Chapter 65

〈 Episode 65 〉Part 1 Chapter 4 (22)

<6 PM. Yeouido C Hotel Lounge>

– The Seoul recapture operation has failed. We sincerely apologize to the citizens.

“You sure gave up quick. I was preparing for round two.”

Phoenix pouted disappointingly. Sun Icheol in the video kept his head bowed, showing no intention of lifting it.

Ji Hwa quietly lowered his hand and deactivated his special ability after Phoenix subtly hinted at him.

“It’s not over yet. After this, they might claim ‘It was all a deception to fool the enemy’ and launch a surprise night attack.”

“I’m sorry…”

Ji Hwa placed his hand back over his eyes.

His devilish eyes, red with exhaustion, were filled with fatigue.

Ji Hwa’s special ability activated again. A map of the entire Seoul region appeared on the table.

“Indeed. Could he have grown to this extent?”

Sky Castle stroked his beard in amazement. This was a completely different level from the Lighthouse he had known before.

“At this rate, we can’t keep calling him ‘Lighthouse’ forever.”

“There’s no real need to give him a new nickname though.”

The map wavered. Lighthouse swallowed his tears of blood as Phoenix fidgeted with her veil awkwardly.

“When you reach S Rank, I’ll give you a cool new nickname. How about that?”

“What’s going to change even if Lighthouse evolves?”

Architect interrupted sarcastically, causing Phoenix to pat Lighthouse’s back.

“Of course! When Mr. Ji Hwa reaches S Rank, I’ll definitely give him a new nickname. Until then, No.3 subordinate’s nickname remains Lighthouse fixed. Ding ding ding.”

Like a judge hammering down a verdict, Phoenix declared Ji Hwa’s nickname before turning her gaze to the battlefield. The southern side of Han River was already eerily quiet, like a ghost town abandoned by people.

The villains who were feared in battle had fled, and those who fought until the end retreated into Yeouido. The wandering monsters roaming the city were either repelled by heroes or hunted down by Ji Hwa’s low-ranking organization members.

A land without a master.

Except for Yeouido where Blue Wind Sect established their base and Dongjak underground where refugees gathered, Seoul had truly become an “empty city.”

“The heroes have retreated to Suwon. The president announced the failure of the first operation. There won’t be another large-scale attack until the heroes recover.”

“There will be some stragglers coming occasionally. There will also be hunters. What are we going to do now?”

At Sky Castle’s question, Phoenix moved a small screen around. On it, a panelist passionately discussed the reasons for the failure on the news.

– So, Professor Do’s point is that the recapture of Seoul was too hasty. That’s correct.

– Exactly! Only a week has passed since the dimensional gate incident, yet the operation was carried out too casually. As I mentioned before, we should have at least investigated what changes occurred in Seoul.

The professor displayed some data. There was a monster whose half-body burned with green flames.

– Such hellhounds don’t exist anywhere in the world. Setting aside the hypothesis that there’s a superior species commanding these so-called hellhound zombies, look at this.

The images on the screen changed.

In Guro, a flame giant that didn’t lose its form even under UnSah’s Devouring Cloud.

In Gangnam, a black-flame dragon that destroyed the combined techniques of Pungbaek and Usa with a mid-air kick.

On top of Gwanaksan, a phoenix named Chang-yeom facing off against Snow Princess.

– I don’t think the appearance of these beings is coincidental. How many fire mages are there in the world? And suddenly, in South Korea, more specifically in ruined Seoul?

Professor Do tapped the paper in his hand.

– The demon species that came out of the dimensional gate was also a first-of-its-kind fire dragon. At this point, can’t anyone see it? Fire! Flames! I don’t think this is a coincidence at all. In one of my previous papers, ‘The Seven Attributes Theory of Magic Power,’ the extremely rare fire attribute has finally erupted in Korea…

– Professor Do, please refrain from presenting personal theories here…

The video cut off. Phoenix turned to Sky Castle.

“What do you think, Professor Sky Castle?”

Sky Castle furrowed his eyebrows.

“I’m curious why you’re showing me this specifically in this situation.”

“Let’s talk as a member of Blue Wind Sect. About our next move.”

Sky Castle let out a low hum. His appearance, still wearing his fedora indoors, seemed somewhat uneasy.

Phoenix quickly realized the reason.

“Indeed. Are you still hesitant to join Blue Wind Sect?”

“…Yeah.”

Sky Castle adjusted his posture.

“I appreciate you saving me from being captured in Gangnam. Whether there are sect leaders I haven’t met yet or not, reviving hellhounds as full power combatants was impressive. Overpowering Snow Princess was downright shocking. However…”

Sky Castle struggled to continue speaking, clearly reluctant to mention something.

“Light Blade and Sun Icheol. You’ve turned both of them, who shouldn’t be made enemies in this country, into adversaries. Can you handle it?”

“I can handle it, which is why I’m doing it. Shall I take down Light Blade’s head while you’re distracted, Sky Castle?”

“…Excuse me.”

Ji Hwa cautiously interjected, diffusing the escalating argument between Phoenix and Sky Castle.

“Putting Light Blade aside, the president seems ready to act soon. Since Lady Phoenix killed some of the heroes, the government won’t sit idly by.”

Sky Castle nodded at Ji Hwa’s words.

“That’s right. They’ll definitely try to silence us. Frankly, we’re witnesses to civilian massacres. Someone will come to eliminate us to cover up the truth about Pine Tree Unit.”

“Silence…?”

Phoenix stopped fiddling with her veil and stood up abruptly from her chair.

“In that case, let’s silence them first. Architect!”

Architect, who silently listened to the conversation, raised his hand. He didn’t have the energy to respond.

“Please make a marble box for me. Make it spacious, about 100 liters.”

Architect lowered his hand as a response. Phoenix’s gaze landed on Ji Hwa.

“Lighthouse, did you carry out all my previous orders?”

“Yes. I found what you asked for, and gathered everything else as instructed without leaving anything behind…”

Lighthouse showed signs of discomfort. Sky Castle also looked uneasy.

Snap. Phoenix clapped her hands.

“Good. Then bring everything here, Lighthouse. Once Architect makes the gift box, put it all inside. I’ll handle the finishing touches and lock it.”

“Gift box…?”

Sky Castle’s face contorted. Phoenix shrugged her shoulders.

“A surprise present for whoever opens it?”

<6:30 PM, Yeouido C Hotel Lounge>

Architect busily worked away. Beside him, members of Blue Wind Sect waited, ready to revive him should he collapse anytime.

“Wait, let’s take a break.”

Architect raised his hand. The elaborately crafted marble box was almost complete, only missing the lid.

“Do you need this?”

One of the members handed over a BaccaO bottle. The contents weren’t BaccaS, but the item inside had effects surpassing any commercially available health tonic.

Architect grimaced at the sight of it. Just counting the number of bottles he drank today would be enough to fill the box.

“Just a moment. I’m human. A person. Even if this is a black company, I should at least be given some rest time…”

“This esteemed figure described it as a potion that maintains the human body in peak condition at all times. Haven’t you already experienced its effects?”

A magical drink made by directly grinding monster cores without any special processing. The 100% core-infused stamina recovery agent not only restored physical fatigue but also rejuvenated mental vitality.

However, Architect had consumed so much of this item that he lost count.

– If we supply unlimited cores, he’ll definitely work tirelessly, right?

The sinister-smiling boss flashed in Architect’s mind. Claiming to provide Architect with literally “infinite” magic power, he relentlessly pushed him to work.

Construction projects usually halted due to budget shortages, giving him some downtime.

But funds flowed endlessly like a geyser.

In the end, all that remained was nonstop hard labor without rest.

“Isn’t it human decency to give cigarette breaks? Restoring this hotel again really took a toll on me mentally.”

Architect threw a tantrum.

Over the past few years, due to the standoff between heroes and monsters centered around Mapo Bridge, most of Yeouido became ruins. Only the large buildings remained relatively intact.

– Let’s establish our headquarters in the center of Yeouido!

When Blue Wind Sect planned to relocate from the National Assembly, they requested support from Architect.

To restore the ruined hotel from the basement to the rooftop.

<Architecture>. With sufficient magic power, this legendary special ability could handle everything from design to completion, even restoration.

After inspecting the hotel’s condition, Architect estimated the cost. At minimum, ten A-Rank cores would be required.

“But how did you gather twenty in just half an hour!!”

Architect flopped onto the sofa like a fish out of water. The heavily bearded man in modified hanbok throwing a fit caused the members’ expressions to sour.

“What? Did you pop by Gaeseong for a bit? Yaaaah!!”

As soon as Sun Icheol announced the operation’s failure, Phoenix immediately commissioned Architect to restore the hotel.

He truly brought the cores, and Architect poured his soul into restoring the hotel to its original state. His unnecessary artisan spirit once again shone brightly.

He needed peace of mind.

To the dying Architect, a member recited the magical phrase.

“The esteemed one said again.”

“What!”

“If we finish making the gift box, we can go home-”

“Yarrrgh!”

Architect dashed towards the box.

The member nodded approvingly while picking up the radio.

“This is G12. Packaging seems almost complete.”

– This is G3. We brought the gift… Uuuk.

Sounds of someone trying to suppress vomiting came through the radio. The team leader of G12 felt immense relief for being assigned to manage Architect instead.

– Phew. We’ve brought all the gifts. Should we bring them inside?

“No. We’ll package outside. Once the gift box is finished, we’ll move it out.”

– Acknowledged… Uwaeek!

G12 turned off the radio. It would take some time for Architect to finish his work.

Clack, clack.

The sound of high heels echoed in the lobby. G12, hearing sounds that shouldn’t be audible, fidgeted with the model gun in his pocket as he headed toward the lobby.

“Wow.”

A goddess descended the spiral staircase. Her white-and-blue dress exposed her shoulders, and the mask perched on her head hinted at her identity.

“Team Leader, what’s wrong?”

One of the team members approached discreetly to check the lobby. He too caught his breath.

She resembled a movie star walking the red carpet. Of course, she was naturally an actress. However, her silver-gray eyes and lifeless skin exuded a decadent charm.

Clack, clack.

Her white shoes peeked out from the ankle-length dress, pressing against the marble floor. The sound of her heels reverberated throughout the lobby as she entered the lounge.

“Phoenix, where are you now?”

Her half-lidded gaze foretold trouble. Recalling the last known whereabouts of their captain from the chief, the team leader of G12 gulped.

“She ended her meeting with Professor Sky Castle and went up to the penthouse.”

“Is that so?”

Gaeul scanned the lounge and headed toward the elevator.

Click click.

Naturally, the elevator wasn’t operational.

“……”

The determined footsteps ascending the stairs carried traces of anger. In the lounge, only the sound of Architect tinkering with the box remained.