Convict Unit: Black Parade-Chapter 146 : Mission 10: The Hunters of Old (19)

San Kim had realized long ago that humanity’s use of Awakened abilities was the very trigger that would lead to its destruction.
But the government had dismissed his claims.
From the Korean government’s perspective, even if they had believed him, accepting his proposal to curb the use of Awakened abilities would have been nearly impossible.
The United States, China, Europe, India…
Every nation in the world was using its powers without restraint. They operated armies of the Awakened and aimed their weapons not only at monsters but at other human nations as well.
Humanity squandered its Awakened abilities, and the Erosion Rate soared without end.
Only after a great deal of time had passed, only after the Four Demon Lords had neutralized the world’s Awakened forces and solidified their rule, only after the global population of the Awakened had been decimated, did the rise of the Erosion Rate paradoxically begin to slow.
It was then that San Kim, having entered politics late in life, finally rose to the presidency of South Korea.
“Why… why wasn’t this announced sooner?” Shin-woo stammered. “If you had at least told me…”
«I did not want to see the heroes of that day blame themselves. I did not want to see the people who had dedicated their lives to humanity be vilified by the public.»
San Kim shook his head.
«The Awakened are the reason this world has survived this long. What do you think would happen if we now announced that their use of power is what’s causing humanity’s extinction?»
“…”
«Humanity would have fractured into Awakened and non-Awakened. We might have plunged into a civil war, killing each other instead of the monsters.»
San Kim smiled bitterly.
«The world is already shattered, Shin-woo. We humans have always found a way to divide ourselves, to tear each other apart in conflict.»
“…”
«There is no need for people to be divided and hate one another in these final ten years. A single tyrant for everyone to point their fingers at, for everyone to hate, is sufficient.»
Slowly removing his glasses, he continued.
«I know. There will be tremendous backlash against the measures I am about to implement. That is why a scapegoat is necessary.»
“…!”
«A scapegoat who will draw the fire of all Awakened—the nail that sticks out, destined to be hammered down. Someone who will be so utterly crushed that Hunter Guilds across the country will take it as a cautionary tale and surrender quietly… Someone to represent all the Hunters of the old era.»
It was painfully obvious who that someone was.
San Kim met Shin-woo’s eyes.
«Shin-woo. I will live as humanity’s final tyrant. I need you to die as a traitor.»
“…”
«This is my final request to you, as a comrade from thirty years ago.»
As San Kim continued, Shin-woo squeezed his eyes shut.
«You must die there as a villain… the one who sent the Gate into a rampage and even resurrected a Demon Lord.»
San Kim was making a proposal.
Just as they had both served as bait against the Demon Lord back then, they would now both become scapegoats in the face of annihilation.
One, an example to be made of, crushed as a representative of the old-guard Hunters.
The other, the final tyrant, leading the remnants of humanity through its euthanasia.
Averting his gaze from the silent Shin-woo, San Kim issued an order to his generals.
«The military will not support The Knights in their subjugation of the Demon Lord. Maintain the encirclement and stand by.»
«But Your Excellency!» the Capital Defense Commander said urgently. «That Demon Lord has been resurrected. The monster of corruption you yourself led the charge against thirty years ago!»
«I am aware.»
«Although The Knights have committed treason, their strength is formidable! Their experience in anti-monster warfare, in particular, is unparalleled. With a swift initial response being so critical, if we all cooperate—»
«All of the New Five Heroes are already on standby.»
The commander fell silent.
The New Five Heroes. All of them.
They were, in name and in reality, the most powerful weapon South Korea could currently mobilize.
«The combat strength of the New Five Heroes… is definitively superior to that of the Old Five Heroes from thirty years ago. The Gate Defense Bureau has determined that they should be able to subjugate the newly resurrected Deyana Ludens without issue.»
Director Yang nodded in agreement.
San Kim turned his attention back to Shin-woo.
«Shin-woo. You will be remembered as the worst terrorist in history—one who betrayed humanity, sent a Gate into a rampage, and ultimately resurrected a Demon Lord.»
“…”
«And the New Five Heroes will subjugate the fallen hero of old and the reborn Demon Lord… and rise as the symbol of a new era’s order.»
That was the script that would be presented to the world.
«The final order that will usher in the age of euthanasia.»
The final guardians who would protect the nation when the powers of all Awakened were brought under control.
The Last Order—that was the New Five Heroes.
And their coronation was to be held right here, at the Cheongnyangni Gate.
“…So that’s how it is.” After a brief silence, Shin-woo laughed. “You’re saying that even if I die here, the New Five Heroes will save the citizens?”
«Seoul will be safe,» San Kim said. «I guarantee it.»
“You should have led with that. If I have your guarantee, and if all those youngsters are here, then I can rest a little easier, can’t I?”
Shin-woo let out a long sigh and gave a meaningful glance.
“Hey, San. Since this is my last ride anyway, do you mind if I mess up that little picture you’ve drawn?”
As the President looked on, puzzled, a grin spread across Shin-woo’s face.
“I’ll finish the Demon Lord myself.”
«…»
“A monster from the past is an old soldier’s burden. Can’t let it stain the new era with its filth. I’ll drag it to hell with my own hands.”
«…»
“I won’t yield this glory.”
A faint smile touched San Kim’s lips, crinkling the corners of his mouth.
Though his hair was white with age, his face still held a clear trace of the man he had been thirty years ago.
«I wish you good fortune, Shin-woo.»
«And I wish you luck in your hell.»
With those parting words to his old comrade, who had chosen to become the final tyrant for the sake of humanity, Shin-woo’s transmission cut out.
Beep—
Next, the Hunter Association Chairman, Eun-seok Choi, addressed San Kim.
«I’m heading to the Gate, Mr. President.»
«Eun-seok.»
«It looks like our Hunter Association is screwed either way.»
«…»
«And to be perfectly honest, I don’t trust those arrogant brats in the New Five Heroes.»
Those distinguished youngsters who, despite being Hunters, always acted independently of the Association. Eun-seok Choi didn’t much care for the New Five Heroes.
No, to be honest, he despised them.
«You’d be wise not to trust them too much either, Your Excellency. Kids these days are so damn arrogant… they don’t listen for shit.»
Forgetting that he himself had been one of those “arrogant young punks” thirty years ago, Chairman Choi saluted San Kim.
«The Hunter Association will join The Knights in the initial response to minimize the damage to Seoul.»
San Kim started to protest, but then closed his eyes tightly for a moment.
«…I won’t stop you. But don’t overdo it. Our war ended thirty years ago.»
«Did it?» A corner of Eun-seok Choi’s mouth lifted in a smirk. «Seeing as how we’re still here along with the monsters, it feels like it’s still very much ongoing.»
Beep—
Choi’s signal also cut out.
The President stared at the dark screen for a moment before addressing his generals.
«All units are to maintain the encirclement. Take every precaution to ensure the contamination does not escape the Cheongnyangni Gate.»
«Yes, Your Excellency.»
«The Five Heroes will be deployed the moment the deaths of the Iron Knight and The Knights are confirmed.»
San Kim clasped his hands and squeezed them tight.
«Stay with me, until the very end.»
«…Yes, Your Excellency. Until the end.»
After the Capital Defense Commander’s reply, another general cautiously asked, «Your Excellency, what if… what if The Knights are victorious?»
«…»
«On the off chance that they truly… subjugate the Demon Lord with only the personnel currently inside the Gate.»
«Then that would be a fine resolution in its own right. We would simply move in afterward and subdue the remaining forces.»
Then, San Kim muttered bitterly, «But that will not happen.»
«Sir?»
«I never imagined the situation would escalate this far, however…»
While the scenario of the Gate rampaging and a Demon Lord appearing was completely unexpected, the plan to eliminate a rebellious Hunter Guild as a sacrificial lamb had been prepared from the very beginning.
The President’s voice was cold.
«The blade meant to strike his neck was deployed long ago.»
***
December 11, 2050, 10:00 AM.
Cheongnyangni Gate, Main Entrance
RUMBLE!
Through the main gate of the defense facility entered Hunter Association Chairman Eun-seok Choi and three of his direct subordinate units.
A murderous tension had crackled between The Knights and the Hunter Association, who had been in a standoff just moments before, but it quickly dissipated as the leaders of the two forces shook hands.
“Chairman Choi.”
“Godfather Jo.”
The poison of Deyana Ludens had already spread to the entrance. Wearing gas masks, the two men clasped hands firmly.
“Thank you for coming to help.”
“Frankly, my ties with the higher-ups are already severed,” Eun-seok Choi said with a hearty laugh.
“I’m in a tight spot. I had to come, on the off chance I could pull off a comeback by subjugating a Demon Lord and hogging the spotlight. And honestly, with the Iron Knight and The Knights on our side, I figured I could ride your coattails a bit.”
Choi was being shamelessly opportunistic, but his help was welcome all the same.
Recalling their memories from thirty years ago, the two men discussed how to defeat the Demon Lord as they entered the Gate’s defense facility.
Most of The Knights’ forces had been gathered in a temporary tent in front of the main building where the Gate Room had been located.
They were positioned to intercept the Demon Lord the moment it broke free from the building debris it was buried under.
Shin-woo and Eun-seok Choi entered the tent, deep in conversation.
And then…
“C-Commander…”
They were met with a bewildering sight.
“S-sorry… They were… too strong…”
The forty Hunters of The Knights who had been on standby in the temporary tent—everyone from the elite Teams 1 through 4—had been defeated and subdued.
“?!”
Barely an hour had passed since Shin-woo had communicated with the government—an hour in which he had gone to the main gate, opened it, met with the Hunter Association, and returned.
In that single hour, the barracks where his main force had gathered had been annihilated by unknown intruders.
There were five of them, all clad in ponchos.
They were lounging about with an air of utter nonchalance, despite the arrival of the Iron Knight himself—one sat on the body of a subdued Hunter, another was sprawled out asleep on a shattered barricade, a third was idly filing her nails.
And at the entrance of the barracks…
“Poison has long filled my heart.”
A woman sitting in a chair had opened a worn notebook and was reciting an old passage written inside.
“The wolves and jackals charge from all sides, now taking aim at my soul. I have resigned myself to this fate—to be torn and clawed, to become fodder for beasts while I still draw breath.”
Recognizing that chillingly beautiful voice, Shin-woo spat out her callsign.
“…Ghost.”
“Iron Knight.”
The woman snapped shut her notebook, tucked it into her pocket, and slowly rose to her feet, pushing back the hood of her poncho.
Her eyes, blue as razor blades, cut through the cascade of white hair that fell around her face.
Black Parade Convict Unit, Deck 0 Team.
Encounter with the Commander of The Knights, “Iron Knight.”
“I’ve come to kill you,” Ghost whispered coldly, drawing a long, black blade from the scabbard at her waist.
“Draw your sword.”