The World Does Not Exist for ■■

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor: ford53
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< Chapter 17: The Inevitable Encounter of the Mob (4) >

From a historical viewpoint, it seemed almost inevitable that the Korean government would bet everything on the development of superhumans.

The country was left in ruins after the Cold War, lacking not only resources but even the infrastructure to name.

The sole lifeline, the Gaeseong Dimensional Gate, wasn’t even Korea’s. The entrance was managed by the Soviet Union and the exit by the United States, leaving Korea with no authority over it.

Despite the vast wealth traversing the Dimensional Gate, Korea could do nothing but bow to the scraps left by the two superpowers.

Faced with this unfair reality, some came to think:

—The only thing left in this country is its people.

Even amid the intensifying Cold War and economic development with massive aid from the United States, this thought remained unchanged.

Rather, it became more solidified:

—Nothing but people. The only ‘resource’ left in this country is its people.

Human resources.

Literally treating humans as a resource, Koreans developed their country through murderous working hours and an industrial environment that neglected safety.

There were voices advocating ‘humanity’ in terms of human rights, but as the era of military dictatorship began, such individuals either died or were silenced.

In a culture that treated people as resources, the military took a step further: to make weapons out of people.

Superhumans.

Asymmetric forces composed of blood, flesh, and mana.

The government and military, away from the gaze of the superpowers, clung to the development of superhumans.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the government’s superhuman fostering project did not bear fruit for a long time.

The military, enraged by the repeated failures, suspected that the scientists conducting the project were intentionally failing.

Crushed under military boots, the scientists wept and responded: It was an unavoidable incident.

The essential ingredient for superhuman development, mana metal, was monopolized by the Soviet Union who gassed the dwarves, and the elixir of life by the United States who dropped a hydrogen bomb over the World Tree, wasn’t it?

The military did not acknowledge such reality. They punished the scientists and looked for another way.

If the direct method didn’t work, then why not try a roundabout way? As the United States and Soviet Union had done, find a way. There are plenty of ‘resources’ in this land.

The scientists who were not punished, faithfully followed the orders of the military, like those under Nazi command.

Human sacrifice, human experimentation, hybrid breeding…

Under the name of patriotism, numerous ‘resources’ were torn away.

And as necromancers and black mages keenly observed, they proposed a deal to the government, and Korea crossed a river of no return.

However, the outcomes were certain.

Starting with the first Korean mage, Jeon Yong-sub, a proud line of native superhumans was born.

But still, with many superhumans under their command, the government was not satisfied.

Not even after being proudly recognized as a superhuman nation on the international stage, nor after the fall of the Soviet Union and the complete return of the Gaeseong Dimensional Gate…

They could not be satisfied. They could not afford to be satisfied.

What was the reason Joseon was annexed by Japan? Why, even after independence, did Korea have the Gaeseong Dimensional Gate taken away by the Soviet Union and the United States?

Power! It was due to a lack of power.

No matter how many superhumans were raised, the craving for power did not vanish.

They needed to create a stronger superhuman.

Like ‘Byeongyeongbaek’ from beyond the Dimension, who had withstood the Soviet’s massive onslaught and even nuclear weapons, making Korea invincible!

So, the government crossed the line once more.

How and what line they crossed was not disclosed, but it was clear they had crossed it.

The black mages who were with the Korean government ran away in horror, and Jeon Yong-sub defected to the United States because of something so daunting.

And as a result, five girls were born.

Children of dreams, evidence of miracles, masterpieces of the Korean race that would make Korea the best in the world…

The girls, although born from different parents, were all born with the same special traits.

From the moment of birth, feeling and using mana was nearly a given. The specialness of the girls was a level — no, several levels above common sense.

The girls were superhumans who enhanced their bodies and wizards who manipulated mana, and as mages, they could hold divinity.

In the language from beyond the Dimensional Gate, they were ‘Allmasters.’

Beings who could tread all paths of mana allowed in the world at the same time.

The Korean government, which had produced five such beings that might appear once in a thousand years, was drunk with success.

To the extent that they could boast loudly against the United States and Australia on the international stage, what more needs to be said?

But the celebration was brief, as the government soon recalled the case of Jeon Yong-sub.

The first traitor who shamelessly sought asylum in America, even after becoming the first Korean mage with state support.

There was no law stating that the five girls would not follow in his footsteps. Realistically, America could offer them far more than Korea could.

Before such a tragedy could be repeated, the Korean government engraved golden prohibitions into the brains of the children, asserting that it was a rational decision.

Of course, there was no opposition. In Korea, all humans were resources, and the five sisters were resources for the nation as well.

Resources… Yes, those girls were resources. Resources that would prove the Korean race to be the best in the world, beyond Earth and the dimensions.

However, not long after, the government’s expectations were shattered.

The girls, the five Allmasters that the government had invested enormous resources in… were not as outstanding as expected.

Their inherent potential was dazzling. The girls could move like superhumans while casting magic and communicate with gods while using magic.

But what about their talent?

Their talents were only marginally extraordinary.

In magic, they did not reach the Tower’s ‘vessels,’ and in divine power, they could not match the ‘saints.’

In the field of martial arts, which Korea had independently researched, they showed some prominence but were deficient compared to the son of defector Jeon Yong-sub, who had fled to America.

The Korean government could not come to terms with this reality. Especially the fact that the traitor’s son was born with a talent that caught the world’s attention drove them insane.

Yes, they went insane. In a hell created by the horrific cognitive dissonance and the term ‘human resources,’ they went further mad.

The mad government discarded the ways they had been educating the children and devised a new method of education.

A method that could only be implemented in Korea, one that could compensate for their lacking talents.

Why not? Humans as resources can unleash unknown strength when pushed to their limits, can’t they?

Just like hammering iron to make steel, the government forced the children into extreme situations, using their motivations, friends, and even their parents.

For instance, it went like this: The children were ordered to learn a certain magic within a time limit.

If they failed to learn it within the time, a classmate would be tortured. If they still failed by the next deadline, then a friend, and next…

“…Stop.”

Dung Beetle cut off the explanation without realizing it. Seti, who had been laying out the story until just now, gave a slightly awkward smile.

“Ah, sorry. That was a bit of an uncomfortable story to hear while eating, wasn’t it?”

She alternated between looking at the cup noodle in front of Dung Beetle and his face. Dung Beetle’s face was reflected over the long-cooled cup noodle with a frown.

Dung Beetle fiddled with his chopsticks for a bit before sighing deeply and looking straight at Seti.

“…Why are you telling me all this?”

“Well…? I had nothing else to say while watching you eat, and I thought it wouldn’t be bad to tell a comrade about the past.”

“…”

“I mean, it’s my first time telling anyone these things. But it feels kind of good. I guess that’s why therapists start with asking about the past, huh?”

Seti covered her mouth and laughed silently after saying that. Her lips formed an enchanting curve visible through her fingers. Dung Beetle shook his head.

“If finding comfort in talking about the past makes you feel better, I’m glad, but don’t think about hearing mine.”

“…I haven’t even said anything yet? Of course, I would listen if you wanted to tell me.”

“I have no intention of doing so.”

Dung Beetle picked up the ramen and stood up, cleaning the area and tidying up the surroundings.

Because he still had habits from his time as a cleaner, he also collected all the convenience store trash that Seti had stacked and put it in the trash bin.

While he was cleaning, Seti lay sprawled out on the bed, watching Dung Beetle. Her light demeanor made it hard to believe she had just revealed a huge secret of the government.

However, Dung Beetle did not find her lightness contemptible or dismissive.

People break more easily than one might think, and the way they break is unique to each person.

Thump, after finishing cleaning, Dung Beetle sat down again, and Seti spoke up.

“You’re done with the meal now. Shall we get back to what we were talking about?”

“…What discussion.”

“Your original plan for revenge. I need to know it to plan ahead.”

The original plan for revenge. Dung Beetle tapped the chair while recalling his plan.

…Can it even be called a plan? What he had concocted was closer to a short-term operation than a plan.

He would find a stable weapons supply route in the black market through Jangman, then kill the necromancer and government officials to steal the Awakening Potion. After that…

“…I was planning to attract the attention of government people with the stolen potion while assassinating key figures from the cleaner’s guild and high-ranking officials.”

“Uh… Hmm… That’s quite a haphazard plan, isn’t it?”

Seti was right. The haphazard nature of his plan was evident from the fact that he nearly died at the hands of the necromancer.

“Oh, but considering your talent, it might have worked out somehow…”

Seti stopped speaking, propped her chin on her hand, and squinted her eyes as if she was weighing something.

“Mmm, Mr. Dung Beetle. Let’s clarify this first. Your targets for revenge are all people related to the cleaner’s guild and the necromancer, right?”

Dung Beetle nodded slightly instead of answering. Seti tapped her lips as if she had expected it.

“From what I know, starting with the Minister of Superhuman Affairs, at least hundreds of people are involved in this matter.”

Her voice trembled a little. If at least hundreds, then what was the maximum?

“It’s only the minimum, and on the largest scale, it could grow so big that even the president needs to be killed.”

“…The president.”

He had somewhat anticipated it. However, what one expects and what one actually faces are different things. Something deep inside Dung Beetle sank.

“And if it goes that far, Mr. Dung Beetle, you’ll be Korea’s biggest political terrorist and murderer… Are you okay with that?”

“It’s fine. It’s something I’ve already prepared for.”

Dung Beetle replied without any hesitation. The mercy and compassion he once had were long buried with his comrades.

“Prepared, you say… So, you agree we need to come up with a new plan?”

“…And you’re going to create that plan?”

“No, we will create it together.”

Seti leaned forward towards Dung Beetle as she continued speaking.

“I’ll lay out the foundation of the plan, but… The rest will be filled with your improvisation and talent, Mr. Dung Beetle.”

“…You sound like you’ve already got something in mind.”

“I haven’t worked out all the details yet, but I’ve been thinking about the framework of the plan since I saw your talent.”

Swiftly, Seti moved on her knees closer to Dung Beetle on the bed.

“To assassinate the president and ministers, you’d have to take the long way around. Since those old folks value their own lives, it would be a tough job just to find where they’re hiding. But what if you do it all in one fell swoop?”

“A clean sweep?”

The ancient saying referring to catching all fish in one net casting… Could it be, she has a plan that could sweep up all government people in one fell swoop?

“It’s surprisingly simple. When government officials are all gathered in one place, boom! How about that?”

“…What, you’re suggesting we attack the State Council?”

Dung Beetle sighed softly as he added.

“It would be faster to assassinate the ministers one by one than to break through the mages protecting the State Council.”

“If it’s not the State Council?”

“It’s the same story. It’s not easy to breach the security of any place where important government people gather.”

“What if it’s a place where they’ve come to meet you?”

“…What?”

Dung Beetle’s eyebrows arched in surprise at the unexpected answer.

“A gathering of government officials to meet me? Isn’t that the most difficult thing?”

“No, it’s doable.”

Seti, who had come close to his nose, raised her hand and brushed his hair. Dung Beetle, with a bewildered expression, looked directly into Seti’s blue eyes.

“Decent looks, dazzling talent. And… fame. That should be enough to make government people come running, right?”

“I’m not sure what you’re suggesting. Explain it more clearly.”

“Create a fake identity, then make yourself famous. Whether you become a patriot or a traitor doesn’t matter. Just throw out the bait.”

“…”

“And once you’re famous… you make a significant contribution. The bigger, the better. Or even just a nationalist-tickling deed would be fine. Politicians would flock to it just based on that.”

Then, Dung Beetle realized what she was saying. At the same time, he realized the flaws in the plan.

“…Sorry to burst your bubble, but becoming so famous that the president or ministers come to see me is nearly impossible.”

Seti snorted at Dung Beetle’s words.

“That’s not true? I guarantee… if Mr. Dung Beetle gets a fake identity and steps into the world, it won’t take even a year. Your talent is of that caliber.”

“…”

“If nothing else, just beat up the son of traitor Jeon Yong-sub, and you’ll become a national hero.”

“…Jeon Yong-sub’s son?”

The traitor Jeon Yong-sub, Korea’s first mage who betrayed his country to seek asylum in America.

According to the government’s secret history shared by Seti, there seemed to be more to the story, but Dung Beetle had no concern over it.

But his son… everyone in the country knew of him.

Jeon Yun-seong, the prodigy boy who had single-handedly eliminated all Korean athletes in the Superhuman Olympics and won.

The next-generation superhuman touted by the United States, the one who was universally despised by all Koreans with a single mind and heart.

Even the amiable Dukbae had a dislike for him, so the average national sentiment was close to hatred. If he openly took down the guy while waving the Korean flag… he would dominate the news and portal sites for at least a week.

“Huh, it does seem more plausible when you think about it, doesn’t it?”

“…”

“Details like forging an identity or ways to become famous need a bit more polishing… but it’s a pretty good plan, isn’t it?”

After explaining this, Seti casually slid her hand down and brushed Dung Beetle’s earlobe.

“What will you do?”

Facing her smiling face, as if the answer had already been decided, Dung Beetle replied.

“Let’s give it a try.”