Chapter 44

〈 Chapter 44 〉 Part 1, Chapter 4 (1)

<April 12th, 2020, 11:55 AM, Subway Line 9 Tunnel.>

Monsters burst forth everywhere in Seoul. The most perilous route is the subway tunnels.

Avoiding heroes and hunters on the surface, monsters hide in the pitch-black darkness of the underground. As masters of the underworld, they feast on anyone foolish enough to step below.

So when monsters saw people walking through the tunnel, they brazenly attacked, ready to turn them into prey as always.

But the predators weren’t the monsters—it was the four espers walking through the tunnel.

“Hah! Burn in the darkness!”

The man who was once Black Flame Goat, now evolved into Black Flame Dragon, covered his left eye with one hand and summoned dark crimson flames. A bat-like monster hiding on the ceiling was instantly incinerated, filling the air with the smell of burning protein.

Kerrrrk!

More monsters came from the Yeouido Station direction, drawn by the scent of cores from the fallen beasts.

“Hahaha! Pathetic!”

Black Flame Dragon leaped forward as the pack of monsters surrounded the four intruders. The black flames spread like a snake’s maw, engulfing the monsters.

KYAAANG!

Wolf-like monsters thrashed in agony as fire consumed their bodies, smashing their heads against the walls. Bat monsters tumbled to the ground with their wings ablaze.

WHOOSH!

Black Flame Dragon wasted no time. Gathering all his magic power into his right hand, he unleashed a swirling vortex of flames that swept away the monsters in one fell swoop.

“Heheh! I’m at A-Rank! Who dares challenge me?”

“If it wasn’t for that thing, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

A woman in shaman robes threw a yellow talisman inscribed with blood-written characters behind her. It glowed brilliantly.

Kerrick?!

A monstrous entity about to pounce was struck by the electrified talisman. The creature shattered upon impact, sliding down the wall as it expelled its core. The female shaman回收ed her talisman with magic power and sighed in irritation.

“Black Flame Goat, can you tone it down a bit?”

“What? Even Holy Maiden-sama would surely wish for this city to be purified by fire!”

Ignoring her, Black Flame Dragon charged toward another group of incoming monsters. Given Seoul’s many transfer stations, monsters often invade through various routes after detecting scents remarkably well.

“Are we really supposed to go to the National Assembly? Is this not some kind of trap?”

The female shaman pointed at the pile of monster corpses around them and grimaced.

Gangnam Sky Castle, Gangdong Black Flame Dragon, and Songpa Shaman—these three villains representing their districts had all reached A-Rank and gathered here at Yeouido.

But no one greeted them. Only monsters and corpses awaited.

“If you’re suspicious, you can leave. No one will blame you.”

Sky Castle’s words prompted Shaman to blow a raspberry and light a cigarette. Though cigarette smoke might attract monsters, Black Flame Dragon had already burned so many that it had no effect.

“Our district’s already half-empty, with everyone fleeing to Seongnam. At least those under me still trust me and stay put. Hey, Sky Castle, how many are left in your area?”

“70.”

“…That’s a lot. Are even the rich landowners of Gangnam unwilling to give up their land?”

“They don’t trust the government. Before moving the capital, there’s no way they’d recognize previous ownership rights.”

The government has precedent for this during the Jeju Island reclamation.

Most Seoul landlords have already sold their properties and moved to New Seoul, flaunting their wealth. When they return to Seoul, it’s obvious they’ll demand their original lands and buildings back.

The nation will never side with those who stayed in Seoul. At least, Sun Icheol’s Republic of Korea wouldn’t.

“Sky Castle, is what she said true? That professor thing?”

“What about it?”

“She mentioned being a regional congressman before.”

“…Do you believe her?”

“Judging by what Sky says and does, both could be true.”

While Black Flame Dragon rampaged, the three eventually arrived at the National Assembly Station. After walking along Line 9 from Gangnam to Yeouido and killing countless monsters, they finally made it.

“…Looks like someone’s been waiting.”

Shaman took out her fan, folding and unfolding it. Beyond the platform where the National Assembly should be, a man holding blue flames like a torch awaited them.

In a navy tie and black suit, both eyes covered by blindfolds, the man immediately caught Sky Castle’s recognition.

“Lighthouse?”

“It’s been half a year, Sky Castle.”

“You’re not dead?”

“…I was reborn in the Blue Wind Sect. Lighthouse of the Blue Wind Sect—that’s my new name.”

Lighthouse scanned the three arrivals and nodded.

“Enough. I was worried if no one would come.”

“Are there others besides us?”

“All fled, except for Architect from Dongjak.”

“This seems too good to be true, doesn’t it? Not a failure?”

Shaman’s sarcastic remark angered Black Flame Dragon, who countered.

“Then are you just going to abandon everything in Seoul and run away? After protecting it for six years with no reward? Didn’t the Spirit promise to protect us?”

“At least we need to preserve our lives… Hey, Lighthouse, were they invited too?”

Shaman mocked, prompting Lighthouse to turn around. From the opposite track, monsters were charging.

“Oh dear. Some are still around. Come down!”

As Lighthouse raised his hand, those waiting on the platform descended onto the tracks, forming two lines. Men, women, young and old—all armed with weapons like bows and spears.

Sky Castle doubted—they weren’t espers. Yet, he clearly sensed traces of magic power emanating from their weapons.

“Prepare for battle.”

Lighthouse slightly lifted his blindfold. His concealed devil eyes flashed, revealing the number of approaching monsters through the darkness as if wearing night vision goggles. Three C-Rank quadrupedal types were coming.

“Load weapons, prepare to fire.”

At Lighthouse’s command, each marksman readied their weapon. Some held plastic model guns, others festival-grade toy bows—but Sky Castle noticed the blue cores embedded in these weapons, sending chills down his spine.

“Core Weapons?”

New weapons powered by cores. ‘How did Lighthouse get his hands on these?’ he wondered as Lighthouse shouted.

“Fire!”

PABABAT!

Magic power extracted from cores transformed into bullets and arrows, firing toward the advancing monsters. Pure magic rounds tore through the gaping mouths of the charging beasts.

KEEEEEK…

Dog-like monsters slammed their heads into the rails with the momentum of their charge. While the first row of marksmen quickly reloaded, the second row fired again at the fallen creatures.

Long-range confirmations of death followed by careful reloading. Then, the reloaded first row cautiously approached for close-range secondary confirmations. The marksmen maintained vigilance until Lighthouse gave further orders.

Lighthouse blinked. Confirming the cessation of magical energy flow from the monsters, akin to thermal cameras, he lowered his blindfold.

“Confirm deaths. Disassemble.”

As soon as Lighthouse’s order was given, the marksmen drew knives and began dismembering the monster corpses with practiced ease, extracting cores from the hearts.

A boy, seemingly the leader, placed the cores into a translucent plastic bag from his pocket.

“Ugh. Excuse me.”

Sky Castle groaned while addressing Lighthouse.

“Exactly what is this organization called Blue Wind Sect? Where did it suddenly appear from? Is it some foreign organization trying to dominate Korea? Japan? China? Russia?”

“…For now, it’s purely composed of Koreans—a local organization.”

Lighthouse guided the three A-Rank villains upstairs. Following him silently, each villain was lost in their own thoughts as they exited the station.

Emerging from the underground darkness into the sunlight, they were greeted by the charred remains of the National Assembly building.

“…It’s completely burned down.”

“Please follow this way. Our director is waiting.”

“Director? Your boss?”

“Yes… There is one thing you should keep in mind.”

Lighthouse spoke with a pale voice.

“Answer questions honestly, but try not to ask too many.”

“Why?”

“Our director’s style is somewhat similar to section chiefs.”

They soon reached the main entrance of the National Assembly chamber. The doors, visibly scorched, hung precariously on the wall as if recently repaired.

CREEEEAK—THUD.

The half-open door fell off its hinge and slid to the floor. Sky Castle was stunned by the complete destruction of the assembly hall.

“Completely wiped out. What is this?”

Shaman, touching a desk, recoiled from an unidentified stain. The strange smell made any physiological approach impossible.

POOF.

Flames erupted from the chair of the Speaker’s podium, illuminating the surroundings. Near the podium stood two masked individuals, each occupying a seat among the parliamentarians.

“Ooh, Holy Maiden-sama!”

Seeing the masked woman, Masquerade, Black Flame Dragon rushed forward and knelt. The Blue Wind Sect, which had elevated him to A-Rank, had become a grand object of faith.

“You’ve arrived.”

The casually seated man waved his hand. Dressed in a modified hanbok as if rushing out of a high school history class, his eccentricity was evident.

Slapping her fan against her palm, Shaman greeted cheerfully.

“Architect-ssi is here too?”

“Call me Architect. Why use foreign words when we have our own language?”

“Bullshit. Your name is ‘James Lee’.”

“Eat candy.”

The blond-haired, blue-eyed man known as Architect, sporting thick unruly facial hair, raised his middle finger. Shaman giggled and found a suitable seat.

“For now, today’s session is open seating. Please take your preferred spot.”

Lighthouse moved to a corner of the topmost row. Hesitating momentarily, Sky Castle headed towards a familiar seat.

“…”

His former seat was completely obliterated, as if something had fallen from the ceiling.

“Legislative members total 300. Now… eight of us.”

Suddenly, a delicate feminine voice startled the villains, who instinctively raised their magic power in defense.

“Alright then. I didn’t expect to fill up on the first try, so this will suffice.”

“Who’s above?”

Looking up at the voice, Sky Castle saw it.

“…The Sun! Glory to the Sun!”

There floated a blazing sun, radiating immeasurable magic power. Its blue flames were so intense that merely gazing at them felt blinding.

THUD.

The Phoenix, folding its wings, landed on the unburnt Speaker’s podium.

“Welcome to the Blue Wind Sect conference room, strangers. I am the villain striving daily for world peace, Blazing Phoenix.”

“…□□.”

“Tsk. Stone Giant. Didn’t we agree to use proper language?”

Masked Masquerade clapped her hands, concealing her face despite being indoors.

“It’s twelve o’clock. Let’s start.”

“Not everyone agreed to casual speech…just two of us…”

“Let’s begin.”

“…Understood. Ahem.”

Phoenix adjusted her veil, cleared her throat, and gathered everyone’s attention.

“Hmm! Thank you for coming. Let’s see. In order: Architect, Shaman, Sky Castle, Black Flame Goat, correct?”

“Through your grace, this humble one has been reborn as a dragon, O Sun! Please call me Black Flame Dragon henceforth!”

“…Ah, yes. Anyway, Black Flame Dragon included. Four combatants and one producer. Good. This is sufficient preparation. Moving forward, we—”

“Do you truly believe you can defeat the Association’s heroes with this force? Can you overcome two S-Ranks with this level of strength?”

Hee-hee. Phoenix smirked. Lighthouse barely suppressed a sigh.

Suddenly, Sky Castle felt a fiery sensation coursing through his spine. Behind the seemingly playful Phoenix on the podium loomed a massive apparition.

A phoenix wreathed in blue flames. Sky Castle immediately understood.

“So, you were there that day too.”

“Indeed. Guess you sense things differently nearing S-Rank. Yes, I was present at that meeting, behind Masquerade.”

Black Flame Dragon looked at Masquerade, who shrugged nonchalantly.

“Our boss cherishes the executives greatly.”

“I don’t randomly fall for executive love, you know.”

“□□□□□□□.”

The Stone Giant muttered something incomprehensible. Phoenix subtly increased her magic power, locking eyes with the villains.

“Do you think you have the strength to face two S-Ranks?”

“Gasp!”

Breath caught in his throat. Blood beneath the skin began to boil. Sweat poured from every pore, and his mouth went dry. Attempting to move his magic power to counteract the pressure proved futile; it remained frozen like solid stone.

Prey before the predator. Every passing second felt like a hawk descending with claws ready to slash throats.

CLAP.

Phoenix applauded, allowing the four villains to gasp for breath. Lighthouse’s subordinates promptly delivered bottles of water to the villains’ seats before retreating.

“This demonstration should suffice.”

“…Never heard Korea had such an S-Rank villain.”

Shaman drained a 500ml bottle in one go, raising her hands in surrender. The sheer aura suppressing four A-Ranks proved undeniably S-Rank—or possibly beyond.

“Okay. Got it. You’re terrifyingly strong. But is that all?”

“There are limitations, but we can awaken espers in normal people and elevate existing espers to higher levels. As demonstrated by Lighthouse, even talentless normals can fight monsters with firearms.”

“…Many questions arise, but let’s start with one. How did you awaken Black Flame Dragon to A-Rank?”

“Curious?”

Phoenix widened her smile. Masquerade raised her hand to answer first.

“You must join the organization to learn. And even then, we won’t tell you immediately.”

“Eh, telling you wouldn’t cause much harm… Alright, I’ll just briefly mention the source. Developed by the Blue Wind Sect itself. Here’s the origin.”

Phoenix tapped her temples.

“I’ll explain everything once you join. From start to finish, in detail.”

Shaman discreetly touched her smartwatch.

– What do you think? I think it’s manageable.

Sky Castle glanced at Phoenix after reading the message on his watch.

“One more question.”

“Go ahead.”

“If Princess Snowflower and Hwakwon were to team up and fight together as two S-Ranks, would anyone here be able to handle them?”

“Of course.”

Phoenix stretched her finger skyward,

“Me.”

Pointing to herself.

***

Five years before the original story, in 2020.

The world still doesn’t know that above S-Rank lies an even higher tier: SS-Rank.

The difference in esper abilities is absolute. Even twenty A-Ranks couldn’t scratch an S-Rank.

And above S-Rank lies SS-Rank.

That’s me.

Blazing Phoenix.