Chapter 179

After completing the request, Kim and his group hurried back to the city.
First, we rescued Sarah Putty, and second, we relayed the location of the infected cluster to law enforcement. We also informed them that most of them were missing in action during the cleanup.
In total, 42 infected individuals were identified. While some people may have fled during the arrival of the security forces, 42 people complied with the security forces.
Kuzak may have been a fierce man, but he was a leader who held a firm place in the group. Without a leader, wandering outside of the city would be difficult to survive.
‘There must have been a desire to return.
Check them against the citizenry and the facts will come out. The police are not bloodthirsty, and if their innocence is proven, the least they can hope for is mercy.
Of course, that’s just the bare minimum.
As an infected, returning to the city is out of the question. There would be a huge gap between the mercy of the infected and the mercy of the security forces-but that was none of Kim’s business.
At the end of the long story, Kavek drew a deep sigh.
“There you go.”
Kavek’s eyes had darkened again. He’d gotten word that they’d secured a cluster of infected people just before he left work, and he hadn’t returned home since.
Once the dust settled, Kabek met with Kim separately.
The details of the incident are clear from the infected’s statement and Dustborn’s report. However, I took it upon myself to stay overtime to hear the story again from the person who solved it.
“I’m glad I found you, it’s definitely not the same as an electronic file.”
“There are some things you just can’t write down in an official document.”
“You’ve done a great job.”
One minute he’s smiling, the next he’s serious.
“As you may have noticed, the only problem solved is the ‘missing cases’. We’re left with problems that are bigger, not smaller, and the treatment of the infected alone is a headache.”
“This time, it’s your turn to suffer.”
“Haha, my bosses are having a harder time than I am.”
Dustborn’s part was over the moment he handed it over to law enforcement.
If you want to intervene, you can do so, but you’ll have to deal with the Council and the law enforcement. They won’t be willing to help you at their own expense.
“It’s not like I’m going to make a different decision.
The human rights of the infected cannot be prioritized over the defense of the city.
“They’ll probably be caught with a strand that will support their life outside the city. We’ll be able to get them some food, supplies, and medication, and hopefully we can get them in touch with their families through the security forces.”
“It would be annoying if it became public knowledge. Human rights organizations.”
“Yes. I’d like to move on as quietly as possible, but it doesn’t look easy.”
“I hope it works out.”
The fact that you didn’t choose to dispose of it is a big challenge.
No matter what, Kim decided to trust the council’s judgment.
“And next on the agenda.”
Kavek manipulated the tablet, which displayed the identifying information of several people.
“We’ve investigated every citizen with a history of participating in the septic tank, and we’ve found a lot of suspicious activity. For example, here, five million credits were deposited into Henry Kenneth’s account.”
“That’s a lot to pick up on the side of the road.”
“Yes. I don’t have a timely work history either.”
As I slid the screen, other material appeared.
This time it was a photo. The chapter showed a plastic bottle that was less than half the size of her palm. As soon as she saw the larvae, Kim’s eyes narrowed.
“How did you find it?”
“It took a lot of people working around the clock, scouring CCTV footage along Henry Kenneth’s usual route and tracing it back to the time before we were able to identify the buyer.”
Kim was overwhelmed with admiration and a little disbelief. The investigation had progressed this far in less than five days. What kind of person did he roll?
‘Oh well. It’s a serious situation.’
The tearful sacrifices of an unspecified number of people have paid off in a big way.
Kavek swiped the screen once more to reveal the man’s profile.
“His name is Sergio Carmelo. His citizenship was issued in December of last year. He’s been in the country for less than half a year, so we’re assuming he had a purpose from the beginning.”
They just arrested him last night and he’s being questioned. It happened very quickly. Kabek’s visit to the office was also to update me on the progress.
But one thing.
Kim knew something Kavek didn’t.
“You’re using the same pseudonym.
Sergio Carmelo was a guy who appeared in the game. He’s basically the last of the Legion. He appears in the second half of the game after the collapse of the Legion, so the timing is right.
“I didn’t know they were going for Kilikia.
The feeling of surprise was fleeting.
“Because that’s where the Legion really started to go downhill.
Shadow’s death is still a mystery. He died in the middle of nowhere. His death was far less important than the Battle of Metropolis.
Plus, it would be easier for Kilikia to attack than Rapp.
The Raps live in isolation in their exiled territory. While a powerful army can crush them at a moment’s notice, this also means that they have few other corners to poke.
For many reasons, Kilikia was the perfect place to target.
“I don’t think we need to worry about Sergio.
He’s been arrested, so we can leave him alone. What you need to know is that there are remnants of the Legion hiding out in Kilikia, and they’re planning something with the larvae.
“The investigation will proceed as is. However, if you encounter any issues along the way, please contact….”
“You can talk to me anytime. We’ll be happy to work with you.”
“Thank you again. This is already helping.”
A smile crossed Kabek’s face. His face was still tired, but strangely more cheerful than usual. As if scars were a soldier’s badge of honor.
That tired face is a civil service medal…….
* * *
A little while later, I heard the story.
“They sent me to the psych ward.”
That’s what Chelsea said when she arrived at work after a few days of vacation. It’s not hard to understand the context, even though it’s missing all the context.
“Gemma Putty. What did you think?”
“It was just the same, you jingling human being.”
It was his usual grumpy tone.
But how many meanings are implied by the word “still,” and even Kim, who knows all the facts, can’t say he fully understands Chelsea’s feelings.
We can only guess at the situation.
Chelsea announces Brandon’s death and continues to explain the chain of events to a disbelieving Gemma. Gemma finally accepts it as the truth and blames Chelsea.
I can imagine what Gemma, who never spared her daughter, would have said. There would have been some colorful accusations. Chelsea, who had no expectations from her mother, would be hurt.
How venomous, how maniacal.
“I don’t care what I do, I’m never going to get out, because I was already insane and I think I’ve gotten worse. Why don’t you just live with shit on the walls?”
Her scowl was powerless. Chelsea smiled bitterly at the way Kim stared at her. It was embarrassing to feel like she had exposed her cheeks.
“Oh, this is why I hated it, don’t feel sorry for me.”
“No, not pity, but, um.”
“Or what, why do you keep looking at me like that?”
Kim scratched his cheek and opened his mouth.
“I hope I don’t get burnout from this, or something….”
“You crazy person.”
Apparently, they were actually worried.
Worrying that you’ll quit your job.
“Wow, that’s a great idea. You’re thinking about that in the middle of all this?”
“Dude. You’re a pillar of the company, and it’s just a mouthful to shoot from the hip, huh? You know we’re a little short on kids, and we need people like you.”
A baptism of praise from the usually uncomplimentary boss. Chelsea’s axe-eyed stare relaxed. She crossed her arms, hesitated, then nodded.
“Well. I guess I’m important to this company…….”
“That’s right, we’re out of business without you.”
Of course not.
If Chelsea drops out, it’s a blow. But the departure of one fighter does not tilt the company. If Kim Yi Hyun leaves, but Ekidna stays, the company stays.
Dustborn has grown too big to be brought down by a single person who has gone off the rails.
We all know what they say.
“Oh, right, I didn’t ask you this. How are things with your brother?”
“I’ve calmed down a bit, and I wasn’t crying and screaming at first.”
I tried to change the subject, but Chelsea didn’t seem to mind.
“The examination wasn’t terribly bad – there’s some stunted growth from malnutrition and a few bruises here and there…. I’m glad he’s not going to die.”
He clicked his tongue as he spoke. He was thin and had old scars. Counseling revealed that he had been subjected to constant gaslighting. These scars were not from outside the city, but from inside.
Sarah was Mr. and Mrs. Putty’s retirement plan. This time, it was as if she had been psychologically engineered to prevent her from rebelling like Chelsea.
“Time will take care of that, I think.”
“Sure. If you can’t take care of him, bring him to work.”
As a result, Chelsea took responsibility for Sarah. After abandoning her family earlier, she has a new family. What the future holds for their relationship is up to them.
“You’ve been through a lot, and you’re going to have a good life ahead of you. Both of you.”
“These days, I think about what it means to live well.”
“Ugh. I guess burnout is…….”
“Mr. Ai. Don’t do that, really. I warned you.”
Kim chuckled.
“What’s the big deal? If I don’t starve, I’m appreciated at work, and I live in an air-conditioned house, that’s a good life. It’s an option, but if I meet the right person, I can start a family.”
“It’s not all that easy.”
“Don’t worry. I can take care of most of it.”
“……Cough, kolok, kek!”
Chelsea was coughing up the dough when Sarri stopped by. To be responsible. Even marrying the right person? A little twist, a little leap, and you’ve got yourself a platter.
“What’s wrong, what’s wrong. Do you need water?”
“…Nope. I’m fine.”
Unsurprisingly, Kim was in no mood for that. Chelsea watched the reaction carefully and breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing she needed was drama at work.
After the conversation was organized, Kim called together the key members of Dustborn.
Chelsea’s insistence that she would come clean. Aside from the relationship between Chelsea and the client, the request was unreasonable. Ekid and Unzeri were already questioning her.
He also plans to bring Sarah into the office when things get busy. I’ll have her wait in the break room so she doesn’t interrupt my work, but it’s better to explain.
At the end of the long story, Chelsea said.
“That’s why I liked being called an owl, because it wasn’t a name someone else gave me.”
Silence descends, not knowing how to react.
“Unless someone else built it, that is.”
Kim couldn’t help but ask.
“So, you thought up the tinnitus thing and put it on yourself?”
“……!”
Chelsea’s ears turned bright red after she came out of the closet.
Surviving as a One-Star in a Dead Game – Chapter 180 (180/223)