Chapter 24: One-Man Army

Scent (1)

Comet and Kwon Hyun-seung moved to a bench a little away from where the pseudo-religious speech was taking place.

There was silence for a moment. A gust of wind blew, shaking Kwon Hyun-seung's pseudo-religious attire.

Comet felt a pang of pity. If Dan Ga-yeon hadn't ruined Kwon Hyun-seung's perfect death, he could have died without ever wearing such an embarrassing outfit.

Before that, if the Healer hadn't ruined Dan Ga-yeon's death, this accident wouldn't have happened, so it was all the fault of that wicked Healer.

As Comet remained silent, Kwon Hyun-seung spoke.

"...Something happened."

It looked like it, even without him saying it.

"After the power plant was cleaned up, I punched the power plant manager in the face and then submitted my resignation. I thought I should work for a month or two out of a sense of duty, given the current situation, but the power plant manager used his influence, and I was let go immediately."

"You resigned during these times?"

Being attached to a public enterprise meant you could receive rations more smoothly.

"I know very well that if specialized personnel leave in the current situation, the field will suffer. But it was too much for me to keep working."

It seemed like even a close colleague had died.

"Don't blame yourself too much. Everyone has a hard time when they experience something like that. Everyone will understand. On the contrary, it's amazing that you made such a decision."

Comet said kindly. The Princess let out a hollow laugh.

『What is that audacity? Who is the audacious Necromancer who forced that commoner to make a choice he didn't need to make? The Necromancer's stake in this matter must be significant.』

But thanks to that, Kwon Hyun-seung had the opportunity to meet a perfect death, so Comet could be considered a benefactor in her own way.

Kwon Hyun-seung shook his head.

"I regret it. If I hadn't run away back then, couldn't I have changed a lot?"

Comet tilted her head.

"But you didn't run away even when the ceiling was about to collapse, and you solved the problem."

"That's not what I'm talking about. Haha. I am proud of that, though."

Kwon Hyun-seung laughed lightly. It seemed there was a story Comet didn't know.

Comet nodded.

"You turned to religion because you regretted it."

Even though it was a pseudo-religion. It was truly a shame.

"That's absolutely not it. There's another reason."

Kwon Hyun-seung answered hastily. He seemed to want to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

"Then what is it?"

"I spent time with my girlfriend after I quit."

Comet briefly examined Kwon Hyun-seung's appearance and estimated his age. Maybe in his thirties? It seemed he had started dating late because he was focused on his work life.

Noticing this, Kwon Hyun-seung added.

"We've been dating for eight years."

"At that point, she's not just your girlfriend."

"Yes, she's practically my wife. We both have jobs, so we decided to get married later. Anyway, we had a deep conversation after a long time, and it turned out her father had fallen into a strange religion."

"Oh..."

"My girlfriend kept failing to persuade him, and she eventually said she would have to go to the cult, so I stopped her and decided to go instead."

"I see. And you were moved by the cult's teachings."

Comet nodded. Since he had something to regret, it was understandable that he might be tempted.

"No, I'm not that kind of person."

Kwon Hyun-seung replied hastily.

Comet smiled kindly.

"Don't worry. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution. According to universal ethics, I can understand even if you believe in a religion you've never seen before."

"Really, that's not it."

His face was serious.

Comet was doubtful at his firm answer. Comet turned her head as if tidying her hair and whispered to the Princess.

"Is he lying?"

『Why are you asking me that?』

"If you're just freeloading, please help me out at times like this. I don't want to treat a soul who was about to meet a perfect death carelessly."

『Hmm. It doesn't seem like he's turned to religion.』

Comet turned back to Kwon Hyun-seung. A kind smile appeared on her face.

"I believe you. That was a joke just now. I was inconsiderate. I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay... And somehow, I ended up participating in religious activities with the cult to persuade my father-in-law."

Kwon Hyun-seung glossed over the story and ended it, as if he was exhausted from being misunderstood.

Comet thought that if he was participating in religious activities, it was already over, but she didn't bother to say it.

"Life is full of surprises."

"Haha. You can say that again."

After talking a little more, Comet got up from the bench.

"I didn't expect to see you again, but it was nice to see you again. I hope things go well with your father-in-law."

"I hope things go well for you too, Comet."

They were saying goodbye in a parting atmosphere when there was movement from where the pseudo-religion was giving its speech. The man who had been speaking on the platform came out of the crowd and walked towards Comet. The followers trailed behind him.

Comet was about to leave, but she paused as the man made eye contact and approached her directly.

Kwon Hyun-seung quickly whispered.

"That's the cult leader."

"I see. It seems he has something to say to me."

The cult leader approached Comet and offered a handshake.

"It's an honor to meet such a distinguished Awakened!"

Comet glanced at the outstretched hand before accepting the handshake. Comet and the cult leader exchanged names and greetings.

Perhaps because the response was more positive than expected, the cult leader smiled brightly and turned to the followers.

"To make a connection in front of Yeongsan, isn't this also fate!"

The followers cheered.

Comet blinked. The cult leader turned back to Comet.

"I have heard of Comet's reputation! Thank you for your hard work in maintaining public safety and social order!"

The cult leader spread his arms wide.

"I express my gratitude on behalf of everyone here!!"

All his words were loud. It didn't seem like he was a naturally loud person, but he seemed to be considerate of the followers in the back so they could understand the situation. Being a pseudo-cult leader must be difficult.

There was a slight misunderstanding in what he was saying. It seemed that rumors had spread that Comet was affiliated with the government because she frequented the National Assembly.

But the reality was that she was a civilian with no position or authority. All she did every day was eat free meals at the cafeteria. She even complained that the menu wasn't good.

The followers cheered in unison. They shouted Comet's name repeatedly. The sound of applause was mixed in. A friendly atmosphere dominated the space.

What, what is this? Comet flinched and took a step back. She was unfamiliar with such a friendly situation. Was this the madness of a pseudo-religion?

Knowing that Comet was embarrassed, the cult leader quickly calmed the followers. Comet breathed a sigh of relief. If someone among them had criticized or insulted her, she wouldn't have felt this embarrassment.

Then, the cult leader began to make surprisingly normal remarks to Comet.

He explained that he knew this religion seemed strange, but it wasn't like that, and that giving a speech in front of Yeongsan was not intended to antagonize the government, but was simply exercising their legitimate rights as an organization in a democratic country, and that they would actively follow government guidelines if they were issued, and so on.

In fact, it was a natural result. The current government was maintained through guns rather than public opinion, but it was that powerful. There was also the justification of a national crisis, so it was really powerful.

The cult leader seemed to be trying to convey to Comet, whom he thought was affiliated with the government, what he wanted the government to know about the cult. Comet excused herself and took out her phone to simply record from halfway through. If she gave it to Officer Dan, she would reflect it appropriately.

The cult leader took out a business card and a map and gave them to Comet. The business card was the cult leader's, and the map showed the location of the cult. This was Seoul, but the cult was in Incheon. This pseudo-religion must go on business trips.

"If you ever visit, I will treat you to the best of my ability!"

Comet answered positively. But she wondered if she would have a reason to go anytime soon, given the distance.

After the cult leader left, Kwon Hyun-seung, who had been quietly watching from the corner, also left.

When she returned to Dan Ga-yeon, she was somewhat normal, as if she had resolved the aftermath of the Mana sealing formation.

Comet handed over the recorded audio data. The previously fine Dan Ga-yeon became haggard. It seemed she was distressed that she had work to do after collapsing and getting up.

#

Comet was crossing the National Assembly building with the suit that the Chairwoman had given her. The Chairwoman had prepared it as a designer suit to wear at the upcoming ceremony.

『Now that I think about it, pants would have been better than a skirt.』

"You liked it too when we looked in the mirror, Princess."

『It was pretty. But you would look pretty in pants too. Besides, aren't suit skirts inconvenient in combat?』

"I'm only going to wear it briefly for official events, so that won't happen. Even if there's an emergency, I can just cut the side of the skirt."

『That's exactly what inconvenience is. Think about practicality.』

Comet shook her head.

"You can't be a Necromancer if you don't consider appearances."

As she was walking and chatting with the Princess, she heard a voice calling from the side.

"Comet!"

Wondering what it was, she turned around and saw a woman she had never seen before. The woman with a bag on her shoulder ran up panting and gasped for breath.

"Are you okay? Is it urgent?"

She was probably the Chairwoman's aide. She was just coming from meeting the Chairwoman, but she didn't know if something had happened in the meantime.

"Hoo. I'm fine."

The woman looked around quickly. Then she was relieved. Comet blinked. She didn't seem like an aide.

"I am this kind of person."

The woman took out a business card from her pocket and handed it over. Comet took the business card and read the contents, and her mind went blank.

The woman asked in a polite tone.

"Would you be available for an interview?"

She was a reporter.

Comet, experiencing something like this for the first time, pondered. She quickly knew what answer to give.

"No."

A moment of silence flowed.

Comet glanced at the reporter and turned her body.

The reporter suddenly dropped to her knees.

"Just a moment!"

"Yes?"

Comet was abruptly flustered. She wondered what was going on.

"I won't ask for much! Just answer a few questions!"

The reporter looked up at Comet with a desperate expression. The sweat from running made it seem like the interview was a matter of national importance.

Unfortunately, Comet didn't feel anything whether the reporter was acting desperate or not.

"I'm busy. I'll be going now."

Comet turned and took a step before her ankle was grabbed. The reporter clung to her, prostrate on the ground.

"Just one question! Just answer one! I'm not asking for much! Just one!"

Comet wondered what kind of person this was. The polite demeanor from the beginning was nowhere to be found.

Comet lifted her foot and shook it, causing the reporter to sway back and forth. Comet wasn't sure what to do. So she subtly whispered to the Princess.

"If they go this far, I guess I should do the interview?"

『Just ignore her. This has nothing to do with social ethics.』

Comet agreed and walked about ten steps, meaning for her to give up. Thanks to her Strength Stats, it wasn't even difficult.

The reporter was dragged along. She thought she would give up halfway, but he was crawling along the ground, following her. Comet was speechless.

"Just one question!"

Comet blankly looked down, and the reporter poured out words of entreaty.

The situation was resolved by someone else. A group that appeared to be guards from the National Assembly building ran over.

"There she is! Get her!"

The guards rushed at the reporter. The hand that was grabbing Comet's ankle was released.

The reporter struggled as he was seized by the guards.

"You guys! This is oppression of the press! Oppression of the press!"

"What are you saying, you trespasser?!"

"Let go! Let me go! I'm telling you it's oppression of the press! Aren't you afraid of the press?!"

As the reporter was dragged away, she took out a stack of business cards from her pocket. The thrown stack of business cards flew through the air. The business cards fluttered and fell in front of Comet.

"Comet! Please remember me! You'll give me an interview next time! Please contact me! Please!"

Comet stared at the reporter with a look of disgust. The reporter shouted at Comet until she disappeared into the distance of the building.

『Is that the average on Earth?』

"Probably not... I hope I don't have to see her again."

Comet picked up the business cards that had been discarded on the ground one by one.

And sorted them into the recycling bin.

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