Hoarding In Hell [EN]: Chapter 252

252. Utopia (7)

Hyun-woo didn’t know how to respond to Yumin’s statement that she had acquired the ‘Beast of the Apocalypse’ skill.

And Yumin felt the same way.

Yumin knew that Hyun-woo possessed an ultimate skill called ‘Beast of the Apocalypse.’

She didn’t know the specifics, but she had heard that the black energy Hyun-woo occasionally used was related to it.

Hyun-woo asked about the most pressing issue first.

“Wait, that’s an ultimate skill?! Yumin, you’re a low level.”

Yumin’s level was only 12. It was natural since she hardly ever went into dungeons.

Even this was a level she had naturally gained from cutting, stabbing, and dissecting monsters from hell in the lab.

Still, 12 was 12.

It wasn’t a level at which you could learn an ultimate skill.

“Um, it seems different. My skill isn’t an ultimate skill.”

Hyun-woo examined Yumin’s skill with Ren, the Admiral’s monocle.

[Beast of the Apocalypse (Mythical)]

[Special Ability: When activated, summons a portion of the beast promised at the end of the world. All stats are amplified within the realm dominated by black mist, and massive additional attack power is granted against stars and their kin.]

Unlike Hyun-woo’s ultimate skill, many explanations were omitted, and some parts were different.

Most notably, it summoned ‘a portion of the beast.’

It was still unknown what form this would take, but it was clear that it was different from Hyun-woo’s.

“Um, I think I need to explain something here.”

Yumin hesitated before speaking.

“You know I have another skill, right?”

“Yeah.”

“That skill is called ‘Blank Slate.’ The skills I modify are automatically recorded on ‘Blank Slate.’ And until I overwrite it with another new skill, I can use that skill as my own.”

Simply put, she automatically copied and used skills whenever she ‘transformed’ them.

Hyun-woo knew.

He could see it with Ren, the Admiral’s monocle. But he didn’t say it on purpose.

He also knew why Yumin hadn’t told others.

Ability users were very sensitive about their skills.

If they knew that Yumin could copy and use skills, they would likely be hesitant to entrust her with skill modification.

“So, um. I think I copied your ‘Beast of the Apocalypse’ onto ‘Blank Slate.’ But I’m not sure why it was downgraded from an ultimate skill to a regular skill. Is it because my ability is lacking?”

“Or maybe there wasn’t enough space.”

Yumin nodded.

‘Blank Slate’ was a legendary-grade skill.

Yumin didn’t know how she had acquired a legendary-grade skill, but she suspected it was due to the influence of the crystal moss that Hyun-woo had brought back.

Even so, it would be impossible to copy a mythical-grade ultimate skill.

“If I modify a new skill, it will probably be overwritten and erased. I’m not sure if I can use it properly. If you want, I can just erase it now.”

“Um, no. It’s good to have it for the time being.”

Hyun-woo thought it might be good for Yumin to have the Beast of the Apocalypse skill.

Yumin’s combat power was virtually nonexistent.

Frankly, considering the recent situation in Korea, it wouldn’t be surprising if foreign apostles intervened. Then Yumin could be in danger.

In that situation, the ‘Beast of the Apocalypse’ skill could be a great help.

“At least until this matter is over, it’s good to have it.”

“Um… I guess so. I was trying to help you, but it ended up with me getting another skill.”

Yumin considered explaining the appearance of Lenian that she had seen in Hyun-woo’s mind.

She had only met her briefly, but her impression of Lenian wasn’t bad.

Lenian didn’t seem to have any malice towards her either, and she didn’t want to make Hyun-woo unnecessarily anxious.

“Um, anyway, it’s a good thing. Now we can execute the strategy with more flexibility.”

Yumin shook herself off and got up from the bed.

“First, I’ll change out of these damp clothes and contact my acquaintances. You can visit the people on the list I gave you.”

“Visit?”

“You can’t commit treason alone.”

Yumin smiled.

“If we’re going to change the country, we need to do it thoroughly without any loose ends.”

***

“Is this even reasonable!”

Opposition leader Jung Cheol-min shouted roughly.

A high-end Korean restaurant located in Yeouido [a district in Seoul known for its political and financial institutions].

As it demanded thorough security for every guest, each room was equipped with soundproofing.

The subtly flowing music was enough to drown out any slight noises.

Nevertheless, Jung Cheol-min’s voice was loud enough to harden the expression of the person sitting across from him.

“Calm down, Representative Jung Cheol-min.”

Ruling party leader Shin Soo-young whispered soothingly. But Jung Cheol-min’s agitation didn’t subside easily.

“What we agreed on was only the restriction of ability users’ rights! But what are these brokers running around the market? Even the hunters I know have received offers from over four places!”

Many politicians were indifferent to hunters, but some were not.

In particular, compared to the ruling party, which was oppressive towards ability users, the opposition party was more favorable to them.

However, contrary to their favor, they agreed that they should be more bound to the state.

That’s why they remained silent when the president did something unreasonable against the Jeon능련 [Jeonnungryeon, likely a fictional organization of ability users] this time.

But the things that happened afterward were completely unexpected.

Shin Soo-young muttered as if making an excuse.

“I don’t know…”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know! I wouldn’t have known if I didn’t have acquaintances.”

It was a sensitive issue for ability users to change their nationality. It was also a matter that was strictly reviewed to the extent of being considered treason. Naturally, hunters and brokers moved quietly.

“But if so many brokers move at once, the National Intelligence Service can’t help but notice. The government is deliberately remaining silent! Because of you, I’m about to become a traitor!”

Shin Soo-young frowned.

Seeing Jung Cheol-min so agitated, it didn’t seem like the atmosphere would calm down easily.

In fact, it was a natural reaction. Shin Soo-young had a similar reaction when he first heard about the plan.

But this wasn’t something Shin Soo-young could stop alone.

No, he might even disappear without a trace if he opposed it wrongly.

On the other hand, the enormous benefits he would receive in exchange for his silence made the choice easy.

It wasn’t a difficult choice.

“Do you think that’s all I’ve heard? That plan you’re carrying out to swallow the Jeon능련…”

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Jung Cheol-min shut his mouth.

Soon, the door opened, and food and drinks were placed on the table. Shin Soo-young quickly filled Jung Cheol-min’s glass.

Jung Cheol-min was frowning, but he didn’t refuse.

He gulped down the drink in one go and continued.

“That plan you’re carrying out to swallow the Jeon능련 will turn the country’s clock back 30 years. Are you out of your mind? Did you go crazy because the country is a little shaken up?”

Shin Soo-young smiled bitterly. He agreed as well. But the way he accepted it was different.

“Representative Jung Cheol-min. You’re too conservative. Times are changing. We can’t change this flow no matter what we do. It’s flowing regardless of our will.”

“Ha, so you’re going to progressively turn the country into a totalitarian state? You’re so progressive that you’ve turned 360 degrees?”

“Soon, an era will come when one or two deaths won’t be a big deal. When that time comes, do you think anyone will remember this? This is all for better security and peace…”

“Selling out ability users for security and peace, huh… cough, cough.”

Suddenly, Jung Cheol-min coughed violently.

For a moment, he thought he had choked, but his face turned pale when he saw the bloodstains soaking his hand.

He glared at Shin Soo-young, who was sitting across from him, with bloodshot eyes.

“You, you bastard…”

Shin Soo-young’s face was just as pale.

“No, what is this, hey! Is anyone out…”

The door burst open at Shin Soo-young’s shout. But the person who opened the door was someone no one expected.

“Oh, you’re both here at the right time.”

It was a man in rough clothes that didn’t suit the high-end Korean restaurant.

Shin Soo-young stepped back when he saw him. Even the ruling party leader, who was indifferent to hunters, knew who he was.

The de facto owner of the Jeon능련, the king of another Korea within the Republic of Korea, Kang Hyun-woo.

Kang Hyun-woo didn’t even look at Jung Cheol-min, who had collapsed while spitting blood, and ignored Shin Soo-young, who was clinging to the wall.

Instead, he slammed the door shut and walked over to sit on the head seat.

Hyun-woo stirred the yukhoe [Korean seasoned raw beef] with his finger and picked up a piece.

“Expensive food is worth the price. Don’t you think so, assemblymen? I think I know a little bit now.”

“K, Kang Hyun-woo? What brings you here… no, you were clearly reported missing.”

Hyun-woo didn’t answer. Instead, he smiled and swirled his finger at Shin Soo-young.

The moment Shin Soo-young’s eyes followed the trajectory of that finger, he realized that he was grabbing his own chin and the back of his head.

Before he could even realize what was happening, Shin Soo-young’s neck broke with a crack.

A loud crash echoed. But unless the installed bell was pressed, no one seemed to be coming.

It was indeed a restaurant with excellent soundproofing.

Above all, no one would dare to enter just because there was a commotion.

Jung Cheol-min stared at Hyun-woo as he died.

The inside was burning hot, but his hands and feet were as cold as if they were soaked in ice water.

Seeing Hyun-woo watching him die without calling an ambulance or offering to help, Jung Cheol-min moved his lips.

“Assemblyman Jung Cheol-min, you will die soon. You have been poisoned with a very deadly poison.”

He knew.

At first, Jung Cheol-min thought that Shin Soo-young had gone crazy and poisoned the alcohol. But that was not something Shin Soo-young could handle.

To poison the ruling party leader in a private meeting with only two people, in a restaurant with a witness? It didn’t make sense.

But his consciousness was fading, and he didn’t have much to say.

“You have two choices here.”

Hyun-woo pointed at Shin Soo-young.

“One is to die and become a traitor.”

Then he turned his gaze to the door.

“The other is to live and regain your honor.”

It wasn’t a difficult choice.

***

Jung Cheol-min and Shin Soo-young quietly left together, just as they had arrived.

No one asked about the bloodstains on Jung Cheol-min’s clothes or the blue bruise on Shin Soo-young’s neck.

The same was true for Kang Hyun-woo, who was left alone at the dinner.

Hyun-woo checked the list that Yumin had given him again on his phone.

‘Is it almost over?’

There were about twenty people on the list.

From mayors, governors, congressmen, and business leaders to professors with social prestige.

Unlike Hyun-woo, who targeted ability users, Yumin targeted the real rulers who controlled this society.

There was no need to feel guilty about the bad guys.

Bad guys were bad guys, so it was okay to do whatever he wanted. But the list didn’t only include people who could be called villains.

No, rather, about half of them were people with good social reputations.

It was natural. There would be many things that Hyun-woo would do in the future that would be socially criticized.

No matter how good his intentions were, if the process began to be seen negatively, righteous and good people would stand up in indignation.

Hyun-woo had no complaints about that.

He was just sorry.

If he had to make an excuse, it was that they had remained silent until the situation had reached this point.

Of course, some people had spoken out, but they had not brought about any significant change.

In the end, they would lose in the future.

But Hyun-woo was different. He intended to win.

Of course, no excuse could justify Hyun-woo.

So Hyun-woo gave up on justification.

Without any room for excuses, Hyun-woo was a villain.

A villain who abandoned all reasonable explanations and procedures because he knew the future of humanity, and who used it to unhesitatingly take his own advantage.

Hyun-woo looked at the list of the first dog collars he was putting on humanity.

The people on Yumin’s kill list would be dealt with tonight.

But Hyun-woo felt the need to slightly adjust some of the schedule that Yumin had set.

Originally, it was a task that had been pushed back a bit, but he had no choice but to move it up slightly due to the information that ruling party leader Jung Cheol-min had given him.

Hyun-woo added a line to the schedule.

[Jeon능련 Leadership Disposal Plan]

The government intended to eliminate all of the captured Jeon능련 leaders in a short period of time.

If they sensed anything unusual, they would act even faster. Hyun-woo had to rescue them before that.