Chapter 80 (1/2)

Episode 5: Citizens.h.i.+p / Chapter 80: Musical Chairs (3)

TL: emptycube

ED: Obelisk

Nothing went the way you planned or the way you wanted. No, in fact, anything that occurred would always be a mess, a cesspool of filth. You only desperately wished to accomplish your original goal, perhaps fis.h.i.+ng out the ring you had dropped, even if it meant dirtying your body with that stench and dampness.

The Berserkers’ mobility was astonis.h.i.+ng. Naro was extremely proud as it revealed the ‘shoes’ it called ‘Karma Characteristic-Changing Mobilization Device TYPE A’. It had a friendly design which clearly reflected the traits of bipedalism, converted karma into force, was rechargeable and easy to use, all while being effective. It used energy fields located on the soles of the shoes to accelerate instantly and could maintain its speed with zero friction. Because it used charged energy, they could maintain a 300km/hr speed without consuming much energy. Not only that but because they moved with Naro’s preliminary exploration as their guide, they could concentrate on advancing without worrying about getting lost and could keep encounters with monsters to a minimum. The Berserkers dubbed these shoes the ‘Shoes of Hermes’.

The Berserkers’ procession drew a line below Dragonic’s milk-white sky.

The Berserkers’ first target was the Clown Sovereign Freeman. Freeman was 5,200 km away from Barhaloleun Hill. He was an American and was known to be one of the strongest sovereigns. He was also one of the four sovereigns who defeated the final boss of the [Survive and Escape] mission, such as the ‘Wyvern of Destruction’ or the ‘Flaming Devil’. The four were Choi Hyuk, Richard, Camilla, and Freeman.

He was a black man with white hair. He possessed outstanding insight and was skilled in crafting his own playing field by always being a step ahead of his opponents.

“I never knew we would get through the advancement evaluations. I suffered a huge loss. Since I never knew the Berserk Sovereign would do so much. However, my prediction this time is 100%. The Berserk Sovereign will invade in 3 days. I will bet on that.”

He said, wearing a comfortable t-s.h.i.+rt and jeans,

“But, since his military power is beyond prediction, I will suffer a loss if we fight. To block a bigger loss, I need to endure a smaller one.”

With a leisurely smile, he a.s.sured,

“Watch. I am going to survive and the Berserk Sovereign will become everyone’s enemy. I will bet on that.”

His fate was the ‘Gambler’. It was a trait that increased his karma whenever he accomplished difficult goals or he succeeded in predicting the future. On the other hand, if he was wrong, he would lose karma. Freeman was certain he would be able to earn a significant amount of karma this time.

That was why…

The Berserkers were met with an absurd situation after reaching Freeman’s colonized land in a day.

“… The U.S. army.”

The ones guarding Freeman’s colonized land were not his own clan members but a troop of awakenees under the United States of America.

“Oh, my G.o.d… Did he make some sort of deal with President Frank?”

Baek Seoin’s mouth was agape.

The Clown Sovereign Freeman’s actions were lightning quick. The moment he realized that the Berserk Sovereign was targeting him, he had made a deal with President Frank.

[The Clown Sovereign Freeman transferred 50% of his stake in his colonized land to Frank, who is the president of the United States as well as a sovereign. Freeman’s colonized land has been incorpora

ted into the United States of America as a special self-governing state and receives the U.S.’s protection.]

The Berserkers were fast, but the actions of the United States were faster. Freeman’s clan members had retreated to the back and the U.S. army blocked their path at the front. There was no way to attack Freeman without pa.s.sing through the U.S. army.

“This place is U.S. territory. If you approach any closer, we will treat it as a declaration of war.”

When the Berserkers had slowed down and approached the border, they received a warning from the U.S. army. Although tension flowed throughout the U.S. army as they faced the famous Berserkers, on the other hand, they showed a certain confidence. ‘They won’t attack us, right?’ It was a rational confidence.

The Berserkers murmured amongst themselves. They had rushed here to attack the Clown Sovereign Freeman, but the ones who were waiting for them was the U.S. army. Weren’t they like dogs chasing a chicken?[1]

Even the Berserkers, who had experienced all sorts of situations, were quite perplexed. Did they have to return like this without any results? They, the Berserkers? Everyone examined Choi Hyuk’s expression. However, there wasn’t much of a change.

In Choi Hyuk’s perspective, they looked like a group of baby chicks. That was it. The way others viewed the world was fundamentally different from Choi Hyuk.

The U.S army which looked confident, while actually being nervous, and the Berserkers, who got into a fit but were hesitant when seeing the U.S. army, were both groups of people who weren’t free from the stereotypical mold they had formed throughout their lives. To them, the U.S. was the U.S, the strongest country in the world. The most important diplomatic partner. Becoming at odds with them was the same as fighting the world, and creating conflict with them would result in a situation where countries would start fighting against each other. Even Berserkers who weren’t in their right mind couldn’t help but hit the brakes.

However, Choi Hyuk wasn’t like them. He didn’t feel any intimidation from the U.S. army blocking his path. They were weak. To him, baby chicks were simply baby chicks.

Choi Hyuk shouted,

“Move. I have come to capture the Clown Sovereign Freeman. If you do not move out of the way in 5 minutes, I will regard it as though you are taking Freeman’s side.”

At Choi Hyuk’s words, the Berserkers made a loud commotion.

‘Wow, really? Are we really going to fight against the U.S. army?’

‘As expected of our leader.’

‘… Is this really okay?’

‘What’s there to think about? Just go berserk like always and the higher ups will deal with it.’

There were various reactions. While there was a sense of awkwardness and confusion, there was no fear.

“… Ah, d.a.m.n… Baek hyung. Will we be alright like this?”

Lee Jinhee was anxious. To fight with the U.S. army? Then they might have to kill much more than they initially expected. She hated that.

Baek Seoin shook his head.

“I don’t know… But…”

Baek Seoin’s eyes s.h.i.+ned in a cold light.

“The ones who first colluded politically was them. I don’t know what they received from Freeman, but we can’t allow them to protect a criminal who discarded 40% of the population.”

Then he said bitterly,

“Still, if it was me, I would have looked for a more moderate method, but the leader probably won’t. First, let’s see how the U.S. army reacts.”