### Chapter 405 – Room 206, The Curse Room – ‘The Demon King Who Revives After 100 Days’ (7)
—
– Kim Ahri
“We need to join the protest!”
“Isn’t this our chance? To overthrow the false paradise created by the founding father—”
The fire of protests scorching the city was no exception for the Demon King cult.
From the start, the cult opposed the city’s leadership.
The enemy of my enemy is my ally, so teaming up with the protesters made total sense from the cult’s perspective.
But what about me?
I considered it carefully.
Why is Kain stirring up such chaos, and what should I do?
…
Once in Room 102, and again during the first attempt in Room 104.
I’ve had my share of experiences playing out scenarios alone in the hotel.
So I faintly sensed his intentions.
Creating chaos throughout the city to allow his allies to act freely.
Plus, in the process, secrets hidden by the enemies would naturally be revealed.
That’s his goal.
So, what should I do?
— Tap!
“Ooh! Kim Ahri, what do you think?”
I made my decision.
*
[User: Han Kain (Wisdom)
Date: Day 264 (+33)
Current Location: Room 206, The Curse Room – ‘The Demon King Who Revives After 100 Days’
Sage’s Advice: 3]
– Han Kain
As I collapsed, the order in the city crumbled instantly.
The angry citizens, forming spontaneously, began to drive out informants and occupy key government offices of Paradise.
I watched the situation unfold then subtly stood up and dusted myself off. Ironically, the advance of the citizens’ army didn’t slow down whether I was up or not.
This chaos wasn’t caused solely by me.
In any case, bodies piled high during this process.
Could that explain why?
Trembling, Jincheol, held captive by the furious citizen army—who would have executed him on sight if I hadn’t intervened—grimaced in pain.
“Kain, did it really have to come to this? Was this the only way to provoke those up there?”
“…”
The first response that came to mind was, ‘Why are you still worrying about this?’
It’s not like today is Day 1 at the hotel; why are you so attached to the lives of NPCs?
Of course, saying that would just provoke Jincheol unnecessarily.
He’s a true ally, unlike those NPCs, so I guess I should show a little more consideration.
So I delivered an answer that might resonate with Cha Jincheol.
“Brother, don’t you think all this was inevitable?”
“Inevitable?”
“Basically, these people are just fighting against the dictator. Their grievances have been building for decades, at minimum. The issue with the mines was only a catalyst.”
“…”
“If the revolution’s wrong, then it’s better to keep dying as slaves under Leon Kardirov, right?”
“That’s… not what I meant.”
Eventually, Jincheol conceded and backed down.
As battles between the citizen army and the informants escalated uncontrollably, the moment we were waiting for finally arrived.
A vessel belonging to the very being holding all the secrets of Room 206—Leon Kardirov’s airship—appeared.
“Citizens, please calm down. How devastated would our founding father be if he knew about today’s events? Violence solves nothing.”
“Leon Kardirov! Get lost!”
“Get lost!”
From all directions, shouts of “Get lost!” erupted.
“I heard your cries for me to leave. However, before that, I’d like to hear your opinions. I have served you for over 30 years. Please, grant me the opportunity for dialogue.”
Hearing the broadcast, Jincheol tilted his head.
“Is it just me, or is the broadcast surprisingly polite?”
“Right? I expected the reactionary types would shout something like ‘just squish them with a tank!'”
“The atmosphere seems to be calming down a bit, huh?”
“…”
According to that statement, the city’s chaos started to slowly subside.
It was because even the excited crowd found Leon Kardirov’s words rather convincing.
Thinking on it, it makes sense.
If there’s a chance to resolve things through dialogue, wouldn’t it benefit everyone to do just that?
And then…
An unexpected event occurred.
“Han Kain, I’m aware you’re still alive. Would you come forward?”
Suddenly, they called my name?
For a moment, I was taken aback, as the eyes of the surrounding citizens naturally turned toward me.
“…”
“K-Kain! Kardirov’s calling for you.”
“…”
“If you can articulate the sufferings we’re going through…”
This revolution shaking the city was ultimately sparked by me, whether anyone liked it or not.
Naturally, I stood as a great celebrity and symbolic figure.
Thus, I couldn’t refuse Kardirov’s proposal.
*
Kardirov stood atop a dais adorned with red fabric, surrounded by informants hovering nearby.
“…”
“So you are Han Kain. I’ve heard a lot about you over the past few days.”
“…”
“Funny enough, I met Songee recently too.”
“That’s correct.”
“Tragic situation, isn’t it? Songee claimed you weren’t dangerous….”
“…”
“If only a little girl could comprehend these matters more.”
Countless cameras focused on me.
Hundreds of thousands of eyes watched the conversation between me and Leon.
Let’s start with a reasonable topic.
“Mayor, what do you believe to be the root cause of this incident?”
“…”
“If you think it’s all just me, you’re gravely mistaken. The grievances of grade 4 citizens have been building for ages—”
“That’s irrelevant.”
What the heck?
What’s with this guy?
Does he even realize how many people are eavesdropping on this conversation?
“Revolutions are bound to happen when the time is ripe. There’s no need to dissect every little reason.”
“I thought you wanted to talk—”
“You say that as if it will make you cooperate. Enough of this wearying banter. Seize him!”
The moment Leon Kardirov shouted, over ten informants surged toward me.
With all my powers sealed, I had no way to resist.
*
What in the world is going on?
Even while being dragged by Kardirov’s gang, I couldn’t make heads or tails of the situation.
Earlier, I hadn’t moved forward thoughtlessly.
Empowered by the raging citizens rising up to topple the city and the hundreds of cameras trained on me, I made my move.
Even an adequately mad dictator should be at least a bit considerate in front of angry citizens and cameras.
If they planned to kill me, they should try to cover it up and disguise it as an accident.
To be dragging me out right before everyone’s eyes?
I could bet my two hands on the fact that war had reignited in the city already.
Leon acts as if he doesn’t have to consider anyone in the ‘back.’
I’ve seen people behave like Leon Kardirov does now.
*
Kardirov’s crew took me deep underground in the city, where three people awaited me.
Lee Eunsol, Kim Mooksung, and my teacher.
Han Kain, Lee Eunsol, Kim Mooksung, Kim Sanghyun.
Just the list alone hinted at why they brought me.
The other three missed no chance to leak secrets to me.
Had Jincheol not been captured by the citizens’ army, he would’ve been dragged here too.
“You all sure know how to impress, huh?”
Kardirov looked amused as he glanced at Eunsol and Mooksung and then my teacher.
“Two are level 2 citizens, and one is an informant. Looks like you’re all doing just fine, huh?”
My sister gave a wry smile.
“I thought I’d be caught, but it really happened.”
“Director Eunsol, your words have become quite brief, huh? Is that an indication you’ve been discovered?”
“…”
“What a perplexing affair. What, exactly, were your grievances? Governing a city is quite the challenge.”
Moments later, the four ‘reactionaries’ were all tied up and dragged to a bizarre place.
“What the heck…?”
— Thud!
“What’s going on?”
— Thud!
An orb of light emitting a white flash pulsed rhythmically, almost like a heart.
Leon Kardirov opened his mouth.
“I have a delightful announcement for you, rebels.”
“…”
“You all are trash with no hope of redemption. You’re traitors with no right to live. But our founding father has produced a miracle.”
“…”
“A final opportunity to serve the city has been granted to you insects.”
Serve the city?
At that moment, I couldn’t make sense of it when Mooksung suddenly shouted.
“The Hearth of the Soul! No, the Unyielding Reason!”
All eyes turned to Mooksung.
“Shit! These bastards are trying to offer us up as sacrifices to the Unyielding Reason!”
The mayor frowned and ordered.
“How the hell…? Ugh! Throw them in!”
Instantly, the informants grabbed Mooksung and hurled him toward the orb of light.
Mooksung’s body broke apart like grains of sand and was absorbed by the ‘Unyielding Reason.’
Soon enough, Eunsol and my teacher also met their demise without even being able to resist.
Kardirov approached me with a mocking expression.
“Well, got anything to say?”
“…”
“You seemed pretty articulate on that broadcast, care to share a farewell speech on your way out?”
“…”
“Haha! Looks like when death approaches, you can’t find your words, huh?”
I pondered.
How the hell am I supposed to survive this situation?
All my powers are sealed.
Muscular informants capable of dealing with me are everywhere.
My allies have already perished without a fight.
— Crash!
“Hey, wait! A girl!”
I heard a loud noise from across the way.
The informants, who had seemed unflappable before, were bewildered in front of a single girl.
Leon Kardirov frowned and snapped.
“What the hell are you doing?! Who said you could say anything to her—”
And at that very moment—my mouth opened of its own accord.
“Father-in-law!”
Time froze.
Even the intimidating informants and the irritated mayor stared at me like I’d been hit by a wrecking ball.
“W-W-W-What did you just say all of a sudden—”
“Father! Leon! I made a promise of a future with Songee!”
“W-What the hell are you rambling—!”
“Look! If not, why else would his daughter come all the way here to save me?”
As the mayor’s mouth fell agape and he swayed, I urgently shouted.
“Father-in-law! Just a few days ago, you arranged my meeting with Songee, didn’t you?”
“When did I ever—”
“That meeting was truly an unforgettable moment for both of us.”
“You smug bastard—”
“That day, I made a promise with Songee for our future, and by the way, did you know she has a heart-shaped mark on her right shoulder—”
“Kill that bastard! No, I’ll roast him alive myself!”
Did I go a bit too far with the mark?
Maybe it was better to leave it at just being engaged—
“Ugh!”
“Lady!”
Songee finally broke through the informants and appeared before me.
Even the notorious Leon Kardirov couldn’t stop Songee as she charged toward me like a wild boar.
At last.
Songee, the daughter of the mayor, the second most noble person in the city, was my savior.
She stepped in front of me.
“If you kill this man, I’ll take my own life too!”
Once again, the place froze in shock.
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