〈 Episode 67 〉 Part 1 Chapter 4 (24)
<7:00 PM. C Hotel Lounge, Yeouido.>
To cut a long story short, Deokbae died.
And then he came back to life. Thanks to my resurrection spell, Deokbae was revived with only his Core intact while his body exploded. Unfortunately, his hair didn’t come back.
“Who would’ve thought that all the magic power I’d been building up would just vanish like this… I had no idea.”
A new piece of knowledge gained. Though he grew from D Rank to C Rank, it would still take quite a bit of magic power accumulation to reach B Rank. However, after dying once thanks to Gaeul, all the magic power stored within his body disappeared.
Your level stays the same but the accumulated magic power (experience) gets erased. Gaeul kept apologizing profusely to the newly resurrected Deokbae.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would kill you…”
“……”
Deokbae closed his eyes. One of his tentacles swayed in a “C” shape as it bowed down to him.
The one who shattered Deokbae’s body into pieces was none other than Gaeul’s tentacle. The sheer physical difference between S Rank and C Rank. Even if Deokbae threw his strongest punch with all his might, it was far weaker compared to when Gaeul gently touched him with her tentacle.
“But…”
My gaze fell upon Ji Hwa, causing him to flinch. He too was one of the three remaining monsters in Seoul. The second-in-command had witnessed firsthand how Deokbae died and came back to life.
“I’ll work harder…”
Ji Hwa, with a resigned expression, touched the back of his hand. It was around the time when darkness began to settle over the streets. He still had the mission of monitoring the heroes’ movements.
“Is the gift well-wrapped?”
“Yes, everything you asked for is inside. All we need to do now is close the lid.”
The architect responsible for locking the box looked pale as he turned away. After seeing the contents of the gift box, he had already thrown up the contents of his stomach.
“Is this what civilized people do…?”
“Forget about the attempted massacre in Seoul? And these are the ones who tried to cause that massacre.”
When I tapped the marble box, a dull yet clear sound resonated.
“It’s just returning what we received. Is there a problem?”
“No. Ah… I shouldn’t say anything.”
The architect shook his head.
“You look cute but your actions are terrifying.”
Even Architect, who had already seen countless horrors in Seoul, was visibly repulsed. Even Sun Icheol, who always pretends to be calm, would surely be shocked if he saw this.
“So, are you really sending just this much? What if they don’t open it?”
“That’s why I also plan to send this along.”
I took out a USB stick and waved it.
“Since we’re giving such a big present, I figured I’d attach a video letter too.”
* * *
Soon after.
The packaging was finished. The only thing left was delivering the package via courier.
When would be a good time? While pondering this, I asked the senior members of the Blue Wind Sect about the timing and decided on the execution time.
8:00 PM. If the heroes make no moves before then, I’ll deliver the package to New Seoul. And I’ll be the one doing it.
Why specifically at 8:00 PM? That’s the prime time when all the news programs on public broadcasting channels are airing. A rooftop terror attack on government buildings makes for excellent breaking news.
“Are you sure it’ll be alright?”
Gaeul cautiously asks. She seems quite worried about me going to deliver the package despite having so many other organization members available.
Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan is in New Seoul.
“It’s fine. I’ll drop it from afar and leave immediately.”
I tapped the handle on top of the box. The box, infused with magic power, became sturdy enough not to break even if it fell from the sky.
“Unless you want to come along? I can carry you or you could cling onto me.”
At my suggestion, Gaeul sharply shook her head.
“No. If I go to New Seoul, I feel like my resolve will weaken.”
“What if you just watch from afar?”
Gaeul decisively crossed her tentacles in an X-shape.
“I get it. I’ll be back soon.”
“This side will keep training hard, so don’t worry.”
Beeep. 10 minutes to 8:00 PM.
My smartwatch alarm went off. I turned it off and spread my wings. The faint glow of blue flames burning in the dark became visible.
“I’ll be back!”
Holding the box, I soared high into the sky. Reaching an altitude where I was eye-level with the rooftop of the 63 Building. I ascended even higher.
Sweeeeet!
My body shot upward like a rocket. The clouds started to disperse, and cold frost began to touch my skin. I passed by flying birds in the night sky and continued ascending, piercing through the clouds.
Silence. The surrounding temperature was extremely low, almost freezing. If I hadn’t sent magic power to the smartwatch and the gift box, they would have frozen and broken by now.
Beeep. Thankfully, the functions were working normally even at this height.
– Altitude: 20km.
“Is this far enough…?”
Though I’d prefer to keep more distance, there’s no real need to be overly cautious. Right now, I just need to deliver a quick message and return. Not getting caught would be ideal though.
“Then…”
I slowly glided downward like a hawk. Direction: South. After flying for a few minutes, I arrived at the pre-set destination.
New Seoul. Altitude: 1km.
“Phew.”
Tick-tock-tick-tock. The analog clock on the LCD screen moved its second hand. 47, 48, 49.
50. I plummeted toward the ground. Passing through the clouds, frictional heat melted the frost off the surface of the box.
51. I pierced through the clouds and approached the ground quickly. My target location came into view.
52. Slowing down, I hovered in mid-air. My feet lightly touched the rooftop of the Government Building in New Seoul.
53. Shockwaves rippled through the surroundings. I gently placed the box on the roof of the building, using magic power to dampen the impact as much as possible. Only a strong gust of wind resulted.
54. The box was set on the building roof.
The movement of magic power nearby seemed unusual.
55. I bent my knees. Preparing to fly, I slightly folded my wings.
56. Pushing off the roof forcefully, I vertically discharged magic power while simultaneously flapping my wings to soar rapidly into the air.
57. I discharged magic power even more frantically.
Suddenly, a golden flash appeared far away.
“Tch!”
58. A beam of light was fired directly at my heart. I deflected the light bullet with a simple hand motion.
59. The minute hand pointed to 8. I stopped mid-air.
“Of course, I’ve been caught.”
I enhanced my vision with magic power. On the balcony of what seemed to be the headquarters dormitory, a man holding a beer can pointed his finger at me.
Fortunately, the opponent didn’t seem inclined to further restrain me and was carefully observing me. He furrowed his brows, unable to see clearly.
Our gazes met momentarily. Light Blade’s eyes widened in shock.
“Of course. Ahn.”
Judging from his expression, he already knows what kind of being I am. In the original storyline, I could only infer based on circumstantial evidence, but now I understand.
Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan clearly knows about the Dark Legion’s Seven Commanders.
While Light Blade hesitated, I raised my hand and waved slightly.
“Hello there?”
Even though my intentions wouldn’t reach him, I noticed Light Blade dropping the squid leg he had been chewing. Come to think of it, he was a drinker, wasn’t he?
“I’ll see you again soon.”
I immediately shot up into the sky and evaded. Simultaneously, alarms blared across the entire New Seoul area.
Waaaahhhhhhng—–!
About 10 seconds round trip entering the city center radar range, leaving the package, and escaping. If Light Blade hadn’t noticed, I could have come and gone without triggering the radar.
Indeed, Light Blade. The strongest hero in Korea and also the possessor of humanity’s greatest unknown achievement.
The Spirit Slayer.
As a sign of respect, I departed from New Seoul.
* * *
“Mr. President! Please take cover!”
The security chief rushed into the office and opened the door hurriedly. Sun Icheol sat calmly at his desk, working leisurely.
“A monster alert, it’s been a while. Whereabouts?”
“Right here!”
“…?”
Sun Icheol adjusted his glasses. For a moment, he didn’t understand.
“The giant monster radar detected a monster right here at the government building!”
“Are you trying to joke with me? Where in such a peaceful place would a monster appear?”
“Mr. President.”
A shadow emerged from the darkness. The security chief straightened up hastily and paid respects.
“Chungsong.”
A figure clad in black attire with a mask covering their whole body. Their voice was distorted, making it impossible to tell if they were male or female. They simply referred to themselves as Chungsong.
Estimated to be an A-Rank ability user. With a nod from Sun Icheol, the security chief bowed deeply and left the office.
“There’s this on the roof.”
Chungsong moved the shadows. From the shadows emerged a marble box whose lid bore scratches resembling sharp claw marks.
“Sun Icheol”
“Penis”
“Three centimeters”
Upon confirming this, Chungsong turned his head and chuckled softly. Sun Icheol pointed at the box with a deadpan face.
“Open it.”
“It’s dangerous. We should inspect it with the Hero Association’s help…”
“This is an unbearable insult. This is a challenge to me. Rumors spreading chaos among the masses!”
Chungsong said nothing and broke the lock. It wasn’t locked very securely, shattering easily.
Hmcht. As the lock broke, a strong smell of blood wafted from the crack in the box. Sun Icheol’s eyebrows furrowed.
“Open it.”
“…”
Chungsong lifted the lid. Inside were heads stacked neatly, very familiar to both of them. Each neck bore the exact same pine tree emblem.
“…”
The pungent smell of blood filled the office. Chungsong quickly closed the lid, but Sun Icheol raised his hand to stop him.
“There’s something inside.”
“What?”
“There’s something in Robin Yu I-shin’s mouth.”
In that brief moment, Sun Icheol didn’t miss it. Chungsong reopened the lid and inspected the heads.
“Indeed.”
Among the numerous burnt and distorted heads, one remained exceptionally clean. At the neatly cut base of Robin Yu I-shin’s head, a small USB stick was clenched in her mouth.
Chungsong removed the USB stick.
“Of course, there must be something inside.”
Sun Icheol took it and approached the wall-mounted TV. Meanwhile, Chungsong returned the box to the shadows.
“I’ll investigate in Daejeon.”
“Do so.”
Sun Icheol plugged the USB into the TV next to him. There were only two video files on the USB:
1.avi
2.avi
The filenames were very simple, clearly indicating the order in which they should be watched.
Beeep.
Sun Icheol turned off the TV and checked his smartwatch. A familiar face awaited the connection on the screen.
“What is it!”
– Deputy Minister Jang Hu-jung speaking. The monster appearance alert that activated at 20:00:05 today has been confirmed as a system error. No traces of any monsters were found during searches near the government building.
Chungsong tapped his shoulder from the shadows. Sun Icheol clicked his tongue and instructed the deputy minister.
“Fix it so the citizens aren’t confused. Also, broadcast a correction on the news.”
– Understood. We’ll follow your instructions.
The connection ended. Sun Icheol turned on the TV again and sat on the couch.
Click. Chungsong locked the door and approached Sun Icheol. He handed him one earphone.
“You never know. Be careful.”
Sun Icheol inserted the wireless earphones into his ears. Chungsong adjusted the TV settings so no sound leaked outside.
Click. Pressing the screen started the video.
1.avi.
The video showed numerous monitors lined up. Sun Icheol immediately recognized the place.
“Dongjag Station Control Room.”
The monitors displayed the entire station through closed-circuit camera footage. Within those images were the brutal scenes of Heroes from the Pine Tree Squad aiming guns and using knives to slaughter refugees in Seoul.
Sun Icheol fast-forwarded through the video. In the span of ten minutes, all the murderers shown in the video now had only their heads left, neatly contained in the box.
The meaning of the video was simple.
“I know what you’ve done. Something like that?”
Sun Icheol rubbed the scar under his left eye.
“First video failed.”
Crackle. The video switched. This time, it was pitch black.
Thinking it might be a mistake, suddenly light appeared. There were heroes gagged and bound, glaring fiercely at the camera.
The nine missing heroes were alive. Sun Icheol gripped the armrests of his chair tightly.
The light went out, and an anonymous cough was heard. The screen rotated, revealing a man filling the frame. Presumably the one holding the camera.
– I, Hero Association Korea branch C-Rank Hero Lee Gi-seong, have learned the truth behind the Seoul recovery operation. There are still many people living underground in Seoul. And to kill all of them, President Sun Icheol…
Sun Icheol turned off the TV. Lying down on the sofa, he closed his eyes.
“Contact Daejeon.”
Chungsong bowed. The shadow swallowed the box again.
“Contact Daejeon and find out who sent this box.”
Sun Icheol issued the order to Chungsong, who vanished from the office.
“Whatever you bastards are…”
Sun Icheol tapped his smartwatch. The person connected was the highest hunting dog he controlled with a leash.
Light Blade.
“Never think you can mess with me and live to breathe in this land.”
His snake-like sharp eyes flashed.
* * *
<8:08 PM. Rooftop of the 63 Building.>
The night wind was cold.
I folded my wings and rested my feet on the railing of the rooftop of the 63 Building.
“Huff, haa.”
I took a deep breath. The palm of my left hand, which deflected the light bullet, was still red.
“It doesn’t hurt, though.”
That one second. I mentally simulated a battle with Light Blade.
Human form results in a draw; monster form leads to a narrow victory. This is assuming Light Blade goes all-out, but in a one-on-one fight, I can definitely hold my own.
“But.”
This guy, who retired in the original timeline, serves as a crucial assistant to the protagonist within the Association’s ranks. Simultaneously, he represents a necessary gateway to advancing towards the true ending.
“With the Cube collapsing due to unknown reasons since Cheon Gaeul has become a monster…”
There’s simply too much to solve alone.
Cheon Gaeul said someone who would help solve problems together with us would appear someday.
“The protagonist.”
As one of the main heroines in the original work, she instinctively referred to the original protagonist. March 1st, 2025, five years later. The quirky commander who wrapped up his life in America and returned to Korea on the verge of collapse.
His arrival would certainly provide a lot of help, but the wait is too long.
“There’s no need to wait.”
Cheon Gaeul wouldn’t know, but thanks to her, I’ve been able to formulate and confirm future plans.
Someone who shares my perspective. Someone who will undoubtedly cooperate upon learning the truth. Someone with strength comparable to Blazing Phoenix, even if not exactly equal. I need the help of such a person.
Spirit.
Of course, the whereabouts of the spirits brainwashed as Dark Legion commanders remain unknown.
Just like Phoenix hiding in the magma, they’re likely sleeping somewhere in the desert or jungle.
But there’s one spirit whose location is clear according to the original timeline.
The sixth enemy commander introduced in the original work.
The water attribute spirit killed and sealed by Light Blade.
Snow Night’s Rusalka.
For the purpose of awakening the spirit residing in Korea,
I will kill
Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan.
