Chapter 159

Chapter 159

Chapter 159 – Seoul Restoration (10)

Nearly five days passed before the deep frost blanketting the metropolis of Seoul finally dissolved to a manageable degree.

Even with the summer season at its peak, massive drifts of slush and ice persisted in the shadows of the skyscrapers.

Lee Kang-hyun, the overseer of the Gangbuk District, made his way to an appointment with Kim Jae-hyun.

‘I am incapable of shielding everyone through my own power alone.’

In all honesty, he had let his own pride get the better of him.

He had successfully vanquished the localized boss-tier beasts in his vicinity, firmly declaring the territory of Gangbuk District as his personal domain to any monsters lurking nearby.

At one point, he truly believed his individual strength was sufficient to keep his people safe.

But that was nothing more than hubris.

‘When it came down to it, my only real talent was… slaughtering monsters.’

Clearing out the boss-level threats across Gangbuk District to carve out a safe haven had been a worthy effort.

He had successfully forged a sanctuary capable of housing tens of thousands of survivors.

Drawn by his formidable capabilities, skilled associates had flocked to his banner—and they truly were competent.

They kept the community alive through raw, practical survival tactics, scavenging for provisions in abandoned marketplaces and ruined residences, and constructing a makeshift headquarters near the Jungnangcheon River to guarantee a fresh water supply.

Eventually, however, they hit a wall.

With the sudden descent of the beasts, global trade networks collapsed entirely, halting the manufacture of all modern commodities.

A massive portion of existing food lay buried beneath structural ruins caused by the cataclysmic monster outbreaks, and even basic convenience store snacks had been devoured by roaming goblins.

Before long, there was absolutely nothing left to eat.

During those dark days of starvation, when they survived purely on the tough meat of slain beasts, critical supply relief arrived from Kim Jae-hyun.

From that exact moment, the sentiments of the people shifted drastically.

Over half of his inner circle advocated for merging with Kim Jae-hyun’s faction, yet Lee Kang-hyun had pleaded with them to remain cautious.

They had temporarily deferred to his judgment out of respect for the legacy he had built.

But…

‘Perhaps I should have agreed to that alliance back then. If only I had…’

At least this latest tragedy could have been averted.

A total of twenty-six individuals had perished during the recent crisis.

The majority of those victims were either young children or the elderly.

‘I was completely helpless.’

He had dimly pieced together that the beasts summoning the unnatural blizzards and winter storms were behind the calamity.

The terrifying, icy dread that hung directly over his head when the freezing temperatures peaked was still scorched into his mind.

‘I couldn’t do a single thing.’

Vanquishing monsters.

That was the sole talent he took pride in, yet in the very domain where he felt most invincible, he had been utterly defeated.

Furthermore…

‘Was that a fire spirit?’

The blazing infernos that shattered the dark chill had left a profound mark on him.

Witnessing those spirits, both great and small, offered a glimpse into the sheer scale of Kim Jae-hyun’s capabilities.

‘And…’

It was only because of the intervention of those who called themselves Kim Jae-hyun’s loyal retainers that the casualties had been kept to twenty-six.

Particularly remarkable was the contribution of Kim Da-jeong, a woman gifted with profound restorative magic.

Kim Jae-hyun’s subordinates were not only exceptionally talented but also possessed outstanding integrity.

Every single one of them carried an imposing presence that rivaled Lee Kang-hyun’s own.

He found himself increasingly intrigued by the man who commanded such absolute devotion from these elites.

Lee Kang-hyun raised his gaze.

‘A person capable of doing all this…’

An immense canopy of solid ice hovered in the sky at an altitude of five kilometers.

It was a monument visible from any corner of Seoul.

In contrast to the stifling heat radiating off the asphalt below, the elevated ice remained completely frozen, offering a clear view of the massive, shimmering dome marking the boundary of the sanctuary established at Seoul Station.

The closer they drew, the more awe-inspiring its scale became.

As Lee Kang-hyun walked with his gaze fixed toward the heavens, Kim Min-ho, who was piloting their path, broke the silence.

“You’ll be face-to-face with Jae-hyun shortly.”

“So soon?”

When they first departed, he understood their destination to be Seoul Station itself.

With several kilometers left to travel, he couldn’t comprehend how they would be meeting him so quickly.

“He is traveling out to receive you in person.”

“…That is quite an honor.”

Directly after, Kim Min-ho murmured softly under his breath while peering into the distance.

“Yes, we have arrived.”

On occasion, when he muttered in such a fashion, it was understood that he was conversing directly with Kim Jae-hyun.

‘Transmitting thoughts over such vast distances…’

What manner of extraordinary gifts did this Kim Jae-hyun possess?

Creating resources from nothing.

Allowing his retainers to traverse great distances instantly.

Commanding legions of hundreds of spirits.

Forming a colossal, protective boundary with a five-kilometer radius.

Long-range telepathic communication.

Every single feat he had witnessed or heard of so far defied imagination.

‘He must have a cabal of incredibly powerful specialists supporting him.’

That explanation felt far more grounded than the alternative—that a single individual wielded all of these miraculous talents alone.

After roughly five minutes of trailing behind Kim Min-ho, they reached the designated meeting spot where Kim Jae-hyun awaited them.

‘So that is the man… Kim Jae-hyun.’

At a casual glance, he appeared to be nothing more than an average youth.

Yet, as Lee Kang-hyun closed the distance, a sense of disbelief washed over him.

‘Wasn’t he reported to be in his thirties?’

By all appearances, the youth seemed to be in his early twenties.

Without an ounce of exaggeration, he could easily pass for a teenager if he dressed in a school uniform.

Nevertheless, Lee Kang-hyun was certain beyond a doubt that this was indeed Kim Jae-hyun.

It was the sheer gravity of the aura radiating from his entire being.

That quality alone was more than enough to signify his extraordinary status.

Once they stepped within a specific radius, a glowing projections screen manifested in the air, precisely as Kim Min-ho had previously described.

[Would you like to acquire citizenship?]

[Yes / No]

“Accept.”

Ding!

[You have acquired citizenship.]

The instant he confirmed the prompt.

Whooooosh—

A strange, potent sensation surged through his entire anatomy.

And then.

Wooooo—

‘…Have my capabilities increased?’

A boundless energy welled up from deep within his core.

It mirrored the exact feeling of empowerment one received after slaying an exceptionally high-ranked beast.

Having vanquished a countless number of monsters, Lee Kang-hyun recognized the sensation instantly.

‘My power is surging.’

In reality, this was the manifestation of the various supportive enhancements granted to registered citizens.

Because of his cautious temperament, Lee Kang-hyun—who had fully resolved to place his faith in Kim Jae-hyun—possessed a remarkably high trust rating right from the beginning. Consequently, the potent effects of the “Power of Trust,” which boosted all of his core statistics, had immediately triggered.

‘Does this miracle also stem from that man’s authority?’

Lee Kang-hyun stepped forward with measured caution.

And then…

Whuum—

At a certain threshold, an invisible vibration rippled across his skin.

‘Is this the translucent boundary Min-ho mentioned?’

It was a subtle shift in pressure that only an individual with highly refined perceptions like Lee Kang-hyun could detect.

And then…

‘…It is incredibly warm.’

Though the heavy ice had melted, the residual chill still bit at the air like the onset of winter.

Yet, the moment he crossed the threshold of the invisible barrier, it felt as though he had stepped into the warmth of mid-spring.

‘The freezing cold has been entirely shut out from this place.’

He had heard reports of this phenomenon.

But experiencing it firsthand was a different matter entirely.

For the very first time, the sheer magnitude of the man standing before him truly registered.

With an open hand and an inviting gesture, Kim Jae-hyun welcomed them into his sanctuary.

Despite his youth, a quiet, natural authority radiated from him.

“A pleasure to meet you. I am Kim Jae-hyun.”

“…I am Lee Kang-hyun.”

Following a brief, firm handshake, they were led on a tour of the Seoul Station territory.

Lee Kang-hyun, who had been listening to details regarding the residential zones and the trade bazaar intended for the incoming Gangbuk-gu refugees, finally spoke up.

“Would it be possible for us to view Busan?”

They had discussed the various amenities and systems so thoroughly while waiting for the ice to thaw that the explanations were beginning to sound repetitive.

Lee Kang-hyun wanted to witness the physical reality of this civilization with his own eyes.

“Everyone who has journeyed there speaks of it with absolute wonder. I would very much like to see Seomyeon.”

“That is easily arranged.”

Ziiing—

In an instant, the air warped, and an oval-shaped gateway materialized in the empty space.

Through the shimmering threshold, an unbelievable sight revealed itself.

Melodies drifted from speakers along the walkways.

Automobiles traveled smoothly along immaculate, paved streets, pausing and starting in accordance with traffic lights.

Citizens strolled along the sidewalks in casual, everyday attire.

“…”

It was the peaceful, ordinary life from before the arrival of the monsters—a reality Lee Kang-hyun had struggled to believe even when his scouts reported it.

“Let us step through.”

Following Kim Jae-hyun through the portal, the atmosphere they inhaled was a world apart from the ruined, chaotic ruins of Seoul.

“Incredible…”

“Wow.”

The companions who followed behind Lee Kang-hyun gasped in sheer disbelief.

‘Am I dreaming?’

Could such a place truly exist?

It was completely detached from the brutal reality they had survived in up until now.

There was no trace of the frozen, ruined wasteland of Seoul here.

In this place, the ambient dread was entirely absent.

No monsters waited in the dark corners to ambush unsuspecting prey, and the people walking by showed no signs of constant vigilance or fear.

The utter normalcy of a life free from the threat of beasts was shockingly jarring.

While Lee Kang-hyun and his associates looked around with stunned, bewildered expressions, Kim Jae-hyun, who fit into the surroundings perfectly, addressed them.

“There is an excellent dining spot nearby that serves grilled meats. They have just opened for the evening, so why don’t we get a table?”

They followed closely behind Kim Jae-hyun.

Despite the early hour for dinner, a couple of tables were already filled with patrons.

Sizzle—

The rich aroma of searing meat filled the air, nearly driving them mad with hunger.

Though they had been spared from starvation thanks to Kim Jae-hyun’s recent supply drops, those rations had not contained fresh meat.

Furthermore, the meat cooking on the grills around them was far from ordinary.

“This is the meat of a beast known as the Giant Black Boar. Its flavor is far superior to standard pork. It commands a higher price, but please, eat your fill on my account today.”

This newly established eatery specialized in preparing monster meat, and its reputation had grown so quickly that finding an open table past 6 PM was nearly impossible.

“A table for six, please.”

“Of course, please sit wherever you like.”

The skilled waitress moved with practiced efficiency, immediately covering their table with an array of side dishes the moment they settled into their seats.

“We will start with ten portions of the pork.”

“Coming right up!”

It wasn’t long before the kitchen dispatched the platters.

To accommodate the rapid flow of hungry customers, everything had been meticulously prepared beforehand.

Sizzle—

Kim Jae-hyun took charge of grilling the meat himself.

He skillfully sliced the perfectly seared meat into bite-sized portions, distributing them onto the plates of Lee Kang-hyun and his five companions.

“Please, help yourselves.”

“…Thank you.”

Lee Kang-hyun picked up the first piece, and his companions immediately followed his lead.

“““!!!”””

In unison, their eyes widened, and they stared at one another in shock.

‘This is incredible.’

Simply calling it “delicious” didn’t do justice to the flavors melting on their tongues.

“Take your time, there is plenty.”

Without pressing them, Kim Jae-hyun quietly kept the grill full, while the group eagerly consumed every piece.

“Excuse me, we’ll take another ten portions!”

“Right away!”

Only after they had cleared twenty full portions did their frantic pace finally begin to ease.

“Shall we finish with some cold noodles and soybean stew? Who would like the noodles?”

In short order, they finished off a bubbling pot of soybean stew, six bowls of steamed rice, two bowls of spicy mixed noodles, and one bowl of cold broth noodles.

Once the feast concluded and a sudden silence fell over the table…

“Ugh.”

Park Ji-min, the sole female member of Lee Kang-hyun’s group, suddenly began to sob.

“Ugh… I’m so sorry…”

As she hurriedly brushed away her tears, the men sitting beside her also fought back their own tears, their eyes rimmed with red.

“Ma’am, two more portions over here!”

“On it!”

“And a bottle of traditional spirits, please!”

Fortunately, their quiet weeping was easily masked by the boisterous chatter of nearby diners enjoying their drinks, saving them from any unwanted stares.

Lee Kang-hyun looked back and forth between his weeping comrades and the bright, untroubled faces of the ordinary people dining around them.

There was no falsehood in their happiness.

Closing his eyes for a brief moment to gather his thoughts, he made his final resolve.

“By tomorrow, I will bring everyone from our camp to Seoul Station.”

Kim Jae-hyun smiled softly.

“You have made an excellent choice.”