Such coincidences were quite common throughout Africa.
A well-elected president might die from a gas explosion, or a top military leader could suddenly go missing, allowing the second-in-command to seize power; a successful entrepreneur might unexpectedly flee abroad without settling his assets…
Just the usual events.
Everyday occurrences like these.
Public safety, corruption…
The chaos and instability stemming from all these factors made Africa dangerous, enough to instill fear in those who come to visit.
“But despite the high number of criminals, paradoxically, that’s still a place where people live. While the law enforcement may not be great, as long as one follows the customs, they usually don’t encounter harm, and as long as one adheres to precautions, they might lose some money but are less likely to draw blood.”
However, despite the poor public safety, there were quite a number of tourists visiting Africa.
Overall, while safety may be unstable, popular tourist spots still managed to maintain a level of ‘it’s not very safe, but as long as you’re careful, there shouldn’t be a major problem.’
This was also a result of the efforts made by countries trying to escape poverty by focusing on tourism, along with the wishes of powerful nations wanting to visit Africa, and the consensus among those struggling to earn some money to live by exploiting tourists.
Thus, although objectively risky, as long as one follows a guide… it should be fine, right?
…If one travels with a guide, that is.
“But conversely, if you break the rules, ignore the customs, then Africa turns into a frightening place. Anything can happen there.”
“…That’s true,” Agnes nodded to Jinseong’s words.
The countless experiences she endured while traveling in Africa made it impossible for her to disagree with him.
Agnes never really intended to spend a lot of money hiring a guide.
So, traveling without a guide, she used familiars as bodyguards as they journeyed across Africa…
It was basic to lace food with drugs.
Every time they entered an alleyway, they encountered robbers pointing shabby guns as if they were churned out of a blacksmith’s forge, demanding money. Once night fell, unnamed assailants would storm into their lodgings in droves. Some even charged at her in frenzy, despite her revealing that she was a witch, and her familiars showcasing intimidating appearances.
No, it wasn’t “some” who acted like that.
There were many.
Really, there were so many.
It was as if rumors had spread, with groups attacking her every night. Men and women alike, which made Agnes gasp in disbelief. The ages varied too, with children brandishing AK rifles, and even old folks firing shotguns…
It was utterly astonishing.
Even more shocking was that among those who attacked her, none did so out of lust.
The reason why they targeted her?
A superstition claiming that a virgin’s blood could cure AIDS.
Incredibly, they aimed to obtain Agnes’s blood to concoct medicines.
Naturally, once Agnes learned that fact, she was horrified.
It was already terrifying enough to be targeted due to lust…
But to think they’d try to raid her to siphon her blood for medicine?
Moreover, what chilled her to the bone was that among those who attacked her, there were some who took up human hunting as their profession. They had enchanted objects to detect virgins, hunting dogs and hyenas trained for tracking, and to top it all off, nets equipped with electric currents for capture.
It was a dreadful affair.
Still, perhaps the silver lining was that she was not threatened in terms of her chastity.
From the perspective of human hunters, a virgin and a witch like Agnes was akin to walking gold. Thus, they went to extreme lengths to eliminate potential threats to her purity, even killing or removing sex offenders along her path.
Not exactly the kind of kindness one desires.
Agnes furrowed her brows at that memory.
Even now, after quite some time has passed, it was a nightmare-like experience.
Perhaps due to those experiences, she was less inclined to watch movies featuring zombies tearing people apart…
“Hmm.”
Jinseong paused for a moment and subtly turned his head.
What came into view was Anastasia and Ella, who were focused on what he was saying.
Then there was Odilia, pretending to be uninterested while perkily listening in.
Jinseong noticed that they were paying attention to him, then slowly opened his mouth.
“In that sense, I’d like to discuss a few dangers present in Africa.”
He wiped the smile from his face and locked eyes with Agnes.
“…Real dangers that even capable individuals can’t escape.”
He lowered his voice as if issuing a warning.
“Africa is a place with poor public safety, where the power of law enforcement is weak, and shadows lie everywhere. It’s a place riddled with threats lurking in every corner.”
“….”
“It could be in the plains filled with animals. Where lions frolic, herds of herbivores roam and trample, and hippos can snap crocodiles in half, in the marvels of nature as dramatic as that.”
“….”
“And it could be in the slums. Walls made of mud, scraps assembled into pillars and roofs, where people defecate into bags before throwing them into the river. But even more so, there are nests of poverty with people who can’t afford proper shelter sleeping in alleys or by the riverside.”
“….”
“And—”
Tap tap.
“And yes, it might even be in the cities. In places traveled by countless tourists, near landmarks, in government areas, in the capital, at schools, and hospitals… there could be hidden dangers lurking there. Just like the saying ‘the darkest place is under the lamp,’ where hazards can stealthily take root in seemingly safe areas.”
Jinseong tapped the table twice with his fingers and beamed.
Then, turning to the witches gazing at him, he posed a question.
“Now, everyone. Have you heard the term ‘Missing Link’?”
The Missing Link.
At the mention of the term, Anastasia tilted her head.
She felt she might have heard it somewhere, but wasn’t able to recall it clearly.
Seeing her expression, Ella let out a small sigh and spoke.
“Don’t remember? We learned about it at school last time…?”
“Huh? I don’t recall seeing that,” Anastasia replied.
“…Did you sleep through it?”
“I’m not sure~ I just don’t remember~”
Ella was overwhelmed by the urge to deliver a playful hit to Anastasia, who swayed to the rhythm as if teasing her. However, unfortunately, Anastasia appeared too young for such a thing, and she didn’t think she would just accept it quietly if successfully hit. Even if she managed a successful playful hit, the repercussions would surely follow…
Ella sighed and relaxed her fists.
Then, with gentle hands, she brushed her lips and looked at Jinseong.
“Though I’m not well-informed, could you possibly mean ‘the missing link’ we talked about?”
“Yes, that’s correct. It’s the term that relates to evolution,” Jinseong grinned.
He seemed delighted that Ella answered correctly.
“Missing Link. The lost link in evolution… the first and second dangers I plan to discuss are related to groups tied to this Missing Link.”
Before the rewind, after the outbreak of World War III, two organizations revealed their existence to the world, both with similar goals yet existing at opposite extremes.
“You may find them unfamiliar, but there are groups known as ‘The Society Seeking the Lost Link’ and ‘The Mud-Creators.’ Have you heard of them?”
“No, this is the first time I’ve heard about them.”
“Hmm. An unfamiliar name indeed…”
To Jinseong’s inquiry, both Agnes and Odilia shook their heads.
“I suspected as much. These two organizations operate quite covertly, like secret societies. It’s not strange to have never heard of them.”
Jinseong said this reassuringly, implying how tough it is to know about the existence of such mysterious groups.
As he spoke in a comforting manner, Agnes and Odilia cast puzzled looks at him.
They seemed to silently question how he knew about such secretive organizations.
However, Jinseong gave no answer to their curiosity, merely flashing a wink.
Be it from his mercenary days before the rewind, gaining notoriety after the third world war, or having been tangled in matters concerning the two groups… It was something he couldn’t just reveal, right?
“Not knowing the name of this organization may be a good thing. Like its suspicious name, it’s an organization that engages in dubious activities.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Jinseong continued.
“These two organizations study humans.”
