Chapter 668
Chapter 668
Jin Geum-ho's schedule began early in the morning.
His first task was to receive a report from his secretary, Seo Tae-ran, on everything that had happened overnight and the movements in each district.
"The North District is currently the most active. Under Serian's command, many people have been dispatched to the Forest of Beginning."
"As expected. The Dark Elves there will be cooperating as well."
"Yes. Since they're fellow elves, they've been giving them quite a bit of preferential treatment. The other districts are already voicing complaints because of it."
"Is it serious enough for us to intervene?"
"Not yet."
"Then keep watching."
"I've already arranged for that."
"Good."
Jin Geum-ho smiled.
The more he saw her, the more dependable she seemed.
With Seo Tae-ran handling everything, he could devote himself entirely to Heavenly Punishment.
Even if he were absent, she would be more than capable of leading Neo Seoul.
"Anything else I should be concerned about?"
"The dissatisfaction in the East District is particularly severe."
"Is Seden the problem?"
"Yes. It seems he doesn't like the North District gaining influence through the Forest of Beginning."
"The slowest to act, yet the greediest."
"That's why they've fallen behind the other districts."
"If it looks like they'll clash with the North District, warn them in advance. The atmosphere has finally matured—we can't ruin it now."
"I'll do that."
"What else?"
"I've already handled all the minor issues myself, so there's no need for you to worry."
"You seem to be in good condition."
"Pardon?"
"You look well. Did you enjoy staying in World Tree Village that much?"
"Ah... Yes."
"Hehe. I would have liked to rest there a little longer myself. I'm rather envious."
"Shall we cancel today's schedule and head to World Tree Village right now?"
"I can't even joke around in front of you. There's a mountain of work to do—how could I possibly go? Just getting to visit once was enough."
"I'm sorry... for being the only one who stayed longer."
Seo Tae-ran lowered her head apologetically.
Seeing her acting unlike her usual self, Jin Geum-ho looked puzzled.
"Did something happen there?"
"No. I just feel sorry."
"There's nothing to apologize for just because you stayed a few more days than I did. You haven't had a proper rest in a long time either—you've done nothing but work. If you get the chance again, go rest at World Tree Village."
"Thank you."
Touched by his consideration, Seo Tae-ran bowed once more.
Jin Geum-ho stood up.
"Well then, shall we begin today's schedule in earnest?"
"Where would you like to go first?"
"Let's inspect Heavenly Punishment."
His first priority was Heavenly Punishment.
Together with Seo Tae-ran, he took the elevator underground.
The high-speed elevator brought them to Heavenly Punishment in an instant.
The researchers greeted them the moment they entered the laboratory.
"Mr. Mayor, you've arrived."
"Welcome."
Jin Geum-ho smiled.
"You've all worked hard. How's the progress?"
"Only the final coating process remains."
"Coating? Is that really necessary?"
"Yes. Mr. Kim Hyun-soo examined Heavenly Punishment and said that in its current state, it won't be able to penetrate the mana field."
"He did?"
"Yes. He said it would be destroyed before it even passed through the mana field..."
"Hmm."
Jin Geum-ho let out a thoughtful sound.
This wasn't advice from just anyone—it was Kim Hyun-soo's. He couldn't ignore it.
"So we're planning to coat it with a special solution made by melting dragon scales."
The primary ingredient in the coating liquid for Heavenly Punishment was dragon scales.
After decades of research, the researchers had finally discovered a way to melt dragon scales.
Dragon scales and bones were the strongest materials in existence, nearly impossible to process through ordinary means, but human perseverance had accomplished the impossible.
Though it had taken many long years.
Once coated with melted dragon scales, Heavenly Punishment would be able to safely pass through the mana field covering the sky.
"When will the coating be finished?"
"It's delicate work, so we'll need at least a month."
"A month is too late."
"Sir?"
"I'll give you fifteen days. Finish the coating and prepare for launch within fifteen days."
"That... Understood."
The head researcher had been about to object, but seeing the firm look on Jin Geum-ho's face, he immediately changed his answer.
Gripping the researcher's shoulder, Jin Geum-ho said,
"We don't have much time left. The day Neo Seoul's anti-magic power completely disappears isn't far away. The moment it's gone, the magical beasts will swarm in. We must send Heavenly Punishment into space before that happens. We won't get a second chance. So it has to succeed."
"I'll stake my life on making it succeed."
"I'm sorry for putting such pressure on you."
"No, Mr. Mayor! We know very well the burden you've been carrying. We understand that all of this is for Neo Seoul and for the world. We'll risk our lives to finish it within fifteen days."
"Thank you."
"No, we're the ones who should be thanking you for your dedication."
"Hmm."
Nodding, Jin Geum-ho approached Heavenly Punishment.
The nearly completed satellite was truly magnificent.
This strategic weapon, which would change the era, was humanity's precious asset.
If he could only launch this satellite into space, he would gladly give up his own life.
It still bothered him that they couldn't install an artificial intelligence, but it didn't matter. They could control it perfectly well from the ground.
Gently stroking Heavenly Punishment, Jin Geum-ho murmured,
"Please bring heavenly punishment upon the magical beasts that invaded this land."
"..."
Standing behind him, Seo Tae-ran silently watched as Jin Geum-ho communed with Heavenly Punishment.
---
Zeon headed toward the prison where Damho was being held.
He was curious about what Damho was teaching Jetoya.
"You've arrived, sir."
The guard immediately opened the door upon seeing Zeon.
As he walked through, Zeon asked,
"Can I go to the special cell?"
"Are you here to see Mr. Damho?"
"Is there a problem?"
"Then rather than the special cell, please go to the execution ground."
"The execution ground? Don't tell me you're executing him?"
The guard hurriedly waved his hands in denial.
"N-No, that's not it. He requested to borrow the execution ground. It's the largest space in the prison..."
"He requested it?"
"Yes. Captain Seong Ho-yeon of the Numbers instructed us to grant any request he makes..."
"I understand. Then please take me to the execution ground."
"Yes, sir. Please follow me."
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, the guard led the way.
The execution ground they arrived at was vast enough to resemble a plaza.
Since it had been built to execute awakened criminals guilty of major offenses, the walls, floor, and ceiling were all made from specially manufactured metal.
Its durability was so great that ordinary attacks couldn't even leave a scratch.
Two men stood there.
Damho and Jetoya.
For some reason, the two faced each other.
Quietly, Zeon said to the guard who had brought him,
"You may leave. I'll watch alone from here."
"Y-Yes, sir."
The guard hurriedly left the execution ground.
Zeon was uneasy as well, but the guard feared Damho even more.
Every prison guard here was an awakened individual.
All of them possessed the ability to subdue violent criminals.
Naturally, they had encountered countless vicious offenders.
But not one of them had ever inspired as much fear as Damho.
It wasn't because Damho had done anything threatening or spoken any intimidating words.
He merely sat quietly in the solitary cell known as the special room.
Yet every guard who saw him, even briefly, trembled in fear.
It was because of Damho's unique presence and gaze.
Simply meeting his eyes made them feel as though their entire bodies would be torn apart.
There wasn't a single exception.
Even the prison warden had never visited him again after locking him up on the first day.
Damho possessed an aura and presence that filled those around him with fear.
For the guards, overcoming that pressure was impossible.
After the guard fled as though escaping, Zeon remained alone, watching Damho and Jetoya.
Even then, neither of them moved.
With an interested expression, Zeon watched Damho.
Jetoya was a martial-type awakened.
Like most martial-type awakened, as his rank increased, he would learn new skills.
He would eventually develop unique skills of his own.
Unless someone had mastered the exact same type of skill, it was impossible for an outsider to teach them. Yet Damho intended to teach Jetoya. Zeon wondered how he planned to do it.
Then—
"Haaat!"
With a battle cry, Jetoya charged at Damho.
It wasn't an ordinary movement.
It was Jetoya's personal skill—closing the distance in three steps and delivering a decisive strike.
Reaching Damho in exactly three steps, Jetoya's fist sliced through the air like a flash of lightning.
His punch was aimed directly at Damho's head.
Damho's response was simple.
"Trivial."
Boom!
A thunderous explosion followed.
Jetoya was blasted backward without even managing to scream.
Damho's fist had exploded into his chest.
It was a blow powerful enough to kill an ordinary person instantly. Only because Jetoya's awakened body was vastly stronger than a normal human's did he survive.
As Jetoya writhed on the ground, Damho's stern voice struck his ears.
"Get up. An enemy won't wait for you to stand."
"Yes, sir!"
Grinding his teeth, Jetoya forced himself to his feet and charged again.
As he kicked Jetoya away, Damho said,
"Abandon what you call skills. Skills are nothing more than shackles that suppress your imagination."
"But..."
"Do not rely on skills. Pour your will into your fist. One intention is enough—the determination to kill."
At Damho's cold words, Jetoya bit down hard on his lip.
He had heard those same words countless times over the past few days.
Damho kept telling him to forget his skills.
Instead, he taught him a breathing technique, how to throw a punch, and how to move.
At first, Jetoya had thought it was complete nonsense.
Forget the skills he had worked so hard to learn?
He couldn't understand what it meant to pour his will into his fist, either.
Nor did Damho bother trying to make him understand.
He knew that one action was more effective than a hundred words.
"Do not open your mouth during battle. Your breathing must be as heavy as a boulder."
Boom!
If Jetoya failed to do as he said, a fist came flying without mercy.
It was an ordinary punch.
A simple straight that connected one point to another.
It looked as though it should be easy to dodge if you knew where it was coming.
Yet Jetoya had never managed to avoid Damho's fist even once.
Boom!
"Urgh!"
With a cry, he was sent flying once more.
But Damho's voice pulled him back to his feet again.
"Again!"
In the end, Jetoya gritted his teeth, stood up, and rushed at Damho once more.
Boom! Bang!
With deafening explosions, Jetoya's body collapsed again and again.
After repeating this several times, Jetoya, driven by sheer stubbornness, charged at Damho once more.
"Again!"
"Your breathing is rough."
"Already tired? Again!"
"How long are you going to lie there? Again!"
"Again! Again!"
At Damho's voice, Jetoya's movements gradually became more refined.
Zeon took in every moment of the scene without missing a single detail.