Chapter 701


Madness is always devoured by greater madness.

It can merge with other madness to become an even larger form of chaos, or it can simply end as firewood.

The turmoil related to the ‘New Humanity’ was clearly the latter.

Well, there were certainly unjust aspects from their perspective as well.

The New Humanity, who gathered forces to instigate something, had their necks severed by attacks coming from beyond space, while those who studied science or special abilities to change the world could barely beat back the territorialism of the countless hidden organizations and faded away. Those seeking to make money lost their fortunes far too easily, unable to keep up with the rapidly changing world and the rampant currency fluctuations, and those of the New Humanity wanting to simply maintain their own bodies—

Right.

The New Humanity trying to safeguard their own existence lasted the longest.

But that was only for a while.

They were kidnapped by what were presumed to be individuals sent from China, caught by mad scientists eager to dissect and examine New Humanity, or even snatched up by gourmet enthusiasts curious about the taste of the New Humanity, turning into a one-dish meal.

Some New Humanity were so tasty that stem cells were harvested to create cultured meat for sale.

This was only what Jinseong knew.

If further investigations were conducted, it wouldn’t be surprising to find a significant number of New Humanity who met more brutal and horrific ends.

But what can be done?

Everything was self-inflicted.

The ‘New Humanity’ born from Gift Corporation had overwhelmingly low empathy compared to ordinary people and were filled with eugenic pride and a sense of superiority. Thus, they committed all sorts of vile acts, considered people as toys or animals, and repeatedly attempted to treat the world like a playground.

Who could possibly like them?

Thus, the New Humanity remained shunned by all, receiving no help from anyone.

Despite the fact that the minimal conditions for survival amid rampant madness required such exclusion.

In this way, the New Humanity met their demise…. and Gift Corporation was torn apart.

China devoured the largest pie.

“Yes. It would be best to start investigating from here.”

Park Jinseong closed his eyes, recalling the past.

Then he pondered.

Where to start the investigation from and how.

What would be the best way to conduct that investigation?

“I suppose seeking help from the Korean and Japanese governments would be difficult. Due to the ominous signs displayed by America, their wariness has significantly increased…. They would certainly not want to provoke the US unnecessarily. Even if they were to assist, they would need detailed explanations for their reasons…”

The government was going to be tough.

Then what about organizations?

“The organizations are also ambiguous. Thinking they could operate secretly without being noticed would be arrogant. If discovered, a small hole could bring down a dam, leading to them learning about me in depth… This is also not a good approach.”

Ambiguous.

It would have been better if it were another country.

Alas, the fact that it was America restricted his movements.

The land was too vast, making even travel time-consuming.

More thoroughly monitored than Japan, making it difficult to move around with either his real or disguised identity.

Having to move as a child presented limited available transportation and would certainly attract much attention…

Moreover.

“There’s a shaman here.”

There is indeed a shaman here.

An unknown shaman he never met before his return.

In an uncertain state of what kind of magic the shaman could use, what connections they had, and what influence they wielded in America, rushing to act would not be a wise choice.

Mysteries should always be approached with caution.

That was the principle that allowed Park Jinseong to operate long before his return.

However, there were methods accumulated through experience as well.

Jinseong knew how to dilute this ‘dangerous unknown.’

“Chaos.”

In chaos, paradoxically, freedom is granted.

Control and surveillance decrease, turning the floor upside down like a lake filled with mud, and the creatures living within that lake panic and scatter in unpredictable movements. Amid that chaos, danger may emerge, but ironically, safety is also born.

Eventually, it will settle down again over time.

But does that really matter?

The important thing is that freedom emerges within chaos.

Freedom.

The freedom to investigate Gift Corporation.

The freedom to approach ‘hints’.

Ah.

Isn’t that truly a value befitting this land?

Where countless libertine excesses thrived.

Just like America before the return!

Park Jinseong thought so as he opened his eyes.

Not the small body in America, but his original body in Korea.

Upon opening his eyes, darkness was all that filled his view.

Not the natural darkness that arrives as time passes, but the sort of darkness that mingles dampness and the smell of mold from a basement. The pitch-black, moisture-laden darkness flows like waves, carrying dust along its tide, and akin to fish swimming in water, something floats and frolics in that darkness, riding on its current.

It felt as if he could hear the faint sounds of whatever was gnawing on something and the buzzing of machines operating, reminiscent of the dull muffled sensations felt by those who entered the water.

Yet, they retreated frightened at the newcomer’s fear, knowing who the true master of this space was. As the one who established a symbol of heaven and mimicked it to create his dwelling walks in, his steps are like a shooting star fallen from the sky; even without that light, its warmth is palpably felt, and the ominous wickedness far surpasses anything they would compare to, leading them to understand that coming too close could result in an experience worse than that of Icarus, whose wings burned in the sun.

Thus, they withdraw.

The pests retreat at the slightest hint of presence, quickly hiding in corners laden with mold as if to say that despite their evolution and mutation, they remain consistently obscured. Their only desire is that the master above and the master below do not cast their gaze upon them.

But fear not.

These were merely being led around like domesticated animals or flowers, something spawned purposely for amusement. How could one harbor hatred or loathing toward something purposely left alone?

His destination lies in the place where extraordinary darkness carries the smell of blood.

Those who dared invade his building and ended up captured, compelled to contribute.

Contribute to what, you ask?

That is, for Park Jinseong himself, for his younger sister Iarin.

And on a larger scale, to stop the harm and sins these individuals spread across the world, thus also for their sake.

Heaven’s net is vast and wide; although it seems sparse, it never misses its mark!

The sins created by evildoers follow them relentlessly, demanding payment. If not paid by oneself, then through their bloodline; if not by blood, then through kin; if not by kin, then through family, and if not by family, then by the clan.

The long, waiting patience is the price to pay for their sins.

This is surely one of the rules governing the world of mortals.

Thus, those who kill with swords and do bad deeds under others’ commands have now begun to give birth to and raise life—how could this not be seen as a good thing?

Yet Park Jinseong, regrettably, was merely an ordinary soul unable to reach the prowess of transcendence.

Thus, he had difficulties comprehending the reading of cause and effect and mastering their laws.

Therefore, it would be lamentable that he could only assist them through rough conjecture.

But behold.

That lushly blooming Yixian Qinglian.

Transparent like cicada wings, that flower pulsating with life, grown from blood.

The beauty of this flower-filled garden is simply magnificent.

The charm exuded by this flower is outstanding even in this dark, cramped basement.

How could this be a bad thing?

How could this be deemed unpleasant?

“However, yes. Among those who have fulfilled their roles and are nearing their usefulness, you who have properly nurtured the flowers must only take them back to the place they are meant to go, and I will set them free to frolic under the sun and moon.”

Park Jinseong smiled and drew forth a person.

Then he gathered up the things that had hidden in the corners, forcefully compacting them into a smoke-like form.

“Cough. Ugh.”

He began to fill that form into the holes in the warrior’s face.

“You will be both the delivery and the delivery driver.”

Move the items.

The spirits and evil beings confined in your body.

“Those will make for excellent delivery.”

And if discovered, they could serve as a bomb.

Not a bad way to create chaos.