NOVEL NEXT Chapter 55
[Leonardo da Vinci]
A master praised for his work as an artist, known for paintings like [Mona Lisa] and [The Last Supper].
In truth, he is an entity who has attained the name of [Artist] as an incarnation of the colossal concept known as [Art], based on his remarkable achievements during his human years.
However, those with even a little knowledge of history do not simply dismiss this great figure as just an artist.
The saying that he was blessed with talent fits him better than anyone else.
It wouldn’t be surprising to regard him as one of the greatest geniuses throughout human history.
Not only was he exceptional in one area, but he showed unparalleled genius across nearly every field; he was not only a brilliant painter and sculptor but also an architect and scientist, excelling in almost every discipline, from geology to astronomy.
His artistic talents are merely the most famous aspect.
In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that his true achievements lie in the blueprints he left behind.
He is often regarded as a great inventor who transcended the ages.
One of his most famous inventions is the blueprint for humanity’s first tank.
That’s not all.
The bridge blueprints he left have become the foundation for modern bridge construction techniques, and even extend to helicopters, submarines, and bicycle chains.
Countless items we encounter in modern times have evolved from his designs.
If [Company] signifies the forces symbolizing the advancement of human civilization and industrialization, then in some sense, he could be called the father of modern civilization.
Even those dealing with the [Abnormality] of the underworld often make the mistake of labeling him merely a [Artist], thus confining his capabilities…
Yet, there’s no reason not to recognize that the existence which underpins the technology that has developed civilization could not be attributed to the technology of [Company], established only in modern times.
Even if he may not match the scale of [Company] in mass production technology or facilities, if you dig deeply into the pure realm of technological advancement, he might even be further ahead than [Company].
“But the [Artist] has already lost his power, right?”
I understand that he has the ability to supply gear to those rioters…
“But gathering such numbers is a whole other story, isn’t it?”
Women across the nation are rising and protesting.
Forget the reason for the protests in these turbulent times; getting such a large group to unite without even a common point of gathering like the internet is far beyond an individual’s capability.
As someone who used to lead the great power known as [Artist], it might not be impossible for him to regroup his forces given time, but…
To gather such numbers and control their actions, especially with the chaotic nature of the rioters, would surely be impossible to achieve in just one or two years, right?
Unless it’s an [Abnormality] specialized in incitement like those found in military bases…
…
…?
“Could it be that…”
“It seems you’ve noticed.”
Those observing the conversation between me and the Deputy Priest got curious.
Thinking about it, it’s quite simple.
Just like how the anger and resentment born from incidents that solely forced sacrifices upon men and tried to hide the actions of women birthed the ghost-like [Abnormality] within the military environment.
It would only be natural for such a concept that had stirred the whole nation, claiming gender equality while advocating for female supremacy, to wash over a country that had been loudly stirring until just before flooding…
[Abnormality Ideology – Feminism]
Strictly speaking, it isn’t a proper [Abnormality].
It lacks even a proper barrier and doesn’t even have a shape.
A variant that embodies the very notion of thought itself, bearing the qualities of an [Abnormality].
“Initially, I don’t believe the [Artist] has done much besides supplying equipment.”
Even without his intervention, chaos would have ensued on its own.
So…
The order is wrong.
The current situation didn’t arise because the [Artist] meddled; he merely offered leftover weapons after the situation began.
Though it’s true that his support did exacerbate the crisis a bit…
“So… the country fell two years ago, and now that things are slightly improving, that nonsensical [Abnormality] is thriving to the point of influencing the former state?”
An [Abnormality] that hasn’t even taken proper form and was born from thoughts and emotions should have scattered long ago, right?
“It seems several years of accumulated [thoughts] are compacted together like that… To normalize dispersion, it might take a few more years?”
It’s hard to believe that even after years since the nation fell, the unfounded beliefs and fanaticism of women during that time still overshadow the entire country…
“What on earth was Korea as a nation doing?”
I couldn’t help but feel dazed.
Was maintaining a foothold in this country truly the right decision?
Just as those thoughts crossed my mind, a voice began to emanate from the broadcast screen.
– Down with gender discrimination!
– We demand support for female streamers to elevate women’s rights!
– Is it rational to hold the same standards for men and women when their bodies are different?!
– More wealth for women!
“…Damn it.”
Is it too late to relocate my stronghold now?
*
Fortunately, thanks to the early flooding being filled with weak [Zombies], Korea’s [Streamers] have experienced rapid growth.
As they worked diligently to resolve the crisis and stabilize the nation, survivors began to regain their daily lives and find some comfort.
It’s a happy ending, a happy ending!
…
Though it would have been nice if that were the case.
“Couldn’t we just shoot them all dead and call it a day?”
“Well, if you’re planning to eliminate the female gender from Korea, that’s doable.”
“…Seriously, damn.”
Another week has gone by.
Though soldiers and even entities have been mobilized to subdue the rioters, capturing them seems to yield no end in sight.
Even normal women at some point get absorbed into that cursed land!
That name is the Republic of Korea!
Damn, can we tone it down a bit!
“Honestly, throwing them at the soldiers like we did with those riotous female students isn’t going to cut it; keeping them locked up has its limits.”
I nodded at Bear’s words.
There are simply too many women to throw at soldiers, and modifying buildings into solitary confinement is becoming increasingly unmanageable.
Meanwhile, even normal women are slowly losing their minds and joining the rioters…
“There really seems to be no solution.”
At least the [Streamers], being the still-holding-firm ladies, haven’t had any turncoats yet, which is a bit of consolation.
Originally, these should have been cleaned up among the mid-level [Streamers], a bunch of incompetent individuals, but thanks to the support of the [Artist], they have already grouped into a force rather than merely a riotous mob.
At this rate, the [Streamers] might push back, and those rioters could take over Korea.
Well, should that happen, I’ll just sweep them out and end it…
But from my perspective, waiting for Korea’s cultural restoration, this was truly a dreadful calamity.
Is this how a farmer feels when a locust storm attacks their diligently sowed fields?
I just want to wipe them all out…
“Hey…”
Just then, a man opened the door and entered.
Lee Han-hyuk.
The man who used to manage the internal affairs of the group Lumi had been overseeing.
Now, he’s managing the internal affairs of the [Ordinary City] and is a figure resembling a semi-executive.
Though one might say managing internal affairs isn’t a big deal, it’s surprisingly crucial…
As he is responsible for managing [Abnormal Entities] with rationality.
One could view him as an operative from urban fantasy.
According to evaluations from former members of the [Alliance] like Bear and Jung Seong-min, it’s said that had they known sooner, they would have scouted him without question?
But why is this guy here to see me…?
“Yes, Han-hyuk, is there something going on?”
It feels awkward to say this, but…
To be honest, unlike the treatment I accorded to the semi-executives, there is quite a thick wall between those under him and me.
For them, I am a transcendent force of strength and the head of a faction, someone difficult to approach, while from my perspective, there’s no significant interest in civilians without special abilities like the executives.
As for the soldiers?
Well, they’ve been a bit off lately ever since they were enthralled by the [Abnormality]…
Of course, someone like Lee Han-hyuk is deserving of some courtesy. But he himself finds the situation difficult, so he usually seems to relay reports through Jung Seong-min and Lumi.
“Well, there’s an [Abnormality] we’ve been managing that says it can resolve this situation…”
“Really?”
Now that I think about it, something faint is lingering behind Lee Han-hyuk…
“You are…”
“I can resolve this situation! Just leave it to me!”
He spoke with an excessively formal tone like a military ghost.
He’s not a real ghost.
He’s simply an [Abnormality] born from the hate of soldiers who were angered by women, taking the form of a ghostly victim.
He was the one who was kidnapped by the [Broadcasting Station] just before my encounter with soldiers he’d hypnotized within the military base.
‘Now that I think about it, this guy was created because of the female soldier riot incident, right?’
Shall I just hear him out for now?
“How do you plan to resolve it?”
“Hehe… Due to the nature of my background, I am quite familiar with those matters.”
Bear and I listened to what the [Military Ghost] was saying.
[Feminism], at least Korean [Feminism], fundamentally involves avoiding responsibility and hypocrisy, thus resulting in a manifestation of the current situation.
“It’s in a widely spread [Thought] state rather than being properly collected, so capturing a few won’t bring resolution. It’s a concept that grows ever more prominent due to the lack of a clear authority responsible, as everyone deflects responsibility.”
While they claim rights for themselves, they disregard the rights of others.
Even so, when things go wrong, they avoid responsibility and shift the blame to others.
They can say it’s permissible because they’re weak, but what you’re doing is a crime and cannot be allowed.
It’s a childish assertion that even elementary school students wouldn’t stoop to make.
But ultimately, that’s the essence of Korean [Feminism].
However, it’s because of this that finding a way to counter them becomes simpler.
Capturing just a few like now could incite collective anger, worsening the situation, but if we manage to capture just one clear representative, the matter will be settled.
The absence of a clear representative heightens their fear of responsibility, causing heightened turmoil, but as soon as a representative emerges, they’ll shift the responsibility onto them, thus quieting down.
Moreover, what’s happening right now is close to [brainwashing] caused by an [Abnormality], and if this situation eases, the [Thought] lacking any proper form will lose its power.
“But there’s no representative.”
“I have the ability. As long as I have a suitable rationale, inciting others will be as easy as pie!”
Right…
That makes sense, huh?
“What do you want?”
“Hehe… It’s nothing special… Just if I can prove my loyalty, could you set me a bit free…?”
The wish of the [Abnormality] who had been locked in solitary for over a year was…
Surprisingly modest compared to its capabilities.
‘Now that I think about it, the kid has changed a lot since I first saw her.’
Considering that the isolation facilities were a carry-over from the [Alliance], it’s no wonder it wouldn’t have been a comfortable space for [Abnormalities].
I looked at the greatly deflated [Military Ghost] and made a comment.
“Deal.”
Just easing things up a bit isn’t hard at all.
*
“Is it okay for the government to run a ddang-bang (korean snack shop)…?”
“Well, what’s the harm? The country has already collapsed.”
“[Broadcasting Station] isn’t a country, so isn’t it fine?”
[Ddang-bangs] operated directly by the [Broadcasting Station] have been set up everywhere throughout the country.
Instead of bothering the innocent stronghold members, they say it’s better to satisfy demands right here with a raw and clear purpose.
There would be no issues since those inside have no human rights.
The [Military Ghost] kept her promise.
Within just three days of gaining full authority, she’d resolved the situation.
The figures chosen as representatives were the first to be expelled from the collective, gathering the women together.
They were rather symbolic individuals.
Something like student representatives of a women’s university?
“But who are they…?”
Women cursing as they block men trying to enter near the ddang-bang.
Surely the [Abnormal Phenomenon] has ended…?
“Well… Not everyone needs to be brainwashed to adopt that ideology.”
“…As always, the country is in shambles.”
What are you doing?
Go capture them too.
The soldiers guarding the ddang-bang can be seen dragging those women away on the screen.
Well, as the collective disperses and the [Abnormal Phenomenon] ends, these individuals will ultimately turn out like this.
“Then this matter is concluded…”
I wonder where that instigator who unleashed weapons upon Korea has gone…?
Han Yu-seong’s gaze turned to the map.
*
“….Still, I thought they would put up a bit more of a fight….”
Has it already been resolved?
Despite all preparations having been made, I couldn’t help but reach that conclusion.
Two figures stand amongst the ruins.
In the ruins of a massive skyscraper.
[God of the Void] and the [Universal Genius] gaze upon the remnants of the collapsed [Company].
“It’s insufficient. The sacrifices… still.”
[God of the Void] looks up at the sky.
To fill the lack of sacrifices…
“Let’s slowly begin…”
The opening ceremony of the world war.