seoul!

The residents of Seoul’s underground have risen up to reclaim the city.

Meanwhile, the people of New Seoul were watching the government’s actions with great caution.

-Somehow, it doesn’t feel like we’ll be able to take back Seoul this time, huh?

-Why does it feel more trustworthy when the country isn’t doing anything?

-Would you rather history books say we only recovered three centimeters of Seoul?

Hellfire Peninsula’s history is full of examples where the common folk saved the nation when the authorities failed.

This especially shines during times when the ruling class proves incompetent; whenever the people rise, the nation regains its strength.

-We can do it!

-Let’s take back Seoul!

-While we’re at it, let’s reclaim Manchuria too!

-…?

The citizens hold faith.

Faith that if Seoul is reclaimed, the country will not just return to normal but surpass it.

By recapturing Seoul and its iconic Han River—the symbol of “The Miracle on the Han”—Korea can once again become great.

-Let’s make Korea great again!

-Let’s go back to the days when there were double-digit S-Rank heroes!

-SSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

Back in the day when a single nation boasted ten S-Rank heroes, unmatched asymmetric power across the world.

Back when Korea could form things like the Round Table or the Twelve Zodiac Guardians or whatever little defensive teams they wanted—it was a glorious era.

-At the very least, we need to reclaim Seoul!

Even if there are monsters down there, even if Seoul is dangerous…

-What about Seok Harang?

-Seok Harang needs to guard Busan. Who knows what Japan might try?

-Ugh…

If everyone pools their strength and attacks Seoul together, it’s sure to succeed.

-If only Light Blade would join us in Seoul, it’d be amazing!

Thus, everyone awaits the government announcement.

A moment later, the head of the Central Giant Monster Management Headquarters appeared for a nationwide address…

Beyond an old monitor,

a press conference filled with journalists was being broadcast live.

Every channel—broadcast, cable, internet streamers—was waiting for the government’s announcement, and so were we in Seoul.

“Raon, what do you think?”

“…The state will likely provide zero support for Seoul.”

Raon offered a bleak opinion.

“They don’t see the people in Seoul’s underground as actual humans. If they acknowledged them as such, if they allied with them, it would jeopardize their own power base.”

“The ones holding power in New Seoul are mostly local elites.”

Power stems from capital.

With Seoul’s real estate destroyed by monsters, those who held capital in relatively intact New Seoul or the provinces gained prominence.

And most of them became political partners with Sun Icheol.

“But if Seoul comes back…”

“People will want their properties restored. They’ll demand repairs. Ownership records still exist in the online registry.”

Seoul’s assets are mostly still valid.

Even if homes, appliances, and buildings collapsed, as long as one’s land rights remain, there’s potential for recovery.

“It’s not like Seoul turned into a crater like Pyongyang and evaporated. The land is still there. Without monster threats, it can definitely be rebuilt.”

Whether selling the land or placing a container on it until redevelopment, having legal ownership remains crucial.

“Is most of Seoul’s land already owned by Sun Icheol’s people?”

“Yes. Many sold their properties in Seoul at rock-bottom prices.”

How did those who fled Seoul survive?

With banks’ funds locked in Seoul’s main branches, could they generate capital?

No.

The first-tier financial institutions concentrated in the capital zone all exploded, leaving regional banks with some capital as the only means of revival.

-Isn’t this my primary bank account?

-Go somewhere else if you’re annoyed.

-What about my Kyu-Kyu Bank account?

-I’m sorry, but Kyu-Kyu Bank has gone bankrupt. You cannot withdraw money from there.

“I used to bank elsewhere, but after Seoul fell, I was forced to switch. And that place…”

“…Was Sun Icheol’s biggest political partner. Economically too.”

Money is always right.

And for those without, Seoul’s collapse left behind a life akin to hell.

Accounts wiped out.

Real estate in Seoul.

All that remained was the ‘digital record’ proving ownership of property in Seoul.

“To survive in New Seoul, people sold their homes and lands, bought rice to feed their families, and rented studio apartments. That’s how many survived.”

Among those who fled Seoul, few retained their homes and lands over thirteen years.

“Everyone had to survive. Sun Icheol and his faction amassed wealth through these transactions. Some bought entire apartment complexes in Seoul for merely twenty million won.”

“What about Seoul Coins? What were they about?”

“Didn’t you think they’d skyrocket in value once Seoul was reclaimed and redeveloped?”

If only the land could be taken back from the monsters.

Or if someone inherited land rights from deceased family members.

If Seoul’s land could once again belong to them.

They could rise again.

Because it’s Seoul.

“Commander, it’s also one reason why I dislike Yuhwa Yun.”

“He bought up all the land around the capital region?”

“Yes.”

Yuhwa Yun acquired vast amounts of land from those fleeing Seoul.

He bought apartments and cars at dirt-cheap prices, drawing much criticism.

He was accused of exploiting refugees’ blood money.

But now, it’s different.

“Did the president of Yuhwa really say that?”

“Yeah. He said he’d return all the properties in Seoul to their original owners… except Yeouido.”

That’s a story involving Commander’s bad relationship with Yuhwa Yun. In another timeline, Yuhwa helped significantly.

‘They helped a lot in the Earth 20 years ahead.’

In that timeline, Yuhwa bought all the land in the capital region.

But through our deal, she returned the land after reclaiming it from monsters, compensating at the market price of 12 years ago or providing appropriate economic support.

-Customers, surely you’ll calculate based on future value rather than current worth?

…Phoenix covered any shortfall using cores.

Do people from Earth 20 know?

That Phoenix, whom they criticized so much, actually paid for their land and rebuilt their houses into traditional Korean clay houses?

Now, it’s my turn in this game.

Phoenix earned the title of the worst villain ever.

But don’t I have another name?

Even dictators fear the authority of the divine.

-As I speak, the director of the Central Giant Monster Management Headquarters has just appeared!

A bald official, loyal to Sun Icheol, rose to ministerial rank, sweating profusely as he stepped onto the podium.

-To convey the President’s statement and the government’s stance regarding the declaration by those calling themselves residents of Seoul.

“Well, they’re trying to retake Seoul.”

-The government clearly states it will never compromise with rioters, terrorists, or communists.

“That’s how villains act—non-cooperative.”

Indeed.

* * *

The residents of Seoul are rioters.

After the government’s announcement spread, chaos erupted in New Seoul.

-My father lives in Seoul now. Are you saying he’s a rioter?

-What if there are real communists mixed in?

-After living apart for just thirteen years, how could anyone not recognize each other?

-Sun Icheol erased the registration. A law passed two years ago deleted info on those who died in Seoul.

-You smartasses…

-If you have a resident ID?

-In a country where high schoolers forge IDs to buy cigarettes, communists could forge them too! Or use the dead’s IDs.

-Facial recognition?

-Plastic surgery.

Those who trusted the residents of Seoul.

Those who distrusted the rioters of Seoul.

New Seoul inevitably split into two factions.

And even if Sun Icheol’s true nature was exposed,

-A hundred concessions, but if it’s all true, wouldn’t I lose everything?

Still, many feared him.

Because they were in New Seoul.

Because disappearing silently in New Seoul wasn’t an impossible tale.

There were rumors that Sun Icheol captured and imprisoned those deemed impure or subversive in New Seoul, forcing labor or killing them, preventing anyone from acting rashly.

Under such circumstances, everyone looked to two places.

-We understand the government’s stance, but what will the Association do?

In Hellfire Peninsula, trust in associations was low, but one association remained reliable—an association necessary for survival.

-Can the Hero Association really ignore an S-Rank monster raid?

Exactly, how will Korea’s Hero Association move?

Attention shifted entirely to the Association.

* * *

<At that moment, inside the Central Giant Monster Management Headquarters.>

“So, are you really saying we should do nothing?”

“That’s right. Is Seoul important right now? Sun Icheol’s head is on the line!”

“You mean the lower part of his head, right?”

“Does a flying lower part even exist? Trying to cut it off will get your balls chopped first! Ugh, this is maddening.”

The bureaucrats ground their teeth cursing Sun Icheol, who wasn’t present.

“There’s chaos and protests outside, so where is Sun Icheol?”

Outside the window,

some individuals gathered on the boulevard, shining magical gear lights while protesting.

Citizens demanded whether the numerous scandals revealed from Seoul were true, and Sun Icheol labeled them rioters, maintaining silence.

“Damn…”

The director couldn’t help but feel uneasy about a particularly eye-catching slogan.

“What exactly did you threaten Light Blade with to keep him hidden?”

Light Blade.

The guardian of New Seoul was nowhere to be seen.

“Are you suggesting we expose him as a woman before the entire nation?”

“An issue is covered by another issue. Sacrifice yourself, Light Blade.”

Light Blade.

Heo Yoon-hwan transformed into Heo Yoon-hwa, meeting Sun Icheol privately.

DB61-39UCTGA