Episode 288
It would be a lie if I said I didn’t get the feeling that the little man was being cunning, but I accepted his request.
Since Shinsu boasted a much larger size than existing monsters, I thought it wouldn’t matter if I gave him a part of it.
In fact, there were many things I liked, such as the introduction of professors at Stanford and the graduate student theory of gifted self.
Above all, the hematoma guy’s dumbfounded expression was the best thing I achieved by returning to the past.
However, I felt awkward because Yongyong didn’t react at all.
“Why are you still?”
[Why am I suddenly there?]
“Whenever the topic of Shinsoo was mentioned, you ran away foaming at the mouth.”
[Oh, that? Anyway, it’s not going to change just because I say it, so what’s the point of saying something that hurts?]
“Uh, um.”
[Why?]
“Just.”
It was hard to get used to Yongyong because he was speaking normally for the first time in a while.
[I won’t start a fight over something pointless, so prepare well.]
I didn’t know I would receive such detailed consideration from Yongyong.
It wasn’t a bad thing to say in my current situation. I organized the information about the thunderbird in my head. According to information from the U.S. government and party, the Thunderbird’s greatest weapon is the power called ‘high-speed flight’.
It is said that this power, which allows him to cross the United States in a matter of seconds if he sets his mind to it, was demonstrated in his first appearance, breaking the will to fight. This meant that you could leave your position at any time when it was unfavorable, and that you could make up your mind and lose it.
On the other hand, the weakness was considered to be poor defense. Although it is superior to monsters, it is said to be a bit more attackable, so it seemed like the key was to hit the right attack when first encountering the Thunderbird.
The focus was on how to block high-speed flight, and the presence or absence of a canceler who could cancel the power and the presence or absence of an awakened person of superhuman or higher level who could cause abnormal status and who could deliver a powerful blow were considered very important.
I heard that the party had the canceller, and wasn’t the status ailment something the witch doctor had?
Looking at it this way, we could see that the party was preparing one by one to hunt the Thunderbird.
It was a failure after being stabbed by Argos.
“No.”
Perhaps the fact that Argos created the league itself may have been the Thunderbird’s intention.
Phantom says that Argos persuaded the Thunderbird, but you know that the opposite is more likely.
“I guess we can start by punching him as soon as we see him.”
[The problem is that it’s not easy, right?]
“Uh.”
This was the information that was revealed, and it was unclear how much was hidden.
When you think about it this way, you seem strong.
The more you think that your hidden strength is superior, the more the monster called fear grows in presence. I decided to trust the gifts I have.
[And I have something to say.]
“What is it?”
[I’m going back to Mt. Baekdu before you and the Thunderbird face off.]
“Why?”
Yongyong’s words were unexpected.
[If you get closer, you’ll probably sense my presence before you do. Then I don’t know what choice he will make. There is a high chance that my presence will be a hindrance.]
“Since when have you thought of me like this?”
[Because no one thinks of you as much as I do? Anyone who sees it will think that I disturb you every day.]
That can’t be possible.
Although I mistreat Yongyong, I have never doubted his sincerity.
In the end, it means making room for me. Of course, the intention may not be pure, but even neutrality should be appreciated.
“Thank you for even saying something.”
[If you know, do well.]
When I see him showing off like that, I want to tackle him again.
I thought that one of Yongyong’s powers was aggro.
Now that I think about it, I guess it would have been that gift if Go Ye-jin had awakened.
There is no reason to think deeply about it.
However, I had no choice but to resolve the questions that arose in my mind.
“You’re not doing this to watch from behind and join the winning side, are you?”
[hey! Do I look like such a mean spirit?]
“….”
[What were you really thinking like that?]
Or something, I don’t know why you’re so angry.
[Ha, that’s enough.]
* * *
[I’ll step down.]
When leaving from LA to Seattle, Yongyong said goodbye as he said.
The next time I see it, it will be around the time I won against the Thunderbird.
The place where the Thunderbird is located is Washington State, which is often mistaken for the capital, Washington DC, but is located in the northwest of the United States.
Seattle is located here, and it has become more famous recently because it is said to be the least haunted by monsters among American states and is considered a good place to live.
Not many people knew that it was the influence of the Thunderbird, but various strange phenomena occurred and various pseudo-religions were rampant.
I boarded a plane to Seattle with my friend. The flight was very smooth. When I landed in Seattle, the air felt completely different from LA.
“Does it look like a good place to live just by looking at it?”
“In fact, Seattle has been ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. in recent years.”
“Is that because of the Thunderbird?”
“Yes, because there are no monster attacks.”
Perhaps that’s why Seattle gave off a more relaxed and glamorous feel than LA.
If there was a big city before monsters appeared, I think it would have been something like this.
“But it’s not all that good. Because of that, pseudo-religions are becoming popular.”
“Is that a problem?”
“If you become blind, anything will go wrong! And its influence is spreading in all directions!”
In fact, this religion had an influence even in LA, but I was not impressed. Because there were bound to be people everywhere who were obsessed with religion.
“Thank you for your hard work traveling such a long distance.”
When we arrived in Seattle, we were greeted by personnel sent by the government. There were many grand titles, but to summarize, it is a guide.
The guide, who identified himself as James Turner, told a story about the Thunderbird as we drove.
“Thunderbirds hide their existence and are called mysterious beings here.”
You’re talking nonsense from the first word.
“You hid it? “I don’t think so at all.”
“…What do you mean?”
“If he had hidden his existence, a religion that worshiped him as a god would not have been created.”
Because you probably didn’t even know it existed.
I don’t know why they say the thunderbird hides its existence. Just looking at it, it looks like he’s showing off here and there because he wants to show off his presence.
“You could look at it that way.”
James Turner also responded. You agree with what I said, but you seem quite uncomfortable.
It’s none of my business.
“What kind of religion is this that worships the thunderbird?”
“It is literally a religion that worships the gods who appeared here. “It is a situation where public opinion is sharply focused in that direction because it seems more divine than an insubstantial god.”
In fact, it seems that Shinsoo is closer to a god than a god who has nothing. Or did he give something like a god served by a saint?
No matter how great someone is, someone who gives me even just one more piece of bread is greater.
Listening to James Turner’s story, I thought that both cults in Korea and the US were equally dangerous.
“I believe the Thunderbird is protecting the peace here. In fact, Washington state, centered around Seattle, is safer from demonic threats than other places. “It was recently selected as the best place to live in America.”
“I think it’s thanks to Shinsu.”
“Because it’s also true.”
“It seems like you are quite tolerant of that religion.”
James Turner, who was driving, glanced at me and answered.
“I guess it’s because I heard stories from many people while staying in the area.”
“Jun Ho! In fact, this religion is showing signs of becoming popular throughout America. “There are a lot of applicants who want to move to Seattle.”
He said that Americans’ desire for safety is so great.
Anna Christine said that because there is no gun control, the rate of villains is overwhelmingly high.
“Im here.”
After driving for about 3 hours, we arrived at the northernmost city in the United States. I unpacked my luggage at the hotel there. They were scheduled to move to the government’s safe house the next day.
The safe house, built in the form of a mountain cabin, is said to be able to prepare for attacks by monsters in case of emergency and, in the worst case, to be able to escape across the mountain through an underground passage.
And it is said that the safe house was the first place where the thunderbird was contacted.
“That’s the closest place to Thunderbird territory.”
James Turner explained that once you enter the Thunderbird realm from this lodge, from then on everything changes entirely depending on the Thunderbird’s will.
“Thunderbird Doctor?”
“It is a story that unauthorized beings cannot return safely. In fact, fanatics who are overly immersed in religion go into the realm of the thunderbird to find God and are never able to return.”
In Washington State, it is said that, strangely enough, the number of people who go missing in search of God is greater than the number of people killed by monsters.
“Didn’t he die because he was lured by the Thunderbird?”
“…Could it be that divine beasts eat humans?”
“It eats monsters, but there’s nothing it can’t do because it’s a divine beast.”
“I do not know. “No such traces have ever been found.”
James Turner said that he made his judgment as dry as possible from the informant’s point of view.
The little man who was watching from the side added something.
“Jun Ho! “I think it can be seen as an unexpected action by fanatics who want to receive God directly.”
“Well, it’s none of my business that the fanatics went missing.”
“yes. “This place is a bit boring.”
I came here to catch thunderbirds, not to find missing people or anything like that.
I’m just curious about the reaction of the guy in front of me.
“So what are you thinking?”
“yes?”
“The thoughts of a fanatic.”
“…!”
Before he could react, I grabbed James Turner’s arm, broke it, and kicked him in the shin, shattering his bone.
An eerie sound rang out and the guy fell to the ground.
“Ugh!”
“Jun Ho! “What are you doing!”
The startled little man shouted at me, but I fixed my gaze on James Turner and held his head with my left hand to meet his gaze.
“Because this guy is a member of that cult.”
“what?”
“No?”
James Turner, who was groaning in pain, made eye contact with me and his pupils began to tremble uncontrollably.
“How…”
“Just because you’re good at hiding your emotions doesn’t mean you can fool me.”
The subtle reactions I got every time I mentioned pseudo-religion led to my conviction.
By the way, the people assigned by the government were spies. The religious influence seemed to be stronger than if it was intentional.
Since they were enjoying peace while the world was suffering from monster attacks, their loyalty to the Thunderbird seemed to be deep.
“What were you planning on doing?”
“….”
“Seeing as you’re not answering, it seems pretty realistic.”
It doesn’t matter to me anyway.
“for a moment…!”
Zolaman tried to stop me, but he was faster at using brainwashing.
The determined light in my eyes disappeared and became dull. I started to figure out what plan he was making.
James Turner was, as expected, a member of a cult. He was originally a government agent, but after staying in Washington state, his thoughts changed and he began following the Thunderbird.
Meanwhile, I heard the news that I was about to meet a thunderbird, and I tried to prepare by informing the religious headquarters about this.
Kwasik!
After obtaining all the information, I smashed James Turner’s head without hesitation.
The body lay helplessly on the floor, spraying thick blood.
The little man who tried to stop me shook his head in a hesitant position.
“Thunderbird wasn’t the only thing to deal with.”
“Junho, what on earth are you going to do….”
“Just by looking at him, it looks like he has a lot of intention to interfere. “We have to deal with the pseudo-guys first.”
From the looks of it, these guys might be acting as the Thunderbird’s hands and feet. It seemed right to first get rid of the forces that had infiltrated the human forces and then deal with them with ease.
“But the opponents are also ordinary civilians.”
“If you’re going to be fooled by a villain, it’s better to disappear from the world beforehand. “If you’re dissatisfied, don’t follow me.”
“…I’m going.”
I left for Seattle again with my friend. The headquarters of the cult was there.