Chapter 142: Korea (2)

The AI governance program Anarchy was a technological behemoth born of supreme indolence, yet it administered the nation with remarkable ease. It devoured data from across the globe, but nowhere more voraciously than in Korea, where its implementation meant no detail escaped its analytical maw, no matter how minute.

Anarchy, with utter disregard for privacy legislation, assigned tasks based on its assessment of each citizen’s capabilities and inclinations, herding society along the correct path.

While Karlstein dismissed it as mere laziness, Anarchy had been created with a specific directive:

-Execute colonization protocol. Maintain status quo until reinforcements arrive from the homeland.

It was a temporary governance program for colonizing occupied territories during wartime. It could minimize internal resistance while preserving order and implementing the occupying power’s ideology.

Naturally, Anarchy’s functionality hinged on definite punishment for those who refused its quests.

-You resistin’? OK you get the chair.

The system automatically identified and eliminated dissenters with clinical precision. Inhumane, perhaps, but such was the nature of war.

Currently, this aspect remained beyond Karlstein’s reach—he lacked both tools and manpower. Unless he personally confronted each dissenter, true enforcement was impossible.

But he could administer minimal punishment.

-Ehh? Isn’t that my dark history from middle school?

-H-honey! Th-this isn’t what it looks like!

-My secret funds! Where the heck did it go?

-My card is blocked! Why?!

-I didn’t embezzle! I’m being framed!

By instigating social death and economic repercussions, the Anarchy System managed to function at a minimal level. After all, everyone harbored secrets, and everyone needed money.

Of course, this required some minor adjustments.

-Hmm. So this is the Blue House?

-W-who are you?!

-A hidden boss?

-Escort the President! We’re evacuating!

-Where’s the military? Why aren’t they responding?!

CRACK-

“Ugh, how annoying.”

A few cracked skulls later, silence settled over the scene.

And then there were the other incidents…

-How could a mere monster dare defy the great People’s Republic of China?

-Surrender to America, and we’ll ensure your humane treatment and safety. No one defies us.

Karlstein had already made two business trips to China and America. In both encounters, he showcased his might as a hidden boss(?), leaving the whole world stunned. All of them fell silent after witnessing power equivalent to nuclear weapons delivered in a single punch.

[It’s been ages since I sent the summons, yet still no response?]

[See this ladder lottery? Whichever country wins, I’ll pay them a personal visit. And when I do…]

So Karlstein gathered the world’s representatives and made his declaration.

“Anyone objections?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“None, I assume. Then let me be crystal clear.”

Though they had answered his summons, their expressions betrayed hints of discontent.

“Follow instructions, and stay out of my way.”

Perhaps his impressive display in China had made an impact—everyone seemed bottled with protests, but no one opposed.

Still, for all his capabilities, even Karlstein could not maintain this grip on the entire world indefinitely.

“Though well… this should do for now.”

Anarchy’s governance could only encompass Korea at most.

“It’s not like I’ll be staying forever anyway.”

All Karlstein had to do was enjoy himself until Perpe arrived. Besides, the populace’s response had been surprisingly positive.

ㄴAhh. I got my quest reward but it’s a blueprint…

ㄴOur company just received a quest to develop something….

ㄴWhat the? Am I dreaming?

ㄴWord is Samgong Industries has started manufacturing androids….

Korea, at least, was being molded to Karlstein’s taste. A single click, and the system would release technology, managing everything from design to manufacturing to distribution.

“It’s nice and quiet here. What about Perpe?”

“She has yet to appear.”

The response came from a woman in office attire, appearing to be in her mid-to-late 30s, breaking into cold sweat. This was the current Hunter Association President.

As a matter of record, her predecessor had already transitioned to the afterlife. Specifically, on Karlstein’s first day outside the Tower.

The President standing before him now was his personal appointee. He had a vague recollection of her previous Hunter experience. He found her appropriately meek reactions rather appealing.

“Hmm… Alert me the moment she’s found.”

“Yes, understood.”

Karlstein nodded with satisfaction.

Creak-

The door opened to reveal an android in maid attire, entering with a tray.

“Your honey water, as requested.”

South Korea, at least, was changing rapidly.

***In a darkened room, far from prying eyes.

“What action will you take?”

“I can’t say…”

“Taking the initiative unnecessarily might, you know…”

“Haah…”

Sighs permeated the confined space, shared by just four souls—two principals and their interpreters.

How had it come to this?

The reason for meeting in this cramped, lightless chamber rather than through video conference simple.

“Nothing can be trusted anymore. Not phone lines, not the internet.”

“This location is clear of electronic devices for a kilometer in every direction. You can rest assured.”

“In any case, extraordinary measures are called for.”

“America has decided to… observe the situation for now.”

“…”

The previous two battles had been traumatic. Shanghai and Ohio had been reduced to barren wastelands—not even insects remained.

“Is that the best you can manage?”

“Is there any need for us to take charge at this point?”

“America is the world’s police, is it not?”

“What…”

America had emerged relatively unscathed, with damage confined to military assets.

China was a different case.

“Then I take it your people are choosing inaction?”

Shanghai—China’s highest-GDP municipality in the mainland—lay in ruins beyond salvation.

How could a single individual wield such power? To call Karlstein Babylon a one-man army felt grossly insufficient.

“It’s a disaster…”

“Haha.”

Humanity had tasted true despair that day, witnessing power that rendered every weapon useless, every approach futile.

“The public remains unaware, but just the number of nuclear bombs we launched that day…”

“We can’t even begin to fathom the technology he possesses…”

The warheads had been neutralized with a mere wave of Karlstein’s hand, denied the chance to even detonate.

“…”

“…”

The carefully cultivated Hunters of every nation could not even enter his presence.

“A boss monster indeed…”

“I don’t think he is one, actually. Our Hunters are approaching the 78th floor, yet they were helpless all the same. There’s too much we don’t comprehend to simply label him a monster.”

“Hmm…”

The discussion meandered, devoid of solutions.

“Don’t you think he is connected to the Tower of Trials?”

“I do see the possibility.”

Their most plausible theory linked Karlstein to the , which was an unknown mystery on its own.

“Even if true, there’s nothing we can do.”

“Our only recourse is to gather intelligence while maintaining his favor.”

“He didn’t come off as particularly ambitious, after all.”

Despite wielding power and technology sufficient to dominate the globe, Karlstein Babylon was not doing much. Reports indicated he had merely claimed the Blue House as his residence, occupying himself with casual tourism.

“If only we had approached peacefully from the beginning…”

“Such hypotheticals are meaningless.”

“That’s true…”

Humanity had suffered considerable damage from the monster disasters known as Outbreaks. Though the mana stone industry had flourished in their wake, the emotional scars remained raw.

“We must maintain surveillance, regardless.”

“Contrary to those broadcasts, world domination does not seem to be his agenda.”

“World domination… Hah… How absurd.”

Still, they could not help but sigh.

***While nations worldwide wrestled with countermeasures…

“Oh my. Hello Mr. Emperor?”

“Are you Miyeon’s mother?”

“Hehe. I have some extra side dishes. Would you like them?”

“No need. I’m rather particular about food.”

…Karlstein basked in the sunlight on a playground bench.

“Mister. Do it again!”

“Can’t be bothered.”

A small child clung to his side, playfully trying to win him over.

“Do it!”

“…”

Eventually, Karlstein flicked his finger with a slight sigh. The child’s body drifted upward.

“Woahh! I’m flying! Flying!”

“Oh my…”

Truthfully, this was a fresh experience for Karlstein. In his original, majestic form, even adults could not approach him—let alone cling to him so casually. Such familiarity would have been unthinkable in his life of blood and authority.

This too was thanks to the Avatar.

“Aren’t you afraid of me?”

“Not really.”

His reputation in Korea had taken quite the peculiar turn.

“They say you never harm civilians?”

“Not never.”

Quite a few civilians had met their end for their impudence. Good information control simply kept such incidents discrete.

“And you’re so good with children too.”

“Well…”

Karlstein did occasionally indulge children during his quiet moments. It stirred something nostalgic within him.

In any case, the Korean populace regarded him with curiosity, not fear… though their presumption was not entirely their fault. Karlstein had loafed around acting like an easy-going old neighbor next door, spacing out in playgrounds at times and sampling popular restaurants.

The woman before him was somewhat unusual, though.

“I was curious too. I mean… you’re a mystery.”

People on the street treated him like a celebrity, though it caused some minor annoyances.

Karlstein had found genuine pleasure in this universe’s Korea, with its echoes of his past life.

Vooom-

“Eh? What’s that?”

“…”

Sparks danced in the air where the woman pointed.

Pzzt-

A crack formed, splitting the very atmosphere.

“Mm…”

As the fissure widened, something emerged—a thick, black limb pushing through.

“Why…”

It seemed Karlstein’s vacation had reached its end. Why had a Kaiju of Chaos appeared here?

He failed to comprehend this development.