NOVEL WEB Chapter 235 - Beginning of the stage (3)
The boy stared at Seo-joon with a blank expression.
Overwhelming strength that knocked the hunters down in an instant.
It was the kind of thing that a boy's common sense couldn't quite comprehend.
Perhaps because of that, the boy's gaze at Seo-jun changed.
At the airport, if any feelings of hatred were visible,
now he was looking at Seo-jun with a mixture of longing and envy.
Seojun looked at the boy face to face.
His face was swollen from being beaten by the hunters.
Had it been left as it was, it might have really died.
“are you okay? I think I was beaten pretty badly.”
To Seo-jun's question, the boy finally came to his senses and answered.
“are you okay. It's normal because it's normal.”
He was a boy whose tone, which was somehow aggressive, had changed to polite.
The boy stood up from his seat as if to prove his words.
But the trembling of his legs didn't seem okay at all.
Nonetheless, the boy steadfastly rose from his seat.
Seojun asked the boy again.
“Why did they hit you like that?”
“I borrowed money.”
“money?”
The boy nodded slowly.
“How much did you borrow?”
“...... 25,000 rand.”
The Rand was a monetary unit used in South Africa.
And 25,000 rand was about 2 million won in Korean currency.
If it was a lot, it was a lot, and if it was a little, it was a small amount.
“Didn’t you pay it back?”
“no! I must have paid it all!”
The boy continued to speak as if he was unfair.
“I paid off the full 25,000 rand. But all of a sudden they say it's just interest and demand 250,000 rand.”
250,000 rand was equivalent to about 20 million Korean won.
Literally 10 times the amount of 2 million won.
“The interest is tenfold in less than two months. You can't talk. Of course I said I couldn't. From then on, he came to visit me every time...”
The boy brushed off the dust from his body.
“They are real bastards. They are scum who take advantage of the turmoil in the country and target powerless people like me. I shouldn't have rented it in the first place...”
Saying that, the boy carried the large basket on his shoulder again.
His wobbly legs almost caused him to fall, but
the boy regained his balance and stood up.
The basket that I desperately tried to protect even though I was beaten by the hunters.
Seojun asked the boy.
“That must be pretty important.”
“It’s my brother’s medicine. My younger brother… is very sick.”
“Ah...”
Seo-joon could roughly understand the situation.
“Then why did you borrow money from them?”
“...... yes.”
The boy nodded slowly.
“Anyway, thank you for your help. This grace... I will definitely repay you.”
The boy said to Seo-joon with determined eyes.
It seemed that he had a personality that could not live without debt.
Seojun shrugged and said.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t ask for anything in return. It doesn't matter if you forget.”
That moment.
“......”
The boy’s expression as he looked at Seo-jun began to blur.
It's like seeing this person for the first time.
It was a face that seemed unable to understand Seo-joon.
If you live, you will get help without cost at least once.
Seo-jun could roughly guess what kind of life the boy had lived.
“Really… you are a strange person. Aren’t you a true member of the Jinrihoe?”
“Because it is not. And I wanted to ask you earlier, but why do you hate Jinrihoe so much? Everyone here likes Jinrihoe.”
The boy did not answer Seo-jun's question.
Seo-jun calmly waited for such a boy.
How much time has passed like that.
The boy opened his mouth slowly.
“It’s because people don’t know. That the Jinrihoe is dividing our country, South Africa. That people are dying because of it.”
Seo-joon could feel a strange feeling for a moment.
The twisted being and the Truth Society.
Seojun said to the boy.
“Can I hear more details?”
The boy stared at Seo-jun blankly.
It seemed that he doubted Seo-joon's identity.
But did he have a firm belief in saving himself?
The boy opened his mouth again slowly.
“It's not hard to tell... but I need to get my brother's medicine right now. If you don't mind... would you like to come to my house?”
It seemed that he had to give his brother the medicine on time.
However, the time was still delayed due to being beaten by the hunters.
The situation is like this, but there's no time, so you can't threaten to tell me right now.
‘Although the time I promised with my teammates is approaching...'
There shouldn't be a big problem if I'm a little late.
“If you are okay.”
“Then follow me.”
Seo-joon followed the boy and moved.
#
The place where we arrived after the boy was a small village far away from the Kimberley. Most
of the houses
were shabby and dilapidated houses with patched boards.
The boy strode into the village.
After following the boy into the village, Seo-joon could feel the difference.
It was because there were quite a lot of people who looked like Hunters in the village.
Seojun tilted his head and asked the boy.
“Did a dungeon distortion occur nearby?”
“no. They are rebels. We started to settle down on this side because our village was suitable as a hiding place.”
You guys are cool.
The boy gritted his teeth and said.
The eyes of hatred that looked at Seo-jun at the airport were directed at the rebels.
“Rebel?”
Seo-joon asked, but the boy had no answer.
Seo-jun followed the boy and
was able to enter the boy's house.
The boy's house was very small and old.
The other houses were not in very good condition, but
the boy's house was particularly narrow and old.
“A lot… shabby, right?”
“No at all.”
Seo-joon shook his head resolutely at the boy's awkward words.
It was true that the boy's house was small and old, but
it was better than the single room Seo-jun currently lives in.
And a boy who does not know such circumstances.
The boy could feel that Seojun's words were not just empty words.
“... You're such a strange person.”
The boy's expression changed strangely.
“brother...? Are you my brother?”
At that moment, a voice was heard from inside the house.
The boy trudged toward the inside.
When he followed the boy inside,
there was a girl lying there who looked younger than the boy.
At first glance, the two looked like siblings.
And just like the boy said that his little brother was sick,
the girl looked quite haggard.
“brother...? What's wrong with your face?”
“Ah, I fell down and rolled. It's nothing to worry about.”
The boy smiled as if it was nothing.
“really?”
“really.”
The girl looked suspicious, but did not bother to ask further.
Eventually, the girl who found Seo-jun asked the boy.
“By the way, who is this… who is it?”
“Ah, he is the one who helped my brother. I brought you home for a while.”
The girl's eyes turned to Seo-joon again.
The innocence that can be seen in a girl's age.
The eyes of the girl who looked at it were pure and transparent.
And did he notice something from the boy's swollen face?
The girl smiled bashfully at Seo-jun and said.
“Thank you so much for helping my brother.”
“what.”
Seojun gave a small smile.
“Hehe.”
Then the girl laughed again.
Before long, the boy set down the herb basket he had brought in front of him.
Then, he began to trim the medicinal herbs of Juseom Juseom.
It was quite skillful, not something I had done once or twice.
Seojun looked at the boy and asked.
“What about your parents?”
“He died a long time ago. Right now, only I and Equina live together. Oh my name is Kwabna. The introduction is a bit late.”
Kwabna answered without taking her eyes off the herbs.
Seo-joon said with an apologetic expression.
“Sorry, I didn’t know that.”
“no. are you okay. I am used to it now.”
Kwabna continued to care for the herbs as if nothing really mattered.
Seojun just stared blankly at Kwavna.
right at that moment.
“Are you a Hunter by any chance?”
Equina, who was lying on a shabby bed, asked Seo-jun.
Seojun nodded and said.
“that's right. A pro hunter.”
“Ah….”
Then Equina showed her bright eyes.
“then! Have you ever met Seojun Kim Hunter?”
“Yes?”
Seo-joon could not hide his embarrassment for a moment. It was because he never imagined that his name would suddenly come out of Equina's mouth.
“Uh… yes… yes?”
I can't be without you because I see you every time.
That moment.
“Really?!”
Suddenly Kwavna jumped up from her seat and shouted.
He was staring at Seo-joon
with his eyes wide open in surprise .
“Ah, somehow you are so strong...! How are you? Who is Kim Seojun Hunter? Are you as handsome as your skills and have a great personality? A halo shines from behind the curtain, though?”
what does he think of me
Seojun spat out the words with a shy expression.
“It's just… normal. There is no particular corner. If you didn't know it was Kim Seo-joon, you'd just think of me as an ordinary person? I don't know if it's Kim Seo-joon.”
just like you now
Seojun didn't bother to speak behind his back.
“Wow...”
But Kwabna seemed envious of the fact that Seo-jun met Seo-jun.
Seojun looked at Kwabna and asked.
“Do you want to meet Seojun Kim?”
“sure!”
“why?”
“That's it...”
Kwavna blurted out, and Equina took over.
“Because Hunter Kim Seo-joon is my brother’s idol.”
“Idol?”
Equina nodded and said.
“My brother’s dream is to become a pro hunter. I even had a natural awakening because I had talent!”
Seojun unconsciously nodded.
no wonder.
He said the energy he felt was a little different.
So before.
It seems that it was not enough to endure the beatings of the hunters without dying, so he was able to get up with a brush.
Because the body of a natural awakener was several times stronger than that of an ordinary person.
“Isn’t my brother great?”
Equina had a bright expression on her face as if she was proud of her brother.
“With education, my brother can become a great professional hunter. It's because of me...”
But Equina showed a sullen expression.
Kwabna hurriedly waved her hand and said.
“No, Equina. Absolutely not. Brother, I'm saving up money right now. You can go to the Hunter Academy soon.”
“really?”
“then! Oppa will soon become like Hunter Kim Seo-joon, beat up all the bad guys, and buy me a lot of equals and delicious food!”
“Hehehe!”
Equina smiled bashfully again.
“So, Equina. You have to eat a lot and stay healthy. got it?”
“huh!”
Equina nodded vigorously.
So Kwavna cut the herbs and made medicine and gave it to Equina.
“Write it.”
Equina frowned and took all the medicine Kwavna gave her.
“Then Equina. My brother will come and talk to this person. I am resting.”
“huh.”
So Seo-jun came out of the house with Kwabna.
A remote village patched up with shabby planks.
A dry wind passed through Seo-jun's hair.
Seo-joon sat down in a suitable place.
Could it be because of the circumstances of Kwavna and Equina?
There was an awkward silence for nothing.
As I was sitting still,
Kwavna spoke to me with a shy expression.
“It is true. There is no such thing as money to go to the academy. Equina is still very sick...”
Seo-jun did not bother to answer.
It was because he knew it was a lie for Equina from the beginning.
There were hunter academies in Africa
as well as pro hunters.
However, like Korea, the registration fee here was also very expensive.
The registration fee for the Hunter Academy was an unaffordable amount for ordinary people who live day by day.
Especially if there is a sick family member in the house.
“But I will never give up! Hunter Kim Seo-joon also said he lived a miserable life before becoming a hunter. They said that he couldn't go to the academy because he was poor like me. I heard that you endured every day in a single room that was more cramped than ours?”
“Uh…”
Living in a single room is still the same, right?
Seojun swallowed the words that were about to come out.
“Nevertheless, he did not give up and persevered. While overcoming all kinds of trials like that, you defeated the demon king not too long ago! Now, in name and reality, I have become the best hunter in the world!”
Kwabna shouted, eyes twinkling.
“Isn’t it really, really great?”
“Ha ha...”
Seo-joon let out a shy smile.
Then he looked blankly at Kwabna.
Like today's Kwabna.
Seojun also had a day when he dreamed of becoming a professional hunter.
To go to the academy, earning money like crazy.
However, an accident blew away all dreams and was frustrated.
didn't give up though.
Exactly, I didn't want to give up.
“I will definitely become like Hunter Kim Seo-joon one day.”
somewhere.
It was Kwabna who seemed to resemble her past self.
“You can do enough.”
“Really… can I?”
Seojun nodded and said.
“then. From my point of view, you are much better than Seojun Kim.”
“Ah, that’s not it. How can I...”
“No. I'll vouch for it. Actually, Kim Seo-joon is that guy. When we meet, there's nothing to see. My eyes are turned upside down when I look at money, so my personality is not very good.”
“What kind of brother is he swearing at Hunter Kim Seo-joon? He says he's strong, but he can't even jab at Hunter Kim Seo-joon.”
Kwabna frowned and scolded Seo-jun.
It seemed that he was angry that his idol was being criticized.
And I don't know when he became an older brother...
Seo-joon just let out a smile.
“by the way. Can I hear the story now?”
“Oh. Did the story leak out too far?”
Kwavna shyly scratched the back of her head.
Then, in an instant, Kwabna's expression hardened.
An atmosphere that changes in an instant.
Kwavna looked at Seojun and slowly opened her mouth.
And in Kwabna's expression.
“The Jinrihoe is kidnapping people and experimenting on them pretending to be for charity.”
There was some kind of fear.
#
A luxurious mansion located in the Kimberley.
The twisted being was sitting in the mansion, looking at a man.
Did you say that he was the subordinate of the human being called the president here?
The twisted being sat awkwardly and listened to what the man was saying.
“It is a remote village far from the Kimberley. We have obtained information that rebels are gathering there.”
The man looked at the distorted existence as if he were paying attention.
The twisted being gave a long yawn in response.
“So, do you want me to wipe out that village?”
“Kuhmm...”
But the man cleared his throat and averted his gaze.
The look of a man who doesn't give a definite answer.
If there is a problem later, they have never said such a thing.
It was a groundwork to create a justification for dropping out.
“Anyway, humans.”
The twisted being shook its head and said.
“okay. okay. can i figure it out? You didn't say anything.”
“Then thank you.”
The man then lowered his head.
“I'll definitely take the diamonds, so know that.”
“You can take as much as you want.”
The man left the mansion just like that.
The twisted being looked at the man blankly and shrugged.
“I really don’t know what humans are.”
In fact, I wondered if the twisted being had to go this far.
Just killing them all and monopolizing cause and effect was all that was left.
But the stage to kill Seo-joon, as the great voice said.
I couldn't help it if it was for that.
In fact, there was not even a stage to speak of.
Human desire called power.
Because it was nothing more than stimulating it.
Then one side to monopolize the power.
the other for freedom.
It was the stage of such an obvious and trivial scenario where
each other bit each other .
And those who suffered damage in the process were determined.
It was neither a power-hungry man nor
a freedom-crying man.
Innocent people who belong to neither of them.
Jinrihoe digs in between such innocent people.
It instills the greatest hope in people and
eventually turns it into the greatest despair.
Thus, the power of the source that defines the twisted being.
The horror with which humans fear their fellow humans.
Through that negative emotion, the power of sin is expressed. When you realize that
the person who was your greatest hope
is actually your greatest despair.
The highest fear that humans fear humans is expressed.
For him, it was necessary to cooperate with the government for a while.
“Well, I'm going to kill them all eventually.”
The twisted being's mouth parted.
end stage.
“Then let’s go.”
The prelude was about to begin.
#
“The Jinrihoe is kidnapping people and experimenting on them?”
“yes.”
At Seojun's question, Kwavna nodded.
“On what grounds?”
“That… was a while ago.”
Kwabna was silent for a moment, as if recalling what had happened then.
Then Kwavna slowly opened her mouth.
“I used to work in a diamond mine—”
But Kwabna couldn't finish her words.
“emergency! emergency!”
Suddenly, an urgent voice broke out from somewhere.
cluttered atmosphere.
“We were discovered by the government forces! Everyone prepare!”
There, the hunters of the rebels were running somewhere in a hurry.