novelburst
Chapter 287
Chapter 287
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
Chapter 287
As Zeon locked eyes with Jin Geum-ho's piercing blue gaze, which shimmered with a clear, radiant glow, he felt a jolt of electricity course through his body.
It was as if a faint electric current had swept across him, making Zeon frown slightly.
He’d felt this sensation once before—when he had first met Jin Geum-ho.
‘He’s using the Heavenly Eye on me.’
Zeon had expected this.
The Heavenly Eye was one of Jin Geum-ho’s signature skills.
It was a formidable ability that allowed him to glean the general flow of causality and destiny.
Using this skill, Jin Geum-ho had recruited individuals useful to him and leveraged them to transform Neo Seoul into the powerful city it was today.
And now, he was undoubtedly trying to read something about Zeon.
But Zeon wasn’t particularly worried.
The Heavenly Eye wasn’t omnipotent.
It could only discern the broad outlines of fate, not the finer details.
Especially for someone like Zeon, who had the potential to become a major turning point in the world, the Heavenly Eye couldn’t fully comprehend his destiny.
After a long moment of silently scrutinizing Zeon, Jin Geum-ho broke into a hearty laugh.
“Haha! How rude of me to stare at my guest like that. I apologize!”
“It’s fine.”
“Though I don’t see the ones who went with you.”
“I’m afraid they didn’t return with me.”
“They’re dead?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Jin Geum-ho nodded slowly, his gaze darkening.
Zeon watched him silently.
After a pause, Jin Geum-ho spoke.
“Such a shame to lose talented individuals. How were their final moments?”
“They didn’t suffer much.”
“That’s some small consolation.”
“Yes.”
“Please, have a seat.”
Only then did Jin Geum-ho gesture for Zeon to sit.
He didn’t ask anything more about Lee Jung-ho or Claire, leaving Zeon unsure of what he was thinking.
Perhaps Jin Geum-ho had foreseen their deaths.
But he wouldn’t know that Zeon had been the cause.
Even if he suspected, without evidence, he couldn’t pursue it further.
“You’ve done well. You’ve returned much sooner than I anticipated.”
“Thankfully, I was able to complete the mission.”
“So, you’ve secured Moby Dick’s Heart?”
“Yes.”
Zeon handed Jin Geum-ho the subspace necklace containing Moby Dick’s Heart.
Jin Geum-ho wordlessly caressed the necklace, as if weighing the significance of its contents.
After a long pause, he spoke.
“You’re not asking.”
“Pardon?”
“Most people would be curious. They’d want to know what Moby Dick’s Heart will be used for.”
“I am curious.”
“Then why not ask?”
“Because knowing might take away my freedom.”
“Clever.”
“I’d prefer you call it wise.”
“If you were truly wise, you’d be working for City Hall. That’s what benefits humanity the most.”
“I’m not bold enough to take on humanity’s future.”
At Zeon’s nonchalant shrug, Jin Geum-ho chuckled.
“Fair enough. Everyone has their reasons. For now, our paths may diverge, but I believe they’ll converge one day.”
“I hope so.”
“Regardless, you’ve done well. Thanks to you, I can relax a little.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“I’ll take my leave, then.”
“Without eating first?”
“I’d rather eat with the kids when I return.”
“Ah, yes. The children you care for. Forgive me for keeping you. Go ahead. I’ll arrange your reward later.”
“Thank you.”
As Zeon stood to leave, Seo Tae-ran spoke up.
“I’ll escort you to the first floor.”
“Oh, I can take the elevator myself. See you next time.”
Zeon gave her a slight nod before stepping into the elevator.
When the doors closed, Seo Tae-ran cautiously asked Jin Geum-ho.
“Are you really letting him leave just like that?”
“Why?”
“We’ve lost a Number. Shouldn’t he be held accountable?”
“And how would we do that?”
“Well…”
Seo Tae-ran hesitated, prompting Jin Geum-ho to smirk.
“He’s someone whose fate even my Heavenly Eye struggles to decipher. That means his significance in this world is immense. Hold him accountable? Without proof?”
“Proof…”
Seo Tae-ran furrowed her brow, realizing there was no evidence to pin any responsibility on Zeon.
Even as she mulled this over, Jin Geum-ho continued speaking.
“I already knew Jung-ho wouldn’t return. Or, more accurately, I couldn’t see a future where he came back. Yet I still sent him with Zeon. Why do you think that is?”
“To secure Moby Dick’s Heart?”
“Exactly. But I couldn’t foresee what would happen to Jung-ho along the way. Whether Zeon killed him or a monster did, I couldn’t tell.”
“I see…”
“And frankly, I don’t care about the process. What matters is that Jung-ho’s sacrifice secured the result I wanted.”
Tap. Tap.
Jin Geum-ho lightly tapped the subspace necklace against his desk.
Seo Tae-ran felt a chill run down her spine.
While Jin Geum-ho valued his subordinates, he could also cut them off with terrifying coldness when necessary, without a shred of hesitation.
Lee Jung-ho had been an exceptional Awakened, loyal and willing to carry out any dirty work for Jin Geum-ho. Such loyalty was rare.
Yet Jin Geum-ho showed no regret over his death.
He didn’t even bother asking Zeon how or why Jung-ho died.
To an ordinary person, his behavior would seem incomprehensible.
Fortunately, Seo Tae-ran wasn’t ordinary. She deeply understood Jin Geum-ho. Yet even she found his cold pragmatism unsettling at times.
Standing up, Jin Geum-ho said.
“Let’s head to the underground lab.”
“Right now?”
“Now that we’ve secured what we wanted, there’s no reason to delay.”
“Understood.”
Seo Tae-ran led the way.
They entered a private elevator that descended deep underground.
When the doors opened, they were greeted by a vast subterranean space.
Cables and cutting-edge machines crisscrossed the area, while dozens of researchers busily monitored equipment.
An elderly researcher with platinum hair rushed over.
“Mayor!”
“Gentler!”
“You’ve secured Moby Dick’s Heart?”
Anticipation gleamed in Gentler’s eyes.
Jin Geum-ho didn’t disappoint, handing him the subspace necklace.
“It’s here.”
“Is it really?”
Gentler opened the subspace storage.
A massive, round black gemstone emerged, larger than several men combined.
“So this is Moby Dick’s Heart? It’s nothing like an ordinary monster’s heart.”
Even Gentler had never seen Moby Dick’s Heart before.
He carefully examined it, awe evident in his expression.
“As expected, the elemental energy is extraordinary.”
“Then it can power Heaven’s Judgment as planned?”
“Yes, but…”
“What is it?”
“The mana reserves are far less than anticipated. A monster of Moby Dick’s size should contain an immense amount of mana, enough to float a body over 100 meters long. But this falls well below half our projections.”
Jin Geum-ho frowned.
“Are you saying it’s useless?”
“Not completely. But we’ll need a secondary power source to supplement it.”
“Hm.”
Gentler had assumed securing Moby Dick’s Heart would resolve everything.
Higher-grade monsters always contained greater mana reserves, concentrated in their hearts.
A heart from a monster of Moby Dick’s class should have surpassed even S-rank creatures.
“Perhaps some mana was lost during the hunt. Still, it’s far superior to using another S-rank monster’s heart.”
“Fine.”
Jin Geum-ho’s expression remained grim.
This setback would delay his plans.
‘Did Zeon tamper with it?’
He asked Gentler.
“Are there any signs of artificial manipulation on the heart?”
“None at all.”
Gentler’s response made Jin Geum-ho fold his arms in thought.
‘Am I just overthinking?’
* * *
As Zeon left City Hall, his steps felt light.
Handing over Moby Dick’s Heart had concluded his dealings with Jin Geum-ho.
For now, he wouldn’t need to get involved with him again.
He looked forward to a few days of rest.
He missed his bed and the children he cared for at home.
‘I guess it’s true what they say—time spent together builds attachment.’
Zeon hadn’t planned to take in Levin and Brielle.
But after living with them for so long, they’d become family.
As soon as he returned to Neo Seoul, they were the first to come to mind.
When Zeon entered a quiet alley in the slums, familiar voices called out to him.
“Hyung!”
“Zeon!”
He didn’t even need to turn around to know who they were.
Levin and Brielle stood behind him.
“What are you two doing here?”
“What do you think? We heard you were back and came to find you.”
“Levin’s network by the main gate is unbeatable. The moment you entered, we knew.”
“Is that so?”
Zeon chuckled at their explanation.
Brielle asked hesitantly.
“You’re safe, so I guess the mission went well?”
“It did.”
“Did my potions help?”
“They helped a lot.”
“I’m glad. I felt bad for not going with you.”
“Thanks to you, everything went smoothly. Don’t feel bad.”
Brielle beamed at his words of comfort.
Levin playfully ruffled her hair.
“You don’t know how much she worried. She kept saying she should’ve gone instead.”
“Then come next time.”
At Zeon’s suggestion, both nodded firmly.
This time, circumstances had kept them apart. But next time, they would make sure to accompany him.
Suddenly, Brielle tilted her head.
“Zeon, do you have something special on you?”
“Why?”
“I feel a strange freshness from you… like a cool aura.”
“Do you?”
“Yeah. It’s new. I didn’t notice it before.”
—Beep!
At that moment, a small whale calf emerged from Zeon’s subspace storage.
As Gaia appeared, Brielle’s eyes widened.
“Woah!”
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]