Chapter 135 – Farewell [Farewell]

December 31, 2032, 23:59:59 passed, and South Korea welcomed 2033.

From the beginning of the year, major broadcasters, as if by prior agreement or as if following someone’s directive, competitively aired programs commemorating the 4th anniversary of the revolution and the 3rd anniversary of the establishment of the 7th Republic.

They presented objective figures, citing various domestic and foreign experts, on how much more advanced and democratic the 2030s were compared to the previous republican era, how much better life was, and how much higher South Korea’s diplomatic and military standing had become.

Of course, they didn’t only highlight the bright side.

They did discuss the dark aspects of the 7th Republic to some extent—the persistent wealth gap, reduced employment due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the resulting job market difficulties largely unchanged from a decade ago, Dungeons and Monsters increasing in frequency and intensity day by day, and crimes by foreigners and juveniles that kept people trembling with anxiety.

However, according to the broadcasts, these negative aspects of the 7th Republic were not enough to diminish the positive ones.

They were merely the kind of shadows that exist in any country, in any era.

And the majority of the general public largely agreed with the broadcasters’ narrative.

“It’s much better to live now compared to when Hyeon Woongryeol or the National Intelligence Service controlled state affairs.”

“In the old days, we would have kept our mouths shut when China interfered in our internal affairs like that, right? But look. This time, we’re responding very strongly.”

“Right. Those Chinese bastards were all talk—economic sanctions, expelling Korean companies—but they didn’t actually do anything.”

“I just wish they’d do something about the illegal immigrants and monsters.”

“The monsters are taken care of well by the National Hunter Federation anyway. They just need to crack down on the illegal immigrants and those delinquent, freeloading brats.”

As if oblivious to the bleakness and hardships of their own lives, the majority of the public engaged in such psychological victories, chasing after some kind of illusion.

Perhaps that was for the better.

The governance of the 7th Republic cabinet led by revolutionary leader Nam Hanseok, the State Advisory Council that designed and guided state affairs from behind the scenes, and Siguk’s rule, which had begun to exert strong influence beyond South Korea across all of East Asia, was clearly anti-populist governance.

All legislation and administration revolved around Siguk and the Hunters and conglomerates following him, and the nation’s foreign policy was swayed more by Siguk’s personal relationships than by national interest. But it was better for the populace not to know.

Why Russia suddenly began siding with South Korea, why China catered to South Korea’s feelings, why Japan didn’t provoke over Dokdo, history, or the Yasukuni Shrine—these things weren’t important.

What was important was that Russia had become a friendly nation, that China was mindful of South Korea, and that Japan was being cooperative.

Thus, 2033 began, with the increasingly impoverished lives of the populace obscured by the illusions created by media and the international situation.

Siguk, turning twenty-nine (28 by Korean age) this year, was gradually beginning to feel pressure from those around him about marriage. Nayeon, turning twenty-eight (27 by Korean age) this year, was intensifying her research and thesis writing to earn a doctorate in Mana Engineering at KAIST. Siguk’s two Asian lovers in their thirties, Yeo Jeongyeon and Kurokawa Minori, understood with their heads that they could not become Siguk’s spouses, yet in their hearts held onto a faint hope of “what if?” as they worked diligently for the cartel.

And Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung, turning forty-nine (48 by Korean age) this year, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

March 2, 2033, 10:45 AM.

Incheon International Airport VIP Lounge.

Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung, dressed in relatively light clothing, were chatting with Siguk, Nayeon, and Hwang Jungi.

The one talking was mainly Nayeon, while the others listened.

“Ahhh… Bali! I’m so jealous.”

To Nayeon, who only shuttled between the lab, library, and dorm for her graduation thesis preparation, Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung, heading to Bali for their 20th-anniversary trip, were the very objects of envy.

“Just hang in there a little. Once you pass your graduation thesis, Jungi will send you on a trip to someplace even nicer. Right, Jungi?”

Yoo Seoyoung smiled as she looked at Hwang Jungi.

Hwang Jungi grinned and replied.

“Of course, Mother. Well, as long as the Boss approves the vacation, that is.”

Saying this, Hwang Jungi glanced subtly at Siguk.

Siguk chuckled and said.

“Don’t use me as an excuse. Prepare in advance. Where to go, what to eat.”

As the five chatted about this and that, the boarding time for Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung’s flight approached.

“Have a safe trip. And make sure to bring back souvenirs!”

Nayeon waved her hand as she spoke to Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung.

The two smiled brightly, waved to Siguk, Nayeon, and Hwang Jungi, and soon disappeared from their sight along with the other passengers bound for Indonesia.

“Let’s go.”

At Siguk’s words, Nayeon nodded and linked arms with Hwang Jungi.

“Are you heading straight back to Daejeon?”

At Siguk’s question, Nayeon nodded with effort.

“Since we’re already here, why not have a date with Jungi before going?”

“Eh, it’s fine.”

Nayeon turned her gaze to Hwang Jungi.

“You! Once I finish my degree thesis this year, you absolutely have to send me on a proper trip! Got it?!”

At Nayeon’s cute threat, Hwang Jungi grinned and nodded.

Seeing the two like that, Siguk also managed a smile.

‘Everything is proceeding normally.’

In his past life, around this time, Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung, who were separated, were now maintaining a good relationship and embarking on their 20th-anniversary trip.

In his past life, around this time, Nayeon, whom Siguk would have visited at a columbarium fully armed with a mask and sunglasses, was now writing her doctoral dissertation earlier than scheduled due to her personal effort, intelligence, and Siguk’s appropriate external pressure.

‘Once Nayeon earns her doctorate this year and graduates next year, I should immediately appoint her as Vice President of Overtech. And once she settles in properly, I’ll have her marry that guy.’

Images of the future unfolding several years later formed in Siguk’s mind.

In a splendid wedding hall, with celebrities from politics, business, and entertainment attending as guests, Nayeon in a pure white wedding dress being led in by Lee Jeonghoon’s hand.

Yoo Seoyoung watching that scene with tears, and himself forcing a smile while holding back tears.

Hwang Jungi receiving Nayeon from Lee Jeonghoon and vowing to spend his life with her.

These images passed through Siguk’s mind as vividly as if he had actually seen them.

And Siguk had no doubt.

That what he was imagining now would become reality.

‘Will Nikolayevich come too?’

Thinking such thoughts, Siguk left the airport with Nayeon and Hwang Jungi.

The Korean Air flight that departed from Incheon Airport at 11:00 AM on March 2, 2033, flew smoothly towards its destination, Denpasar International Airport in Indonesia.

Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung disembarked from the Korean Air flight that landed at Denpasar International Airport at 17:05 local time.

And around the time the two were going through immigration procedures, carrying their respective luggage, and leaving the airport, a bomb exploded.

With a tremendous roar, an explosion that instantly blew away the VIP lounge turned Denpasar International Airport into a scene of chaos in an instant.

Lee Jeonghoon tried to remain as calm as possible and attempted to escape the airport with Yoo Seoyoung.

Villains belonging to the cartel, who had been providing long-distance protection for the two under Siguk’s orders, also revealed themselves and moved to protect them.

And at that moment, Undead appeared everywhere.

[Kuuuuuuurgh-!]

From Ghouls with long claws and strong poison emanating from their decaying, rotting bodies, to Skeleton Knights heavily armed with black armor, swords, axes, and the like, and even Black Ghosts, true to their name, in spectral form.

The appearance of high-level Undead that only an Assault Team composed of at least C-Rank and B-Rank members could hunt drove the already chaotic airport users, thrown into disarray by the explosion, into a state of panic.

The cartel villains hurriedly appeared before Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung, trying to lead them out of the airport.

However, faster than their movement was the action of a Skeleton Knight that revealed itself near Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung.

[Sssssss-!]

Emitting a chilling glare, the Skeleton Knight mercilessly swung its sword.

Its sword was not aimed at any specific person.

It was merely faithfully following the will of its summoner, who had commanded slaughter for its own sake.

And it just so happened that the trajectory of its passing sword contained the necks of Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung.

Schwick-!

With a single slash, Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung were decapitated, dying without even having time to feel any particular pain or terror.

By the time the cartel villains noticed, the headless corpses of Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung were already collapsing powerlessly to the floor.

The villains were flustered.

Because right before their eyes, even before they could carry out their Boss’s orders, the people they were supposed to protect had died.

But they immediately moved on to the next action.

Among them, the one with unparalleled movement speed took on the Skeleton Knight’s Aggro.

While the Skeleton Knight, its Aggro drawn to the swift one, moved its position, the remaining villains quickly collected Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung’s bodies and heads and escaped the airport.

And around the time they reached a safe place and contacted South Korea, the Undead Legion, having completely taken over the airport, revealed its ferocity in the departure hall filled with people’s corpses and blood, as the Necromancers who controlled the Undead Legion made their appearance.

And the one among them who was the leader used the airport broadcast equipment and prepared hackers’ intrusions to issue a statement announcing their position through major broadcasters worldwide.

“Today, we show you how great the power of our great Demon King Ululu Tumbebe is, and how deeply his influence has penetrated into your society. We also demonstrate that if we wish, our Undead Legion can strike anywhere you are.”

The British English of the Necromancer, whose body was concealed by a long robe and hood resembling black priestly vestments, was transmitted without any editing to major global broadcasters like CNN, BBC, CCTV, and NHK.

Most broadcasters tried to cut the transmission, but the lines controlled by the hackers did not accept their commands.

“Fear our power! Pray that the Legion will show mercy when we invade your world! With the Demon King by our side, only victory lies before us!”

With this short statement, the broadcast ended.

The Necromancers disappeared from the airport along with the Undead Legion using a Warp Gate.

And at that moment, Siguk, unable to hide his boiling anger, flew by helicopter to Incheon International Airport.

“……”

The two heads were meticulously attached to their bodies.

But to Siguk, who had sliced human bodies for a long time, the sutures were all too visible.

That tormented Siguk’s heart.

“We have done our best with the suturing. With our current medical technology, this is all we can do. We apologize.”

The Indonesian doctor apologized to Siguk in English, shrinking his body as much as possible.

But Siguk’s ears did not hear his words.

‘You shouldn’t be here like this.’

Siguk looked down at Lee Jeonghoon with clouded eyes.

‘You… you should be by Nayeon’s side around the year after next. You should be holding Nayeon’s hand and entering the wedding hall. Entering… entering and handing Nayeon’s hand over to Jungi. Why are you here?’

Siguk, with clouded eyes, looked at the wrinkled faces of Lee Jeonghoon and Yoo Seoyoung, who had closed their eyes with peaceful expressions.

“……”

A single tear rolled down his cheek.

The tear fell onto the back of Lee Jeonghoon’s hand.

Siguk gently grasped his hand.

The hand of the man who was his long-time business partner before being his legal father was rough and cold.

That saddened Siguk.