The Foreigner on the Periphery

When Telesia called, he couldn’t answer right away because he was preoccupied with other thoughts. 

“Cain?” 

After being called for the second time, Minjun turned his head. He was dispatched to planet XB-610 with his wife, stopping by the carrier after a short time to attend a meeting. All the major issues had been covered, and what was left was the obvious closing remarks, so he got caught up in a fuss for a while. 

Minjun paused for a moment to seriously contemplate his 80th wedding anniversary gift. “Uh…?” 

“Tell me in under a minute. Only Cain remains and the rest shall be dismissed.” 

At this, the other prisoners went out, and Telesia, the only one present, brought up the topic right away. There were floating holograms in the air. “I have to take on a personal mission.”

“Assassination?” 

“Yeah, as always.” 

Minjun was truly the best assassin, and at the same time, he had the ability to be called immortal. He once recovered from a puncture in his heart. Such super-regenerative power showed excellent compatibility for life-and-death missions, and Telesia relied heavily on Minjun.

Thanks to him, she had achieved greater achievements than anyone so far. The leader of the prisoners explained the target. Minjun listened to her words, and at the same time, read the text woven by light. Then, his gaze stopped at one point. 

“Teacher? Do you think those idiots are now openly pretending to be religious?” 

The target to be killed this time was the leader of a certain group. Minjun then grumbled. “The dictator’s remembrance party must be this big. It should have been uprooted in the beginning.” 

His reaction was as followed when he first heard of the existence of an organization that deified and idolized the former ruler of Ashtal, who was said to have died three hundred years ago. 

‘You worship the culprit who ruined their lives? It’s so easy to forget and distort. It’s crazy.’ 

It was hard to understand. Considering what the object of worship has committed in their lifetime. As soon as the war against the rebels was defeated and the purge was imminent, the dictator self-destructed more than 90% of the Republic’s infrastructure such as energy, food, communication, and transportation, and even tore the shield that was preventing the space bugs. It was because of the committee’s intervention that the Ashtalites, who were driven to the brink of the collapse of civilization, were spared the plight of smashing animals with stones and wooden clubs. 

However, over time, some people became displeased with this intervention. “In the meantime, organizations with similar ideologies have been absorbed and consolidated and have grown in size.” 

“It is a level that cannot be overlooked any longer. Besides… look here.”

Minjun’s expression became complicated as he turned the screen. “Are you saying that it is turning into a terrorist organization as well as a religious group? The change in identity is too fast.” 

“They’re next target is a terminal that connects to the outer dimension. Suicide bombing is the most likely method.” 

“Is propaganda still like that? Rejecting the invasion of extraterrestrial capital?” 

The committee was rebuilding the ruins by supplying relief supplies and industrial materials through terminals while maintaining security within the dimension, led by prisoners. However, Minjun knew that none of them were “free.” 

The committee would record Ashtal’s debts corresponding to the aid like a knife, and when the time came, it would begin a relentless settlement. Most residents saw it as inevitable, but others saw it as a dangerous trap. All human beings in this world would then be sitting on a pile of debt that could be repaid no matter how many generations they tried. They insisted that the committee should no longer intervene, and destroyed the infrastructure installed at will without the consent of the entire dimension. It was to dismiss everything as unfair and return the debt to nothing. However, Minjun’s evaluation of such an attempt was skeptical.

‘It’s stupid. There is no way the committee will back down with such resistance. The contract the committee made with the rebel provisional government in the first place remains in effect even after the collapse of that regime. It won’t last long if I persist that I won’t pay it back.’ 

There were many cases of descendants who refused to repay their debts, denying continuity with the old government, but none of them survived the committee’s complaints and collections. 

‘And terrorism only afflicts the people here.’ 

It was simply an act of ruining the lives of our fellow citizens. Its ideological basis was religious beliefs. The church members were envious of the life they had never experienced 300 years ago. He was a dictator who starved billions to death, but some privileged members who were loyal to them enjoyed luxury, and the memories and records of those days were glorified and passed on. Those who were engrossed in such stories longed for the days of dictators. 

This was because real life was so harsh. In the past, distorted by the fact that everyone ate and enjoyed happiness, the leader who led them was elevated to a god. 

“What’s even worse is that, among them, cases where they have truly awakened their divine powers are reported one after another.” 

“Really?” 

“Yeah, this is the information that has been confirmed by comparing the remaining thoughts.” 

“If you tell the Omara School, it will be news that will bubble in your mouth and run away.” 

Divine power would give strength to their claim that there was nothing to do with the existence of God. Hopefully, the old dictator of Ashtal was not in the process of granting blessings by obtaining true divinity.

“If you grow bigger like this, it will be an irreversible situation. We have to get rid of the centripetal point.” 

Logic and reason lose their light as soon as thought would take on the color of religion. In addition to this, it penetrated people’s minds through the infinitely weakened resistance, and the speed of propagation became faster than before. Telesia was wary of it. “Okay. Make a plan right away and report it.” 

When they looked at the question with the question of whether the story would end with this, Telesia suddenly changed the topic. “What do you think of their claims?” 

He didn’t even have to think long to come up with an answer. “I am not 100% in favor of what the committee is doing. But if you want to pay off your debt, you have to sit at the table and negotiate with the committee. I am not committing terrorism.” 

Above all, he thought, if one didn’t want to receive any more investment, one would have to prove their ability to feed all the people on their own. “Isn’t that the same as saying they’re going to reduce the population in the end to reduce debt? And in a violent and drastic way.”

The Ashtal population, which had plummeted due to war, famine, and disasters, managed to increase rapidly after the commission’s support began. Continued aid was essential to maintain or increase the current population level. If one was to suddenly release their hand and leave, the entire universe would go into shock, and more and more people would die of starvation. In addition to this, those who lost their lives first in the process would be the most vulnerable. 

It had always been that way, in any world, at any time. Nevertheless, the dictator’s followers insisted. Even if one would have to endure such a disaster, one would have to be independent. 

“Yes?” Telesia nodded as if passing a story. 

“I also found out this time that they make interesting claims.” 

“What?” 

“It is said that the committee offered exchanges to this world several times during the days of the dictator. Do you know the criteria by which they contact these marginal dimensions?” 

“There must be an entity capable of collecting the opinions of residents within the dimension on an appropriate scale.” 

“Ashtal’s dictatorial government could move every planet and colony with a single command. In terms of representation, it has already passed the committee standards.” 

At that time, however, Ashtal consistently refused to communicate. “So the committee obviously didn’t like the dictator, right?” 

Minjun what her words meant.

“Is it a conspiracy theory?” 

“Church members think the committee secretly supported the rebels. They fought and won the dictatorship and plotted to establish a new pro-committee government in Ashtal.” 

“But if you look at Koraji now, it’s like a failure, isn’t it? The dictator has been driven out, but the whole dimension has been messed up.” 

“Isn’t that something the committee didn’t even expect? In such a way that nobody can have what they can’t have, the dictator hides a terrible malice in every dimension. So, he didn’t think he would be such a crazy person that he would bring the Republic to where it is today. He feels it every time, but he is such a terrible human being.” 

Minjun was silent for a moment, and he chewed on what she had just heard. The more one would do, the stronger the idea of what the committee was doing. However, there was no such thing as evidence. 

‘If there is evidence of diarrhea, what does that have to do with me?’ said Telesia. 

“Don’t think too deeply. I thought it was an interesting story, so I added it, but it was a no-brainer.” 

“Then I’ll stop…” 

“Sorry, just one more thing.” Telesia’s business didn’t seem to be over yet. She handed over the hologram, the screen evidently changed.

-Restoration Progress: 38% 

The committee and prisoners were displaying the progress of the reconstruction project in Ashtal. 

“I heard something while visiting the committee headquarters this time.” 

Telesia would also obtain advanced information not permitted to other prisoners. The story that had been shed to Minjun this time was like that. “The committee is planning to reorganize the convict units dispatched here to a scale of 10 percent compared to the current one. We set our goal when we reach 50% progress.” 

Minjun’s eyebrows twitched. Instantly, tension began to flow through the air. Knowing that the atmosphere had changed in an instant, she did not hesitate to focus on the main point. “Now, it was decided that security could be maintained without such a large convict unit. From this year on, we will gradually reduce the number.” 

Minjun’s complexion hardened rapidly. Telesia nodded as if she had guessed. “I know. You and Dell are the people who want to stay in Ashtal as much as I do.” 

The same was true if Minjun and Dell did not remain in Ashtal, or if only one of them was relocated.

Naturally, the probability of the two torn apart was much higher than the probability of them sticking together. After that, no one could predict when the two would be able to meet again. Minjun and Dell had expected that they would come someday, but the day they wished they would not come was finally taking shape. 

Telesia then spoke in a calm tone. “After Ashtal’s social foundation has been restored to some extent, the committee has been increasing the amount of aid. It will take nearly 300 years to reach the current level, but it will accelerate in the future. Maybe it won’t take a few years to get to 50%. The committee executive who spoke to me had three years I expected it.” 

This meant that within approximately three years, nine out of ten prisoners of Ashtal would be relocated and leave. “Everyone will be sorry. Is this dimension rare? Since there are so many big issues, there is no need to worry about the survival rate because unexpected missions are pouring in from time to time.” 

Since all inmates belonged to the same organization, and when their missions were completed, they were evaluated and rewarded both individually and collectively, so there was no need to check and interfere with each other as in other worlds. It was also possible for those who were able to save a decent amount beyond the subsistence tax payment.

And so, everyone wanted to stay here. It was the same with Telesia. “So I asked the committee. 10% selection criteria. Of course, he didn’t answer. As I mentioned my achievements so far, I wondered if this would be enough to be selected as a replacement…” 

“What was your answer?” 

“They just said that the more successful the inmates in one dimension, and the longer they stayed there, the more likely they were to be reassigned to another dimension. Is it theoretical?” 

That was true, simply because it was something Minjun had seen and experienced. “So I changed the question. What should I do to get into that 10%? It’s okay to say it’s selfish. But I really wanted to stay here.” 

Of course, Minjun had no intention of criticizing her. “But the committee answered that question.” 

She smiled sadly and then opened the screen. Minjun read it. “…A special application system for retention of dispatched places?” 

“It’s a system that doesn’t exist in the first place. Only this time, they say they will allow it for a special, limited period of time.” 

Minjun read the article at a fast pace and ended up nailing it. “After all, you’re saying that if you give out your talents, you’ll be guaranteed to stay here, right?” 

Minjun finished reading the sentence with burning eyes. Telesia then murmured from her side. “There are a few conditions. Even if you apply for retention and later voluntarily cancel it, the talents already paid will not be returned. There is no refund even if the prisoner in question retires due to a ‘special amnesty’ on the way. Well, it’s meaningless since I’ve never seen a prisoner released that way in the first place… Even if a prisoner who was originally selected to be retained here applies without knowing the fact, the committee does not inform and does not return the talent. Fortunately, there is no need to compete with anyone else as long as you pay the necessary talents. It means that there is no limit on the number of people under the premise of paying. And one last…” 

Only then did she reveal the reason for telling Minjun this story. “If the applicant wishes to remain with other prisoners, the special gift tax is exempted only in this case.” 

It cost 150,000 Talents to keep one person here. It was an amount equivalent to the severance pay of one ordinary prisoner. And it was said that 300,000 Talents were consumed without applying the gift tax for two people to remain together. Minjun also noticed why the committee made this proposal to Telesia at this time. 

“Do you have any balance?” 

“It’s barely enough to pay 150,000 Talents. Yes, even though it is one-tenth of my severance pay.” 

Telesia divulged information that was seldom shared among prisoners. Then, Minjun naturally looked at the screen that only his eyes could see. 

– The current account balance is 311,049 Talents. 

– Be careful. As soon as the talents in the account are converted to negative (-), statutory interest is charged, and excessive delinquency may result in summary execution.