Even though Seok-yeong had fallen, he wasn't the only one capable of speaking for justice. Jihyeon met with Seok-yeong's subordinate, whom Seok-yeong had introduced to him as a backup contact in case of an emergency.

  "I look forward to working with you."

  The subordinate, Investigator Shin Ye-rim, greeted Jihyeon with a face tight with tension. Jihyeon returned the greeting, scanning her information in an instant.

  It might have been considered cheating, but Jihyeon felt no remorse. He always kept the possibility of traitors within the police force in mind, so he didn't hesitate to use his abilities.

  Instead, acting as if nothing had happened, Jihyeon provided the information he had uncovered to Ye-rim.

  "What is this?"

  Ye-rim asked, looking at the USB drive containing the data. Although the conscious Seok-yeong had given her a brief brief, this was her first time receiving direct data, and she couldn't hide her curiosity.

  "It’s a summary of where the person who attacked Investigator Seok-yeong came from and who is behind him. You should be able to go after them immediately."

  Jihyeon spoke, emphasizing that this was their only window of opportunity. Half-doubting but compelled, Ye-rim checked the files on her computer. Soon, her expression hardened as she grasped the severity of the situation. There were more than enough reasons to hurry.

  "So, you're saying this man is the mastermind behind all the chaos so far?"

  Ye-rim asked coldly. Jihyeon nodded.

  "Yes. So we have to go catch him. It's not something I can do alone."

  Ye-rim nodded back. She immediately began preparing to report to her superiors and launch an arrest operation. Watching her, Jihyeon also steeled himself. This might be the most violent battle yet. Nevertheless, it was a task that had to be done. With that thought, Jihyeon solidified his resolve.

  The noise generated from afar reached all the way here. It was a commotion as if every police officer in the world had gathered to catch the most heinous criminal.

  If that clamor had been directed at someone else, the Loan Shark would have found it quite dull. Attention focused on others always stoked the fires of his jealousy.

  But this time was different. They were here for him. Not knowing what traps might be laid, the police had likely come in full force, taking every precaution.

  That was exactly what the Loan Shark wanted. Others might wonder if he had gone mad with the fear of being caught, but the Loan Shark remained surprisingly composed. In fact, he was delighted.

  A smile crept across his face as he watched the police approach. Indeed, a brilliant spotlight was the only thing that truly entertained him. Unfortunately, he had lived in hiding for the sake of safety lately, but that never suited him. He was sick of suppressing his true nature.

  It was only natural. For the Loan Shark, attracting attention as grandly as possible was what befitted him. Though it was a complete contradiction to the trajectory of his past life, it couldn't be helped. No matter how much dark wealth one possessed, it would vanish like a mirage if one crossed the public authorities. Committing such folly for a brief moment of glory was not the Loan Shark's style.

  He knew better than anyone that for those without the power to protect themselves, even dreaming of a flashy life was a sin. He admired the flamboyance of famous criminals abroad, but he always remained wary of the ruin that befell those who grew arrogant, intoxicated by their own power.

  Thus, he was careful, and careful again. Using others, sometimes as meat shields, the Loan Shark had survived until now. Yet, despite the fun he had found in living so cunningly, it never quite sated the longing deep within his soul. It was like a hunger no one could fill—one that might never be filled.

  He always craved the spectacular. He wanted everyone to worship him, to find pleasure in everything, and to receive the respect and awe of the "have-nots."

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  And now, the time had come. Especially if he used the special Tools So-young had provided. She had been incredibly generous, providing not just one, but several. The Loan Shark couldn't even guess what kind of magnificent events would unfold if he used them all.

  Under the support of his most powerful benefactor, he felt he had nothing to fear. Of course, power given by others was always unstable and could vanish at any moment—but at least, not today. Today, he could afford to play around while a bit intoxicated by this strength. It didn't matter if that brat in the hood, the thorn in his side, challenged him.

  The Loan Shark's power was now equal to that of a god. That fact filled him with joy. The irritation brought by his life in the countryside had transformed him into someone far more aggressive.

  He heard the thundering approach of the police. They were likely trembling with tension, unsure of how many Tool users might be inside. It was a wise judgment. No matter how much he loathed the police, the Loan Shark had to admit their situational awareness was decent.

  But that was all. Considering they didn't realize how foolish it was to try and arrest him in the first place, they all deserved to die.

  However, the Loan Shark did not commit the stupidity of turning the place into a bloodbath immediately. That would be boring. Sometimes, one needs guests for a grand opening. They would serve as witnesses, telling the world how fantastic the start of this new era was.

  Of course, the premise was that they stayed alive, but the Loan Shark gave no thought to their survival.

  A knock thundered at the door. It seemed time for the guests to arrive.

  The Loan Shark sat on the sofa like a king meeting his subjects, waiting for the police. Sitting with his legs crossed, there was nothing but arrogance in his posture. Yet, the cold composure he maintained—as cold as the atrocities he had committed—seemed to prove he was the sole ruler of this place.

  CRASH.

  The door burst open. Police officers, armed with shields, batons, and guns, appeared before him. Among them were several of the so-called "heroes" who had recently emerged—Tool users the police referred to as civilian collaborators.

  They might have been weaker than the hooded one, but with these numbers, it was clear the police had put some thought into the Loan Shark's combat power. Seeing this, the Loan Shark felt a sense of satisfaction. It seemed they at least knew how to treat him with respect. However, they wouldn't know that even this was far from enough.

  "Guests who clearly don't know the word 'politeness.' What a waste of my taxes," the Loan Shark said. His words were filled with bottomless mockery, and the officer at the front couldn't hide his rage.

  "Don't move! You are under arrest as suspects in the berserk-related incidents. You have the right to an attorney, and—"

  Despite his anger, the officer tried his best to fulfill his duty. The effort was almost admirable. Except, the ignorance of the situation made it all meaningless.

  If they were going to come, they should have brought that grand hooded brat with them. If they had, they might have been able to perfectly suppress his subordinates in this room. But it seemed they hadn't bothered with that. Or perhaps, because of the "circumstances of the adults," they couldn't come together. Or maybe that wonderful hero was currently engaged with his subordinates stationed outside. Either way, it only exposed the poverty of the police's resources.

  It didn't matter. Those who entered this room would be the first to enjoy the honor of being torn to shreds.

  "Boys," the Loan Shark commanded in a cold voice.

  Simultaneously, the Loan Shark's subordinates, who had been typing away at their keyboards without even caring about the police's arrival, all stood up. They didn't wait for a specific new order. Instead, following a pre-arranged command, they became a living wall, protecting the Loan Shark.

  The police swung their batons at the subordinates blocking them, attempting to subdue them. But that was a mistake. A wise person should have run away.

  They didn't. And the price was paid brutally. Starting with a scream, the interior was soon filled with blood and the foul stench of undigested food and waste. Even the Tool users shared the same fate. They were supposed to be strong in their own right, capable of wielding elemental powers, exhibiting strength far beyond ordinary humans, or using mysterious forces.

  But that meant nothing before the Loan Shark's subordinates—beings who were human but could no longer be called such.

  Superhuman strength? It was tiers lower than that of the subordinates implanted with the Loan Shark's Tools.

  Power of fire and ice? That was child's play. His subordinates would show them the limit of ultimate defense.

  And that was exactly what happened. A cruel fate approached both those with and without Tools equally. It was an end perfectly suited for the fools who were excited to use a power that wasn't even theirs.

  "T-this makes no... ARGH!"

  The officer in command couldn't react properly to the shock. He couldn't. The hellscape unfolding before him broke even a veteran who had grown old in the field. It was only natural; such a thing shouldn't exist in reality. The cruelty that defied common sense was enough to evaporate human reason.

  But those with soulless eyes didn't care. As if they had simply done what needed to be done, they reduced the commander to the same state as his subordinates.

  Watching this, the Loan Shark laughed. It was the perfect beginning that satisfied him. Though it was accompanied by a hideous stench and the screams were shorter than expected, he could fill that void from now on.

  "Now, activate."

  The Loan Shark tossed a Tool from his pocket onto the pile of corpses. Then, he took out the device used to control Tool users and issued a command.

  The Tool began to operate.