Seoul Dragon - Chapter 34

"Excessive suppression... You've seen the footage from that time, right? Then, let me ask you this. If a huge black fireball that literally melts the ground around it is flying toward you, would you calmly let yourself be hit by it?"

"..."

"The danger posed by that mutant was at a serious level. From what I've learned, the government frequently attempted to subdue this mutant, but he always managed to escape, and each time there were casualties."

"But..."

"I haven't finished speaking yet. So, I heard that the government had issued not a capture order but a kill order for this mutant. Could such a mutant be subdued without killing? If I hadn't stepped in, innocent citizens might have been sacrificed, and valuable government personnel who came to subdue the mutant would have been sacrificed too."

The reporter became speechless.

Well, how could they properly counter when they don't even have proper sources and are trying to provoke me forcibly?

They're essentially representing the government's position. They only know that the mutant is dangerous, without knowing to what extent.

"In your previous statement, you mentioned that you would demonstrate through your actions that you are not a threat to others. So, what actions do you plan to take to prove your statement?"

"Perhaps those of you who are quick-witted have already noticed, but I just mentioned the government, right?"

"Could it be..."

"Yes. I will be heading a new agency that the government is launching. The name of the agency hasn't been decided yet, but it will deal with all mutant-related crimes in the future."

Murmurs rang in my ears. I could understand why people were so agitated.

A young, current university student becoming the head of a government agency.

There had never been such a shocking personnel appointment.

Even I was startled when I heard they would entrust me with being the agency head, so this level of commotion was inevitable.

I waited for the commotion to subside a bit, then grabbed the microphone.

"Many of you are probably surprised. Entrusting a current university student with heading an agency? Even parachute appointments have limits... that sort of reaction. However, my primary role will be limited to subduing mutants who commit crimes. There will be someone else managing the agency. In other words, I'll just be like a mascot. It's funny to call myself a mascot, but... what can I do? That's exactly the kind of position it is."

The reporters all fell silent. Even if they wanted to ask something, they seemed quite shocked by my previous statement. So, it's better to just speak freely.

"This probably won't alleviate the public's anxiety. I would feel the same way. What sane person wouldn't be anxious about a 50-meter dragon that breathes fire and controls lightning living as a university student in the middle of Seoul? But... I'd like you to believe me. I have no intention of harming anyone, and I want to live as a member of this society."

"Finally, there's one more thing I'd like to ask."

At that moment, reporter An Soyoung asked me.

"Please go ahead."

"People fear individuals with uncontrollable power. The state is no different. There will likely be many suspicions following you. Do you think you can endure them?"

"Uncontrollable power... Many people might think that way. But as long as my family and the people around me aren't touched, I have no intention of using this power recklessly."

"As long as your family and people around you aren't touched...? Then, perhaps..."

"Yes. If someone maliciously touches the people around me to control me... Well, I don't think I'll just sit back and watch. There will certainly be people trying to use me in some way. But... I hope they don't make such a foolish choice. If they don't want to see the world become a sea of fire."

This is my own form of threat. I will work for the citizens wholeheartedly.

I won't use this power for personal gain.

But if someone approaches my loved ones with malicious intent or harms them, I won't stand idly by.

If I don't even issue this level of warning, there might be quite a few people who would completely underestimate me.

So just up to this point.

"Many people might feel anxious about your statement just now."

"I understand. But this isn't something I can compromise on. You understand that everyone has values they consider important, right? The most important value in my life is my family. That doesn't change. If there's someone who tries to damage what I value most, I won't tolerate it. I'm capable of much more than you can imagine."

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the press room plummeted.

I stared at the reporters. I could feel the ones who made eye contact with me flinching.

Perhaps that statement was unnecessary.

But if I don't state it this directly, there might appear characters who would try to do foolish things. So, my statement is meant to block such attempts at the source.

"The atmosphere has become quite subdued, but as long as such things don't happen, I will be your friendly neighborhood... neighbor. Whether a mutant causes trouble or some disaster occurs. Ah, this is a message to the government side. I made this statement in an official place, and I believe no one will disregard it."

After that, I stepped down from the podium. The next person to step up was... the NIS Director.

"I am Park Gitae, the Director of the National Intelligence Service. First, there will be an official announcement soon regarding the agency that mutant Yoon Seohyun will be in charge of..."

The NIS Director also seemed a bit flustered by my statement. Well, that's something I have to endure.

[The press conference was amazing]

Like her previous interview, there seems to be a principle in her actions

There wasn't any confusion typical of mutants

And it's also nice that she doesn't try to appear too gullible

Usually, people with such power try to look good to people, become the government's dog, and then turn evil and burn everything - that cliché, but it doesn't seem like we'll see that

-Honestly, that part was a bit scary... turning the world into a sea of fire, what kind of game character dialogue is that lol

-But it doesn't seem impossible;; Don't you think even nuclear missiles wouldn't work against her?

-Looking at the footage released last time, she just absorbed the attack from the demon-type mutant, nuclear missiles might be possible too?

-How on earth did she obtain this power in just 3 months;;

[There's definitely some anxiety]

Honestly, I think the last statement wasn't necessary...

She could have just shown a positive image, right?

-If she only shows a positive image, there will definitely be people who would try to mess with her?

-For real, what if they take her family hostage and threaten her;; She literally has the power to overturn the world

-If someone threatens her and uses her for conquest, could we stop it? The government's top brass would burn before nuclear missiles are even launched? I think that was a very good statement

-Anyway, there are plenty of people who would find fault even without that lol

[She's talking big lol A hero has arrived]

What's with "your friendly neighborhood" lol

I'm just disgusted by the typical hypocrite mindset

Does she have a good kid syndrome? Usually people like her are rotten inside lol

-Did you get hit by her or something?

-lol I knew there would be people like this. What are you going to do if she's rotten inside? Does she even need to do something rotten in the first place?

-For real lol Why would she go through all that trouble;; She could just fire one breath and everyone would cower

People's reactions were diverse.

Those who viewed positively.

Those who viewed anxiously.

Those who cursed her as a hypocrite.

Well, all understandable reactions.

That's why I spoke like that in the first place.

But the concerns people have won't happen as long as they don't touch the people around me.

"You completed the press conference safely and well."

"Is it really okay? The NIS Director's expression wasn't very good earlier."

"Haha, he was just surprised. It's actually fortunate that you came on so strongly. The higher-ups would have understood that much... They'll probably do their best to protect your acquaintances. Well, I was planning to do that anyway... This way, we can assign more high-quality personnel."

"High-quality personnel?"

"Yes. We're planning to attach several mutants who are friendly to us around you."

"Oh... There are several besides Sia?"

"We're grateful to them. I'll introduce them to you soon."

"What kind of mutants are they?"

"One is a vampire-type mutant, and one is a fairy-type mutant. Both are wonderful people, so you'll probably like them. I asked if they would work for the agency, and they agreed."

"Vampire...? Is that really okay?"

"As far as I know, the only mutant as kind as that person is you, Seohyun."

"Wow, that's a bit unexpected. They must have a blood-sucking urge?"

"We've been providing blood packs regularly. They say they're satisfied with just that, and they've been helping us in various ways. I think I can introduce them to you as early as tomorrow."

"Then what about the other person?"

"Ah, that person is literally a fairy. It's a bit different from an elf, but in many ways, they will be the most suitable personnel to protect your family. They possess unique abilities."

"I see..."

"In any case, I look forward to working with you, Director."

"Ahaha... Even if you say that, I'm just a figurehead, aren't I?"

"A figurehead? Only someone like you can so easily subdue mutants. Just your existence serves as a deterrent to many malicious mutants... There's no need to belittle yourself as a figurehead."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Leave the minor matters to us. And the money for your activities will mostly be reallocated from existing budgets."

"I never thought I'd live off taxpayer money. But if it's tax money, I don't think the compensation will be that large."

"It will be large. There's quite a lot of money that the higher-ups are eating up with taxes anyway. If we bring that money to you, there won't be much opposition."

"...Somehow, I feel like I've heard something very illegal."

"It was just money fattening the bellies of people who don't do anything anyway. Blind money that rolls to strange civic groups or corrupt assemblymen, and we're just redirecting it to you, who's dedicating yourself to the country. And since a lot of tax money is being saved because of you, there won't be many people opposing this."

"Uh... really?"

"Yes. Because a lot of costs related to subduing mutants are being saved. For instance, the cost of special forces dispatched to capture the demon-type mutant previously."

"Ah..."

"Also, various property damages that occur while catching mutants... Just the existence of one Seohyun saves an enormous amount of money, so don't worry too much."

"I've been feeling this for a while, but you seem to have a strong distrust of the higher-ups."

"After seeing so many dirty things... That's why I can't express how good it is to work with someone like you. The workload will decrease a lot too."

"Aha... Well then, I look forward to working with you."

"Haha, I look forward to working with you too."