Level 4 Human in a Ruined World - Chapter 92
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Chapter 92: Yongsan Park (2)
Where does fear really come from?
“What, what is that?”
“Run away!”
The elite police officers of Yongsan let out newly born screams.
While doing so, they asked themselves.
Why am I afraid?
That… is nothing more than a title.
But it couldn’t be ignored.
The fear signals that his brain desperately sprayed.
Shi-ah-aat…!
The title that appeared above Yeongwoo’s head seemed like a living creature.
Because the characters wriggled as if they were really alive.
Moreover, unlike other titles, something was overlaid on the background, which was clearly part of another dimension.
No one explained it, but anyone could intuitively feel it when they saw the title.
Definitely not from the normal world…
No, what should I call it?
“Something wicked.”
One of the police officers murmured, nodding his head, thinking of the appropriate word.
He couldn’t keep looking at the opponent’s title anymore.
Although he had already run away dozens of times in his mind, for some reason, his body didn’t move.
He had never dared to challenge the Strongest Sword, so he didn’t even know what the prestige of the Strongest Sword was.
“Ugh!”
As twenty or so police officers stood rooted to the spot wearing dragon helmets, Yeongwoo looked up at the title in his eyes with a malicious feeling.
『Gyeongbuk’s Strongest Sword』
Shi-ah-aah…!
Once a title that shone brightly was now shrouded in a purplish fog-like substance, and within it, a profound evil emanated.
‘What’s with changing even the form of the title?’
Whether to call it a distortion or contamination.
Anyway, the only fortunate thing was that he could recognize the characters written on the title.
“Um… first of all, please calm down, everyone.”
Yeongwoo cautiously spoke to the Yongsan police officers under the prestige of the Strongest Sword.
“Can you see the contents of the title? I am not a mutant. And certainly not here to harm any of you.”
Of course, it was a complicated situation in many ways, as he had killed the son of Gangnam’s Strongest Sword on his way up to Seoul.
He didn’t necessarily want to harm the police officers, but he came here with the intention of being willing to even take the life of Gangnam’s Strongest Sword if necessary.
Swoosh-
As Yeongwoo pointed directly at the title with his finger, the gazes of the officers finally landed on the letters ‘Gyeongbuk Strongest Sword’.
“Gye… Gyeongbuk Strongest Sword?”
“The Strongest Sword…?”
“Uh…!”
Instantly, the atmosphere changed dramatically.
From fear of the unknown to a clear dread.
As the prestige of the Strongest Sword was gradually diminishing, starting with the officer closest to Yeongwoo, one by one they began to kneel down on the ground.
Hwaet!
“We… We have committed a grave offense!”
“We didn’t know!”
“Please forgive us!”
It was an unbelievable turnaround from just moments ago when they were ready to draw their swords.
To them, the Strongest Sword was a more terrifying presence than a mutant.
‘What’s this?’
Yeongwoo couldn’t help but be bewildered.
And at the same time, he learned a little about the position of Strongest Sword in Seoul.
“Um… I forgive you, so please, stop kneeling now.”
Just as Yeongwoo made an awkward expression and was about to jump down from the sculpture, a booming voice erupted from behind the police officers.
“Is everyone kneeling?”
At this, everyone, including Yeongwoo, turned their heads in that direction and soon saw it.
It was the sight of a middle-aged man in police uniform and another man who looked to be in his early thirties at most.
“…Chief.”
Eventually, one of the officers rose briskly from his position, saluted the middle-aged man, and then bowed to the man next to him.
Then the rest also rose and behaved in the same way as the person in front of them.
While it was true that they had made a big mistake against the Gyeongbuk’s Strongest Sword who came to Seoul, at least for the Yongsan police officers, the sudden appearance of those two was due to their higher authority.
Because the middle-aged man in uniform was the Chief of the Yongsan Police Station, Lee Kwangwon, and the man in his thirties next to him was none other than…
『Yongsan’s Strongest Sword』
It was Yongsan Strongest Sword, Kim Doha 03.
Of course, in terms of the Strongest Sword’s rank, the Gyeongbuk Strongest Sword who unified a large region was a more fearsome presence, but…
‘That’s a story that might hold true in any province, but this is Seoul.’
Like the thoughts of one of the officers, this was Seoul.
And not just any Seoul, it was right in front of Yongsan Park where the Strongest Sword assembly was held every day.
Even if Gyeongbuk’s Strongest Sword was strong, could he really take on the Strongest Swords of Seoul alone?
From the police perspective, it was only natural to fear the disapproval of their direct superiors who were under the protection of the Seoul Federation.
In fact, even if it wasn’t the case, it was more comfortable to bow to fellow Seoulites than outsiders.
“…”
With a series of reasons, as soon as the traffic was cleared, Chief Lee Kwangwon felt a great weight on his shoulders.
“Now, let’s have a discussion.”
As if indicating that it was now permissible to handle the matter, Lee Kwangwon gestured with open arms, as if opening the way.
But the Yongsan’s Strongest Sword was not responding as expected.
‘What… What is this, you bastard?’
He was in a state of shock upon seeing the true identity of the “outsider on horseback” that had been widely rumored.
He had never dreamed that the “horse” was made of black steel, nor did he expect…
‘How much equipment is he wearing…?’
Because even the specifications of the body atop the horse looked formidable.
‘This guy is from a different dimension.’
Yongsan’s Strongest Sword Kim Doha was not a physically powerful person.
Mentally speaking.
During Strongest Sword assemblies, if opinions on certain matters couldn’t be reconciled, they would resort to duels for resolution.
This was the case when the meeting place was designated as Yongsan Park, and when he faced Jeong Hyunsik, the Strongest Sword of the time, he acknowledged defeat immediately after receiving the first attack.
He was scared.
His spirit was broken in just one bout.
Despite being fearful as a Strongest Sword, he had one distinctive skill.
‘That guy… He’s strong.’
He could recognize opponents stronger than himself like a ghost.
He felt a similar feeling to when he stood in front of Jeong Hyunsik, the Gangnam Strongest Sword, in a duel.
No, strictly speaking, it was even more intense.
While he still felt a sense of familiarity with Jeong Hyunsik, which allowed him to endure at least one bout, he didn’t want to face the attack of that monster riding the iron horse at all.
So, Kim Doha made a decision based on his own logic.
“Welcome… Please come in.”
Swoosh!
Bowing deeply, showing utmost respect.
He hoped the monster wouldn’t feel discomfort.
“It seems that our people have committed an offense. Let me apologize on their behalf.”
When Kim Doha, the strongest in Yongsan, went this far, even the police chief who had been making a fuss just a moment ago had no choice but to bow his head.
“…I’m sorry.”
Following that, the officers, like lightning, rose from the ground and pressed their foreheads to the road.
Hwaet!
“I apologize!”
“Please forgive us!”
“…”
The most awkward one in this situation was Yeongwoo.
Because they might soon find themselves in a situation where they couldn’t kill each other.
After all, he was the culprit who had killed the son of the Gangnam’s Strongest Sword, who was the axis of the assembly.
He didn’t come here expecting a warm reception.
“Um… By any chance, is the Gangnam’s Strongest Sword present at the assembly now?”
When Yeongwoo asked, Kim Doha’s stiff expression softened slightly.
“Ah, so you know to some extent. Excuse me, but may I ask what relationship you have with Jeong Hyunsik?”
“That… well…”
It seemed that the other party didn’t quite grasp the situation.
Yeongwoo initially hesitated to speak, but then changed his mind.
Was there really a need to awkwardly hide something that everyone would soon find out anyway?
“It’s a matter of enmity. I killed his son.”
“What…?”
“The son of Gangnam’s Strongest Sword.”
He didn’t even remember the guy’s name.
Even though he knew the man’s father was the Gangnam Strongest Sword, he didn’t regret killing him.
“…”
Despite making a terrifying confession, he had an unusually nonchalant expression.
It was actually Kim Doha who wore a puzzled expression.
“No, I mean, sir…”
Kim Doha, who was trying to recall what he had heard, suddenly fell silent.
He was at a loss for words at such an unbelievable story.
But he didn’t doubt its truthfulness.
《If you encounter an outsider riding a horse, please bring them to the assembly, alive. I request it.》
The strange message spread by the Gangnam Strongest Sword was evidence of this, and given the bizarre appearance of this outsider, it wouldn’t be surprising if they were involved in whatever it was, whether it was chopping up the son of Gangnam’s Strongest Sword or not.
“So, let’s clarify… You killed Jeong Hyunsik’s eldest son, and now you have come here with the intention of killing Jeong Hyunsik as well?”
The summary seemed slightly twisted.
Upon this, Yeongwoo corrected a few things.
“I killed the son of that Jeong Hyunsik person, and now, it’s more accurate to say that Jeong Hyunsik has come here to kill me. I don’t particularly want to spill any more blood.”
“…I see. But if you don’t have any feelings for Jeong Hyunsik, couldn’t you have just left the scene after killing his son?”
Intrigued by the conversation between the two Strongest Swords, everyone in the audience was silent and focused.
And soon, an absurd line popped out of the problematic outsider Yeongwoo’s mouth.
“It’s my job, after all. I have to wrap things up somehow, don’t I?”
“…”
Thinking of it as his job, he came here to duel the Gangnam’s Strongest Sword.
It was a motive that was difficult for the cowardly Strongest Sword Kim Doha and the Yongsan police officers, who were just here to make a living, to understand easily.
Swoosh!
The current time was 2:34 PM.
Kim Doha, checking his wristwatch, let out a deep sigh.
“Hoo…”
There were about 26 minutes left until the start of the Strongest Sword assembly.
If this monster’s words were true, it wouldn’t be long before Jeong Hyunsik made his way to Yongsan with vengeance in mind.
‘Today, with new attendees coming in, it will be quite a spectacle.’
After some contemplation, Kim Doha finally made up his mind.
Whoosh!
With arms outstretched towards the outsider, he spoke.
“Once again, welcome! Today might become a very important day. I’ll inform the other Strongest Swords as well that there might be a duel for the position of Gangnam’s Strongest Sword today.”
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