NOVEL NEXT Chapter 50
There’s something I need to clarify here.
My goal.
A life that is comfortable and cozy, lacking nothing, filled with the latest innovations where I don’t even have to work.
In a word, a complete bum’s life!
But with lots of money!
You might ask, what nonsense is this, destroying the [Alliance] that’s supposed to stabilize the world?
Stabilization…
As I’ve mentioned several times, they lacked the ability for such a task.
The Alliance Leader, regardless of my opinions, is undoubtedly a remarkable person worthy of respect…
But that’s separate from the capabilities of the organization known as the [Alliance].
Well, it was impressive that they led without major problems into the 2000s AD, though.
If they had continued managing humanity…
Wouldn’t it have perished within roughly a decade?
Because already there existed things throughout the world that the [Alliance] could not manage, making even the Alliance Leader wary of involvement.
In that sense, this chaotic era managed by the [Broadcasting Station] resembles an apocalypse, yet it’s much better.
A world where humanity has been granted the power to respond to [Abnormalities].
In ten years, the world governed by the [Alliance] would lead to ruin, but in the current world, despite immediate hardships, it’ll likely develop further in about ten years.
After all, the appearance of [Abnormalities] is not the type of disaster that can be stopped.
In fact, even though the [Alliance] has suppressed them for thousands of years, [Abnormalities] keep surfacing.
If it can’t be prevented, shouldn’t we adapt instead?
Rather than uselessly hiding something while lacking the ability to properly contain it.
Huh? Why am I suddenly deviating from discussing my goal?
It’s not a diversion.
Although the [Alliance] is an organization with misguided intentions, I still believe a governing entity, like the past [Alliance], or the current [Broadcasting Station], is necessary.
In that light.
“I’m planning to support you.”
The normalization of the city of Busan is necessary.
“Huh… Me?”
Seong Jae-hyun.
He looks like he’s just become a high school student.
In fact, if the school had been operating normally, he would have been graduating middle school this year.
He was flustered by the story of Han Yu-seong appearing before him.
“Yes, you.”
From the time I watched a broadcast the other day, Han Yu-seong had been holding Seong Jae-hyun in high regard.
As factions began to settle in Seoul, he quickly decided to leave for Busan, realizing there would be no future here.
In the midst of it all, he showed cleverness by gathering people to prevent other factions from recklessly interfering and to become the dominant force in Busan.
Though he lacked time to focus on hunting due to caring for his family, he still managed to grow close to Bronze rank, showing ambition.
Given the right environment, he might have attained Silver rank or higher by now with his combat sense and potential.
Well, his relocation to Busan ultimately ended in disaster.
But it felt like he got caught up in unavoidable natural disasters rather than showing incompetence.
Thus, such talent is important.
I need to seize the opportunity to recruit him and quickly stabilize Busan.
To achieve my goal, I cannot do it alone.
In fact, upon hearing my goal, some might say if it’s not something someone has already accomplished.
With this level of power exhibited, there wouldn’t be anyone foolish enough to disturb it.
With an [Ordinary City] present, there’s no worry about electricity or food.
A life free of concerns about food or water, living comfortably in a well-heated and cooled room.
Some might even call it paradise.
But there’s no cultural life.
Without a cultural life, it’s not the bum’s life I desire!
Even if electricity is running and the computer is on, internet games or multiplayer servers aren’t possible.
Will there even be a next chapter for manga, webtoons, or web novels in this age?
It’s questionable whether the authors are even alive.
Everything I used to read is on hiatus, and new works seem scarce.
Though I’ve said the world would stabilize and develop further in ten years…
Isn’t that way too long to wait for just ten years?
Spending ten years merely playing a few console games, with no new novels or comics?
What is that? Hell?
Despite not caring about nationality in this already doomed world, I’m not just gonna throw away my ties to Korea.
A developed technology and infrastructure for such a small area.
And the neighboring country, a perpetrator of war crimes, is ranting about erasing cultures due to some faulty logic, resulting in significant gaps in myths or ancient stories, limiting the emergence of [Abnormalities] from the “Old Era.”
Given the scale of a so-called developed country, it’s hard to imagine how long it’ll take for it to stabilize, but isn’t it the case that if a few cities are restored, they could be somewhat back on track?
Then new cultural content will start emerging and the [Streamer] will ensure security and safety, so there’s nothing for me to worry about.
I’m not saying this just for fun; pitting the [Streamers] against each other to compete for territory is aimed at rapid unification for stabilization.
In this regard, the situation in Busan is quite promising right now.
The whale that swept through Busan has disappeared somewhere in the ocean, and the [Artist] who had taken over Busan was swept away shortly thereafter.
Given the vast amount of lingering sentiments from the destruction of an entire city, one would expect an abnormal emergence to be closely monitored, but…
“Eek.”
As you can see, that girl hiding behind Jung Seong-min every time she sees me has long been drained of her energy since her birth.
This is definitely a dangerous [Abnormality].
It’s actually telling that, despite just one city’s scale resulting in such significant sentiments that something like that would arise, it indicates the state of despair we’re facing.
Ultimately, what this means now is that the [Abnormalities] emerging in Busan are far more manageable than those in Seoul.
It’s an excellent environment for low-level survivors to hunt and grow.
“Y-Yes! I’ll do it! Just give me the command!”
Seong Jae-hyun, momentarily panicked, uttered with fervor as if he would seize this opportunity.
For him, this probably felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Even if he had gathered people, being so young made him seem somewhat underestimated, yet he received an offer with the backing of the giant faction known as the [Broadcasting Station].
For someone who had been pushed out to Busan due to family obligations and a delayed growth, this might feel like an unprecedented opportunity for advancement.
I nodded with a satisfied smile at Seong Jae-hyun’s spirited demeanor.
Of course, he must work hard!
For my comfortable and cozy cultural life!
Seoul is so divided that I feel it might take a while for unity and cultural development…
But I secretly hoped that Busan could start producing some decent outcomes in just about a year, if all goes well.
If this kid betrays my expectations…
“Stabilization takes priority.”
“Y-Yes…?”
“We need to stabilize the city’s functions and quickly return to a pre-destruction lifestyle.”
“Yes! I will do my best!”
He doesn’t offer a firm answer.
Well, it’s a good attitude.
In a situation where unexpected incidents could arise at any moment, suggesting he’ll do his best rather than guaranteeing success is reassuring.
Anyway, that clears Busan.
“Hmm… I didn’t intend to, but a nice open area has formed.”
I should set up a branch of the [Ordinary City] here and station some entities or soldiers.
The internal situation may sort itself out as they grow, but there’s a risk that the Seoul factions could interfere.
While I intended for development through competition…
There should at least be time for the new server to grow.
They will help prevent interference from other regional forces, including Seoul, from meddling in Busan for a while.
Like a border or checkpoint, I suppose?
Just as I was about to summon part of the city area in the back room…
Beeep—
My smartphone vibrates in notification mode.
■ [Ghost Story – Demon Clown] has been defeated.
└ The demon born from the people’s fear has been completely eradicated.
└ Hidden status [Divine] has increased.
└ Special skill [Jester’s Mask] can be used.
“…. What is this?”
Is it dead?
The [Clown]?
Why?
At that moment, I feel something tightening around my soul once more.
“Hmph.”
Boom—
I may not have had power when caught, but now, a restriction like that isn’t threatening anymore.
I flicked away the chains attempting to restrain my soul and looked at my smartphone.
“Ah, so this is how it is.”
I could roughly guess the perpetrator.
Even if it was restrained, being able to kill a [Demon] like the [Clown] requires enough power, and that the act of the perpetrator gets absorbed by the [System] as if it were my doing.
Beeep—
At that moment, my smartphone buzzes to life again.
A call from the Deputy Priest.
“Yes, I received it, Elder.”
-Oh, so you’re not really dead!
The old man seemed worried since the broadcast had suddenly cut off.
I’m not the type to just die off somewhere.
“Yes, I’m alive. Um, was there something that happened at the [Broadcasting Station]?”
For instance, just before.
-Oh, that’s exactly why I contacted you. I asked if you were alive because the broadcast cut off so suddenly. While you’re not the type to just turn up dead, considering the situation…
Ah, he’s worried, isn’t he?
His words kept flowing without end.
“Um… sorry, but could you first tell me what happened? I’m quite curious.”
-Oh, it seems the old man is rambling. Well, I’d say there isn’t anything significant… uh, just a moment, let me drink some water…
After quenching his thirst, the Deputy Priest continued speaking.
-Were you the one who ordered the [Security Guard] to deal with the [Clown]?