NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 207
Chapter 207: A Surprising Mountain
“Whoa… that’s truly incredible, absolutely incredible.”
A man holding a camera exclaimed as he looked up at the mountain where the Prison Castle stood.
A mountain that had suddenly appeared in the middle of the island.
Just that alone was unfathomably bizarre.
On top of it sat an unidentified castle, looking like a fortress.
It was a sight that could not help but stir the curiosity of the reporter.
He began capturing the mountain and the Prison Castle with his camera repeatedly.
“Hey! What do you think you’re doing over there?!”
At that moment, a voice mixed with irritation came from nearby.
He turned his head.
A man who appeared to be associated with the Hunter Association was approaching with a stiff expression.
“What am I doing? I’m here for an interview. I’m a reporter from 00 Daily.”
“Did you not know that access is prohibited here? Whether you’re a reporter or not, you can’t come here. I don’t know how you got in, but you need to leave immediately.”
The staff member looked bored as if he’d dealt with this situation multiple times already.
However, the reporter didn’t seem willing to back down easily.
“By what right are you stopping me?”
“The state has an obligation to protect the lives and safety of its citizens, and that’s why we are doing this. Now, turn around. This is a dangerous area, a dangerous area.”
“Huh? Is this guy serious?”
The staff member began to push the reporter away with force.
The reporter, being an ordinary person against the strength of a low-level Hunter, had no choice but to be pushed back.
“Danger? What exactly is so dangerous?”
The reporter frowned and asked.
“We’ve only just had an Abnormal Gate appear here. It hasn’t even been half a day. So naturally, the authorities have to prohibit civilian access until they are convinced it’s safe! And as you can see, that castle… Its safety has not been confirmed yet. What kind of government would let civilians roam freely when that’s the case?”
The staff member answered bluntly, repeatedly waving his hand as if to say “get lost.”
“Wait, did you just say another Abnormal Gate appeared?”
The reporter’s eyes widened in surprise, as if hearing it for the first time.
“What? You’re a reporter and you didn’t know that? Anyway, the government will make a detailed announcement soon, so just wait for that. Now, leave. Go on.”
◈ ◈ ◈
The atmosphere in the Hunter Association President’s Office was heavier than usual.
This was due to the appearance of the Demon, which the National Intelligence Service Director had confidently assured wouldn’t arrive, and the fact that the Demon’s power exceeded all expectations.
The Director had a slightly embarrassed look on his face from his earlier remarks, and he appeared quite troubled.
It was only natural for the situation to spiral into something bothersome.
“This is quite troublesome. Was that Demon really that strong…?”
The Director frowned as he spoke.
“Yes, it was.”
Lee Si-hyun responded immediately, as if there was no room for debate.
No one in the world could give a more certain answer than him, who had experienced it first-hand.
“You witnessed that massive flame, Director. If that kind of flame is involved, it probably had enough power to turn an entire city to ashes.”
Ryu Geon-woo echoed Si-hyun’s statement in agreement.
If two S-Class Awakened Beings were saying that, it was surely true.
The wrinkles on the Director’s forehead deepened.
The idea that something could reduce a whole city to ashes was hard to fathom.
If such a disaster were to occur in reality…
Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine.
“Um, hearing both of you, I understand how dangerous the situation is. But if something like this happens again in the future… How likely do you think that could be?”
The Director asked, trying to ease the tension in his expression.
Si-hyun quickly responded as if expecting such a question.
“Honestly, I think the Demons now realize that human power isn’t something to be underestimated, so I don’t think they’ll recklessly cross over.”
“Is that so?”
As the Director showed a slightly relieved expression, Si-hyun continued.
“However, this is just my personal opinion. Without a fundamental resolution, we will certainly remain exposed to a significant threat.”
“A fundamental resolution?”
“Eradicating the Demons at their root.”
“…But that’s not something we can achieve in our country, is it?”
The Director replied with a face that indicated that was not a viable answer.
“True. That’s why we’re in a frustrating situation. The key to the resolution is not in our hands. Anyway, I think a trip to the United States is necessary.”
Si-hyun expressed what he had been pondering.
“The United States? What do you mean diplomatically…?”
The Director opened his mouth with a complicated expression.
Diplomacy with a superpower like the U.S. was not easy.
In fact, it was difficult.
You had to start the conversation from a subservient position instead of an equal footing.
Moreover, this incident was related to a matter of national importance for the U.S.
It meant the problem was both serious and incredibly sensitive.
That’s why they had agreed to remain silent in prior meetings.
“I’m not going just to gain something or ask for help. I simply feel it’s essential to have a conversation with the Great Sage from the other side regarding the Abnormal Gate incident and this occurrence.”
“You mean you, Director, would be going to the United States in person?”
“Yes. I have my own channels for dialogue in the U.S., so I intend to meet the Great Sage myself.”
“Hmm…”
The Director wore a pensive expression.
At that moment, Ryu Geon-woo spoke up.
“The situation has changed. The danger level has risen higher than we originally anticipated. Director, I’m sure you are aware of this. We need some new response measures.”
With Ryu Geon-woo saying that, the Director nodded as if resigned to it.
“Understood. I will report that to the President.”
“Thank you. And aside from that matter, I believe the government should also prepare for whatever it can.”
Si-hyun spoke again.
“Of course. The President will have orders to prepare in the best way possible.”
The Director continued, changing the topic.
“That matter will be dealt with… Now, about this current event.”
With such a massive mountain suddenly appearing on Ganghwa Island, the government had no choice but to make an announcement.
He was seeking opinions regarding that.
“I think we can just state the facts. An Abnormal Gate opened, and an S-Class Awakened Being summoned this to prevent significant damage. What do you think?”
Ryu Geon-woo spoke up.
“I agree; that seems best.”
Si-hyun expressed his agreement.
“Hmm, that does seem alright. Then let’s go with that.”
At the Director’s remark, Ryu Geon-woo and Si-hyun nodded in agreement.
The Director showed a look of understanding.
“However, there’s one thing I’d like to request.”
Si-hyun raised his hand.
“What is it?”
The Director cast a questioning glance.
“I would like to ensure that all access to the castle I summoned is strictly prohibited.”
“Is there a problem with that castle?”
“Well… if we’re talking about a problem, then it’s definitely a problem. There are summoned individuals from another realm inside that castle.”
Si-hyun candidly disclosed.
He felt it was necessary to do so to request the government’s help.
“Wha-what? Are you serious?”
“Well…”
The Director and Ryu Geon-woo were both taken aback by that statement.
Summoning beings from another realm…
“Explaining it will take a while. However, since this is such a serious matter, I’ll make sure to elaborate slowly.”
Si-hyun began his explanation.
◈ ◈ ◈
“My goodness…”
The Director was still unable to hide his astonished expression after hearing the explanation.
Ryu Geon-woo wore a similar expression.
“Don’t you think it’s necessary to control access now?”
Si-hyun looked at them and asked.
“Um. It does seem that way.”
The Director replied, furrowing his brow.
If the truth were to be revealed, chaos was sure to ensue.
For now, it seemed essential to control the information.
“The fact that there are individuals present was truly unexpected… Regardless, thorough control will be necessary. Attention has already been focused on that castle. Some may even believe there are valuable items inside. Even with control measures, people will likely try to sneak in and see for themselves. If we don’t impose control? It would definitely lead to chaos.”
This time Ryu Geon-woo spoke up.
“True… But what about the people in the castle? Don’t we need to try and talk to them?”
The Director asked, looking at Si-hyun.
“If the people in that castle come out, it would be impossible to keep the information from leaking.”
“What I meant was for our people to go in there…”
“I’m familiar with that castle, as I summoned it. It’s an incredibly dangerous place – teeming with the most dangerous prisoners imaginable. And the individuals managing those prisoners are no less fierce. Having anyone but myself approach that place is a perilous gamble.”
Si-hyun replied in that manner.
Though he still hadn’t entered the Prison Castle himself, he admitted his answer might be exaggerated.
Yet, he felt the reality might not be too different from his assumptions.
After all, it was the very place managed by Po-ahim, which surely housed some of the most notorious criminals in the continent.
And perhaps realizing this thought wasn’t incorrect, Ryu Geon-woo chimed in.
“He’s right. Director, you might not know, but that castle is the Prison Castle, where the absolute worst criminals in the continent are locked away. It’s a very dangerous place. If just one prisoner manages to escape from there, it would lead to a truly horrifying situation…”
“W-what?!”
The Director gulped at that remark.
Ryu Geon-woo had a serious expression, making the danger feel all the more real.
The Director’s gaze turned to Si-hyun with a hint of reproach.
The underlying message was clear: why did you summon something from such a dangerous place?
Understanding that unspoken intent, Si-hyun replied.
“As I mentioned earlier, the enemy was incredibly powerful. If I hadn’t summoned that castle, I might have been defeated. And if I’d been defeated, that Death Flame would have… ”
Though Si-hyun trailed off, there was no one who missed the implication of his words.
The Director loosened the hint of reproach in his gaze.
If Si-hyun had been defeated and a city was turned to ash with thousands of citizens losing their lives, it would have been an even more horrific scenario.
‘In any case, I’m grateful.’
Si-hyun thought while stealing a glance at Ryu Geon-woo.
Unlike the Director, Ryu Geon-woo, an S-Class Awakened Being, surely understood what the Prison Castle signified.
And he was aware that such a place was completely incompatible with the notion of a Sword Master.
For someone who identified as a Sword Master, it was understandably shocking.
Yet, he was thoughtfully showing discretion without saying anything special.
He probably had his reasons for that.
So, he must have decided to remain silent for this occasion.
Regardless, it was a grateful consideration for Si-hyun.
Ryu Geon-woo spoke up again.
“It’s best to leave the people in the Prison Castle entirely to you, Correctional Officer. Only you can handle them, and communication can only happen through you. So that would be the best solution. As I’ve mentioned, that place is dangerous. There’s no need to provoke them with strangers.”
“I was just about to suggest that. Even though I summoned it, it’s also the safest way for me to manage it. I will ensure control and safety until the castle returns to the other realm.”
Si-hyun stated.
Since Ryu Geon-woo brought it up first, it allowed him to express himself much more comfortably.
“The castle will be returning to the other realm?”
“Yes, I can’t say when exactly, but it’s certain it will eventually return since I summoned it.”
“Hmm, well that’s a relief… Nonetheless, having someone as strong as you say that is reassuring. I will emphasize this same sentiment when reporting to the President.”
Seeing the atmosphere flowing smoothly, the Director also showed his agreement.
After all, it was an item from another realm; S-Class Awakened Beings would certainly know how to handle it.
“Then, that’s settled, and next…”
The emergency meeting continued for quite some time after that.
◈ ◈ ◈
“Correctional Officer, do you have a moment to chat?”
Once the meeting was over, Ryu Geon-woo said so.
And that was something he had expected.
“Sure.”
Si-hyun replied.