Rise of the Rejected Deity from Chaos-Chapter 186 - 185: Taking Down the Barrier
Shock and confusion stirred within Im Seun, his eyes briefly opening wide at the commander's question.
Killed a Humanity Savior from the association? Im Seun echoed in his mind, trying to grasp the situation because this was news to him. The news had no report about a Humanity Savior from the association being killed during all the fiasco, so he wasn't aware, and neither was his assistant.
Im Seun's mind shunned with several questions, trying to find a clear ground. If the commander was asking him if he had killed one of their Humanity Saviors, does that mean the so-called hero he's pretending to be, killed someone other than the demons?
Why then? Isn't he a hero on the good side?
Im Seun found himself in yet another dilemma. He felt trapped with no way out. Any wrong answer from him would definitely jeopardize all his plans. After all, if the so-called hero had indeed been the one that killed the Humanity Savior, then he has made himself an enemy of the association, regardless of his help toward the villagers.
For all that's known, he might've actually saved the villagers for his own motives, and might not actually be on the good side.
What if he's actually hiding himself because he sees the association as his enemy, and is planning a war against them? Panic stirred within Im Seun. Then that means he might actually come for me, damn!
Im Seun gazed up at the commander, his thoughts racing. I'm glad I haven't been introduced yet. I'll have to ask the commander to hold back on that.
Once again, to not blow his cover, Im Seun steeled himself, putting back his bold face and pride filled gaze.
"Commander," he called, voice thick with indignation as if the question the commander had posed was offensive. "Are you labeling me a killer right now?"
"Huh?" The commander let out, thrown off by the way Im Seun took his question.
"I mean, we are all killers because we eliminate threats, but we don't kill the innocents, do we? Especially one that works to keep people safe."
The commander smiled warmly, relaxing the tense authoritative air around him.
"Indeed, Im Seun, you're right on that. However, I had only asked, not labeled you anything," the commander clarified. "Since you're the very person who started all this, you're very much aware that one of our Humanity Saviors was killed during the fiasco. That is why I will ask again," the commander leaned forward, clasping his hands on the desk.
"Did you kill one of our Humanity Saviors?"
"I did not," Im Seun replied instantly, still feigning indignation from the question.
The commander's gaze narrowed slightly, his expression clearly stating he didn't believe Im Seun.
"Who did then?" He pressed on.
"I have no idea who did, sorry."
Bulging veins pulsed along the commander's temples and jaw, feeling mocked by Im Seun's response. He felt Im Seun was taking him for a fool with his response. Because how could the very person who had started the war against the demons, and freed the villagers have no idea how one of their workers died?
It seemed implausible. freeweɓnøvel.com
The commander, however, kept his cool, approaching things in a calm manner befitting of a leader—one who shouldn't lose their calm for anything.
"How can you have no idea when you're the very person at the center of everything?" The commander asked, calm and steady.
"I may have been the one to have started the fight and freed the villagers, but I have no idea about this you're asking," Im Seun responded. "I didn't even meet any of your workers when I arrived or before I left."
Im Seun's response left more to be desired by the commander, creating doubts within him. As much as the commander wouldn't like to doubt Im Seun—their new hero—the situation gave way for the opposite.
By reason, there should be no way Im Seun didn't meet the Humanity Saviors. At least, if he was indeed the real hero. After all, he had not only defeated the demons and freed the villagers, he meticulously put up a barrier to protect them before leaving.
There's also no doubt he interacted with the villagers, hence the reason they strive so much to protect him by refusing to expose anything about him.
So, according to the commander, there was no way Im Seun didn't encounter his workers, as the deceased one had been killed by a demon, inside the village, and it must've been during the fight.
Although the commander's question was a bait, trying to see if Im Seun had anything up his sleeves that he's keeping away from the association, the commander still saw this particular question as a valid one.
Should a demon really had been the one that killed their worker, then it shouldn't be a stretch to say Im Seun was present when it happened—since he must've been fighting them.
But then again, the commander didn't forget what one of their workers—Zero—had said about the examination team being wrong in their assessment of concluding a demon was the one that killed the girl. There are no odds against it being a miscalculation, so all odds should be taken into consideration.
"I find it hard to believe that you have no idea about this at all. And that you didn't encounter my workers," the commander said sternly. "Will you mind elaborating?"
Yeah, this is the best way out. I do not want to make an enemy of the association. The odds are shifting in my favor; they cannot cast doubt on me for this one matter alone.
"Saying I have no idea any Humanity Savior was there isn't at all a lie," Im Seun began softly. "All the fights had happened inside the village, and I was so occupied with it that I naturally couldn't pay attention to anything else."
"Your workers might've been outside the village, or they might've entered the village while I ventured further inside to fight the demons," he continued. "It might also be that one of the demons that forfeited had killed your HS on their way out, and disposed of them—hence the reason I didn't encounter them," Im Seun explained.
"There are many possibilities, commander. And I have no reason to lie to you. My reputation and dignity is also on the line here," he added.
Observing Im Seun in silence, the commander realized there should be no reason indeed for him to lie. After all, a person who was able to handle 7 demons wouldn't be scared of him or the association.
And like he said, there were indeed several possibilities as to what could've happened. Nevertheless, the commander had things planned, and wasn't about to easily let go of the matter.
The commander turned to his assistant who had remained in the corner, as silent as a statue since the beginning, and gestured with a nod to him. At this, the assistant knew exactly what the commander had asked of him, for they had already spoken about it.
The assistant exited the office, and a moment later, he returned with a young boy—Beni.
As soon as Beni entered the office, the commander's eyes kept shifting from Beni to Im Seun at intervals—trying to catch any reaction.
However, both Im Seun and Beni had a look of confusion on their faces—clueless what the commander was doing.
While in the office and in Im Seun's presence, Beni showed no sign of fear or relapsing. And neither did Im Seun show any sign of recognizing Beni.
Even though it was clear as day already, the commander still pushed forward.
"Beni, do you know this man?" He asked, gesturing toward Im Seun who sat, looking all confused.
"No sir," Beni replied, calm and steady. The commander's gaze lingered on Beni, observing every reaction like he wanted Beni to slip up and show the reaction he was expecting.
"I see," the commander responded, turning toward Im Seun.
"And have you ever seen this boy?" He asked.
"No," Im Seun replied, despite not comprehending the situation.
"Alright then, you can leave," the commander smiled warmly at Beni. Beni bowed politely, turned and exited the office.
Turning back to Im Seun, the commander flashed him a big smile, his countenance warm and cheering.
"It appears you weren't lying," he said. Im Seun stared in silence and awe, clueless how the commander confirmed he wasn't lying. But he couldn't be bothered with it, as long as his lies were cleared as the truth, and he's seen as who he's pretending to be.
"Now, on to the next thing," the commander smiled, rising from his chair. Reaching out his hand, his assistant handed him his coat, and he proceeded to wear it.
The commander stared down at Im Seun who looked evidently confused, eyes dark with glaring authority as he spoke. "Shall we go now?"
Wondering, Im Seun asked. "Go where?"
"To the village," the commander replied, his tone brisk. "The reporters have finally backed off—it's no longer swarming with them. I need you to lower the barrier."
"But… how can—"
"The supplies the villagers requested are overdue," the commander interrupted, his voice cutting through like a blade. "They must be delivered today. Or would you rather let them continue starving?" His gaze bore into Im Seun, unwavering and stern.
"Now move," he ordered, already turning.
