The Devouring Genius of a Destroyed World

Midday, the same day Seongho had breakfast with Jang Hyungsoo.

At Hongik University, a welcoming party for the new Awakened was held in one of the campus cafes. It was a genuine party, complete with luxurious sofas, elegant electric heaters, warm beverages, and even alcohol.

People gathered in small groups, chatting and mingling. As time passed, Oh Jonghyuk, seated on the largest sofa, stood up and addressed the room.

“Let’s not waste time. Let’s get started,” he said, pointing toward Seongho’s group.

“These are the people joining our camp. Want to introduce yourselves?”

Seongho and Im Chan kept it brief.

“I’m Han Seongho.”
“I’m Im Chan. This is my daughter, Im Jiho.”

When both men spoke little beyond their names, Oh Jonghyuk chuckled in disbelief.

Seongho took the chance to ask, “Are all the Awakened here?”

“Yeah, you’re lucky. The ones out hunting came back just in time,” Jonghyuk replied.

He was right. If anyone had been missing, they might have had to hunt them down.

As Seongho silently marveled at his luck, Jonghyuk turned to the gathered group and said, “Anyway, this is just for everyone to get to know each other. Eat, drink, and relax.”

The moment Jonghyuk sat back down, a woman staggered toward Seongho.

“Hehe, hi there, new oppa!”

It was Yeom Miju, visibly drunk, her cheeks flushed and her balance unsteady.

Clicking his tongue, Jonghyuk muttered, “That drunkard... How much has she had to drink already?”

“I’m not drunk! Hic! Hi, professor!”

Jonghyuk shook his head and gestured dismissively. “Someone get her out of here.”

“Don’t be too harsh,” Jang Hyungsoo interjected, approaching to calm Jonghyuk.

“She’s just having a little fun. Isn’t it too much to kick her out over this?”

“Hyungsoo, stop trying to curry favor. You’re not fooling anyone.”

“It’s not that. Miju just really likes her drinks, so—”

“Don’t make me repeat myself. I’m not letting her ruin a good event. Stop playing the knight and stand down.”

Jonghyuk’s firm dismissal left no room for argument, and soon, a nearby man dragged Miju away.

“What the hell? I didn’t even do anything!” she yelled, struggling, but she couldn’t overpower the man.

Thankfully, she didn’t return. The man who had escorted her out came back alone, lightly tapping Hyungsoo’s shoulder on the way.

It was deliberate, but instead of addressing Hyungsoo, he turned to Seongho and extended a hand.

“We haven’t been introduced. I’m Kang Yoo. I heard your name earlier. You look about my age...”

“Thirty,” Seongho replied.

“Same here.”

Seongho shook Kang Yoo’s hand, and Kang Yoo turned to Im Chan.

“And you?”

“Thirty-two.”

“Ah, then you’re the hyung. And the little one? Four years old?”

“Jiho’s four!”

“Close enough to five, since tomorrow’s January 1st. How about a handshake, kiddo?”

“Not uncle—ajussi,” Jiho mumbled, reluctantly shaking his hand.

After greeting everyone, Kang Yoo turned back to Seongho.

“Mind if I speak casually with you?”

“Do as you like. By the way, tomorrow’s New Year’s Day?”

“Yeah, time flies, doesn’t it?”

“It does.”

With about two months left until spring, there was plenty of time, but a few upcoming events weighed on Seongho’s mind. He glanced out the window, observing the chilly air.

By the second winter, it should snow around New Year’s...

He briefly reflected on the seasonal weather before reassuring himself that there was no need to rush. With careful planning, he could finish his business in the north and cross into the south.

As Seongho sipped his drink, he didn’t forget to observe the atmosphere.

So, there’s tension between Jang Hyungsoo and Kang Yoo, huh?

It was clear that Hyungsoo was challenging Jonghyuk’s authority, while Kang Yoo seemed like Jonghyuk’s obedient right hand.

Why would someone as authoritarian as Jonghyuk tolerate Hyungsoo’s behavior?

Seongho stole a glance at Jonghyuk, who seemed more focused on enjoying the food and drinks.

At that moment, Kang Yoo plopped down beside him, holding a new wine bottle.

“Do you drink soju?” Kang Yoo asked.

“I’m not picky.”

“Good. Have some of this.”

He poured Seongho a full glass, which Seongho accepted.

“I noticed you and Hyungsoo don’t get along,” Seongho remarked casually.

“You noticed right. I can’t stand that sly bastard,” Kang Yoo said, grimacing as he poured wine into his own glass.

“He joined last fall and started stirring the pot right away. Doesn’t sit well with me.”

“Hmm.”

“The professor gives him a pass, saying a little politicking isn’t so bad. But I’m not like that.”

“The professor—Jonghyuk, right? Miju called him that too.”

“Yeah, he used to work here.”

Seongho glanced at Jonghyuk, who was chatting with other Awakened.

“I’m surprised he tolerates Hyungsoo, given how much he values authority.”

“He’s lenient because Hyungsoo’s an Awakened. The strictness is only for the slaves. With us, he’s pretty relaxed.”

“I see.”

“We’re special, after all.”

Kang Yoo chuckled and emptied his glass. As he refilled it, he shot another glare at Hyungsoo.

“Anyway, be careful. He’s definitely going to try using you. He might seem like a good guy, but he’s probably already figuring out how to manipulate you.”

“And you? No ulterior motives?”

“Ha! Who doesn’t have motives? I’m being super friendly right now, aren’t I? Think it’s not obvious I’m worried you might side with him?”

With an exaggerated gesture, Kang Yoo held the wine bottle with both hands and refilled Seongho’s glass.

“I won’t tell you where to stand, but think carefully.”

Suddenly, flames erupted around Kang Yoo’s left hand.

“I’m pretty strong. Cross me, and it won’t end well.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Advice. Or you could call it a warning.”

Seongho silently recalled what the Pioneer’s Cradle had told him about Kang Yoo’s ability.

Unlike An Heeseop, who burns from others’ flames, Kang Yoo is the flame itself.

No fire could harm Kang Yoo. His very existence was fire.

“I’m telling you, don’t ignore this. The new Awakened are all gravitating toward his side, and it’s becoming a headache for me too.”

“Miju’s on his side too?”

“Miju... Well...”

Kang Yoo waved off the flames on his hand and scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“Just pretend she doesn’t count. She’s not the kind of person who picks sides.”

That assessment seemed to match Seongho’s impression of Miju.

“So, excluding Miju, how many does he have?”

“Six.”

“Then you’re outnumbered.”

“Hey, none of the original members have switched sides yet.”

“Original members?”

“The professor, me, Seongbae, and Yoonsu—though she’s not here anymore.”

Seongho’s instincts told him this story was tied to the camp’s past.

“She’s not here? Jonghyuk said all the Awakened were present.”

“She’s not gone. She’s dead.”

“...Should I offer my condolences?”

“No need. It’s been over a year.”

“You seem pretty attached, though.”

“Well... it was a senseless death.”

Kang Yoo sighed heavily after downing another glass, the grief clear in his expression.

“She must’ve been important.”

“She was. But it’s complicated to explain.”

“Because she’s dead?”

“Not exactly... She was the professor’s wife.”

Seongho’s hand, holding his glass, froze midair.

He wanted to press for more details about Yoonsu, but it was clear Kang Yoo was reluctant to speak further. It seemed he was hesitant to share Jonghyuk’s personal matters.

Before Seongho could continue the conversation, a sudden commotion interrupted them.

“Ahhh!”

Everyone turned toward the noise.

“Looks like she’s causing trouble again,” Kang Yoo muttered, letting out a deep sigh.

At the same time, Jonghyuk stood and addressed the group.

“Keep eating. I’ll handle it.”

Leaving his glass behind, Jonghyuk exited the cafe.

Seongho, realizing he wouldn’t get more out of Kang Yoo, stood to follow.

“You’re going after him? It’s probably just Miju acting out again,” Kang Yoo said.

“I’m curious about what kind of trouble she’s causing.”

When Seongho arrived at the source of the commotion, the sight before him was beyond comprehension.

“This time, it’s the right side!”

Miju, who had been dragged out earlier, was now throwing short knives at people.

They had red ink circles painted on their abdomens and were tied to a wall with Miju’s web-like threads. All three had stab wounds in their stomachs, fresh blood dripping down.

Miju gleefully retrieved the knives using her threads, cackling.

“Hahaha! Scream louder!”

The scene was grotesquely brutal for something happening in broad daylight.

As Miju continued her twisted target practice, Jonghyuk, who had arrived moments before, rubbed his temples in frustration but then turned to leave.

Seongho, stunned by Jonghyuk’s indifference, called out reflexively.

“You’re just leaving this?”

Jonghyuk paused and answered nonchalantly, “I’ll deduct points from Miju’s performance score for each slave she wastes. You’ve heard about the performance score, right?”

“Hyungsoo mentioned it, but... That’s all? If you leave them like this, they’ll die.”

“Better to replace broken tools than try fixing them.”

Seongho was momentarily speechless, shocked by the casual reply.

“Do you think they should be saved?” Jonghyuk asked, staring intently at Seongho.

“...If I had a choice, I’d have to think about it. We’re not exactly overflowing with supplies.”

Jonghyuk’s gaze softened slightly.

“That’s a pointless concern.”

“Still, if this keeps happening, won’t you run out of people?”

“Miju only does this occasionally,” Jonghyuk said, glancing back at the scene.

“Honestly, it’s wasteful, but it’s not entirely useless. Leaving it alone has its benefits.”

“What benefits?”

“This kind of thing keeps the others in line,” Jonghyuk replied.

“If they step out of bounds—refusing to work or demanding too much—they’ll remember this.”

With a shrug, he patted Seongho on the shoulder.

“Feel free to watch if you want. Hell, join in if you’re bored.”

Left alone, Seongho’s gaze darkened as he watched the grisly scene unfold.