Chapter 63
About twenty years from now, the results of the drugs spread by the Revolutionary Army after they seized control of the kingdom were disastrous.
"Uuugh...."
The drugs completely destroyed the immune system, leaving beastkin and humans alike unable to live without them.
"...This is serious."
Suhyeok and Bong Taesu had returned to the 30th floor.
The streets before them were filled with people wandering around like zombies, completely intoxicated by the drugs.
"...I think things have gotten far too serious, Hyungnim. They're already spreading among the Players. If this reaches other floors too, we'll have a real disaster on our hands."
"We'll have to deal with it before that happens."
Not long afterward, Myoga was eventually subdued by the攻略队.
Those who had participated under the name of the Revolutionary Army were executed as well.
Even the maids who had followed her.
Every last one of them.
The drugs circulating throughout the kingdom were quickly collected.
Those already addicted were immediately treated.
Fortunately, the results were positive.
Then came the day of Myoga's execution.
Suhyeok watched her final moments with his own eyes.
"Y-You filthy bitch!"
"Die! Because of you, my son...!"
Desperate resentment flew toward the execution platform along with stones.
Kim Mihyeon and Bong Taesu stood beside Suhyeok, watching.
Neither of them looked comfortable with the sight.
Then it happened.
Myoga, who had silently endured the abuse until then, finally began laughing as though she could no longer hold it back.
"Hehehe... hahaha! The more I listen, the funnier this gets. What, did you think all of you were any different?"
Blood streamed down from her forehead.
Breathing shallowly, she continued.
"The strong have always ruled over and crushed the weak."
"They made sure the weak could never rise again."
Her voice echoed across the entire plaza.
"That has always been considered natural. In this world... no, anywhere in this Tower, that law never changes!!"
Condemnations erupted from the crowd.
How could crushing the weak ever be justified?
Myoga lowered her head and laughed like she'd lost her mind.
Then she looked at the confused crowd with madness burning in her eyes.
"How ridiculous."
She smiled.
"If the strong don't crush the weak, what should they do? Serve them?"
"W-Well...."
"And more importantly..."
Her expression twisted.
"Why are all of you pretending you've never done the same thing?"
The hands preparing to throw stones paused.
"Beastkin were the strong."
"Half-beasts were the weak."
"You crushed and ignored us simply because you were stronger."
Her voice shook with hatred.
"So after we became strong, we did the same thing."
She glared at them.
"What exactly did we do wrong?"
The beastkin had no answer.
Neither did Suhyeok.
He wanted to deny it.
But it was a brutal truth he couldn't dismiss.
Bong Taesu, who had been silently watching, finally asked,
"...Hyungnim, doesn't something feel strange?"
"What?"
"She clearly committed crimes."
Taesu frowned.
"And she deserves punishment."
He stared at Myoga.
"But for some reason... I still feel sorry for her."
That was exactly it.
She had been consumed by the desire for revenge.
And in the process, she'd forgotten what truly mattered.
Back to the present.
The streets around them were dark and filled with drunken half-beasts.
But one enormous, luxurious building stood out brightly amid the gloom.
It was loud and lively.
"For something called the underworld, this place is rather extravagant."
Taesu looked around.
"There's quite a lot of traffic too."
Then he turned toward Yumi.
"Lady Yumi, are you certain this is the place?"
This was the underworld district of the beastkin kingdom.
The largest casino on the 30th floor.
According to Myoga, the source of the drug had been a merchant group she'd been trading food ingredients with.
Naturally, the merchant group existed in name only.
There had never been a real organization behind it.
Yumi had tracked its traces with magic.
Most of the important evidence had been erased with great care.
They had checked ten locations so far.
"Yes. I'm sure."
Yumi nodded.
"The trail ends here too."
Then she pointed ahead.
"So it's obviously that place."
Nyans Casino.
It had been infamous even before Suhyeok's regression.
Some Players had become addicted to gambling there, drowning in ever-growing debt until they could no longer escape.
"How did they even know enough to approach the Revolutionary Army?"
Hyuna frowned.
"They wouldn't do something this elaborate for some ordinary franchise."
Her gaze hardened.
"And they even supplied drugs...."
No.
They probably didn't know it was the Revolutionary Army.
If it had ever been revealed that the organization behind the drugs was the Revolutionary Army, discrimination against half-beasts would've become even worse.
And that would've dealt a serious blow to the underworld too.
Anyone with half a brain wouldn't have made that mistake.
Which meant someone had deliberately ordered the approach.
Offer attractive trading conditions.
Lower Myoga's suspicions.
Then spread the drugs.
...This is something that shouldn't exist yet.
No.
More accurately, it can't exist yet.
How had they obtained it?
Whatever the answer, the first step to uncovering whoever was behind this was tearing apart this casino.
"Let's go."
We entered.
Magnificent pillars lined the interior.
Games filled every corner.
Half-beasts sat at the tables, completely addicted to the thrill.
[Several gambling-loving Constellations cheer loudly!]
[Some Constellations lick their lips and reminisce about the thrill of gambling in the past.]
LMAO there are a lot of weird games here.
Yeah. Some actually look fun.
Damn it, I quit gambling recently. Why show me this? Watching someone else isn't enough ;;
(putting on a cat-ear headband) Is this how you do it?
Please stop ;;
Why does this guy keep doing this? Makes me want to find him and kill him.
Wait, what's with their ears and tails? Disguises?
This was still the underworld of the half-beasts.
Even Players couldn't simply walk around openly.
Doing so would've attracted far too much attention.
Unlike Suhyeok, who was using the Clown Trait to disguise himself, the other three had bought costumes from the Hidden Shop.
Each looked like a different animal.
"...Ahem, Hyungnim. Isn't making me a pig a little much?"
Taesu rubbed his nose, clearly offended.
"Lady Yumi is a black rabbit, Hyuna is a fox, and you're a bull."
He sighed.
"At least make me a bear...."
Yumi shrugged, looking completely satisfied.
"It suits you."
Then she smirked.
"Maybe this is punishment for constantly chasing women."
"When did I ever chase women?! I was only doing my very best to gather information-"
"Yes, yes. I'm sure you were."
She stretched the words with exaggerated sarcasm.
