Chapter 104 – There Is No Right Answer (4)
“I don’t really know your true feelings, but undoubtedly, Casilena will be the biggest hurdle. She’s not like that Takilas girl. She’s someone who can shine as a guiding light around her.”
“But, oh Sun, they are but a handful compared to the despair and hatred occurring in this world.”
“Foolishness. Light can pierce through darkness even with just a single point.”
As he blankly stared at the news streaming from the billboards, he chuckled lightly and shook his head. The news was reporting on the murder committed by Rene in broad daylight.
The middle-aged man standing beside him was just stoically silent.
“Your pastor colleague has been captured alive by the enemy. While he won’t disclose anything, I want to prepare for contingencies. Moreover, I want to warn them. They still believe I’m just an ordinary monster.”
“Understood.”
“It might soon be time to start creating ‘connections’ in the political sphere. However, just like those in power, finding a true seed of ‘noble despair’ will be difficult.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve already set some groundwork.”
The middle-aged man, Pastor Lee Kyung-sik, replied without wavering. He was a man precise and ruthless enough to surprise the Lord of Despair and Hatred himself.
“You show no hesitation. Do you really believe I am the truth and the salvation? Do you truly love your daughter that much?”
“The Sun has already shown miracles to me. Therefore, there’s nothing I cannot accomplish.”
Lee Kyung-sik bowed his head as he answered immediately. A content smile crept upon his face.
With such loyal aides supporting him, he was almost regaining the power he had lost.
“It’s about time to throw out the bait and make our move.”
After parting with him and getting into the car, Lee Kyung-sik made a phone call. It was to ensure his instructions were followed swiftly.
“Then I will start approaching Jo Ui-seok.”
The person on the other end, having received the order, was informed to move immediately.
The networks following the Black Sun Smalillians spread all throughout society. All of this had been arranged by Lee Kyung-sik within just a few months.
…
The moment he ended the call, his gaze froze on the phone’s screen.
On the wallpaper was a picture of a young child beaming with joy. The smile of his daughter, whom he thought he would never see again.
“If I can see this again, it doesn’t matter if the opponent is a demon or anything else. Perhaps this is even God’s will.”
Once a clergyman, his heart was already resolute.
*
“Is there really progress?”
“Of course. However, it’s up to us to reveal the answers.”
At the covert facility guarded by the SS-rank magical girl Karin, several people were gathered, deep in thought.
The cause of their headaches was a man locked away in a sturdy glass prison.
The man, grinning, wore a tiara that held large eyes rolling around on his head.
“Anyway, it’s a relief… to have a clue about capturing the monsters that harm people.”
He sighed, his face tired. He looked young for a typical politician but was certainly involved with a massive political party.
“Don’t worry about this side. Aren’t you already struggling against their allegations?”
“Exactly. In this situation, is it even worth fighting over resources? What does it matter if it’s the Special Task Force or a magical girl? People are dying and seething with anger.”
Director Lee Min-hyung offered words of consolation, but Jo Ui-seok let out an even larger sigh of despair. Min-hyung nodded in response.
Jo Ui-seok was not only competent but also among the few staunch supporters of magical girls in the current political scene. From Min-hyung’s perspective, he was the only politician almost grounded in common sense and fairness.
However, the political world, as it should be, had rejected both common sense and fairness. It was notorious for ignoring laws and morals when necessary.
“The faction of that old fogey Lee Jong-pil is conspiring to bring me down, even allying with senior members of our party. Neither side truly cares about the country or the people. Their only concern is their own interests, even going as far as to have new members commit perjury.”
“We can’t do much… other than offer you words of encouragement.”
Feeling a sense of helplessness, Lee Min-hyung bit his lip. If the voice of their ally vanished and the balance of power in politics shattered, the Frontier’s strength would significantly weaken.
“If it becomes a serious problem, I will attach Aria to your side. I don’t know if she will accept, but—”
“No, that would backfire. I’ll just… endure.”
Jo Ui-seok rejected Min-hyung’s suggestion with a bitter smile.
“I’m a bit tired. Sometimes, I envy Takilas. If I had such immense power, my convictions could be realized easily.”
As he donned his coat, he left the room. Min-hyung watched him with concern.
He seemed fragile, as if he could collapse at any moment under the unjust attacks he was facing. Yet, Min-hyung feared even more that he would not only collapse but transform entirely.
If he were to gain power to ignore reality, it would become a deadly poison.
“Well… let’s head back, shall we, Mr. Park?”
“Sir, may I have a moment of your time?”
As Jo Ui-seok sunk into his seat in the car, the one who turned his head was not his driver.
“You… Joo-hyun?!”
“You won’t regret this. I mean no harm.”
He instinctively gripped the handle in shock, but the locked door wouldn’t budge. The unfamiliar man smiling at him was none other than Kim Joo-hyun, the spokesperson for his own party.
Kim Joo-hyun shook his head, attempting to reassure the astonished Jo Ui-seok.
“I am actually here to help you.”
“Help? You? You want to help me?”
“I know how you view me. But that’s just my exterior. My interests follow only one path.”
Jo Ui-seok struggled to believe his ears. The same person who acted as the loyal hound for the adversarial senior politicians in his party was now saying this?
Just this afternoon, Kim Joo-hyun had ranked up his attacks on him, mentioning Rene’s name and posting critical comments on social media.
“I understand you’re having a tough time. But I promise you, if you truly believe in the real God, we will soon become a team, and you will achieve what you desire.”
“I don’t follow your logic.”
“Those decrepit politicians causing internal strife instead of supporting you, the fools focusing on power—there’s evidence in my hands that can wipe them all out.”
With a twisted smile, Kim Joo-hyun continued to drop shocking revelations.
“Behold the true Sun, the true God, and believe in Him! Then you will be granted power! The power to twist reality and vanquish your foes!”
With eyes wide, showcasing a manic glint, Kim Joo-hyun crushed the headrest of the seat with mere grip strength.
Jo Ui-seok’s face turned pale as he could hardly respond.
Fear was one aspect, but Kim Joo-hyun’s words dangled the sweet and exhilarating temptation of power in front of his weary, exhausted mind.
“The Black… Black Sun. Could it be you?!”
“Do not misunderstand the Smalillian. They simply grant us what we desire. Power, opportunity, miracles—all of it.”
As Kim Joo-hyun smiled, madness shone in his eyes.
‘There’s no way out.’
In that fleeting moment, Jo Ui-seok fell into deep contemplation. There was no escape route. Accepting Kim Joo-hyun’s proposal would mean corruption, while rejection would lead to death.
Sweat dripped down his brow as his eyes wavered.
Power, a power that could shatter the suffocating reality. Surely, this was something he longed for.
“Don’t be ridiculous. The Black Sun, Smalillian are monsters! They turn people into true beasts!”
But Jo Ui-seok soon clenched his teeth and shouted.
“Reality cannot be easily changed. That’s why we struggle and endure. A twisted reality is not true reality but a fragile illusion that can crumble at any moment!”
“Arrogant talk! You think you can dare—!”
He yelled at himself as if chastising his own understanding. Of course, it deeply offended the enemy, and Kim Joo-hyun’s eyes turned crimson with rage as he suddenly bulked up like a bodybuilder, tearing his clothes apart with a growl.
‘This is the end.’
Seeing the large hand reaching out towards him, he shut his eyes tight.
“Formative technique, Heaven-breaking.”
A flash brighter than bright illuminated the dark street.
“Graaaah!”
This vibrant flash from the formation technique burned the lingering darkness to ash. As Jo Ui-seok, still intact, broke through the front windshield and emerged, he was taken aback by Kim Joo-hyun, who was now thrashing about helplessly.
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