Chapter 72

〈 Chapter 72 〉 Part 1, Chapter 5 (5)

Na and Jae-min Yoon took hands. It seemed too much time had passed, as Yoon Yu-hwa used Jae-min’s puppet to speak.

“With this, our contract continues. Please don’t forget the agreed-upon supply by the appointed day.”

A sly grin spread across Jae-min’s face, fitting for someone nicknamed “The Gentleman.” Though his true personality is unknown, at least under Yoon Yu-hwa’s control, he was a perfect gentleman.

“By the end of May, 100 cores. All C-Rank or higher. At least ten A-Ranks. Correct?”

“Yes. If you can conquer the snake at City Hall, securing that amount should be feasible.”

Even gathering 100 C-Rank cores would be a deal worth over fifty billion won. If one could collect 100 A-Rank cores, the transaction would skyrocket into hundreds of billions.

Core trading through the black market alone generates profits in the tens to hundreds of billions. Once Seoul regains its function, monster byproducts can also be processed.

Yoon Yu-hwa’s Yu-sung aims to devour Seoul’s economy through our transactions. If negotiations proceed as planned, Sky Castle will take over Seoul’s administration.

This combination of government and corporate collusion will grant the Blue Wind Sect immense wealth, becoming Seoul’s powerful backing force.

Jae-min suddenly snapped his fingers as if remembering something.

“Speaking of which, Phoenix-sama, aren’t you investing anywhere? I believe we sent several billion won directly to your account, though most were delivered as goods.”

“In Seoul? What would I spend money on…”

At most, my expenses involve occasional trips to Incheon. It’ll take at least two years for Seoul to regain its former functionality.

“Hmm…”

But as Yoon Yu-hwa pointed out, letting such funds sit idle would be wasteful. I decided to follow her lead.

“Shouldn’t I get a financial planner now?”

“How could I just sit idly by while your money rots away? Haha. Allow me to manage it personally. Trust me, I’ll launder the illicit funds so they’re usable even in New Seoul.”

“In that case, I’ll invest in Yu-sung.”

“An excellent choice.”

Did I imagine the ₩ symbol flashing in Jae-min’s mechanical eyes? He immediately brought up a screen displaying various investment options. I grabbed his wrist and lowered the screen.

“That’s enough. I’ve already decided where to invest.”

“…Ah? Do you have a specific investment target in mind?”

“I have no intention of seeking monetary gain.”

Jae-min’s eyes flickered slightly. Saying I’m not interested in making money is like saying Yoon Yu-hwa has no intention of breathing.

Except for his sole hobby, Yoon Yu-hwa reinvests every bit of earned capital.

“And where might that be?”

“Do you like stargazing, Miss Yoon Yu-hwa?”

“…Of course.”

As evident from Yu-sung Group’s name and the imagery associated with her special ability—Big Dipper—Yoon Yu-hwa has significant ties to stars.

Her field of interest: astronomy.

[…Huh.]

A sigh escaped Jae-min’s lips.

[What exactly are you planning to invest in? Optical telescopes? Lens manufacturing? Or perhaps donating to New Seoul University’s Astronomy Department? Research funding?]

Clearly flustered, Yoon Yu-hwa asked directly rather than through Jae-min’s mouth. I pointed upward with my finger.

“To see the stars directly. Can you build me a spaceship to go to the moon?”

[A spaceship?]

I stood up from my chair.

“Yes. Let’s visit the moon rabbits when we have time, shall we?”

[Space travel costs an arm and a leg. Isn’t that excessive for a single date?]

“People shouldn’t skimp on their hobbies or dating, you know?”

Yoon Yu-hwa’s giggling laughter echoed. If she’d been showing me a screen, I imagine she’d be rolling on her bed clutching her stomach right now.

[Ah, haha. Fine. Let’s do it. Just warning you, I’ll spend all your money!]

“As much as you want. But…”

I conjured flames in my hand, forming a distinct shape. Yoon Yu-hwa marveled at the solidifying form created by the dancing flames.

[The moon.]

“Within the next five years, we need to create a rocket capable of reaching the moon from here in Korea. Right here in Seoul.”

* * *

The deal was done.

As soon as Eun Jae-min and Phantom’s secretary returned to the conference room, the special envoy team quickly left the National Assembly building.

The villains’ alliance proposed a luncheon to the special envoys, but Jang Hu-jeong politely declined, and the team immediately handed over ten heroes and departed Yeouido.

All the envoy team retrieved were ten heroes and an unsigned temporary agreement.

Following the villains’ subtle threats, they made maximum concessions during the negotiation, but thinking about the upcoming debates within New Seoul regarding the content of the agreement already gave Jang Hu-jeong a headache.

“At least we managed to save the heroes safely.”

The administrator smiled in relief watching the returning heroes.

Though the government will surely have headaches, from the association’s perspective, this wasn’t a bad deal.

The only concern was temporarily handing over Seoul to the villains.

However, the villains merely postured; they didn’t seem intent on massacring the refugees in Seoul. Compared to extreme factions like Sky Castle or Lighthouse, groups like Land Dog or Black Flame Dragon, they were relatively moderate conversationalists.

Still, Jang Hu-jeong retorted:

“Administrator, do you intend to stand by while those ruffians detain Seoul citizens? I believe we should immediately nullify this agreement and plan a second Seoul recapture operation.”

Rather than contradicting, the administrator actually agreed with Jang Hu-jeong’s fiery words.

“Naturally. The association hasn’t abandoned Seoul. However…”

The administrator paused, glancing around cautiously before whispering softly.

“Collaborating temporarily with those who fight against monsters and protect people isn’t necessarily bad. After all, they are citizens of the Republic of Korea, humans, at the very least.”

Yu Ying-huo hesitated briefly.

“This is Administrator Yu Ying-huo’s personal opinion. Please take it lightly.”

The heroes following behind twitched upon hearing Yu Ying-huo’s words. They exchanged glances, seemingly lost in thought.

“Uh, Administrator!”

C-Rank hero Lee Gi-seong called out to the administrator with a deflated tone. Meanwhile, a leader among the Blue Wind Sect members cleared their throat.

“…Ahem.”

Lee Gi-seong jumped in surprise. Other heroes behind him gave him a look. The administrator stopped walking and turned around.

“What’s wrong, Gi-seong? Are you feeling unwell? Those bastards didn’t torture you, did they? We’ll have you checked first once we return to New Seoul.”

The administrator’s glare toward the Blue Wind Sect members was far from friendly. Lee Gi-seong waved his hands frantically after checking everyone’s reactions.

“A-Ah! No, not at all! It’s just that… thinking about returning to New Seoul…”

Ascending the mountain slope, just a little further, and they’d reach the summit of Gwanaksan. Beyond the dimensional gate site, the Blue Wind Sect members followed them back to Yeouido as guards.

Right beyond there, those escorting the special envoy team waited for their safe return.

“What is it? Still can’t believe it?”

Gi-seong’s behavior was awkward, but the administrator burst into hearty laughter, patting Gi-seong on the shoulder.

“Not again. Sure, you almost died, but surviving must feel surreal. Oh, you’re in big trouble now. Your girlfriend threw trash at the minister thinking you were dead. You’re completely trapped now. Once we return to New Seoul, you’ll need to book a wedding hall first. But don’t ask me to officiate.”

“……Yes.”

The administrator noticed something off about Gi-seong’s slumped shoulders. His condition after being kidnapped by monsters and rescued by villains seemed strange.

Like he wanted to say something but couldn’t. The administrator’s expression hardened.

“You wouldn’t happen to-”

“Ahh! We’ve arrived! Here! Over here!”

Jang Hu-jeong waved and shouted. Heroes waiting far away came into view.

Pungbaek, Unsah, Usa. The three directors along with heroes who participated in the Seoul recapture operation. They stepped onto Seoul soil again for the ten heroes, including Gi-seong, who returned alive.

“……!”

Among them were also members of Team B, the Pine Tree Brigade who entered Gangnam. Gi-seong’s expression immediately stiffened. Another hero whispered to him from behind.

“Relax. If we’re found out, we’re all screwed. Did you forget what you heard?”

“…..No.”

Gi-seong forced a smile as Yun approached rapidly.

His entire body wrapped in bandages, the team leader who led Gi-seong’s group bowed deeply toward Gi-seong, who had returned alive.

“I sincerely apologize! It was due to my inadequacy that you fell into such peril!”

“Not just you. Our old ones lacked strength.”

Gi-seong quickly put on a lively smile to lighten the mood.

“No! It was because I was weak. Thanks to the efforts of all the seniors, I managed to survive. So, it’s fine!”

Gi-seong patted his chest. Yun raised his head, but his face was filled with guilt and sorrow.

Then the administrator stepped forward and scolded Yun.

“It’s a good day, Park Ra-on. Everyone returned alive. For now, everything’s fine, but when we enter Anyang, journalists will be swarming. …Even if you don’t want to, smile. That’s what heroes do.”

“….Yes, Administrator.”

Yun forcibly twisted his lips upward. His expression was so bizarre that the heroes burst into loud chatter.

“Haha, ha, ha.”

Gi-seong also forced a laugh. Glancing around subtly, he noticed the Pine Tree Brigade heroes glaring at them.

“Haha, ha…haa.”

Gi-seong shifted his body, carefully hiding something in his inner pocket.

“……Yeah. This is all for justice.”

♩♪♬

Inside Gi-seong’s coat pocket, a small blue canary peeked out its head and chirped in agreement.

That afternoon, Sun Ichul announced the safe return of the ten missing heroes in a nationwide address.

* * *

“Oh, clear picture.”

Through Hero Gi-seong’s possession of a mini-Phoenix, I was able to observe the details of the hero party heading towards Seoul.

Transmitters, trackers, and other devices would naturally be detected during searches, but the miniature Phoenix, akin to pure mana, would never be discovered.

‘Only ten were selected, so there’s no way they’ll find out.’

“If they do, we’ll just revise the plan.”

I terminated the connection with the mini-Phoenix and lay down on the bed.

“Hopefully it succeeds.”

This operation was based on the assumption that Sun Ichul and the commander of the Pine Tree Brigade hadn’t changed much in the past five years. Simultaneously, it relied on the trust placed in heroes who learned the truth about Seoul.

“They’ll explode if they betray us.”

Gi-seong and others, totaling ten in all.

While operating Hellhounds, I abducted promising individuals with high potential, implanting mini-Phoenix bombs similar to those in Yi Seung-hyeong’s body.

Given their strong sense of justice, once they learned the truth about the Pine Tree Brigade, they would surely act accordingly.

If they chose to cling to Sun Ichul or Cheongsong instead—

‘I’d be extremely disappointed in these heroes.’

“So please, don’t disappoint me, heroes.”

I stretched my arms toward the sun while overlooking Seoul from the top of the 63 Building.

“I’m watching you closely.”