This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 613

Yoonseo’s Perspective

The effect of mentioning Chae-rim’s name was certainly evident.

Although I hadn’t directly referred to Chae-rim, the mere use of the word “master” caused the faces of those who knew about their relationship to grow serious instantly.

Just moments ago, they had appeared cocky, as if they were ready to catch a mouse, while representing the Expedition Team in this meeting.

Of course, those who didn’t know that my sister was in a master-like position were left dumbfounded by the sudden shift in atmosphere, as if the palm of their hands had been flipped over.

It might be an obvious statement, but those people were, quite literally, left behind in the flow of conversation in an instant.

There was no way around it.

Even though they were part of the same Expedition Team, no one in this room was kind enough to explain unknown facts to mere outsiders.

“Right now, you’re not lying, are you?”

“Now, I’d like to ask you. In this situation, would I have any reason to lie? Especially when mentioning my master, the one known as Lightning Lady?”

“Well… That does make sense. If it was unpleasant, I apologize.”

There wasn’t a single flaw in that perfectly clean attitude.

Thanks to that, the conversation proceeded without interruption.

“Anyway… So, this Lightning Lady expressed it that way….”

Ranked 10th in the world.

That was the “position” my sister held in the industry.

“Although 10th might sound somewhat weak…”

The reality was anything but that.

Considering that those called heroes in this era were the cream of the crop among countless individuals, it was even more the case.

Let alone when my sister was mentioned during the announcement of the “ranking” by the World Hero Association?

She hadn’t been a hero for more than a few years.

To put it differently, it meant she wasn’t in her prime as a hero.

“Although it was close to her prime…”

There was a clear distinction between being in one’s prime and being close to it.

Especially for a hero at my sister’s level, that distinction was even more pronounced.

Yet, my sister boldly claimed the title of the 10th strongest hero in the world.

In that sense, if the ranking had been announced when my sister was indeed in her peak form?

Her rank would have been not just 10th, but higher.

It was the name of such a person that was borrowed.

So, naturally, the effect was bound to be substantial.

“If Lightning Lady’s testimony is true, then it would be best not to give that queen entity too much time to prepare.”

“I agree with that opinion. If that statement is true, then that queen entity will transform into a ‘monster’ as time goes on.”

“Is that really what is important right now?”

“What else could possibly be more important?”

“What I’m saying is… haven’t you missed the point?”

“Missed the point?”

“Yes.”

As I spoke, perhaps encouraged by the gaze of others who had inadvertently focused on me, I cleared my throat softly and continued.

“According to my separate investigation, the queen entity that Lightning Lady claimed to have battled was in human form.”

“And so?”

“The Another was in human form. Do you still not understand what that implies?”

To the Another, humans were merely prey.

That was precisely why humanity had long given up on coexisting with those creatures.

But now, the presumed leader of the Another creatures, the “queen,” was taking the form of a mere human prey?

“Humans are no longer seen simply as prey; they’re starting to take an interest in the species.”

“That…”

Those beings, who had merely viewed humanity as fodder, were beginning to learn about humans.

A chilling silence descended over the meeting room as one member among us presented this “possibility.”

The moment those words were uttered, everyone else seemed to have made a prior agreement and simultaneously shut their mouths.

Yet they couldn’t help it.

From their perspective, it was unavoidable because they felt a sudden shiver.

And as often happens when confronted with such a hard-to-accept situation, denials began to pour forth in a reflexive manner shortly after.

“No way, that’s going too far, isn’t it?”

“I agree. While I acknowledge the uniqueness of the aforementioned queen entity, that’s just….”

Even though the person merely presented a small possibility, opinions opposing it flooded in like a carpet bombing.

Normally, one would feel overwhelmed at that moment, but it seemed as if everyone here, far from being deflated, was filled with their inflated egos typical of the Expedition Team.

The one who had initially suggested such possibilities wore a confident expression, undeterred by the flood of contradictory opinions.

“That’s not possible. What’s your basis for thinking so?”

“Of course….”

That must have been what the simple-minded beings were instinctively reluctant to say.

It seemed that they hesitated to voice what they really thought too favorable in our direction.

“Of course… So, do you believe the leader of the Another would take the form of a human like us?”

Do you think that’s natural?

Such questions arose, and the unsuspecting victim of that inquiry could carry on no further.

Naturally.

They surely realized that their thoughts were contradicting each other.

“While our conversation drifted longer than I anticipated… what I’m trying to say is this.”

Perhaps satisfied with successfully asserting their opinion against others, the one who adjusted their glasses with their fingertips began to wrap up.

“We are currently in an unknown world not of reality, but the underlying world, and we mustn’t rely solely on what we know for judgment.”

“…”

“Therefore, from now on, all members of the Expedition Team need to remain open to any possibility. Even if it’s…”

“The possibility that the Another might start mimicking humans, for instance?”

“Exactly.”

And at that moment when the conversation reached that point, what popped into Yoonseo’s mind was the image of a girl, presumably another, who had once attempted to abduct Dogun.

Right now, the Expedition Team was wholly focused on the queen.

Thus, I naturally started to hesitate.

It was only logical; if we confronted entities that we knew nothing about besides the queen, the Expedition Team could be exposed to unforeseen dangers.

To be honest, I wanted to share the existence of that “thing” that dared to try and kidnap Dogun, but…

To bring it up here would mean I might also have to discuss Dogun.

I found it hard to be sure whether mentioning Dogun in front of these humans was the right thing to do.

That thought was compounded by the presence of that Shamsir, a woman who had shown up surrounded by men whom anyone could see were lovers.

Thus, hesitation popped its head out of my heart persistently, but… I still needed to speak.

This was likely closely related to the success or failure of our mission.

Though they might find my words awkward, I resolved to omit or adapt as much as possible regarding Dogun.

With that determination settled, I carefully raised my hand.

“Um… Actually, I have something related to that….”

At that moment, the inside of the meeting room suddenly fell into an eerie silence, drawing far more attention than I had intended.

Thanks to that, I spontaneously swallowed hard.