Chapter 88

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

Chapter 88: Wave (2)

Golden Rain.

It was a kind of parade that could only be seen if the one who defeated the mutant gave up three million monopolies and decided to give thirty thousand karma to everyone.

Of course, no one in Seoul had ever called the golden rain before, and even on a nationwide scale, it was not common.

So, Jo Sangik couldn’t help but be impressed by the golden rain that fell in Gwanak-gu.

From the conditions for the appearance of the golden rain to the actual scene of rain, it was like honey rain in this hell-like world.

Is this what they call a miracle?

But the impression he felt at the time was fleeting.

Now, to Jo Sangik, the golden rain was synonymous with disaster.

“Why did the golden rain appear only in Gwanak-gu on the day the son of Gangnam’s Strongest Sword died… It wouldn’t seem strange to anyone, would it?”

When Jo Sangik said this with a pale face, Yeongwoo asked.

“So, what happens now?”

“The Seoul Alliance will demand an explanation from me for this incident. What is the identity of the golden rain, who brought it, and whether that person brutally murdered Jeong Hyunsik’s son.”

“Then why don’t you just tell the truth? I, an outsider, defeated the mutant without permission and called the golden rain.”

“……”

At Yeongwoo’s words, Jo Sangik let out a deep sigh.

“Then how am I still alive?”

“…Pardon?”

“An outsider who killed fourteen young men he encountered on the street came up to Gwanak-gu and took away the mutant, so how can Gwanak’s Strongest Sword be alive?”

“That’s… at that time, in conversation…”

Yeongwoo, who was about to continue speaking straightforwardly, could only shut his mouth.

“It doesn’t make sense when you say it like this.”

That’s right.

From the perspective of a third party, it was a completely unconvincing story.

An outsider who boldly killed even the son of Gangnam’s Strongest Sword didn’t touch Gwanak’s Strongest Sword?

Moreover, Gwanak’s Strongest Sword just watched quietly as the outsider who suddenly appeared killed the mutant…?

‘I wouldn’t have believed it myself.’

As Yeongwoo seemed to understand the situation, Jo Sangik finished his words.

“In Jeong Hyunsik’s eyes, I’ll look like Yeongwoo’s accomplice. It means that there is a very high probability that he will try to kill us together without discriminating.”

“Together,” meaning that Yeongwoo, who is a murder suspect, would naturally be killed.

And above all.

“Jeong Hyunsik is currently the interim leader of the Seoul Alliance. So, most of the Strongest Swords will stand on Jeong Hyunsik’s side.”

“So you’re saying no one will stop Jeong Hyunsik.”

“I’m glad I don’t have to jump in alone.”

“It seems like you receive a lot of hate, Deputy Minister.”

“Not all Strongest Swords participating in the meeting want order. There are people who want to enjoy power recklessly.”

Jo Sangik feared that this incident would act as a detonator and destroy the order of Seoul.

“But avoiding the meeting would be the worst choice. If so, Jeong Hyunsik will come directly to Gwanak-gu.”

If such a thing happened, it would lead to a massacre at Seoul National University.

Imagining a horrific development, Jo Sangik frowned.

“Then are you saying you’ll willingly attend today’s meeting?”

“Do you have any other options? I have to go and explain as much as I can.”

“……”

Upon hearing this, Yeongwoo checked the time on his watch.

The current time was 1:36 PM.

There was about 1 hour and 20 minutes left until the meeting of the Strongest Swords, which was supposed to take place in Yongsan Park.

“But, sir…”

“Yes?”

“Is Gangnam’s Strongest Sword really that strong? Why do you think we’ll lose?”

“…?”

“You mentioned earlier, ‘we’re screwed.'”

“Well…”

As Jo Sangik couldn’t find the words to say, Yeongwoo continued for him.

“We haven’t reached that point yet. We’ll have to see what happens in the long run. And I haven’t lost in a one-on-one fight yet.”

Of course, this could be the first and last defeat.

“They might have earned three million today… but how much did we earn? Thirty thousand per person, so at least thirty million. No, we might have earned hundreds of millions. But does losing make sense? Money is power. Gwanak-gu is the wealthiest neighborhood in Seoul right now.”

“……”

It seemed true, but it also sounded like a fallacy.

While it was true that Gwanak-gu attracted a lot of money, wasn’t that money divided among the residents of the area?

Money wasn’t accumulated here.

“So what do you suggest?”

Jo Sangik asked, looking confused.

To which Yeongwoo pointed south, towards Seoul National University, and said.

“We need to fundraise. If you want to receive another thirty thousand karma next time, ask each person to contribute just ten thousand now. Didn’t Seoul already do something similar? They called it the Seoul rotation.”

“……”

It was a vague plan, but Jo Sangik couldn’t find a way to refute it.

Because the words themselves were very reasonable.

Returning a certain amount after distributing the golden rain was no different from helping the residents of each district break the quest and then charging a fee.

The only difference was that, from the residents’ perspective, the side of the golden rain was overwhelmingly safer and potentially ten times more profitable.

“But they said they need a strong Strongest Sword to voice Gwanak-gu’s opinion at the meeting, right? So, this is also for the public good. It has legitimacy, and it’s an immediate response to the crisis we’re facing. It seems entirely feasible to raise enough funds.”

Furthermore, wasn’t Jo Sangik a figure who sought the livelihoods of not only the residents but also the citizens through the Seoul rotation?

After saying this much, Yeongwoo checked his wristwatch again.

“Sir, now there’s 1 hour and 17 minutes left. Gwanak-gu should be in the middle of the Seoul rotation, so the residents should be gathered. If we move quickly, we can handle it. Besides, there are quite a few experts at Seoul National University. Send them out in all directions to collect money.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

While Jo Sangik responded hesitantly, he was secretly amazed by Yeongwoo’s adaptability and boldness.

Indeed, being a Strongest Sword of a major district wasn’t something anyone could do.

“But is it true that you are making this proposal knowing exactly that it is Gwanak-gu’s money?”

Even if fundraising succeeds, the story is that they won’t give that money to Yeongwoo.

At this, Yeongwoo nodded.

“Of course, as I promised at the beginning.”

“T-then, what will you be doing while I’m raising money?”

Jo Sangik asking this meant that he implicitly accepted Yeongwoo’s proposal.

At this, Yeongwoo showed a slightly relieved expression.

“I need to meet with the merchant. But before that, I need to talk to my colleagues.”

“Colleagues…?”

Could such a monster really have colleagues?

As Jo Sangik looked at him with eyes of disbelief, a car horn sounded from behind.

Honk, honk!

“Ah.”

Turning back at the abrupt sound, Jo Sangik saw a patrol car approaching from the other side.

Finally, it was Taeyoung and Jongsu who came to find Yeongwoo.

* * *

“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Jo Sangik.”

As Jo Sangik offered a warm smile and reached out his hand, Taeyoung shook it with a somewhat formal face.

“I’m Kwon Taeyoung from the Icheon Police Station.”

Taeyoung’s eyes were fixed on the title above the opponent’s head.

『Gwanak’s Strongest Sword』

Therefore, Taeyoung also knew well that this guy was the actual owner of Gwanak-gu.

But how were both an outsider intruder like Yeongwoo and this guy still alive?

‘I’m sure I saw the golden rain earlier.’

Meanwhile, Jo Sangik was gauging the opponent’s strength through his handshake.

‘But how come the local patrol officer with the Strongest Sword…? He seems like a completely ordinary person…?’

Jo Sangik cautiously completed the handshake, fearing he might break Taeyoung’s hand.

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

And then.

“I’m Kim Jongsu from Andong.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you for the first time.”

Kim Jongsu from Andong…

This time, his power was far greater than the previous patrol officer’s.

He wasn’t on par with the elites at Seoul National University, but he could still handle monster hunting activities well enough.

“I’m not sure about the background of the two companions. I would like to have a more in-depth conversation, but we’ll have to postpone it to another time. There’s something very important I need to take care of.”

“We’ll meet again soon.”

Jongsu gave his characteristic cheeky smile.

At this, Jo Sangik also smiled slightly, then turned his head back to Yeongwoo.

“Will you be going straight to the meeting venue from here?”

Now, the question was about how they would each participate in the meeting, as they would likely be torn apart.

“It might be safer to go together… but… we don’t have much time.”

After a moment of thought, Yeongwoo replied.

“I’ll go to the meeting venue first.”

“…Is that okay? Jeong Hyunsik might arrive first.”

“Then I’ll have to challenge him to a duel. I heard anyone attending the meeting can challenge anyone else for the position of Strongest Sword.”

This was what Yeongwoo had heard from the inspectors at Yangjae Interchange.

―If you want to become a Strongest Sword, you can challenge anyone attending the meeting, and if you want to engage in monster business, you can transfer the business rights through a duel with the current owner.

They had advised Yeongwoo, an outsider, to participate in the meeting.

“I understood that being able to challenge for the position of Strongest Sword meant a one-on-one duel.”

“Yes. For now, that’s true, but…”

Jo Sangik’s voice trailed off.

Jeong Hyunsik would undoubtedly want to personally avenge his son, and in an official duel, the other Strongest Swords wouldn’t be able to interfere recklessly.

Unless Jeong Hyunsik requested assistance and broke the rules.

“So what role do I have to play in the meeting? If you’re going to have a one-on-one duel with Jeong Hyunsik.”

As Jo Sangik asked this, Yeongwoo expressed the same concern.

“If by any chance I overwhelm Jeong Hyunsik, he can request support from other Strongest Swords. So please prevent that from happening.”

After all, if Yeongwoo were to be completely defeated by Jeong Hyunsik, it would be difficult for Jo Sangik to survive as well.

Moreover, some Strongest Swords who wanted to create a new district without a master would rush in at this moment.

“…Understood. See you soon in Yongsan.”

Having completed the series of agreements, Jo Sangik nodded his head.

Then, he dashed southward at an incredible speed.

Vroom!

“….”

Now, the only ones left at the intersection were Yeongwoo, Jongsu, and Taeyoung.

After a while, Jongsu, as if curious since earlier, asked.

“What happened in that short time…?”

To this, Yeongwoo shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, Seoul is a complicated place, whether then or now.”

Then, he looked at Kwon Taeyoung from Ichon Police Station and asked.

“Taeyoung, you’re still a police officer, right?”

“…Of course. As you said, Seoul may seem complicated, but…”

“Then, I have a favor to ask.”

“What kind of…?”

As Taeyoung gestured for him to continue, Yeongwoo scratched his chin.

“Could you find some people for me?”

“People?”

“Yes. While I attend the meeting and settle matters, it would be helpful if you could find the family of Representative Kim Taejoon.”

“If it’s Kim Taejoon…”

“He’s the chairnman of VC Soft.”

Upon hearing this, Jongsu, who still seemed unsure, chimed in instead of Taeyoung.

“Brother, you don’t mean that TJ, do you?”

“Yes, that’s him.”

From the third-day mutant in Gwanak-gu, Kim Taejoon, to the series of battles and forming ‘friendships.’

When Yeongwoo summarized what happened at this intersection, Taeyoung’s face stiffened.

“It’s such an important promise… Do you know the whereabouts of his family?”

Even if he’s a police officer, it’s not an easy task to find people based on just one clue like Kim Taejoon.

So, Yeongwoo took out a pen and said.

“If they’re still alive, we can find out now.”

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]