Chapter 402

When the cold gaze of the King of h.e.l.l s.h.i.+fted towards the whiteboard, the team from the a.s.sociation’s Security Bureau, which had been sent for the safety of the White House, took action. There were Awakened employed in the security team, but most of them were low-level Bsilgols.

However, the one in charge of the team sent from the Security Bureau was an Awakened in the master section. He was ranked 1295th in the world, and his codename was Yus.h.i.+[1].

Recalling that the individual had been directly under the King of h.e.l.l in the Final Stage, the U.S. President took a step back to allow them time to catch up. They seemed to have a strong sense of camaraderie with each other.

The president had heard that when most of the Awakened in the Final Stage was trying to a.s.sa.s.sinate John Doe’s lover, Mary, the King of h.e.l.l and his corps continued focusing on fighting against alien monsters. A hierarchy was clear, but there was a certain sense formed at the end of the Final Stage between the two.

He would do whatever the King of h.e.l.l orders him to do. Even if that order is to overthrow this country…

This didn’t only apply between the King of h.e.l.l and an Awakened standing in front of him. Even without such a bond, the Awakened were in a state of submission to John Doe’s power. A single word, like ‘kill,’ was enough for them to move.

From then on, the absolute monarchy hidden behind the veil would truly rule the world. For instance, the rapidly spreading protests and the political situation filled with opportunists would be governed by John Doe alone.

Therefore, the president couldn’t stop himself from making a.s.sumptions.

What if his patience has run out? What if he has decided to reorganize the world?

He wondered if there would be a spot for him to stand if such a world began.

Would there be a chance for club members who are not Awakened..?

It was a miserable thought because the best scenario for him was to maintain the current situation. It was the same for the media attacking him and the politicians in power.

The president continued to think while standing in front of the King of h.e.l.l and Awakened from the Security Bureau.

Life is about survival, and the most important thing everywhere is survival.

If he planned to suppress the protest with physical force and establish a unified absolute monarchy from that point on, then the president thought he needed to clarify his direction.

He thought of his school days and the moments at the f.u.c.king New York Military Academy. Although it wasn’t a national educational inst.i.tution that made him be commissioned as a general upon graduation, it was more brutal than the military.

He had to wear a neatly arranged uniform and a s.h.i.+ny belt buckle. Since it was where the troublemakers of wealthy families were attending, he always had to be number one in order to survive. Even if he lacked confidence, he needed to fake it and seem confident. Once he made a decision, he had to stick to it until the end, even if he realized later that it was the wrong decision, and not expose any weaknesses.

That was the most important rule of survival. The U.S. President made up his mind. Of course, he didn’t want to oppress his citizens. After all, it was because of the support of the beloved public that he could enter the White House despite the club’s attempts.

However, if someone asked whether he would stay on the public’s side or remain a member of the club, he would answer without hesitation. In his mind, the scene of armed soldiers clas.h.i.+ng with protestors unfolded.

After the Awakened from the Security Bureau left, he immediately said, “I will declare martial law.”

He had already planned whom to appoint as the martial law commander, devised a strategy to apprehend opposing governors, and created a plan to suppress the voices of the Congress members who would call for the lifting of martial law.

It would be a challenging process, but he needed to succeed.

However, the King of h.e.l.l didn’t reply. Instead, he was staring at the names written on the whiteboard, including those belonging to the party that hosted the hearing, with a cold gaze.

The president was certain that what he felt was not wrong. John Doe and his aides were p.i.s.sed enough to overturn the order they had created.

Nonetheless, the King of h.e.l.l’s answer was different from the look in his eyes.

“Martial law for such a trivial matter? That will be perfect for paralyzing the government.”

It was not trivial. Pro-revolution groups were emerging across the country, from Wall Street to major cities, and the movement was spreading across the world.

The King of h.e.l.l picked up the hearing plan doc.u.ment while ignoring the dumbfounded president. He crossed out some phrases with a pen and added a few words.

The president took it back and read through it again.

「Special Investigation Hearing Plan (John Doe) (Jonathan Hunter)

Hearing Subject: John Doe Jonathan Hunter

Purpose: To conduct a thorough investigation, it is proposed that the subject be summoned to attend a hearing where they will be required to answer questions. Additionally, if deemed necessary, the subject may be required to listen to testimonies and statements from witnesses…」

“Both sides will come to an agreement with this. You should not create any more enemies.”

The president couldn’t think of what to say in response.

“But you did your best. I will remember that.”

***

When the President of the United States was left alone again in the chief aide’s office, he was confused about what his true feelings were. Mixed feelings of relief and regret overwhelmed him. Perhaps it was because the decision to proceed with the hearing had lifted some of the burden from his shoulders, but at the same time, he felt completely drained. Fatigue began to rush in.

He didn’t stop by his private residence, but instead returned to the White House.

“But you did your best. I will remember that.”

That was the last remake left by John Doe’s agent. He weakly brushed his face with one hand, then a bitter smile spread across his face.

Is this what he meant? In such a c.r.a.ppy situation…

He realized that he wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight and pulled out the Bible that was on one side of the desk. It wasn’t the one used by President Abraham Lincoln when he entered the White House, but the contents were the same.

Exodus 21:23 - 25.

But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

That was his favorite verse. When he quoted this verse during the election campaign and argued against admitting Muslim terrorists into the country, he often faced people counter-attacking him with Matthew 5:39: ‘But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn them to the other cheek also.’

That was why. He had a strong desire to reveal today’s story to the opportunists who attacked him in the past and the pastors who still claimed ‘John Doe’ as the Messiah. John Doe was having the agent voluntarily attend the hearing. That was no different from the words of Matthew 5:39.

Moreover, most religions wanted to be recognized for the legitimacy of their denominations in his name these days. His wealth, power, and even faith formed a trinity…

At that moment, he suddenly realized that his line of thinking had gone down an absurd path.

‘What the h.e.l.l am I thinking?’

He shuddered as he imagined a world where all of humanity had become fanatics, staring only at him. Such a world was worse than an absolute regime that trampled the public under martial law. Also, the current regime was much better than absolute domination.

The next morning, the President of the United States called in Congressman DeColes. The protest had spread to j.a.pan, France, and John Doe’s motherland, South Korea.

As the hotline call with the South Korean President was ending, DeColes entered the room. He couldn’t hide his combative spirit because many of those who had promoted the hearing with him had turned to the president’s side.

“Mr. President. Are you sure you want to do this? Are you serious?”

The member of the House replaced his usual morning greetings with an outburst.

“This is a national issue beyond the party, sir.”

“You cannot lead the country alone. I hate to mention it again, but you should support the decision that our party made…”

“Well, then we don’t need this. Shall we put it to a vote?”

He didn’t mean it. The president handed over the hearing plan with a cranky face. DeColes’s eyes narrowed.

“Jonathan Hunter?”

The president pointed at the hearing plan doc.u.ments with his chin and answered, “Let’s come to an agreement on that. If we still lose the election after all this, then…”

“Have you talked about this with the Jonathan Investment Finance Group?” asked DeColes.

“Don’t just think about the off-year election. You should look forward to the 2020 re-election as well. Who will fund the elections if we blindly turn our backs on Wall Street? You should think more wisely. If we lose voters, we gather new ones. If we don’t have financial sponsors, we look for new ones as well.”

“Wait, Mr. President. Did Jonathan Hunter say he would appear in court?”

“If he refuses, then you can enforce it, Mr. DeColes.”

The president enjoyed DeColes’s bewildered expression before continuing.

“I’m kidding. I did have a conversation with Jonathan Group.”

DeColes blinked. “That is…”

“You think we’re lucky, right? It will be fine. You should all be grateful to have a president like me.”

“We didn’t understand your deep intentions, Mr. President. I apologize on behalf of us.”

“Words mean nothing. You should apologize in the future with different means. Don’t forget that I saved you all.”

***

It became quiet all of a sudden. The performance artists preparing a show in front of Wall Street’s Charging Bull, the protestors and police arresting them for crossing the line, the professors from the academic advisory board of ATTAC who referred to the protesting site as the ‘perfect cla.s.sroom,’ and even the pedestrians carrying donated food and necessities on carts became silent.

As they looked up at the illegally installed large monitor, the noisy streets seemed to have stopped in time.

[Breaking News: House Special Investigation Hearing Settled… A Special Hearing on ‘Jonathan Hunter’ Regarding Financial Defense on the Day of Advent. Attendance Notification Sent.]

Cheers of victory pierced the sky at once.

“What if Jonathan Hunter refuses to attend?”

Despite someone raising a question, it was quickly drowned out by the sound of cheers. However, as the excitement died down, the question began to surface.

People became anxious. Their voice had reached the White House, and even politicians who were closely tied to Wall Street had joined them and were speaking in unison. Nonetheless, Jonathan Hunter, an Awakened and a member of the a.s.sociation, had the right to refuse attendance based on the agreement between the World Awakened a.s.sociation and the UN member states.

Besides those rights, Jonathan Hunter ranked fourth in power among the Awakened. If he firmly refused to attend, then how could the hearing proceed?

The once-loud cheers evolved into new chants.

“Jonathan should attend!”

“Jonathan should attend!”

A few hours later, the large monitor that had been playing the professors’ lectures switched to a different scene. Beneath the excited announcer’s face, the protestors discovered something that aligned with their demands.

Waaaaaaaah-!

Everyone hugged each other, and some of them even started crying in happiness.

[Breaking News: Jonathan Hunter, “I will attend.”]

The protestors on the streets thought they had won as they looked at the screen.

The highly antic.i.p.ated day had finally arrived, and it began with the rising sun capturing the world’s attention.

1. ‘A G.o.d of Rain’ in Chinese. ☜