Chapter 32

〈 Chapter 32 〉 Part 1 (1)

< A little later, Guro Digital Industrial Complex high-rise. >

“Aaaah! It’s coming!”

The man covered his eyes that had been staring at Yeouido and hid under the desk. The involuntary enhancement of <Lighthouse>’s special ability reached beyond Guro to Yeouido, clearly showing the National Assembly building burning brightly.

“That crazy woman who set fire to the National Assembly is coming!”

Lighthouse, Ji Hwa, was gripped by fear as he recalled the intruders who had attacked his territory just the other day.

Time to become a monster!

In broad daylight, while Ji Hwa was sleeping, they broke through the window and instantly turned him into a monster, subjugating his organization. And now, Ji Hwa—now the monster known as <Lighthouse>—was being given all sorts of orders.

– When you come back, prepare lunch after raising the beacon fire.

“How could someone raise a beacon fire and then burn down national buildings?!”

Even though New Seoul had been established, to Ji Hwa, Seoul was still the capital. Although his territory was limited to Guro, he had never destroyed or tampered with the nation’s key buildings.

Thanks to the absurdity of monsters, the man who was once called “Chairman” in Guro had returned to his days as an overworked office worker.

Bang Bang!

At the sound of breaking glass, Ji Hwa buried his head between his knees. In his memory, there was only one person who could enter a 20-story building by smashing windows.

“Hmm? Where’d you go?”

The voice carried on the cold wind, making Ji Hwa’s heart sink. It was definitely that guy’s voice.

“Mr. Kim Ji Hwa~ You’re not seriously playing hide-and-seek with me, are you?”

‘Please go away!’

Ji Hwa covered his ears with both hands. Thus, he didn’t hear the sound of sparks flying.

Snap.

That finger-snapping sound that made his heart race. Instinctively, Ji Hwa kicked himself out from under the table.

“Hmph, huff!”

As expected, there was blue flame dancing atop the desk. The finest black lacquerwood desk had turned into ashes in an instant.

“The third-ranked monster may have talent as seeker but sure is terrible at hiding.”

“Hiiik!”

Ji Hwa froze in terror at Phoenix sitting casually on the chairman’s chair. Then, a thin white hand landed on his shoulder.

“Don’t scare him so much. Aren’t you supposed to be his subordinate?”

“Ga, Ga-eul-sama…!”

Ji Hwa looked up at Ga-eul like a savior, his eyes shining brightly. Ga-eul slightly diverted her gaze toward Phoenix, whose eyes were inverted with black and white irises, resembling those of a devil.

“Not like I intentionally scared him…”

“Thinking about how she died, it’s bound to leave some trauma.”

Deokbae waddled over and flopped onto the sofa. That seemed to trigger even more trauma, causing Ji Hwa’s body to tremble even more.

“But since she died instantly last time, it probably won’t hurt as much if she dies again, right?”

“You try dying and see how it feels.”

When Deokbae jeered, Phoenix brought her index and thumb together. Just as she was about to snap and release magic power, Ga-eul shot her a glance.

Phoenix awkwardly rubbed her fingers together and pushed herself away with her foot.

Squeak.

The chair scraped against the marble floor, moving right in front of Ji Hwa. His violent trembling passed through his hands and reached Ga-eul.

“Hey, Mr. <Lighthouse>. How far can you see now?”

“Guh, all of Guro and Yeongdeungpo areas! If I push myself, I can see up to about an 8km radius!”

“Not bad. We might be able to accelerate your growth a bit more.”

Phoenix pulled out a monster core from her pocket. The cores that hadn’t yet transformed into cores sparkled in the sunlight.

“In that case, it’s ‘strange candy’ overtime work time.”

“Yes, yes!”

Ji Hwa, who had been trembling, straightened up with a snort. He knelt down eagerly, resembling a dog waiting for snacks.

Phoenix reluctantly handed over a core to Ji Hwa. Sniffing it like a drug, Ji Hwa took a big whiff before popping it into his mouth.

“…So, are your subordinates preparing well?”

“Haa, yes! They still regard me as ‘Chairman’ and haven’t particularly suspected anything yet.”

Aside from the fear of death, Ji Hwa’s willingness to grovel and follow Phoenix reminded Deokbae of events from the past few days.

As soon as Phoenix entered Guro, she flew straight to this floor where Lighthouse was located and attacked Ji Hwa. Shards of broken glass rained down on Ji Hwa as he slept, and Phoenix grabbed him by the collar, causing him great pain.

Phoenix mentioned that Lighthouse was an essential talent she needed.

Muh, please spare my life, guh.

Since his personality alternated between strong and weak, he tried to overpower her, but the grip on his collar was too strong, inadvertently killing Ji Hwa.

– So we resurrected him using a B-rank monster core.

Suddenly becoming a monster instead of the Chairman of Guro, Ji Hwa was initially confused but quickly submitted.

Before awakening his special ability, he was merely a cog in the corporate wheel. Faced with Phoenix’s immense irrational violence, he couldn’t resist.

“Hmm. Have you followed all my orders?”

“Yes! At first, I was surprised, but everyone smoothly hunted monsters. Yesterday, we even caught a D-rank monster. The pyromancers awakened by you obey your commands the best.”

“Good. Continue nurturing them. They’re intended to be used as low-ranking combatants for our Blue Wind Sect.”

“T-that… if my subordinates are low-ranking, what does that make me…?”

While hesitating somewhere, Ji Hwa’s hopeful gaze was obvious. Phoenix sighed and promised,

“If you find the location of the next ‘conference,’ I’ll create a senior position for you.”

“Thank you, Master!”

After bowing deeply, Ji Hwa left the room. Deokbae watched him leave, unable to understand.

“Why does he like it so much? Is the position of evil organization cadre really that good?”

“He lost the entire organization to her but still wants to be higher than his subordinates. Like how employees in a company have ranks among themselves despite being under the president.”

“…No, that’s not it.”

Ga-eul shook her head.

“It’s because if he doesn’t act like this, he knows you’ll kill him again. Out of fear.”

“Hmm. I see.”

“I see? You killed someone and can say that calmly?”

Ga-eul snapped. Phoenix tilted her head.

“Huh? Did I try to negotiate with Lighthouse first? No, that guy sent his subordinates to kill me.”

“Just because that doesn’t mean you’re not the one who killed someone!”

“…Your face saying that makes me feel quite contradictory, but let me explain.”

Phoenix kept spinning her chair until she stopped facing Ga-eul.

“The terrible future that the future version of you experienced happens here, in Guro. The vagrants who found you were refugees from this lighthouse. You were crushed under the lighthouse and lived like that for years. I prevented all that from happening, didn’t I? Ultimately.”

“Ultimately, maybe. But…”

Ga-eul clenched her fists and glared at Phoenix.

“Even if that’s true, people who treat killing as everyday actions shouldn’t talk about world peace. I think it’s contradictory, no matter how villainous you claim to be.”

“Hmph.”

Phoenix blew a raspberry and leapt out the broken window. The blue wings spreading out behind her indicated she was heading to the rooftop.

“Haa.”

As Ga-eul relaxed her tension, her legs gave out and she collapsed. Deokbae stood up from the sofa.

“Why do you bother trying to persuade her? She’s not the kind you can reason with from the start.”

“Yeah. The more I talk to her, the weirder I feel.”

Ga-eul could sense the sincerity in Phoenix’s expression. It wasn’t fake evil; Phoenix genuinely regarded human lives as trivial.

“Are you okay, Deokbae? You’ve been tormented so much.”

“…Since I’m also a monster, I can’t refuse her orders. I’ve already given up.”

Deokbae shrugged. Ever since he burst everyone around him, he’d long abandoned everything.

“I’m actually curious why she hasn’t killed you yet. What exactly are you to her? Are you her lover from a past life or something?”

“How would I know? She claims to know the future but acts like this.”

Ga-eul pulled her hair in frustration. She had fallen for the angelic appearance when Phoenix saved her at the S University parking lot.

Phoenix was an angel in disguise, but a killer.

“Why did I make such a foolish bet…?”

Ga-eul blamed herself for the day she fell under Phoenix’s spell.

Her ridiculous promise that awakening to a special ability would send her to New Seoul.

Ga-eul still hadn’t awakened to any special abilities.

* * *

“…Not knowing others’ feelings.”

I lay down flat on the railing. Dark clouds filled the sky, threatening rain.

“It’s gloomy enough without the cloudy sky.”

I stretched my hand towards the sky. Phoenix’s hand was as fair and beautiful as white jade.

“How much blood will stain these hands in the future?”

Those who block my path, those who must fight, those who must die—I can already picture dozens of them in my mind. Unaware that the fragments of God they hold are seeds of destruction, they won’t let go. I must snatch them from their hands, cutting off their arms if necessary.

That’s why it felt strange and odd that Tian Ga-eul kept arguing with me.

I could die for you.

Though appearances differ, the essence is the same. Maskerade Tian Ga-eul never questioned my decisions and would’ve followed them completely—even dying if commanded.

‘No, pull yourself together. This isn’t the Tian Ga-eul you knew.’

This is a pure human who hasn’t yet endured horrific pasts. And the one who turned Tian Ga-eul into such a person is none other than me.

‘I need to understand. Understand.’

I stood up and perched on the railing. The sun setting in the west hadn’t yet disappeared below the horizon.

“Hoo.”

I’ll think about my relationship with Tian Ga-eul later. Right now, I need to focus entirely on the information obtained through the Black Market.

“Indeed, it’s starting.”

Operation Seoul Recovery.

Only four days remain until its execution date, April 15th, purchased from Baek Sang-woo.

* * *

<Meanwhile, at the New Seoul Government Office Building.>

“This way, Hero Seung-hyeong.”

Following the security chief’s guidance, Seung-hyeong walked down the corridor. Since entering the building, everyone who noticed Seung-hyeong whispered about him.

– Goodness, it’s Seung-hyeong. Why is he here?

– He’s the president’s nephew! They must have called him because he’s S-rank now.

– He’s so handsome.

– What does he think he’s doing, acting like Tian Ga-eul’s personal attendant.

Surprise. Jealousy. Admiration. Hatred. The voices and emotions of the people pierced deeper into Seung-hyeong.

“…Hmph.”

Seung-hyeong took a deep breath to calm his turbulent heart. Now was the time to meet the man he must approach with composure.

“It’s inside.”

The security chief pointed to a small room behind the door. Seung-hyeong entered the room with familiar steps.

“Did you come?”

A short man, Sun Icheol, who was moving his pen in a small office, closed his file and stood up. Though Sun Icheol barely reached Seung-hyeong’s chest, he was already at the top of New Seoul.

“Sit.”

“Yes.”

Naturally, Sun Icheol took the upper seat, and Seung-hyeong sat beside him.

“Congratulations on reaching S-rank.”

“Thank you.”

Seung-hyeong bowed to express his gratitude. It had been a week since he reached S-rank, but he hadn’t directly met Sun Icheol until now—or rather, hadn’t been allowed to.

Sun Icheol frowned at the badge hanging from Seung-hyeong’s chest.

“Are you going to insist on using your maternal surname?”

“…It’s also Father’s wish.”

Originally named Seon Seung-hyeong, he started using his maternal surname following his late father’s will after the Pyongyang incident.

That decision had always irked Sun Icheol.

“People’s imaginations are incredible. Different surnames for uncle and nephew. Some even spread rumors about illegitimacy.”

“…”

Seung-hyeong remained silent. It was also a silent protest urging him to get to the point.

Sun Icheol clicked his tongue and scrolled through his smartwatch screen.

“Sign it.”

“No.”

Seung-hyeong looked Sun Icheol in the eye. Sun Icheol’s sharp gaze flashed as he shouted.

“Sign it!”

“I refuse. I am a hero affiliated with the Hero Association. Not part of the Korean government.”

“Are you pushing back relying on the Association right now?”

Even a transnational organization like the Hero Association couldn’t completely ignore the influence of a country’s government.

Especially in Korea, the government still held more power than the Association. After the Pyongyang incident, as the Association gradually reduced its support for Korea, the government’s power paradoxically grew stronger.

“This is a chance to reclaim Seoul! By restoring the nerve center connecting Seoul, New Seoul, and Busan, we can rise again!”

“I understand the concept. The plan to place me in the territory overrun by monsters to revitalize Seoul. But…”

Flames ignited in Seung-hyeong’s eyes.

“Is President truly aiming to restore Seoul to save its refugees? Or is President prioritizing the other gains from restoring Seoul?”

“I won’t deny it.”

Despite the aura of an S-rank hero, Sun Icheol didn’t flinch.

“Boosting national morale from restoring Seoul, the cores scattered throughout Seoul, the image of the president who successfully restored Seoul. There are countless benefits.”

Sun Icheol tapped the armrest with his fingers and continued.

“But those are secondary benefits. The ultimate goal is to strengthen this nation, the Republic of Korea.”

Frustration crept into Sun Icheol’s voice.

“Do you understand the feeling of knowing China launched missiles but being unable to say anything? How long must we live squeezed between China and Japan, being ignored? If we restore Seoul, the world will refocus on us.”

Sun Icheol pointed a finger at Seung-hyeong.

“Just like how you’re being talked about as the rightful owner of the vacant seat at the Round Table.”

“…What nonsense.”

The flames in Seung-hyeong’s eyes extinguished.

“I’m just an insignificant person who couldn’t even save someone properly. So please cancel this operation centered around me.”

Seung-hyeong closed the screen. Sun Icheol nodded as if he had expected this.

“Understood. But remember this.”

Sun Icheol twisted the corner of his mouth upward.

“You will undoubtedly be at the forefront of the unit advancing into Seoul in four days.”

“There’s absolutely no way that will happen.”

Seung-hyeong abruptly stood up and left the room. Their conversations always ended quickly, leaving both emotionally strained.

“…”

Seung-hyeong slipped out of the building, vaguely aware of the security chief’s watchful eyes.

The sky of New Seoul was as gloomy as Seung-hyeong’s heart.