Chapter 79 (1/2)

Episode 5: Citizens.h.i.+p / Chapter 79: Musical Chairs (2)

TL: emptycube

ED: Obelisk

That night, they were able to save the patients, who had been in a critical state, with the cooperation of Le Guin of the Camilla clan. There was a bit of time to rest afterwards.

The wind was refres.h.i.+ng that night. Le Guin, who had been absentmindedly resting, suddenly said,

“This was quite unexpected.”

“What was?”

“If you don’t mind me saying, but… before coming here, my impression of the Berserkers wasn’t very good. I acknowledged their contributions to humanity, but they brought too much blood? Stubborn? It was that sort of image.”

Lee Jinhee grinned at Le Guin’s words.

“Well, that’s not wrong.”

“However, the guardian and even Director Lee Jinhee… I didn’t think that the Berserkers would have this side to them. I was honestly impressed.”

Even Bae Jinman, who had slumped down in exhaustion, chuckled at his words.

Lee Jinhee looked up at the sky. The night sky was filled with stars. As almost half the world’s population died, there were many homes with their lights off, and there was no way stores would be open to nightlife in this mood… The sky, which had been created out of tragedy, was a beautiful pale.

“I don’t know… I think of it like this. That people will eventually die. Mr. Le Guin isn’t a first generation awakenee, right?”

“Ah, yes. I joined later. I accepted the ‘Savior’ fate from the Camilla clan, and when it was revealed that I had a talent for the ‘Heal’ trait, I received the support of the Camilla clan and was developed as a healer.”

Besides awakening as a guardian due to a special occupation like Bae Jinman, the conditions in becoming a healer were very picky. Three conditions were currently known. One must have a 90% apt.i.tude to the ‘Savior’ fate, must be able to pick the ‘Heal’ trait, and must possess both Control and Retribution stats that are at least 3-star.

That wasn’t easy. Even if they possessed the first two conditions, there was still a problem. As the ‘Heal’ trait wasn’t much help in fighting, it wasn’t only difficult to increase their stats to the 3-star level, but it was even harder to survive the compulsory missions that would occasionally occur.

There was also a problem after growing with such difficulty. Their physical states as well as their buffs and recovery skills, in all aspects, were much weaker than guardians like Bae Jinman. To develop a single healer, the clan had to consistently support them. The benefits they would earn was comparatively small. This was especially the case because, when awakenees reached the 2-star level, most wounds would regenerate by themselves. As long as their arms or legs didn’t get cut off, they didn’t desperately need the help of a healer.

That was why only clans like the Camilla clan, who pursued justice and benevolence, would professionally train healers. The majority of clans simply equipped themselves with one or two healers and that was it.

Also, Lee Jinhee knew another reason why healers weren’t popular.

“I knew it. The people of the first generation who endured that h.e.l.l all know. That, in the end, they can either kill or be killed. What they need first in order to live is military power. If they don’t have it, they’ll die. Also, to save more people, what is necessary is military power. If they don’t have that, then they will have to watch their loved ones being violated by devilish people. Although you are both healers… Guardian Bae Jinman and Mr.

Le Guin give off different vibes.”

“…”

Le Guin was silent.

“That is probably why Mr. Le Guin doesn’t feel we are very ‘Berserker-ish’. Although we are currently saving people here… we are a little different from Mr. Le Guin at a fundamental level. Because we can kill a person at any time. At the very least, we aren’t just. No, we are closer to being evil.”

Lee Jinhee’s voice sounded somewhat bitter.

“The actions of the Berserkers aren’t righteous. However… at the very least, I believe in one thing, and that is the direction our leader has set. His direction hasn’t wavered. To take revenge on those who started this whole tragedy. To stop anyone from playing with human lives. I agree with his cause. And if it is for that cause, I can commit gruesome murder any time. Only…”

Lee Jinhee paused momentarily. The wind blew.

“Only, I don’t want to become numb from killing people. That is why I lost my temper with Lyosha this morning.”

Alexei, who had been slowly falling asleep, crouched in a corner visible to Lee Jinhee, perked his ears and raised his head when he heard Lee Jinhee say his nickname.

“Go sleep, kid.”

Alexei smiled at Lee Jinhee’s words and tried to sleep again. He looked like a small animal.

Le Guin, looking at the two, said in a pa.s.sing tone,

“Really… How was it that we were born in this d.a.m.n world…”

“Keuk, keuk. Tell me about it.”

“Huhu… Yeah.”

As if they felt the expression, ‘d.a.m.n world’, was fitting, Lee Jinhee and Bae Jinman laughed bitterly.

‘All rights of earthlings will be entrusted to seven sovereigns.’ This was troublesome beyond imagination.

As soon as they became a member of the alliance, a network took position inside their heads. If they followed the feeling which tickled the insides of their heads, as if they had suddenly remembered after forgetting for a long time, earthlings could learn of their new right.

‘Mission Selection’.

——————–

{Missions within range}

Defend Depina, Reward – Base Mission Points 5,000, Limited to those with Retribution 0 (5★) or above.

Recapture Lejour, Reward – Base Mission Points 800, Limited to those with Retribution 200 (3★) or above.

Attack the 5532nd Dimensional Gate, Reward – Base Mission Points 3,000. Limited to those with Retribution 400 (4★) or above.

…

——————–

The long list of missions excited Choi Hyuk’s heart. The selection of missions had been small up until now. It wasn’t like now where he could choose as he wished, but instead, a mission would be announced, and he had to choose whether he was going to partic.i.p.ate or not. To someone like Choi Hyuk, who wanted to take many more missions that were much more dangerous, this system was frustrating. Also, the majority of missions given to him were too easy. It was because, as they received a deferred judgment, humans were rarely given dangerous missions which could annihilate them.

That was why just seeing this list, from which he could choose as he wished as if he was at a buffet, made him feel refreshed.

“So they use Retribution as the cut-off point…”

Retribution was the requirement for choosing a mission. Those who possessed high Retribution would be able to choose better rewarding and more intense missions.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t reached 5-star Retribution yet. Choi Hyuk chose a mission that matched his current Retribution.

“Attack the 5532nd Dimensional Gate.”

Even though he expected this, he felt good the moment he said those words. And, as he expected,

{As you have not received the approval of the seven overseers, you are unable to choose a mission.}

He received an excitement-dampening reply.

Choi Hyuk thought for a long while. What actions did he have to take? Was there even a way to choose seven people in this current situation without spilling blood?

After completing his thoughts, he called for a meeting.

“We can’t let this absurd situation continue for much longer.”