By Zephyria ― Yes, that’s correct. Yohan-ssi protected me with his life in the Abyss, and that’s when I awakened as a Purifier. The first Awakened, meaning a High-rank Purifier. Without our Yohan-ssi, my team and I wouldn’t have been able to escape the Abyss.
As Lee Hyun-mook readily admitted, the chat exploded once more. Jeong Eun-jae exclaimed without realizing it, “I knew it!”
Yubit: Crazy lolllll
roro2: They fooled the whole nation
BigFestival: No, why did you do that?
AnxiousMe: Wow, Park Seung-min was acting like that without even knowing Yang Yohan was a High-level Awakener?
Byabya: Why???? Why on earth???
“Why? There must have been a reason. It’s obvious,” Jeong Eun-jae muttered, not even eating the ramen he’d brought for lunch, still focused on the video. His now-healed leg still felt unfamiliar, and he felt endless gratitude towards Yang Yohan. While there were various reactions, the overall sentiment was this: Why had they been hiding the fact that they were High-level Awakeners until now? The interviewer posed the question again.
― Then why did you hide the fact that you are a High-rank Purifier?
― The biggest reason was that there was someone we needed to be wary of.
― Someone you needed to be wary of… Could you explain in more detail?
― I cannot speak concretely due to a lack of evidence, but it means that my team and I falling into the Abyss was not simply an unfortunate accident.
The interviewer held their breath. If what Lee Hyun-mook had just said was true, it was an event so enormous it could shake South Korea to its core. Everyone would surely be thinking of Hwang Young-chul, the former Minister of the National Land Safety Department, who was recently arrested for murder-for-hire. The interviewer asked in an excited, slightly trembling voice.
― Not simply an unfortunate accident. Does that mean someone intentionally put the Sunrise Team in danger?
Lee Hyun-mook remained silent meaningfully, then answered slowly.
― I will make no further comment on this.
― …Understood. Then, may I hear about the other reasons?
― As everyone knows, Purifiers are truly important assets to our Korea. Our team’s primary concern was attempts at kidnapping and persuasion from other countries. Therefore, we needed to hide Yohan-ssi’s identity until appropriate countermeasures could be prepared.
The increasingly rapid chat suddenly stopped altogether. The server crashed due to too many people chatting. Jeong Eun-jae’s chopsticks also stopped completely.
― There was indeed an incident where Park Seung-min, an Awakener, was kidnapped and tortured, wasn’t there? Were you concerned about something like that happening?
― That’s correct. If we had revealed that Yohan-ssi was a High-rank Purifier, he would have been in the same danger. The government itself failed to properly protect Park Seung-min, an Awakener, didn’t they? But now, we have made thorough preparations for it, so nothing like that will ever happen to our Yohan-ssi.
― It’s very reassuring to hear you say that. However, on the other hand, there were opinions like this: that since a High-rank Purifier can accomplish so much, wasn’t time being wasted meaninglessly until now? What are your thoughts on this?
In response to the interviewer’s question, Lee Hyun-mook offered a more relaxed smile. The chat, which had barely recovered, stopped again.
― Actually, our Yohan-ssi also regretted that point a lot. So, we prepared a separate plan. That is, the Severely Corrupted individuals at the Treatment and Custody Center under the Sun Guild.
― Ah, no way?!
The interviewer, too excited, didn’t even try to remain calm this time. Lee Hyun-mook nodded as if he understood.
― That’s right. All of them have been completely cured. You will be able to see them all returning to the embrace of their families and friends, and to their homes, in the near future.
The chat was still frozen and showed no signs of returning. However, at that moment, some people were weeping with emotion, laughing, or cheering. Lee Hyun-mook announced the news of Jeong Si-young and the Special Suppression Unit’s complete recovery, saying,
― Our Sun Guild will continue to purify Corrupted individuals whenever the opportunity arises.
― You have worked hard, just as you did three years ago and continue to do so now. Well… Actually, Yang Yohan, the Awakener, is here in the studio right now. May we ask for a greeting?
At the interviewer’s words, the frozen chat briefly came back to life.
snowing: Wow
sezonkinglime: Why does the chat keep stopping?
Merrybell: Yang Yohan!!!!
WhyWhatWhy: Yohan, thank you!!!!! Thanks to you, I’m normal again!
MeroM: Please purify my family too ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
dots: Please come to Suwon just once
Jeong Eun-jae pushed the ramen pot aside entirely. A staff member quickly rushed over and brought a chair. A moment later, Yang Yohan approached with a somewhat stiff, awkward gait and sat down. He placed his hands neatly on his knees, his cheeks and ears flushed red. Yang Yohan quickly bowed deeply.
― Hello, I am Yang Yohan of the Sun Guild.
Though he seemed to be trying his best to remain calm, his voice trembled. However, perhaps because of his handsome face, or because he was a benefactor, Jeong Eun-jae saw only favor in him. After greeting, Yang Yohan looked around with wide, bewildered eyes, glancing repeatedly at Lee Hyun-mook. It was obvious he was uncomfortable in such a setting, and the interviewer burst into laughter.
― Nice to meet you, Yang Yohan, Awakener. Are you very nervous?
― Yes, yes… I, this is my first time in a situation like this. I’m a bit, um, nervous.
Lee Hyun-mook smiled as he looked at Yang Yohan. The gaze was so fond and gentle that countless question marks appeared in the chat. How many years apart were the two of them… He certainly must look like a much younger brother. Since he was also a benefactor, it was understandable to look at him with such a loving gaze, Jeong Eun-jae nodded in understanding.
― If you don’t mind, could you show us your purification ability?
― Yes, of course!
A staff member quickly brought a table and a dark, murky tank. Yang Yohan, having calmed down a little, conjured a shimmering light above his palm. It took the shape of a paper airplane. The interviewer gasped in surprise, clasping their hands together. The light paper airplane flew from Yohan’s hand, circled the studio slowly, and plopped into the tank. Instantly, the tank turned into completely clear water.
― Then I will try drinking it!
The interviewer, with great bravery, scooped up a cup of water and drank it. Then, with a bright face, they exclaimed.
― It’s really clean and clear! It’s no different from plain water.
― It will have some purification function, so it should be good for your health.
Hearing that, the staff members came forward one after another to take a cup each. Yohan had a proud expression, but then he became stiff again as he became aware of the camera. Jeong Eun-jae smiled with satisfaction without realizing it. It was truly a stark contrast to Park Seung-min… Yes, this is what a High-level Awakener should be like.
After introducing Yang Yohan and demonstrating his purification ability, it was time to wrap up the interview.
― Lastly, do you have any final words for those watching this video right now?
Lee Hyun-mook’s smile faded at the interviewer’s question, and he spoke in a firm tone.
― Even now, we receive dozens of scouting offers every day from various places, including foreign countries. However, just as we have in the past, the Sun Guild will continue to protect people from this place.
― Thank you for joining us for the interview today. This has been Kim Se-won, reporter for Daily Current Affairs Magazine.
Jeong Eun-jae clapped enthusiastically without realizing it. And then, he too made a decision. If the Sun Guild protected the people of this land, he would gather people like himself and provide cover for the Sun Guild, for Yang Yohan.
Given the precedent of Park Seung-min, and the valid reasons for hiding the fact that they were High-rank Purifiers, there was little criticism directed at Yang Yohan. The video of the Sun Guild’s Treatment and Custody Center, where everyone was perfectly purified, also played a significant role.
― Hanna! Hanna!
― Mommy!
A woman, who had once been confined to a government isolation facility and was now completely free of Corruption, ran and hugged her mother, weeping. The live broadcast of families reuniting after being separated for nearly three years, unable to see each other’s faces, brought many to tears.
― Let’s go, my daughter. Let’s go home. Let’s go quickly. Mom made all your favorite foods. All we have to do now is go home…
Tears of joy overflowed on the island. Besides them, couples, lovers, and friends achieved emotional reunions. After the happy people departed, the Treatment and Custody Center, once filled with Severely Corrupted individuals, became completely empty. Soon after, the Sun Guild posted a recruitment notice, and the server for the Treatment and Custody Center website crashed. Many people wished to be transferred from government isolation facilities to the Sun Guild’s Treatment and Custody Center.
This put the government in a rather awkward position. Some of the Corrupted individuals testified that they had undergone horrific human experiments by the government. Among them were even soldiers. While denying the facts, the government, in an effort to quell the situation, deliberately gave extensive coverage to the Gwacheon Cult incident.
Subsequently, reports of Cults related to Awakening and Re-awakening poured in from all over. Then, as if they had never been active, the Cults disappeared, and simultaneously, hundreds of missing persons emerged. Everyone was horrified by the CCTV footage of the missing people opening manhole covers with their bare hands and crawling inside one by one…