Seoul Dragon - Chapter 53

American society became serious in an instant.

Northern Mexico was originally a place where the drug cartels had higher credibility than the Mexican government.

And unfortunately, it was five mutants with intense animosity toward the government who had taken over the cartels in that area.

Particularly, bullets didn't even affect the mutants who had taken over the cartel.

So did other weapons work? They didn't either.

These guys had mutated into... the undead.

They were the kind of mutants that couldn't be buried by ordinary firepower.

Like the Dullahan that appears in fictional media.

Even if you destroy their bodies, they regenerate immediately.

You'd need firepower that could instantly turn them to dust, but whatever armor they wore was so effective that even carpet bombing with U.S. military power had no impact.

"...So, they've been designated as Undead-type mutants. The U.S. says they'll use any means necessary to deal with them."

"Any means necessary... surely not nuclear weapons?"

"If the situation becomes more serious, that possibility can't be ruled out."

"Isn't using nukes going too far? There must be quite a few mutants in the U.S. too, right?"

"E-even so, the American mutants won't readily step forward. Since the opponents are undead, it might be difficult even for other mutants to handle them, and the mutants in the U.S. don't have a particularly good relationship with the country."

"...Why?"

"The U.S. has rejected mutants. In fact, if it weren't for the National Intelligence Service Director, there would have been considerable public animosity toward mutants here as well."

"Ah."

I had forgotten.

The international response to mutants is not very friendly.

People who have been harmed by mutants harbor hatred, and that hatred is transferred to innocent mutants, creating many mutants who harbor hatred toward people.

...I realized anew how amazing Sia is.

Despite such an environment, she went to California and was working for the benefit of mutants.

Or maybe she just likes trees. With Sia's abilities... she could turn most mutants into nutrients for trees, so that kind of bold choice was somewhat understandable.

"By the way, Sia is amazing. In that environment, negotiating with the California governor to create a space for mutants..."

"It's probably because Sia has earned the trust of those around her in many ways. Anyway... this is a problem. Somehow, we need to deal with these Undead-type mutants by means other than nuclear weapons. But since other American mutants won't help, I heard they're struggling."

"Well... it seems like they're reaping what they sowed."

"That's right. From what I've heard, after mutating, this mutant drifted to Mexico due to rejection from American society."

"So, are there 5 Dullahans?"

"No. You know those beings that come to mind when you think of the undead in online games? Their scale is considerable. Lich, Dullahan... that's what they call them."

Lich? Could they be talking about that Lich?

Summoning corpses, handling black magic... that kind of thing?

My goodness.

"What's a Lich?"

"They're said to control corpses. So, all the extermination team members who became corpses are now puppets moving according to the Lich's will."

"...Isn't the scale getting too big suddenly? What is the Mexican government doing?"

This seemed like the biggest incident since the appearance of mutants.

From what the Vice Chief was saying, it sounded like a war between mutants and the United States could break out at any moment.

Or more precisely, a war between Mexico and the United States.

But would Mexico just stand by?

They would know better than anyone that going to war with the U.S. would be suicidal?

"The situation has already left the hands of the Mexican government. From the beginning, northern Mexico was operating in a way that depended on the drug cartels now occupied by mutants."

"Ah, right..."

"Well, Mexico is a place with many problems in various ways. And now those problems have combined with the mutant issue and exploded."

"What will the U.S. do? If they assemble another extermination team incorrectly, there could be chaos. Honestly, with mutants at the level the Vice Chief described, it might be difficult even if other mutants stepped in."

"Well... on the surface, they say they'll resolve it themselves."

On the surface? Then... does that mean something is moving beneath the surface?

Ah, could it be that the Vice Chief brought up this agenda to me today for this reason?

"On the surface? Then the fact that the Vice Chief is bringing up this agenda now means..."

"Yes, that's right. The U.S. military has secretly requested help from the Mutant Crime Management Bureau. In truth, this is not a time to be smiling."

"I see."

"After all, the whole world has seen your true form. Even a prideful country like the United States would find it difficult to deal with undead who handle corpses like that and lead an army of the dead past San Diego."

"How much civilian damage is there?"

"It's not that extensive yet. I heard they just crossed the border today. But... if left alone, there's concern that civilian casualties could spread. It's literally an army of the dead. I fear they might massacre people indiscriminately."

"...What kind of lunatics are those who joined them?"

"Well, they were mafia to begin with. You can't expect common sense from those with a different mindset."

This is a horrific matter in many ways. Not an ordinary serious issue.

An army of the dead. It suddenly feels like the scale is becoming insanely large.

Just a few days ago, I was happy that midterms were over, but now is not the time for that.

"So, what will you do, Bureau Chief? Will you help the United States?"

"Is the decision even mine to make in the first place?"

"Yes."

"Eh?"

This was a bit perplexing. Aren't I technically a civil servant?

Is this something I can decide at my own discretion?

"I didn't mishear, did I?"

"The discretionary power clearly lies with you, Bureau Chief. After all, if you don't want to, we don't have any means to act. Have you forgotten? There's no one in this country who can control you. All we can do is ask for your help."

"I see..."

Well... since I had stated at the press conference that I would overturn things if anyone tried to control me recklessly, I guess even high-ranking officials have to be careful.

"Then, could you tell me the benefits of helping the United States?"

"Essentially, this would put the United States in our debt, so our country would benefit in various ways. Additionally, it could change the perception of mutants within the United States."

"I'm not sure my involvement would change their perception? It's already a country where a chain of hatred has begun."

"Haha... well, that could be the case, but the United States is a country that is enthusiastic about heroes."

Heroes? Isn't that an out-of-nowhere topic? Are they suggesting I become a hero?

"Are you telling me to act like a hero?"

"For someone who says that, you've been acting quite heroically in Korea..."

"Ah."

Come to think of it, I have...

"So, what will you do? If you think it's too much, you can refuse. There won't be any disadvantages for doing so. The U.S. will understand."

"What? Why?"

"Because even the higher-ups have conveyed the opinion that they can't move you at will. Still... I hope you'll help the United States if possible. After all, the U.S. is our ally."

"Hmm... that's true. The U.S.-Korea alliance isn't just a treaty where only Korea receives protection."

"As expected from someone who has completed military service, you understand immediately. Among the benefits I mentioned earlier for our country, there's that too. You know how the U.S. President recently said, 'It's a U.S.-Korea alliance, so why should the U.S. be at a disadvantage'... something like that."

"I saw that too. So if I help, at the very least, we can prevent such comments from being made?"

"That's right. Additionally, I think we can achieve what the Bureau Chief wants to some extent. To show that not all mutants in the world are bad."

"That's true."

I thought carefully. Come to think of it, wouldn't it be a good thing?

Above all, if I made a name for myself there, I could be of help to Sia in various ways.

It wouldn't be bad to go there, also to meet Sia while I'm at it.

If it also benefits the country... isn't it something I should do, at the very least as someone living on the country's taxes?

And what I like most is that the country has recognized my discretionary power.

Honestly, I thought the higher-ups would order me to go to the U.S., but I didn't expect them to respect my opinion in this way.

Even though I had threatened to act out if they tried to control me, I didn't really expect them to respect me this much.

If that's the case, I could step forward without hesitation.

Undead? Well... I might think they could be threatening, but honestly, I'm not that worried.

Those mere corpses, I'll just trample and burn them all.

The deliberation didn't take long.

"I'll go. How, do I leave right now?"

"We were thinking of preparing a private plane... would that be alright?"

"No, there's no need. Since I've decided to intervene, I should get there as quickly as possible, right?"

"Ah, then perhaps..."

"Yes. I'll fly there from here. Please convey this to the higher-ups?"

"...Understood. Then, please be careful."

"I'll be fine. I'll finish it quickly, and I'm thinking of meeting Sia while I'm at it."

"Then, just in case, we'll follow you. After all, if the Bureau Chief goes alone, you might face difficulties dealing with the aftermath."

"Then, I'll clear things up in advance, so take your time coming."

"Ah, I'll at least inform the U.S. side. That a Dragon-type mutant is heading their way. At the very least, we want to avoid confusion with U.S. flights."

"Understood."

After saying that, I left the National Intelligence Service building. Then, I spread my wings and flew into the sky.

Higher, even higher.

Wooong-!

When I reached a sufficient height, I shed my human form and returned to my original appearance.

The world looks tiny, and power overflows.

Things that couldn't be felt in human form can now all be felt.

At the same time, I sensed something disturbing from a distant place.

This disturbing energy must be related to those undead.

If I follow this energy, I'll definitely find them.

I spread my wings and increased my speed.