Chapter 392
Episode 392:
Jung Joo-ho has returned.
Unlike the first time, both shoulders slumped.
It was a weakness that had not been seen since he became a superhuman and overcame hair loss.
Yongyong, who had been watching quietly until then, blurted out a word.
[Does that person really not know what kind of situation he is in?]
“That can’t be possible.”
I can confidently say that in the entire Republic of Korea, there is no more proven resource than Jeong Joo-ho.
Even more so than the current president, Cheon Myeong-guk.
He showed off his abilities while leading the National Defense Bureau for a long time, and even demonstrated his administrative abilities when he dealt with Busan Mayor Yoo Seong-su and North Korea’s Ryu Gwang-cheol, establishing himself as a complete body.
He was the most capable person who could oversee the overall state affairs even if he became president right away.
Former President Jeon Han-cheol also worked hard to somehow attract Chung Ju-ho.
In the end, Cheon Myeong-guk, who succeeded in escaping the spell but had to handle everything alone, cannot stand by and watch.
[But why can’t I grasp reality?]
“I should have already done it.”
[But you pretend not to know?]
“Humans are that kind of species by nature.”
The human race is inherently like that. If you have a strong conviction, you move based on that conviction.
When it’s right, it brings a sense of accomplishment and amazing efficiency, but the problem is when it’s wrong.
“The sooner you take care of that, the greater you will become as a person, but it is not an easy task.”
It takes a very long time for people to accept that they are wrong.
Especially the larger the sunk cost.
Even if they recognize that they are wrong, they do everything they can to resist accepting it.
The same case applies to Cheon Myeong-guk.
This is a case of avoiding it several times and then later accepting reality.
“The presidency is at stake. Cheon Myeong-guk has been extending his magical arms for a long time. There’s nowhere to escape anymore. “Even if you know something strange by now, you probably think your thoughts are perfect, so you’re desperately denying it.”
[But reality is approaching step by step.]
“We’re already there.”
Now that a force called Chung Joo-ho’s group has emerged and the pro-presidential group has taken control of the ruling party, everything else will go in the direction that Cheon Myeong-guk wants.
What he wants is for Chung Joo-ho to be inaugurated as the next president.
[There is no way to escape, right?]
“No.”
There is no way that Cheon Myeong-guk, who went through all that trouble, would let Jung Joo-ho go.
I could confidently say this.
* * *
It was at a meal with my family that I felt that the fact that Jung Joo-ho could run for president was becoming widely known.
My father spoke casually.
“Director Junho, you’re running for president?”
“Director Junho? Are you talking about the superhuman who had his head bald and then replanted it well? “I hear you make a really good impression.”
“Not only does he have a good impression, but he also has solid skills. Not only has he risen to the rank of superhuman, but he has also served the country in the National Protectorate for a long time. “More than anything, I am close to the current president.”
“is it so? “Then I have to vote for that person.”
“The question is whether there is a chance that person will come out.”
My parents’ eyes turned to me. Yunhee was also waiting for my answer with eyes full of interest.
“The current president will encourage you to run.”
“There were rumors and it turned out to be true. That way, you will be able to take root more firmly.”
“Aren’t the roots still deep enough?”
“It takes a long time to take root. You may be well established in this country, but if the opposition comes to power, you could be in trouble. However, if we amend the Constitution this time, it will be difficult to turn back because a friendly atmosphere will be created for you for nearly 20 years.”
“I also think it would be better for the director to become president.”
“also.”
If his parents’ perception is this high, the public sentiment towards Jung Joo-ho must be considerable.
There was already a time when Lee Se-hee asked me in passing. There is a high possibility that the ruling party will elect a president due to a landslide victory in the general election. Are you sure that Chung Joo-ho will emerge?
I think there will be a wedge sooner or later.
“So that guy will become president? “It’s surprising that the person who beat Berserker to death became president.”
“Did you see it too?”
“Yes, he complained to me every day that it was difficult. “He was blaming himself for trying to become a superhuman to overcome hair loss, but he was always babbling about how having such a goal would make him do his best.”
I complained quite a bit here and there.
“The ability is certain.”
“I heard that. “The current president lacks human charm, but he seems like a really nice person.”
Even Cheon Myeong-guk, who makes a sad expression when he looks at me, is full of human charm.
It’s too pitiful to say that I pooped to save my human charm, so let’s just endure it.
After talking about the presidential candidates, the topic of conversation changed.
“I’m so glad you seem to be living quietly these days.”
“Oh, I’m planning to go abroad soon.”
“….”
I said calmly while eating soybean paste stew, but the atmosphere became cold.
I wondered if I had made a mistake, but my mother turned blue and Yunhee sighed heavily.
“Are you going to America?”
“I think that will probably happen.”
“Surely we are going to hold a congress?”
“I’m attacking Congress?”
“America has been making a fuss about that these days.”
My father said that it was the congressional forces in the United States who believed I was dead and were trying to keep the Republic of Korea in check.
There has been an uproar over what happened in China, and the battle over responsibility is currently fierce.
“You have to pay a price.”
“….”
Did I say something wrong?
[Wouldn’t it have sounded like killing them all?]
That could have been the case.
Sure enough, my father pointed out that part.
“That doesn’t mean I’m going to kill everyone.”
“Well, it’s barely quieting down, so I was wondering if there was any reason to go out.”
Since I said I was going abroad, my family thought I was going to kill someone else.
[It seems like everyone doesn’t have the slightest faith in you?]
Well, it’s actually bittersweet to hear it.
But now that I think about it, going around to meet divine beasts is something that could kill me.
Still, since it won’t be in a place where there are humans, it won’t be noisy.
[Why are you even thinking about removing it? You have to think about having a conversation!]
Talk about it first and then decide.
[I will mediate, so don’t think about fighting for no reason! It’s a problem that can be solved in a good way!]
Yes, yes.
[You really shouldn’t come forward right away! I promise in your name!]
I promise, so stop.
[I’ll be watching.]
Promises are meant to be broken anyway, so I guess I can just change my words a little later.
Yongyong seemed to have noticed as well, but he only glanced at me and said nothing more.
He’s like a ghost.
After reassuring the family, when I visited the Blue House, Cheon Myeong-guk made a special request.
“Juho is slowly getting the hang of it.”
“Now? “It’s much later than I thought.”
“Accepting reality is not easy. To be honest, I had no intention of cheating until this point, but I kept being fooled. “I guess I wanted to deny it until the end.”
“The more you do that, the bigger the backlash will be.”
“Yes, that’s why I need your help.”
“You helped me sort things out, so I will be happy to cooperate with you.”
That way, even if I do something else, Cheon Myung-guk will come forward.
There is nothing free in this world.
“thank you.”
“Have you thought about anything else?”
“Well, first of all, there is, but this requires help from a superhuman.”
“I thought about something similar, but it seems likely that they are the same. “Did you plan to take this opportunity to deal with it secretly?”
“…haha.”
I guess they ran the simulation and saw that there was a good chance. It was definitely a sly thing.
I was about to continue talking when I got a call from Cheon Myeong-guk. When Cheon Myeong-guk saw the person who had contacted him, his expression became as if he was coming.
“This is Zuho’s phone.”
And I received the call with a serious expression. A shout came out from the other side, and a picture of Cheon Myeong-guk gently soothing him unfolded.
“Then come and talk. “Yeah, I’ll be here, don’t worry.”
The phone call got hung up like that.
Cheon Myeong-guk, who had a look on his face that said he would come, asked me to help him persuade Jeong Joo-ho.
“Of course.”
* * *
For Jeong Joo-ho, these days have been a series of joys, including becoming a national superman and winning a landslide victory in the recent general election.
Everything was going smoothly. In particular, it was a great joy to see that his network of connections became stronger as many of his classmates or juniors from his time as a civil servant hunter entered the National Assembly.
Power is a power in and of itself. Jung Joo-ho, who knew that fact better than anyone else, pursued power even though he did not wield it.
“I wish time would just go by like this.”
Since Choi Jun-ho is responsible for all accidents, he receives less attention and is able to enjoy his authority.
It was such a fun day.
If it hadn’t been for an old evil friend visiting and saying something.
“So when are you going to announce your candidacy for president?”
“What do you mean?”
The person who said this to Jeong Joo-ho was Yeom Ki-cheol, who previously served as director of the External Cooperation Management Bureau.
Having established himself as the leader of the Jung Joo-ho faction, he still maintains a close relationship with Jung Joo-ho.
Even though we didn’t see each other often, we felt close to each other.
If it felt informal in the past, now it seems that Yeom-cheol is quite patient.
It’s quite fun to enjoy this.
“The general election is over and the constitutional amendment will be passed, so the next step is preparation for the presidential election. “You look like you don’t know anything.”
“Presidential election? who?”
“you.”
“I have no intention of running for president?”
“…What kind of bullshit are you talking about? “Right now, a whole series of processes are underway for your presidential candidacy.”
“uh?”
“You really didn’t know?”
“Wait a minute!”
Jeong Ju-ho, who hastily stopped Yeom Ki-cheol’s words, began to review the progress that had been going on. It goes without saying, but there were some strange parts. Still, he didn’t really care about that part. All I did was dismiss it as my own overreaction.
But what if that’s not the case?
“I’m running for president?”
“Are you pretending not to know? “I’m a little disappointed if you treat me like this.”
But Yeom Ki-cheol’s words did not reach my ears.
All the drawings that had been in progress were progressing as if they were a perfect puzzle.
“Are you sure you’ve been fooling me this whole time?”
“It’s not that you were deceived, it’s that you denied reality. The president is making such blatant moves and you’ve only just noticed it? “I can confidently say that this is the fault of the person who was deceived.”
“….”
“I’m here to discuss how to prepare, but I think I should talk to the president first. “I’ll come back when we’re done talking.”
Yeom Ki-cheol left and Jeong Ju-ho, left alone, looked back on what had happened.
Cheon Myeong-guk’s subtle attitude and Choi Jun-ho’s actions that made it seem as if he knew everything.
From the beginning, the goal was pointing to one place.
Only he didn’t know.
“…These humans!”
Jeong Joo-ho, who could not forgive, got angry and called Cheon Myeong-guk. And after finding out that he was with Choi Jun-ho, he went straight to the Blue House.
The moment I saw the two’s calm faces, the anger I had been suppressing all the way here exploded.
“How on earth did this happen!”
“I thought we already knew everything and tacitly agreed.”
“Are you saying that now?”
“You’re usually so quick-witted, but I’m not sure why you’re so slow about this.”
Jeong Joo-ho, who was showing off his heat, looked even more obnoxious towards Choi Jun-ho, who was quietly watching.
“Did you know that too?”
“of course.”
“But why didn’t you tell me!”
“It’s strange that people haven’t noticed that until now.”
Sparks flew out of Jeong Joo-ho’s eyes at the offending words, but he quickly regained his senses.
“Please sit down first. “Let’s sit down and talk.”
“….”
Jeong Joo-ho sat across from him, feeling gloomy as if the world was collapsing due to the nuance that everything was going on except him.
* * *
I can see the real contrast in people’s faces.
Cheon Myeong-guk smiled as if he had won the world, and Jeong Joo-ho looked as if he had lost his country.
It seems that the position of president of a country is a burdensome position.
Well, if you don’t have this much worry and burden, it’s a position you shouldn’t take on in the first place.
[That’s not true.]
Yongyong denied my guess and came forward.
Then what is it?
[I think I know, but I won’t say anything.]
Then why don’t you say it?
Yongyong’s behavior, which only made his mouth cry, was ridiculous. I thought that Jung Joo-ho would tell me anyway, so I quietly watched their conversation without urging.
“When?”
“From the moment I was chosen.”
“So you’re saying you prepared it almost five years ago?”
“That’s it.”
“Why is it falling?”
“I thought you were the only one who could lead better than me.”
“Isn’t that your opinion alone?”
“The former president also saw it that way. That’s why I tried so hard to bring you here.”
“….”
Seeing that it was true, Jeong Joo-ho’s mouth closed.
“But the position of president is different.”
“It’s different, it’s very different.”
“So even now….”
“That’s why I think you should do it even more. Because I think you’ll be able to do it better than me right now.”
“Say that now!”
“Juho.”
Jeong Joo-ho flinched at Cheon Myeong-guk’s low voice.
It looks like something decisive is about to come out.
“Imagine someone else becoming president.”
Then, Cheon Myeong-guk glances at me.
“Do you really think you can withstand Superhuman Choi Jun-ho?”
“….”
“Maybe we should hold a presidential by-election every year.”
Why are arrows suddenly flying at me?
[I think I saw it right?]
Whether I find it absurd or not, Cheon Myeong-guk drove a wedge into Jeong Joo-ho.
“Juho, there is only you.”