On the news, they were talking day after day about the deaths that occurred in the detention center. The Loan Shark found it incredibly irritating. To think that these nobodies were making such a fuss over nothing.

  It was a waste of airwaves. More than that, he felt it was an act of stealing the spotlight that belonged to him.

  There is a king here. A king with power incomparable to those foolish cultists. Everything should revolve around the Loan Shark himself. So what was this?

  Of course, he had to hide his existence while catching his breath, but that would soon come to an end. Yet, the ignorant media continued to broadcast useless segments. That fact made the Loan Shark extremely unpleasant.

  However, acting rashly just because something happened was not the way of a king. For now, simply enjoying the life of the city wasn't a bad idea.

  As compensation for being stuck in the countryside all that time, the Loan Shark indulged in urban pleasures. Drinking to his heart's content and soaking in the countless thrills he hadn't felt in ages, he tasted the feeling of living like a human once again.

  But he didn't know how long this would last. It was time to start moving. Considering the recent unpleasant events, it was only natural.

  There wasn't just one or two annoying things. The Loan Shark felt irritation just thinking about them. They were all things that had to be resolved before he could begin his splendid new life.

  First, the greatest source of displeasure was being betrayed by someone he trusted. Specifically, the Saleswoman's betrayal. She had vanished after smuggling her brother out. He thought it would be impossible, but it seemed someone had helped her.

  It was unforgivable.

  To think she would dare steal his Tool and run away—the Loan Shark trembled with the sting of betrayal. After how much he had looked out for her, this was nonsensical. If she had at least returned the Tool he gave her, it might have been different. But she fled without returning it. That fact fueled his rage even more.

  However, it seemed her whereabouts wouldn't be found immediately. The Saleswoman was cunning enough to hide herself thoroughly. Finding her wouldn't be easy.

  But he would surely find her and take his revenge. To think she dared to bite the hand of her master; the Loan Shark vowed vengeance. He would start by tearing her brother to pieces right in front of her eyes, and then subject her to every torture imaginable.

  But that was for later.

  Right now, the "heroes" of the city, including the one in the hood, were a bigger source of annoyance. They were acting as if they were apostles of justice. Hypocrites doing useless things.

  The Loan Shark had no intention of tolerating that. Conveniently, there were people in this city he had been cultivating. If he mobilized them to make the world a bit more "exciting," he felt his mood might improve.

  "It’s something that has to be done anyway," the Loan Shark muttered with a smile. If things went according to his plan, it would be quite fun. Of course, people would suffer, but wasn't that exactly what he wanted to see?

  With that thought, the Loan Shark made a phone call. It was best to act as soon as an idea came to mind. Believing so, he began his work.

  A Tool. It provides power close to invincibility even to an ordinary person. With one, one could surely do anything.

  That was why Lee Young wanted a Tool. If she had one, she could certainly protect Min-ah even when Jihyeon wasn't around.

  But Lee Young knew well that Jihyeon would never allow her to have a Tool. Given the inherent dangers of Tools, it was only natural. Over-reliance on commercially available Tools often resulted in being consumed by that very power. Unless it was a Tool of a certain grade, a "berserk" state was practically inevitable.

  Even if a good Tool existed, implantation was a different story. If luck wasn't on one's side, one could die from a rejection reaction or live the rest of their life with a disability.

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  Lee Young knew this fact all too well. After all, she had the experience of being implanted with a Tool against her will.

  However, she hadn't used that Tool of her own volition. Instead, she had been used like a pawn by equipment that controlled Tool users after a forced implantation. Because of that, her hands were stained with blood. Jihyeon told her not to suffer for sins that weren't her choice, but Lee Young still struggled within her remaining memories.

  Perhaps the memories of those sins would fade someday. She might have been able to live an ordinary life, forgetting the guilt. But Lee Young couldn't. It was because of Min-ah's kidnapping.

  To Lee Young, Min-ah was as precious as Jihyeon. If it weren't for her, Lee Young's mind might have broken completely. Perhaps that was why Lee Young was obsessed with Min-ah. It was a feeling different from simple affection. That might be why she sought power.

  "No. In your current state, you’ll go berserk immediately. If you can’t control your emotions, a Tool will only end up hurting those around you."

  Today as well, Lee Young met Jihyeon and asked for a Tool. But Jihyeon refused.

  "Actually, if you were a bit more calm, and if my research progressed further, I was considering at least a self-defense Tool. But as you are now, absolutely not."

  Jihyeon spoke, telling Lee Young to calm down. However, Lee Young only focused on the mention of a "self-defense Tool."

  "Why can't you give me a self-defense Tool right now?" Lee Young protested. Her voice carried the hurt of feeling that his trust in her was only this much.

  "If you have that, you'll go storm the Cult immediately, won't you?"

  Nothing could be hidden from Jihyeon. Lee Young flinched. His words were not wrong. Though she knew Jihyeon could gain information just by looking, she never imagined her thoughts would be seen through like this.

  "Given the current times, it'll be a problem if you start causing trouble too. There’s a limit to how much I can protect. And you understand why I can't permit a Tool..."

  Jihyeon sighed. He realized once again that this kidnapping incident had left deep scars not only on Min-ah but also on Lee Young.

  "Ugh..."

  Lee Young couldn't hide her dissatisfaction. Jihyeon let out another sigh. "Do you even realize that your body would be completely ruined if you rashly attempt an implantation in your current physical condition?"

  "... "

  Lee Young couldn't answer. Perhaps the worst-case scenarios she remembered were surfacing.

  "Let's wait until your health is perfectly recovered before we think about it. I understand what you're saying, but now is really not the time. Besides, if something happens to you, Min-ah will be sad."

  Jihyeon brought up Min-ah to prevent any further talk about the Tool.

  "Ugh... that’s playing dirty."

  Lee Young sighed. Knowing that Jihyeon wasn't doing this without reason, she was full of complaints, but she couldn't bring the subject up any further.

  However, Lee Young vowed that someday she would obtain a suitable Tool to protect Min-ah and even strike first if necessary. She did her best to suppress her emotions. Watching her, Jihyeon could only sigh, perhaps because he understood the rage deep within her soul.

  Of course, it was right to block her misguided desires, as they would surely lead to her ruin. But Jihyeon didn't know how long he could keep blocking them. The situation was worsening, and Jihyeon himself feared the tragedies that might occur in places his hands couldn't reach.

  He desperately hoped that he would never have to be the one to hand a Tool to Lee Young.

  He had to submit another report. Seok-yeong thought so as he hurried his paperwork.

  Although the higher-ups still had a significant aversion to the equipment Jihyeon made, it was time to change their thinking. It was dangerous to rely on many of the civilian collaborators who weren't police. Not only were they not properly trained, but they were also at risk of going berserk at any time.

  Some of them even acted as spies. How much resentment had there been within the police force because of that?

  Therefore, Seok-yeong believed it was time to use the Tools Jihyeon created. He was even prepared to undergo human testing himself if necessary.

  But even if he said this, would the higher-ups listen? Seok-yeong was unsure. He was bewildered by the changed atmosphere. What had intervened to change even the top brass of the police?

  His hands stopped typing on the keyboard. It wasn't just to take a break. The more he thought about it, the heavier Seok-yeong's heart became.

  "Damn it."

  Normally, they should have distributed equipment that allowed the use of Tools without side effects and used that momentum to head straight for the Cult. Since there was plenty of evidence, they should have moved immediately to prevent further victims.

  Yet, the higher-ups were hesitating even on that. The reason given was a lack of immediately available power. Seok-yeong didn't know how to respond to that. But it was an undeniable reality.

  The police had no more manpower. They were at their limit just maintaining public order. In a situation where people were scarce, it was impossible to go and dismantle the Cult. The problem was that there were almost no people on the police side who could use Tools.

  And they couldn't exactly deploy the military.

  "I wish they were just a bit more flexible."

  Seok-yeong stretched as he spoke. It seemed he wouldn't be able to finish today. If so, there was no reason to suffer while clinging to this. Sometimes, rest was necessary.

  Thinking it would be better to work with a fresher mind after resting enough, Seok-yeong left the police station earlier than usual.

  "So, what should I buy..."

  Since he was off work, he had to eat something. Seok-yeong moved to a nearby place to buy food to take home.

  It was then.

  An intense pain suddenly spread throughout his entire body. And Seok-yeong collapsed. He didn't know the reason. Amidst the sounds of people's commotion, he lost consciousness.