Chapter 85

〈 Episode 85 〉 Part 1, Chapter 5 (18)

Greetings, this is Prime Minister Baek Se-joon.

President Sun Icheol is currently bedridden due to a severe shock and unable to move, so I kindly ask for your understanding as I oversee the state funeral.

At 7:13 AM on May 9, 2020, we received the tragic news of the passing of Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan.

…(Omitted)…

…Therefore, in order to honor the deceased’s will, the government pledges to do everything in its power to protect the safety of all citizens.

May the deceased rest in peace.

* * *

<May 14th, 10 PM. The Grave of Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan>

It’s drizzling. The rain pours down like a flood, drenching the entire world.

The streets are filled with sorrow. Everyone mourns the departed soul in their own way, and countless people have visited his vigil to grieve his death.

After confirming Light Blade’s death, the government quickly arranged his state funeral.

Before any rumors about how or by whom he died could spread, President Sun Icheol swiftly pushed forward with the state funeral, which began the very next day on May 10th like roasting beans under a lightning fire.

May 14th. The final day of the five-day state funeral. Light Blade was laid to rest with a calm expression, cradling the iron sword embedded in his chest within the coffin.

Since there were no special last words or instructions from the deceased, following the wishes of his closest relatives Yu Yinghuo and Seok Harang, Light Blade’s body was buried in a park near New Seoul.

The government announced plans to transform the park into a memorial park once the mourning settles down.

Many visitors came to pay respects at the grave.

Everyone waited for hours to place a single chrysanthemum flower at Light Blade’s grave, surrounding the tomb with a sea of yellow flowers.

“…There are still so many.”

“Everyone must have been helped by Mr. Light Blade at some point.”

Yun Yuhwa held an umbrella over Seok Harang’s head. Though capable of freezing rain or creating an ice umbrella, Seok Harang simply let the rain fall on him.

His white hair was soaked, and his black mourning clothes clung tightly to his body.

“Look.”

Where Yun Yuhwa pointed, a large screen displayed a tribute video narrated by Lee Seung-hyung, showcasing Light Blade’s heroic deeds.

– For over twenty years, the deceased participated in numerous monster extermination operations, capturing and reforming hundreds of villains. He…

“Wow, Teacher was truly amazing, wasn’t he?”

“Indeed.”

In the video, a young Light Blade wielded twin golden blades, defeating monsters. From reclaiming Jeonju, conquering Jeju Island, to the Fourth Seoul Defense Operation – in every battle, Light Blade killed monsters and saved people.

“Every person in New Seoul owes their life to Mr. Light Blade at least once.”

“What’s that mean?”

A boy who lost his arm to a monster and has now grown into a young man placed a mechanical prosthetic hand holding a chrysanthemum.

A middle-aged woman who suffered from PTSD after being taken hostage by villains bowed deeply while crying at Light Blade’s vigil.

Even Professor Do, who endlessly criticized Light Blade for staying in New Seoul, paid his respects before the portrait.

On the third day of the funeral, President Sun Icheol, who had collapsed but returned to his feet, cried loudly as if losing a family member before fainting again. This news further plunged New Seoul into grief.

Of course, there were those who maintained a more objective perspective amidst the widespread sorrow.

Next to a filming trailer, a man in a jacket whispered to the reporter beside him:

“…Hey, what’s going to happen to this country? Shouldn’t we report back to headquarters and escape soon?”

“Are you really worried about another war breaking out? What era do you think we’re living in?”

Those wearing jackets with broadcasting company logos quietly discussed among themselves. While domestic reporters covered the scene with bloodshot eyes, foreign correspondents exaggeratedly asked their viewers:

“Can this nation, having lost the S-Rank hero Light Blade, still hold any hope?”

“After experiencing the unprecedented disaster of the first Fire Demon Dragon appearance in human history, now their strongest national hero has been killed by a villain. How long can Korea continue resisting international support from the Association?”

“Light Blade’s personal assets reportedly reach several trillion. With no clear heirs and no designated successor, the government argues it should go to Princess Snowflower, while the Association claims it should be returned to the international community…”

Crunch.

Seok Harang gritted his teeth. Yun Yuhwa gently grabbed Seok Harang’s cold hand.

“Harang, calm down.”

“I’m fine.”

With an expressionless face neither crying nor laughing, Seok Harang spoke calmly yet didn’t let go of Yun Yuhwa’s hand.

“Teacher went smiling, right? So it probably wasn’t a villain. Maybe it was some old grudge he faced and lost to? Like those movies where guys fight each other until one dies.”

Seok Harang gripped Yun Yuhwa’s hand tightly. Yun Yuhwa turned Seok Harang’s body toward her and embraced him.

“You can cry if you want. No one’s looking here right now.”

Yun Yuhwa lowered the umbrella slightly to cover Seok Harang’s face. Nearby, Yun Yuhwa’s puppets engaged various people in conversation to divert attention.

“Sister, I think I might be heartless.”

Seok Harang said in a monotone voice.

“My only teacher has passed away, the person who pulled me out of that swamp and became my savior has gone to heaven…”

Seok Harang looked directly into Yun Yuhwa’s eyes.

His eyes were as dark and lifeless as the deep sea.

“Not a single tear comes out. My insides feel like they’re boiling with pain, I want to freeze and kill everyone talking nonsense about Teacher, but why can’t I shed even one tear?”

“…People express grief in different ways.”

Seok Harang rested his head on Yun Yuhwa’s shoulder. Her exposed collarbone felt as cold as an ice pack. Yun Yuhwa tried to steady her trembling hands as she patted Seok Harang’s back.

Seok Harang hugged Yun Yuhwa tightly.

“I bought a gift for Teacher… I felt sorry for always telling him not to drink, so I even participated in an auction abroad to buy expensive wine, but now I can’t give it to him…”

“…You’ll have a chance to offer it someday.”

“Where? At the grave?”

At Seok Harang’s cold tone, Yun Yuhwa hesitated briefly. Soon, Seok Harang released her and bowed his head.

“…Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

Seok Harang hugged Yun Yuhwa again. Though his body shook as if about to cry, not a single tear fell.

It was as if his tear ducts had frozen solid.

“Thank you, Sister, for being here with me…”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Yun Yuhwa endured the statue-like coldness as she patted Seok Harang.

“Let’s go to your place and rest. The living must carry on.”

The rain continued to drizzle steadily, soaking the earth without end.

* * *

The funeral was over.

Light Blade rested eternally in his grave, while Seok Harang lay motionlessly on his bed staring at the ceiling.

“……”

He lacked even the energy to speak. As the sole disciple, reporters relentlessly hounded Seok Harang.

Though they didn’t ask directly, people from the media and networks tried every possible way to extract more information about Light Blade from Seok Harang.

Was Light Blade hiding his powers?

Did you know Light Blade was hiding his powers?

Do you know who Light Blade fought?

Do you plan to seek revenge on whoever killed Light Blade?

Do you think it’s natural for you to inherit Light Blade’s legacy?

Now that Light Blade is gone, who do you think is Korea’s strongest hero between Princess Snowflower and yourself?

“I might just smash someone’s head in.”

An unexpectedly aggressive statement even surprised himself, showing just how emotionally distressed Seok Harang was.

It was Light Blade who discovered and rescued Harang from neglect resembling child abuse at an orphanage in Busan.

Thanks to his discovery, Seok Harang awakened as an S-Rank freezing mage. Thanks to his sponsorship, Seok Harang rose to become one of Korea’s top heroes.

Seok Harang’s life blossomed after meeting Light Blade.

And now, that Light Blade was gone. Though he didn’t show it outwardly, Seok Harang’s heart froze colder than the icy winds of winter.

Beeep. Beeep.

The smartwatch alarm went off. Seok Harang turned his head to check the commemorative date he had set.

[May 15th, Teacher’s Day. Give Teacher a present ★]

“Haha, ha.”

A tasteless laugh escaped his lips. He spent all his money buying expensive premium wine. Despite not drinking himself, Seok Harang studied extensively about wine specifically to bring something special from abroad, but now it sat collecting dust.

He kept telling Light Blade not to drink so much… If only he had known, he would have bought him all the alcohol he wanted.

“……What good is it now. That.”

Seok Harang covered his face with both hands. His hands were so cold they made him feel like he was already dead.

“Ha, my abilities have improved again.”

Raising his index finger, he created an ice sparrow. After weeks of intense training to counter that mysterious Chang-yeom, Seok Harang had reached the threshold of the next level.

But the one person he wanted to show this new power to was gone.

“Divine spirits above. Are you watching over us from heaven?”

Seok Harang stared at the ceiling through his fingers.

“If you take all my newly awakened powers, or even all my powers entirely…”

The light faded from his eyes between his fingers.

“Could you please bring our Teacher back…?”

No answer came. No one responded to Seok Harang’s silent scream.

Seok Harang lost consciousness.