Chapter 160
The old man looked like a harmless grandfather next door. But he was an awakened.
Not just any awakened—he was a high-ranking one belonging to the mayor’s direct execution unit.
Because his abilities were so extraordinary, the missions he was assigned were beyond imagination in terms of danger.
He always carried out his missions at the risk of his life.
Because of that, members of the execution unit were granted many privileges.
One of them was that they would not be held accountable even if they killed someone in Neo Seoul.
In other words, they possessed a license to kill.
The old man was kinder than anyone to those he considered acquaintances, but anyone he deemed an enemy would never be spared.
The same was true for the twin sisters.
When the old man moved, the twins moved as well—and like him, they mercilessly punished anyone they considered an enemy.
Unfortunately, this time, the ones caught in their path were the Dark Brotherhood.
Even though they were heading out to kill people—criminals or not—the twin sisters smiled as if they were excited, and the old man neither scolded nor stopped them.
To them, this was completely natural.
Zeon slightly shook his head.
‘Their humanity has worn away.’
Perhaps that was only natural.
This was no longer a world where humanity or morality held any weight.
The strong ruled, and the logic of power governed all.
The old man and the twins were the strong—and unfortunately, the Dark Brotherhood were the weak.
The old man asked Zeon,
“Well? Want to come along and watch?”
“I’ll pass.”
“Why? Come with us.”
Even the twins urged him to join, but Zeon didn’t change his mind.
He had no interest in the twisted hobby of watching people being killed right in front of him.
“I have something to do.”
“What kind of business?”
“Can’t it wait until tomorrow? Do you know how enjoyable it is to wipe out criminals?”
“That’s right! Killing criminals isn’t a sin.”
The twin sisters spoke animatedly, spitting as they talked.
Seeing such young girls speak so casually about killing people—as if it were no different from breaking toys—made Zeon feel a deep sense of discomfort.
Whether they were born this way or had grown into monsters, they didn’t seem normal.
Noticing Zeon’s unease, the old man raised a hand to stop the twins.
“That’s enough. No matter how much you talk, he won’t listen.”
“Tch!”
“Hmph!”
The pouting twins stuck out their lips.
The old man stood up and said his farewell.
“It can’t be helped. Then we’ll meet again next time.”
“Yes.”
Zeon parted ways with the three.
After leaving the restaurant, he didn’t head straight back to the slums.
He still had something to do.
Entering a quiet alley, Zeon touched his earring and spoke,
“Ah, can you hear my voice?”
—Gasp! Is that you, Master?
A startled voice came from the earring.
“Are you Kim Kyungsoo?”
—Yes, Master.
The voice belonged to Kim Kyungsoo.
He was the leader of the party that had attacked Zeon when he entered the dungeon of the vampire bats to help Levin grow.
Having sworn loyalty through the Scroll of Covenant, Kim Kyungsoo responded with visible fear upon hearing Zeon’s voice.
“Where are you right now?”
—I-I’m at home.
“Central District, Block 13, correct?”
—Yes, that’s right.
“Come out now. I’m nearby.”
—Gasp! You’re in Neo Seoul?
“Yes.”
—I’ll come out immediately. Should I bring the others as well?
“Just you alone.”
—Understood.
The connection ended, and shortly after, someone came running toward Zeon.
It was Kim Kyungsoo.
He seemed to have come straight from home, dressed in casual clothes.
“Master!”
“That was fast.”
“Of course. When the Master calls, I must come immediately.”
Kim Kyungsoo looked at Zeon with eyes full of fear.
It wasn’t just because of the Scroll of Covenant binding him.
It was also because of the recent rumors he had heard about Zeon.
The moment he heard the unbelievable rumor that a sand mage had appeared and defeated a Balrog, Kim Kyungsoo became certain.
That the person in those rumors was Zeon.
The same Zeon they had recklessly attacked to steal the buggy was a powerful figure capable of defeating a Balrog alone.
The fact that they had provoked such a person and still survived felt like nothing short of a miracle.
Zeon asked casually,
“Have you been well?”
“Yes! Thanks to you, Master… But what brings you to Neo Seoul?”
“The mayor summoned me.”
“Gasp! You mean Jin Geumho himself?”
Kim Kyungsoo was shocked.
He knew that the mayor, Jin Geumho, did not meet just anyone.
‘Even the mayor acknowledges Master? Well, it would be strange not to—he’s a rare sand mage.’
Kim Kyungsoo once again realized just how extraordinary Zeon was.
“But why did you call for me?”
“I have a request.”
“What is it…?”
“From now on, you and your companions will monitor the movements in the southern district.”
“…Pardon?”
“If there are any abnormal movements in the southern district, report them to me.”
“Why…?”
“You don’t need to know the reason.”
“…Understood.”
Kim Kyungsoo replied with a resigned expression.
He had no choice anyway.
As long as he was bound by the covenant, it was impossible for him to disobey Zeon’s orders.
He had tried to find a way to break the covenant, but it had been useless.
Zeon had already realized that unless he released him, there was no way for Kim Kyungsoo to escape the covenant.
The reason Zeon gave him that order was simple.
‘Since I turned Pan Cheongcheon into that state, there’s bound to be some reaction.’
Like all rulers, Xiaolun could not tolerate damage to his pride.
He had already lost Tajik because of Zeon, and now Pan Cheongcheon had been ruined as well—there was no way he wouldn’t make a move.
That was why Zeon ordered Kim Kyungsoo to monitor the southern district.
“Then I’ll see you again next time.”
“Are you leaving already?”
“Yes. I won’t be coming into Neo Seoul for a while. So if there’s anything to report, come find me in the slums.”
The earrings they wore wouldn’t work if the distance between them was too great.
“Understood.”
Kim Kyungsoo replied stiffly.
Zeon looked at him for a moment, then turned and left.
Kim Kyungsoo stood there blankly, watching Zeon’s back as he disappeared into the distance.
“To be bound to someone like that… I don’t know what will become of me.”
At the very least, his future would not be easy.
“Phew…”
After leaving Neo Seoul, Zeon looked up at the sky.
Just passing through the main gate, the air felt completely different.
Mixed with sand, the hot, gritty air irritated his skin.
Those accustomed to the clean air of Neo Seoul—protected by magic circles and barriers—would feel as if they were suffocating the moment they breathed the outside air.
But to Zeon, the outside air felt far more refreshing.
“Oh! It’s Zeon!”
At that moment, someone called out.
“Brielle!”
Zeon recognized the owner of the voice instantly.
Turning his head, he saw Brielle standing there with Levin, as if they had come to greet him.
“When did you come out?”
“Just now. Brielle said you’d be coming out soon and insisted we come to meet you.”
“Is that so?”
Zeon looked at Brielle.
With his usual absent-minded gaze, Brielle smiled faintly.
“How did you know?”
“I just knew.”
“Instinct?”
“It just felt like you’d come out around now.”
“I see.”
Zeon nodded.
Brielle was a High Elf.
It wasn’t strange for his instincts to be unusually sharp.
Smiling, Zeon said,
“Let’s go home.”
“Okay!”
“Let’s go, hyung!”
The three of them walked side by side down the street.
Levin asked,
“What was Neo Seoul like?”
“It was impressive.”
“Are the streets clean?”
“They’re maintained without a speck of dust.”
“Wow! Then people must dress really well too, right?”
“They do wear quite luxurious clothes.”
“How was the food?”
“It was delicious.”
“What did you eat?”
“Veal steak.”
“Veal? Was it cultured meat?”
“No, real veal.”
“That’s insane.”
Levin let out a gasp of amazement.
Born and raised in the slums, Levin had always longed for Neo Seoul.
He had always wondered what lay beyond those massive walls, and what kind of lives the people inside lived.
Now that he had awakened, he could enter Neo Seoul anytime he wanted.
An awakened with his level of ability would be welcomed anywhere.
Yet he chose not to enter.
Because once he belonged somewhere, his revenge would become distant.
City Hall and the districts never let awakened individuals remain idle.
They were always mobilized to clear dungeons or expand territory.
Because of that, once you joined a faction, it became nearly impossible to have personal time.
Even now, Levin was still chasing a killer.
Until he found and killed that murderer, he had no intention of belonging to any group.
“What does veal steak taste like?”
“It’s very juicy, and the meat is tender.”
“Does it melt in your mouth?”
“It does.”
“Ugh!”
Levin wiped the drool from his mouth with his sleeve.
Brielle looked at him with a disdainful expression.
“Idiot.”
“What did you say?”
“I said you look like an idiot.”
“You little—talking like that to your older brother…”
“Then act like one.”
“I’m acting just fine…”
“Ugh, you’re so noisy.”
“Hey!”
“What?”
“Seriously…”
Watching the two bicker all the way home, Zeon smiled.
They were noisy and chaotic, but being with them put him at ease.
A meal with them at old man Klexy’s restaurant would taste far better than dining with those murderous kids in Neo Seoul’s luxurious restaurant.
Placing his hands on the shoulders of the two who were still arguing, Zeon said,
“I’m hungry. Stop fighting and let’s go to old man Klexy’s place.”
“Yes!”
“Okay!”