This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 398

“Can we treat those who have undergone monsterization?”

It wasn’t just Director Gam who reacted to Chae-rim’s question.

As soon as those words slipped from Chae-rim’s mouth, the sound of people gulping down their saliva echoed from all corners.

It was only to be expected.

After all, it wasn’t like the circumstances of those present here were vastly different.

Among those gathered, some had family members or acquaintances who had transformed into monsters.

Similarly, there were also those who had lost someone dear among their friends to the monsterization.

The fact that the meeting couldn’t proceed smoothly until the Association Chairman and Chae-rim took the lead was partly due to this.

Everyone was well aware that publicly expressing personal emotions in a setting like this would lead to nothing good, but isn’t that just human psychology?

People might know they shouldn’t act irrationally, even while thinking about how they, or their loved ones, had been affected.

And so—

It was only natural that the gazes of everyone seated turned towards Director Gam.

The stares from the Association Chairman and Chae-rim alone were enough to make one feel as if they might choke, but with all these eyes fixed on her, Director Gam, who was more of a researcher than a manager, must have felt a significant burden.

Director Gam’s already pale face turned even whiter.

Yet, she seemed to think it necessary to answer Chae-rim’s question.

After a slight quiver of her lips, Director Gam cautiously opened her mouth.

“…It depends on what level of treatment you’re asking for.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means that…”

Considering there were quite a number of attentive gazes fixed on her, it seemed difficult for her to speak up readily.

As she hesitated, seemingly gauging the expressions of those around, she finally managed to continue her words after a gulp.

“…To put it simply, I believe that it will not be realistically possible to revert the victims back to their original forms perfectly.”

As soon as that statement left Director Gam’s lips, the atmosphere in the Meeting Room grew incredibly heavy.

It was only natural because saying that it was impossible to revert the monsterized individuals back to their original appearances was essentially akin to declaring that treatment was impossible.

For those who firmly believed that the Association would somehow resolve everything just by waiting, it meant betraying their faith.

And given that the incident just a week ago had already shaken people’s trust in the Association, what would happen if an impossibility of treatment was declared?

In that moment, even those still shouting to trust the Association would likely switch sides, criticizing its incompetence.

This would create the most dreaded situation for the Association—a public opinion turning against them.

And as public sentiment shifts like that… those in power, itching to seize control, would pounce on the Association.

What more could I say?

The Association had its fair share of enemies.

To be precise, it was in a position that could scarcely avoid such circumstances.

The Association wielded considerable power, and its rigidly harsh methods of operation created frictions here and there.

Among those frictions were also a few clashes with the so-called high-ranking officials.

Yet, until now, that hadn’t blown up significantly, largely due to the almost omnipotent authority the Association held, the war hero-like reputation of the current Association Chairman, and the life-risking media manipulation by the special management team within the Association.

It was precisely the synergistic effect of those three meticulously engineered elements that kept things from escalating substantially…

“But now, in a situation where the Association is shaking…”

It could likely backfire badly.

The hyenas, who had been sharpening their claws and teeth in secret while waiting for the Association to falter, wouldn’t pass up this chance to pounce.

Usually, it’s hard to imagine them collaborating, but this time would be different.

So, if they didn’t want to have their flesh torn off by the swarming hyenas, they needed something to soothe the people.

The problem was, what could that be…?

What could they possibly offer to calm the public sentiment in this situation?

Perhaps the person sitting next to her shared similar worries.

“…So, how much treatment do you think is possible?”

After a thoughtful hum, the Association Chairman finally spoke.

His tone was so careful that it felt like he didn’t want to put pressure on the other party.

Of course, given how Director Gam had stiffened even more than before, it seemed that his efforts were not particularly effective.

“First… let me say the parts that I believe are definitely possible… we could probably restore the damaged frontal lobes close to their original state.”

“If that’s the case…”

“Impulsive and violent behaviors would definitely be reduced.”

“Then, the manpower and resources allocated to that issue could be redirected.”

“Yes, that’s what I anticipate.”

That was somewhat good news.

Considering the situation where labor was already scarce, the number of isolated individuals was only increasing over time.

Moreover, there were many other expenditures.

But if they could significantly reduce the budget and manpower going to that area?

That surplus could be redirected elsewhere.

This could ultimately soothe public sentiment.

Perhaps that was why the Association Chairman, who had consistently worn a stiff expression since the beginning of the meeting, managed to look a bit brighter.

“Oh right, I trust that the points I requested have been thoroughly adhered to?”

Whether it was that influence or not, he seemed to have some leisure to worry about other things.

By the way, what exactly were those points?

It must have been the moment when a question mark floated in her mind.

“Ah, yes. Of course.”

Director Gam bowed her head as if there was no way she could do otherwise in response to the Chairman’s question.

“I know everyone’s understandably anxious, but I hope you can stick to this without fail. If we let our guard down, it could lead to larger issues later.”

“Yes, that’s why I’m meticulously inspecting the selection of experimental subjects every time.”

“That’s a relief. It might be tough, but I’d appreciate it if you could pay extra attention.”

“Yes, yes.”

“That said…”

Was there more to say?

As soon as that thought raced through her mind, the Association Chairman’s voice continued.

“What’s the current status of the experimental subjects participating?”

“Their status…?”

“Given their nature, the Others tend to have certain habits, right? They consume only the flesh of living humans, and if they go without for a few days…”

They slowly begin to disintegrate and eventually dissipate into dust.

Despite humanity having fought against the Others for a long time, research on them had remained in the basics, largely due to this reason.

After all, for biological studies, live subjects are ideal; but it’s hard to conduct proper research when the ones captured for experimental use decompose before lasting long enough.

“But of course, there’s no way we can use living people as feed for research…”

This is an old story, but when the Others first emerged into the forefront of history…?

There were instances when some countries secretly studied their ecology and characteristics.

They would smuggle death row inmates and throw them as samples for the Others to consume.

Of course, those who couldn’t withstand the inhumane sight quickly exposed the truth, and it was all but forgotten.

Regardless, what mattered here was the Others’ bizarre traits.

And if those who had undergone monsterization had inherited similar habits…?

In the worst-case scenario, the bodies of those transformed into monsters could start breaking down within days.

And when such an event occurred, the blame would swiftly fall on the Association that confined them.

A situation where they could meet the worst of outcomes.

Chae-rim’s gaze naturally fell upon Director Gam’s lips.