Simultaneous terrorism within the city. There was no other way to describe this event.

  As if by appointment, the rampages that broke out in various locations with little time difference plunged the city once again into a wave of melancholy. All that remained were the dry eyes of those who no longer had the strength even to mourn. Amidst the repeatedly occurring tragedies, they simply felt grateful that they and their families were safe.

  In a sense, the rampage incidents were now no different from natural disasters—natural disasters that ordinary people could not dare to confront. Before them, humans were merely powerless. Numerous people were killed or injured. Buildings were broken and burned, and vehicles were destroyed.

  Violence and destruction. Those who rampaged due to Tools always brought about the same results. People could do nothing but tremble in anxiety.

  But there was no way to cope. The police had no means to stop the rampages of those possessing strength that far exceeded human limits. Risking their lives to buy time was the best the police could do.

  Of course, it was absolutely not their fault. What could they possibly do against beings who destroyed roads with a single stamp of a foot, remained unfazed by police gas guns or pistols, and even withstood Taser shots? Consequently, the number of officers killed in the line of duty continued to rise, as did the number of those seeking psychological counseling to escape the trauma.

  Jihyeon said nothing as he looked at the ruined streets. The cafe he visited because Min-a said she had something to ask regarding recent events had narrowly escaped the wave of destruction. However, there were almost no people. The entire city was paralyzed, and people had lost even the will to go out. To them, the only thing they could do was sit blankly at home.

  But who could blame them? Unbearable tragedy breaks a person. While some could feel relieved about each other's safety, most couldn't even manage that. Jihyeon considered it a relief that his family was not swept up in this incident. Yet, that fact did not set his mind at ease.

  People now resented Jihyeon. They did not hesitate to hurl all sorts of insults, questioning what kind of hero fails to save their families faster. Jihyeon let out a sigh as he read their posts. Their resentment was directed the wrong way, but to those who were wounded, perhaps it was unavoidable.

  "What are you thinking so deeply about?"

  Min-a asked Jihyeon, who was quietly staring outside. Her voice was full of concern, as she too had seen the numerous criticisms directed at him.

  "It's nothing. Just looking outside made me feel a certain way," Jihyeon replied briefly. The fact that he couldn't do everything alone weighed on him painfully once more.

  There was a limit to what one person could do. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't do everything. He needed a way to overcome the current situation—whatever it might be.

  "I know I can't do everything alone, but it's just frustrating that there's a limit to how I can respond since no one else can use Tools besides me..."

  Jihyeon spoke somewhat complainingly. It was perhaps another expression of the pressure of having to take responsibility for everything by himself.

  "Why can't others use Tools?"

  Min-a asked, truly knowing nothing. Jihyeon hadn't told her much about the truth behind the Tools. It was a means to keep her safe from danger.

  "If you use them for a long time, the Tool consumes you. It's like becoming addicted the more you use it..."

  To be precise, that only applied to the low-grade Tools currently circulating on the market, but Jihyeon only explained that much since there was no reason to mention the details.

  "Then can't you just use them after removing the poison? Like a filter or something."

  Min-a brought up a suggestion that sounded like preparing bracken. Jihyeon gave a bitter smile at those words. It was the kind of thing someone who knew nothing would say. However, it wasn't something to just dismiss.

  "Huh?"

  Jihyeon muttered to himself as something suddenly occurred to him. Then he thought. He used numerous Tools himself now but had no particular problems. That might simply be because of the very first Tool that was implanted in him.

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  But to put it another way, if he could somehow replicate the ability of that Tool, it meant that ordinary people might also be able to use the abilities of Tools without suffering their ill effects. Of course, he couldn't guarantee the possibility yet. However, if he could do it, the situation would improve significantly.

  "What is it?"

  Min-a asked, puzzled by Jihyeon's sudden change in attitude.

  "Ah, it's nothing. Just thought of something."

  Jihyeon spoke as he considered the research he would have to do in the future. But that was a matter he could handle at home. Today, the two of them met for another reason. It was time to focus a bit on what Min-a wanted to talk about. Of course, he could find out immediately by looking at Information, but he didn't want to do that.

  "More importantly, why did you call me today? What did you want to ask a favor for?"

  Jihyeon asked Min-a. She let out a sigh and spoke.

  "Actually, it seems people from the cult have been watching me again lately. I really wish they'd stop..."

  Jihyeon sighed at Min-a's words. They still seemed to be monitoring her for some reason. The reason was unknown, but Min-a clearly felt the burden just knowing the fact.

  "You're going through a lot."

  Jihyeon only sighed as he looked at Min-a. He looked as if he didn't like the fact that another tiresome ill-fated relationship was continuing.

  "Well, that's how it is," Min-a said as she drank her coffee. Her expression as she drank the now-cooled coffee was simply dark.

  "I'm scared. I only found out by chance, but they're truly persistent."

  Jihyeon also nodded at her words.

  "Indeed."

  The two of them simply shared bitter smiles as they exchanged words.

  Today, too, Ha-eun felt a sense of pride in the fact that he was doing his job properly after hearing the Vice Cult Leader's gracious words over the phone. Like anyone else in the world, having superiors recognize one's handling of work is a thankful and joyful thing.

  What Ha-eun was doing now was capturing those who had rampaged. Taking care of them before the police could act was not merely to prevent things from getting loud. It was also because, in some cases, they had to be taken to the cult as test subjects. The cult used those who had rampaged for special experiments.

  While he didn't know what they were trying to do, the important thing was that the cult needed them. There was no need to question it; Ha-eun simply followed orders.

  Of course, it was a matter of faith, but he also gained much more than that. Specifically, through constant combat experience, Ha-eun realized he had become much stronger than before. That fact delighted him and gave him the motivation to work even harder.

  Ha-eun could now easily handle several typical rampaging individuals at once. He was confident he wouldn't lose even in a life-or-death struggle. Thus, even though he was heading out to face multiple opponents this time, anticipation rather than fear dominated him.

  The believer who was driving was worried, but Ha-eun was full of confidence, telling him there was no need for that. Since it was something he had experienced several times, it was perhaps natural.

  However, although Ha-eun was smiling on the outside, a lump of unresolved resentment remained in a corner of his heart. It was the bitter memory of defeat. He had not forgotten the bastard who defiled their holy place. But even so, Ha-eun knew well that he couldn't defeat him.

  He knew because he had faced him. That guy could use this power—which only the chosen ones should be able to use—perfectly, or even beyond that. Not only the ability to manipulate electricity, which was the power of the now-deceased former Cult Leader, but he also used various other powers. He didn't even go on a rampage.

  Of course, the current Ha-eun possessed power incomparable to the past, but even so, he didn't have the confidence to win against that guy. Therefore, Ha-eun thought he had to do his best in actual combat. Every time he went out, he faced those who rampaged in various forms.

  Among them were those who used the power of electricity clumsily. Of course, electricity was not that much of a threatening weapon against Ha-eun. Nevertheless, facing those types of enemies provided its own kind of study. It would likely be a great help when he fought that guy.

  Monitoring the girl named Min-a was for the time when he would eventually fight him. Of course, this was entirely his own discretion, but the Vice Cult Leader would likely overlook this much.

  Defeated once, ignored another time. What would happen if they met again this time? Ha-eun thought about it in many ways. But in the end, there was only one conclusion. Every conclusion other than his own victory was meaningless. he would deny any other future.

  But not today. Today there was other work. Ha-eun would create the situation at the best possible time and do what he had to do. Rather, he had to train himself for that moment now. Fortunately, there were quite a few opponents to practice on this time. It was very good since there was even someone the Vice Cult Leader specifically ordered him to capture.

  "We're here. Please be careful."

  "I told you not to worry. Just tell them to be ready to load them all up when I bring them out."

  Ha-eun spoke as he got out of the car. Then, with light steps as if going for a walk, he headed toward his destination.

  There, people who had not yet rampaged were gathered. They were unique individuals who had adapted to the Tools in their own way. Ha-eun thought that might be why he was ordered to capture them.

  "Wh-who are you?"

  One of the gathered men shouted. His voice was full of wariness. A man who was once a member of a gang and was now suffering from the side effects of a Tool showed murderous intent toward Ha-eun along with his other companions.

  Although they hadn't rampaged, they looked like typical Tool addicts. Snickering at that sight, Ha-eun said:

  "I've come to take you all."

  At those words, the men lunged toward Ha-eun without hesitation. Having gathered in one place to evade the police pursuit, the men were full of a desperate desire to survive.

  However, the conclusion they wanted and the conclusion Ha-eun wanted were different. And the final chosen conclusion was the one Ha-eun desired. Ha-eun, covered in blood, simply smiled with madness as he took those who had fallen by his hand and headed down.