Chapter 110

One Who Was a Companion II

“Hello, teacher!”

“Oh, it's Yo-hwa.”

“Yes! Hehe, it’s been a while!”

One day, Cheon Yo-hwa descended to Busan with a few of her close aides.

As expected of Baekhwa Girls’ High School, all of them were dressed in white sailor uniforms. Now that Cheon Yo-hwa was no longer a senior but roughly a ninth-year high school student, she should be graduating soon.

The top guild master of the Korean Peninsula was in a witch cosplay, and the second-in-command guild master was in a school uniform cosplay. The future of this land was grim.

“Have you been well?”

“Of course. I’m always doing well.”

“Haha. Indeed, it seems like even if you were dropped in the middle of the Sahara Desert, you'd come back just fine. By the way—”

As we chatted, the rest of the Baekhwa Girls’ High School guild members had already moved away. In the plaza, only the two of us remained, and Cheon Yo-hwa glanced around.

“Busan has changed a lot.”

“Hmm.”

Cheon Yo-hwa was right.

The 173rd cycle’s Busan boasted a city view unseen in past runs.

Previously, even though Busan was the premier city of the Korean Peninsula, it wasn’t very glamorous, fitting the apocalyptic times.

Red-light districts might have adorned themselves with expensive electricity in yellow and pink lights, but most buildings didn’t exceed two stories. The elevator and sewage systems required to maintain high-rise buildings had completely collapsed.

But now it was different.

Most buildings were four or five stories high, with some even exceeding ten stories. Civilization wasn’t fully restored, but the most expensive real estate was still on the ground floor.

Living in a five-story building and going up and down the stairs to the restroom each time was a workout many were willing to endure, as more people desired to live in Busan.

“It's quite splendid.”

“How’s Sejong these days?”

“Ah—well, it’s the same. Since we have a strong grip on Sejong, people still gather there, but other cities are in dire straits. The other guild leaders often complain when we meet, saying all the specialists have been snatched up by Busan.”

Cheon Yo-hwa’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the new capital of the Korean Peninsula.

“But it’s hard to focus on those complaints. There isn’t a guild leader strong enough to confront the National Road Management Corps leader, right?”

“Who knows. You’re here, Yo-hwa.”

“Haha. The guild leaders always say that.”

Cheon Yo-hwa laughed awkwardly, waving her hand dismissively.

“Why would I engage in a power struggle with the management leader? I’m content feeding my kids, hunting anomalies, and occasionally traveling to meet you!”

“That’s very like you.”

“Hehe...”

But for someone with such a humble lifestyle, the aura of the guild members accompanying Cheon Yo-hwa was extraordinary.

She must have formed the delegation with the best elite members of Baekhwa Girls’ High.

I glanced at the waist of Cheon Yo-hwa. Like a Pokémon trainer with Poké Balls, anomaly master Cheon Yo-hwa wore a custom belt with hourglasses attached.

One particularly white sandglass stood out. Despite its appearance, it was an indestructible anomaly seal.

The Infinite Void.

It was Cheon Yo-hwa’s most powerful weapon. Perhaps recognizing me even from inside the hourglass, her doppelgänger ‘Cheon Yo-hwa (天寥化)’ stirred the sand.

Sensing the vibration from her waist belt, Cheon Yo-hwa’s gaze turned icy. The vitamin-like smile that had been radiating in all directions evaporated instantly.

“Shut up.”

The hourglass trembled briefly before settling down. It might have been my imagination, but the vibration felt like mockery.

At that moment.

- Ah, ah—

From the speakers erected like utility poles throughout Busan, a small song began to play.

It was an acapella recording of Dang Seo-rin’s voice.

- Ah... Ah... Ah... Ah... .

The melody resembled a children’s song but it was bright enough not to irritate anyone's nerves.

As the quiet song briefly washed over us, Cheon Yo-hwa’s eyebrows relaxed.

“Ah—this is. The famous Busan specialty, right?”

“Yes. It’s the song of the National Road Management Corps leader.”

“Hehe... it really makes you feel at ease listening to it? No, I should say it makes you feel good. Is this a drug?”

It actually had a drug-like effect.

‘The song of the National Road Management Corps leader’ was broadcast every hour from 7 AM to 10 PM daily. The effects of Cursed Song Incantation subtly changed with the time of day.

For example, at 7 AM, it was a song that had the effect of waking you up feeling refreshed and clear-minded. At 10 PM, it made you pleasantly sleepy and ready for a good night’s rest as soon as you lay down.

“Thanks to it, there are no insomniacs in Busan. No one in the world sleeps as healthily as Busan citizens.”

“Hmm...”

“And during work hours, songs that invigorate and energize play, while songs that reduce stress and create a slightly excited atmosphere conducive to enjoyable conversation play during dinner time. Labor productivity and overall life satisfaction are at their highest.”

“It’s a happy city.”

Even now, dozens of citizens were huddled under the speakers. Once the song ended, they wore refreshed expressions and returned to their workplaces in groups.

‘A city made of songs.’

That was the current Busan.

“It’s no wonder other cities keep losing their population to Busan.”

To establish this system, Dang Seo-rin and I worked tirelessly for six years.

We developed five types of magic tailored to various situations, and used anomaly artifacts to ensure the magic effects were preserved in recordings.

“Well, teacher. I have a meeting scheduled with the owner of that song. I’ll excuse myself!”

The victim had received a judgment in the same place a year ago to [forgive anyone who wrongs them with a compassionate heart].

“Do you agree to the victim’s proposal?”

“Yes, of course. Thank you. Thank you, Your Excellency. Thank you...”

“Executioner, please proceed.”

Cheon Yo-hwa, in her black uniform, stood up.

She approached the defendant and placed her hand on their head. Cheon Yo-hwa’s murmured words were muted, not echoing in the courtroom, but I guessed she was ‘brainwashing’ the defendant.

Personality alteration. Infusion. Distortion.

That was Cheon Yo-hwa’s ability.

“Ah...”

Finally, the golden scale shimmered.

On the left pan was the victim’s forgiveness, and on the right pan was the defendant’s violence.

The scale, having gained the consent of both sides, balanced itself and granted their wishes.

The defendant stood up abruptly.

“I can’t feel it... I can’t feel it! The emotion that’s tormented me all my life, it’s no longer there! Ah! Thank you! Thank you! Your Excellency, the Judge, thank you!”

The audience of tens of thousands clapped in unison. Cheers of encouragement for the defendant and praises for Dang Seo-rin and Cheon Yo-hwa’s powers echoed.

They, too, were citizens who had received something [in exchange] at the courtroom for trivial or significant reasons.

“Ah, Protector.”

Suddenly, a voice came from beside me. I turned my head to see Yu Ji-won standing there.

“Ji-won.”

“Yes. Why are you watching the trial from such a remote place? As the Protector, you could watch it more closely.”

By the way, ‘Protector’ was the title given to me. The city’s protector.

It was a title dripping with Dang Seo-rin’s preference, one I personally didn’t like. I almost missed the days when Yu Ji-won exaggeratedly called me ‘Your Excellency.’

“I was just passing by. I have to leave to block the monster wave again anyway.”

“Ah... as expected. You’re really busy.”

Yu Ji-won smiled.

A natural, warm, and thus completely uncharacteristic human smile that the original Yu Ji-won would never have made.

“But thanks to Your Excellency’s efforts, the citizens of the city can live in peace, right? I always support you. If you ever need my guidance, just let me know.”

“......”

I felt the sincerity in all those words.

In a situation where it was difficult to find truth in sincerity, I was momentarily at a loss for words.

Yu Ji-won had also recently had her psychopathic tendencies erased by Dang Seo-rin’s [Equivalent Exchange] and Cheon Yo-hwa’s [Brainwashing].

Yu Ji-won had a long-standing habit akin to an incurable disease: she secretly hunted and butchered small animals like cats, dogs, and birds.

But unlike the normal Yu Ji-won, she was caught in the act, and eventually, she was brought to Dang Seo-rin’s ‘witch trial.’

“Ji-won.”

“Yes?”

“Are you satisfied with your life these days?”

Yu Ji-won blinked.

“Of course. I’ve never spent more fulfilling days. Since the day of the trial, I’ve felt like I’m truly living as a person.”

“......”

Was that really so?

I had a slightly different interpretation.

I had never heard of Yu Ji-won enjoying such a stress-relief method of butchering small animals.

Even if it was a new hobby acquired in this run, it was hard to believe that someone like Yu Ji-won would ‘accidentally’ expose the scene of butchery.

Perhaps it was a deliberately disguised hobby and an intentional exposure.

The person before me had fabricated acts that made her look like a psychopath. And then she underwent a witch trial to correct her personality.

To survive here and continue to live as a city’s power, she had judged that ‘this way’ was advantageous.

Yu Ji-won could see the world as a maze with set entrances and exits. Even her personality and way of thinking were just means to reach the ‘correct answer.’

“...I see. That’s good. Keep up the good work, Chief Yu.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

I walked down a passage with no visible exit.

Waaa—! A cheer erupted from the far-off audience. A tremendous roar.

Dang Seo-rin! Dang Seo-rin! The courtroom vibrated as if struck by a rushing train.

Before leaving the courtroom, I looked down once more.

At that moment, another part of a defendant’s personality was placed on the golden scale for exchange. Dang Seo-rin whispered something to Cheon Yo-hwa, who nodded.

Then Dang Seo-rin and I made eye contact.

“......”

“......”

But only for a moment. As the ruler of the city and the judge of this space, Dang Seo-rin turned her head to continue her duties.

I did too.

Even as I walked down the corridor, the cheers from behind did not stop. Dang Seo-rin! Dang Seo-rin! Dang Seo-rin...

Cheers never ceased in the courtroom, and the songs never stopped playing from the city’s speakers.

I walked, trailing the dual melodies like shadows at my feet.

Footnotes:

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