Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 141

Chapter 141: Hero of Kitakyushu （1）

One country.

Until the nation of Japan designated Kitakyushu as a forbidden zone, there was no premature surrender in the process.

They dispatched numerous extermination squads, including devastating forces like S-ranks, but faced with repeated failures, the national leaders had no choice but to make a decision. As time dragged on, they couldn’t be sure of the people’s survival. Rather than forcing a solution, they decided to cover it up for the time being and address it gradually later.

At the time, they believed it was the right thing to do.

If it had been a monster with a defined form, they would have staked their lives, but the S-rank evil spirit was like entering the abyss with no end in sight. They couldn’t see a solution. A monster whose nature and intentions were completely unknown. The only truth Japan had discovered was its bizarre ability to drive even S-ranks mad, and its overwhelming presence was not something a single individual could handle.

But now.

“…You killed the evil spirit? You, a B-rank Hunter?”

Shimizu Hiroshi looked dumbfounded.

It was illogical.

Even Saito Shusuke, known as the Spear Ghost, had been defeated by the evil spirit, so he couldn’t accept the story that Kang San, identified as a B-rank, had dealt with it.

Kang San spoke.

“I understand your disbelief. It was a monster that ordinary Hunters couldn’t handle, but I possessed an ability that could be considered its natural enemy, so I was able to deal with it quite easily. The evil spirit’s power resided in the realm of the mind, and I happen to be quite specialized in that area.”

That was the entire explanation.

And it was true.

If Kang San’s mental strength hadn’t been fortified by his past life experience, he would have been completely overwhelmed by the evil spirit’s ability.

In the end,

Kang San’s explanation was all they could rely on.

His past achievements, Saito Shusuke’s testimony, and even his ability to find the right path in the fog-filled space. There was enough evidence to believe him, but Shimizu Hiroshi denied the truth.

It couldn’t be true.

His actions of ignoring public opinion were bound to be perceived negatively due to Kang San’s return.

Among the people,

Ito Kentaro could be seen.

He, who had prayed alongside the people for days and nights, braving the wind and rain, would now enjoy tremendous privilege in this special situation.

Shimizu Hiroshi said,

“…It’s not that I don’t believe you, but I can’t readily accept that a single individual solved a problem that even the nation couldn’t handle. So, that statement. You’ll have to take responsibility for it. If the existence of the evil spirit was confirmed but the problem wasn’t solved, we would have no choice but to doubt your intentions, Kang San-nim.”

He turned away.

Even if it was a blunder,

Shimizu Hiroshi had no other choice.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Shimizu Hiroshi’s statement.

No special confirmation process was needed.

While the Japanese government was forming a new extermination squad, a tremendous change occurred in Kitakyushu.

Swoosh.

“Huh?”

“Look over there.”

Far away,

The fog that had made it impossible to see even an inch ahead in the Red Zone began to disappear.

Simultaneously, as the factors hindering communication were resolved, calls from people identifying themselves as survivors poured in. It was utter chaos. Many people were still clinging to life beyond Kitakyushu, in the vast southern region, and they showed their will to survive by either breaking through the Red Zone or requesting rescue.

It was the moment that effectively proved Kang San’s words.

If the S-rank evil spirit was the cause of the fog, then the current change could be understood instantly.

This series of events

Immediately led to the convocation of the Japanese National Diet.

Seeing the Diet members with grave expressions, Shimizu Hiroshi took the initiative and expressed his thoughts.

“The element that has been hindering rescue operations has finally disappeared. Whether this phenomenon occurred because the Hero of Kitakyushu dealt with the evil spirit is a matter to be confirmed later, but for now, shouldn’t we quickly organize a rescue team? Even though the fog and the evil spirit are gone, dimensional rifts and monsters still remain beyond the Red Zone. Only by swiftly resolving those issues can Kitakyushu truly regain peace.”

He changed his stance.

As if he had never doubted Kang San, he immediately displayed an attitude of adapting to reality.

“Diet member Shimizu Hiroshi. Just a moment ago, you were raising your voice, insisting that we needed to confirm whether the evil spirit had truly been dealt with. Aren’t you going to mention that at all?”

“C-cough. That’s…”

“I understand. You’ve maintained a negative stance on the Kitakyushu region all along, so you must be displeased that the problem was solved by a foreigner. But, you see, changing your attitude so nonchalantly is not a good look. Whether it was advocating for extermination squads or urging us to help Kang San-nim, you were always on the opposing side. At the very least, the citizens who have witnessed this series of events will no longer trust your words, Diet member Shimizu Hiroshi.”

It was Ito Kentaro.

At his words, the other Diet members couldn’t bring themselves to defend Shimizu Hiroshi.

The tables had turned.

Ito Kentaro had prayed with the people in the square, and even if it was a show, the people acknowledged his efforts and were raising their voices, saying he was fit to be the next Prime Minister. The atmosphere had shifted. The Japanese Diet had practically been Shimizu Hiroshi’s world, but now, they were watching Ito Kentaro’s every move, cautious not to offend him.

Ito Kentaro said,

“From now on, what our Diet needs to do is…”

He led the meeting.

Regardless of party affiliation, the Diet members sided with him, showing their active support.

At that moment,

Shimizu Hiroshi realized.

That in this fierce competition to decide the next Prime Minister, he had been defeated by a single wrong choice.

And that too, because of a foreigner named ‘Kang San’.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

That afternoon,

The Prime Minister of Japan and Ito Kentaro appeared before the cameras.

The situation, with the Prime Minister speaking first and then handing over the microphone to Ito Kentaro, conveyed a clear message.

That the power of the Diet had been bestowed upon Ito Kentaro.

He looked into the camera and said,

“The nightmare of Kitakyushu, which has been so agonizing, is finally coming to an end. The fog and the evil spirit that hindered rescue operations have been resolved, and the Japanese government will actively dispatch extermination and rescue teams to subdue the monsters in the area designated as the Red Zone and rescue survivors. To be honest, the Japanese government cannot claim to have responded appropriately to this crisis. For the past three years, rescue operations have been sluggish, and if it weren’t for the ‘Hero of Kitakyushu’, the current achievements would have been impossible.”

Within the Diet,

Opinions on Kang San’s presence were divided.

Whether to highlight him or minimize him as much as possible to inflate the Japanese government’s achievements.

Ito Kentaro’s judgment was the former.

Since countless people had been directly rescued, he decided that minimizing Kang San would only provoke backlash.

“He was a foreigner with no connection to Kitakyushu whatsoever. There was no reason for him to help people, no obligation to do so. But he did not turn a blind eye to Kitakyushu’s plight. He willingly stepped into danger in response to the pleas for help and continued rescue operations alone, saving countless survivors. And he even resolved the fundamental problem by dealing with the evil spirit. On behalf of the Japanese government, I would like to express my sincere gratitude. I wanted to convey these words to the benefactor of Japan.”

Hero of Kitakyushu.

Benefactor of Japan.

With the government officially bestowing these titles, the entire nation of Japan remembered Kang San’s name.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Kang San stayed in Japan for a while.

He needed time to recover, but since he had started, he wanted to join the Kitakyushu extermination squad.

On his first day in Kitakyushu,

Everything felt unfamiliar.

Not just because it was a foreign country, but because he had to engage in a frantic battle due to the monster wave that hit immediately upon his arrival. Nakamura Genji, who had been a bureaucratic official and then suddenly transformed into a Sword Demon, Jessica, who had been diligently hunting and then abruptly stole a kill – everything was an experience he hadn’t encountered in Korea, and people treated him as an outsider, not showing any particular favor.

And now,

The situation had completely changed.

Kang San had found lodging for the time being, and the manager rushed over to him, saying,

“It is truly an honor for our hotel to be visited by the Hero of Kitakyushu. You originally booked a standard room, but we have upgraded it to a suite on our own initiative, and you can stay here for free without any additional charges during your stay. And the same applies to the hotel’s breakfast service, room service, and other amenities.”

“…Excuse me? But that would be a considerable expense.”

“My cousin’s life was saved thanks to the Hero. This is to repay that kindness, so please don’t feel burdened at all.”

That was just the beginning.

When he went to a restaurant after finishing his day, the restaurant owner, accompanied by all the staff, bowed their heads.

“Ah, we greet the Hero of Kitakyushu! Please wait a moment, and we will treat you to a special course. And of course, the meal is on the house.”

“The Hero of Kitakyushu is riding in my taxi! Where can I take you? Even if you need to travel hundreds of kilometers, I’ll gladly take you there for free. What? You ask why I’m going this far? My son came back alive thanks to the Hero. How could I not treat you with the utmost respect?”

“Everything in our market is free for the Hero of Kitakyushu. Please, just tell us what you need. If it’s not available in the market, we’ll procure it ourselves, even if we have to go to great lengths.”

It was pandemonium.

Wherever he went,

Whoever he met,

The Japanese people welcomed him with open arms.

Most of the Kitakyushu residents had their families reunited thanks to Kang San, and even those who had learned of the situation through TV showed tremendous goodwill. It was a natural phenomenon. The Kitakyushu issue had been stagnant, festering for three years. When emotions were festering and rotting, Kang San crossed into the Red Zone and rescued people, even at the risk of his own life.

The entire nation of Japan

Witnessed this situation.

Even those who weren’t present clasped their hands together whenever news of Kitakyushu arrived.

And finally, the evil spirit had been eliminated.

Even if it was beyond common sense how such a thing was possible, the Japanese people couldn’t hide their joy at the news of survivors returning every day. The fact that Kang San was a foreigner didn’t matter at all. Just like the titles Hero of Kitakyushu and Benefactor of Japan implied, they expressed their sincere gratitude to him.

This series of events

Left Jo Han-byeol and the others, who were accompanying Kang San, feeling somewhat bewildered.

“…Shouldn’t we start paying for our own meals from now on? We’re being treated like we’re part of Kang San-hyung’s entourage.”

“I agree. This is practically like being with a Korean Wave star.”

“Sigh.”

Kang San wiped his face.

He laughed awkwardly.

He wasn’t exactly displeased.

He used to think that good deeds forced upon him as trials weren’t truly good deeds, but he accepted the fact that the results they produced were real. This trial, in particular, had been a tremendous crisis. He never lost sight of his goal of saving people, even as he risked his life at every moment, and he washed away any lingering guilt he had felt.

He would no longer

Feel burdened by Kim Chun-sik’s expressions of gratitude.

Just as he accepted the Japanese people’s goodwill, Kang San believed that the good deeds he had performed were also genuine expressions of his heart.

It was a turning point in many ways.

He had not only developed physically but had also attained an unwavering equanimity despite experiencing the truth of his past life. By separating his past and present lives, he existed as Kang San even in the face of the Blood Demon’s nightmare.

A few days later,

A familiar face came to visit Kang San.

“…Thank you. Thanks to you, Kang San-nim, I finally found my family.”

The man bowed his head immediately.

He was none other than

Nakamura Genji.