Chapter 89

〈Chapter 89〉 Part 1, Chapter 5 (22)

We’ve finally arrived in Busan.

Seoul has stabilized to some extent already, and there’s no longer any reason to stop by New Seoul. Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan made a contract with Yun Yuhwa, essentially becoming one of his people.

“Hmph.”

Ordinarily, there’d be no need for us to meet. But if you’ve awakened as a Spirit, there’s far too much I need to tell you.

Clack. Clack.

The familiar sound of high heels echoes from the entrance. A woman with white hair stands there, her icy glass shoes glinting under the light. Seok Harang towers over everyone, almost unbelievably so for someone born of Rusalka.

“…”

Seok Harang came looking for me. With her heightened sensitivity to Magic Power, she must have sensed what I am through the aura I emit.

“Sit down.”

At my gesture, Seok Harang sat across from me without lowering her guard. We deliberately chose a spot where no prying eyes could reach, so we didn’t need to worry about being watched.

“What’s your order?”

“It’s unnecessary.”

With a flick of Seok Harang’s wrist, water filled the glass in front of her. I lifted the cup; the water was ice-cold.

“So, how does it feel now that you’ve awakened as a Spirit?”

“Are you seriously asking me this right now?”

A knife made of ice formed in Seok Harang’s hand, its edge razor-sharp, ready to pierce my throat at any moment. I pointed at the bread served as an appetizer.

“I’ve got my own knife.”

“Does this look like something meant for cutting bread?”

The blade gleamed with deadly precision, its tip as sharp as a needle. Smiling, I gestured toward my neck.

“Do you want to stab me?”

“If you’re the one who killed our master.”

“Even though we’re both Spirits?”

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m a Hero. Not some monster like you but a person.”

I was momentarily speechless. Her words weren’t wrong. I was born human and merely gained the power of a Spirit. Swallowing my rising frustration, I replied,

“…Alright. So, do you really want to fight me? When you can’t even control your newfound strength properly?”

Seok Harang frowned. Since Light Blade’s death and the subsequent memorial service, she had awakened to the power of a Spirit, but the overwhelming surge of energy hadn’t been fully reined in yet. It was strong enough to be felt all the way from Seoul to Busan.

“You were the one who called me here, after all. All the way down to Busan.”

Seok Harang herself must have sensed my presence in Seoul. She felt it when I descended to Busan, and despite no prior arrangement, she appeared before me.

I picked up my glass. The once-chilled water had warmed to a pleasant temperature.

“I didn’t come here to kill you. I came to ask for your help.”

“What? You expect a Hero to accept help from a Villain whose true identity is unknown and who only causes chaos?”

Seok Harang mocked me with her ice knife, waving it around. I snapped my finger, melting the blade away.

“This…!”

“Calm down. People are coming.”

The waiter flinched upon entering, carefully placing dishes on the table.

Rose pasta. Gorgonzola pizza. A salad with ricotta cheese mixed with steak pieces.

As each dish arrived, Seok Harang’s tense expression gradually softened. When the mushroom cream risotto arrived last, the waiter awkwardly smiled while leaving the drinks.

“Whose strawberry ade is this…?”

“Mine.”

The waiter placed the strawberry ade in front of me and set another drink in front of Seok Harang—a blueberry ade. Her expression became curious.

“Do you even remember meeting me somewhere?”

Seok Harang flinched. Judging by her tendency to drop into slang only around close acquaintances or those she trusts, this was indeed surprising.

“Well, we first met in Guro, didn’t we?”

“Ahem, but how do you know all this? Are you stalking me?”

“Just call it good intuition. Explaining it would be too bothersome.”

As I picked up my utensils, Seok Harang hesitantly followed suit.

“Eat while you listen.”

I cut a slice of pizza and placed it on Seok Harang’s plate. She looked at it cautiously, like a stray cat brimming with distrust.

“Still suspicious?”

“Of course! Why would a Villain who ruined the Seoul restoration operation just show up and buy me food?”

I took a piece for myself. The waiter forgot to light the candle, so I conjured a tiny blue flame beneath the pizza dish.

“If I wanted to fight, I could’ve overturned Busan already. I came here not as a Hero versus Villain but as a Spirit to speak with another Spirit.”

“Seriously, I don’t even understand what you’re talking about.”

Seok Harang slammed her knife on the table.

“All this nonsense about Spirits—this isn’t some fantasy story! Can’t you explain it in a way that makes sense?”

“That’s why I’m trying to explain.”

I sipped my ade to moisten my throat. Apart from this ade, everything else was tailored specifically to Seok Harang’s tastes.

“Your mother… she’s a Spirit.”

“What are you saying? How dare you talk about my mother—wait. Then do you know who my father is?”

“Of course.”

I set my glass down. Seok Harang anxiously gulped down her blueberry ade.

“Your father is none other than Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan.”

“…”

Seok Harang barely managed to stifle a gasp. Fortunately, no accidents like coffee stains happened this time, unlike with Yun Yuhwa.

“W-What? What the hell did you just say?!”

Seok Harang looked utterly shocked, her face contorted with confusion.

“What kind of nonsense is this? Master is my father? Is that even real?”

“Everyone except you already knows this fact…”

I tapped my fingers on the table, then suddenly remembered something. If Yun Yuhwa hadn’t intentionally kept it hidden, Seok Harang was still blissfully unaware—an untouched blank slate ignorant of the secrets of her birth and the truths of the world.

Fine. Let me explain everything from the start.

I ordered three more glasses of ade. This was bound to be a long conversation.

First glass: I told her the secret of her birth. Daughter of Light Blade and Rusalka, Seok Harang cried pitifully. The risotto disappeared.

Second glass: I revealed the secrets of the world. Hero Seok Harang burned with renewed purpose. Only sauce remained in the pasta bowl.

Third glass: I explained the truth behind Light Blade’s death. Seok Harang bowed her head, clutching her hair. The waiter cleared away all the empty plates.

Naturally, during this process, I kept Yun Yuhwa’s involvement confidential. In exchange for helping protect Seok Harang, he insisted on remaining completely hidden.

When the final ade arrived, Seok Harang finally raised her head.

“So… you ultimately killed Master… my father… to save the world?”

“Yes.”

Seok Harang slowly lifted her head. Her eyes brimmed with tears, but they were actually droplets of aqueous magic leaking from her tear ducts.

“Even knowing I could become your enemy, do you have no regrets? I could chase you forever, trying to kill you.”

“It doesn’t matter. All I need is for you to help defeat Seongju and seal off the interdimensional deity just once.”

“And if I pretend to go crazy and refuse to help?”

“If you do, Earth will perish. I’ll fall back under Seongju’s mind control, and you’ll be subdued by brainwashed officers and turned into a new weapon of invasion.”

Seok Harang covered her face with both hands. Whether she liked it or not, she had to participate in the final battle against Seongju for my sake.

“One question, okay?”

“Go ahead.”

“Then let’s go smash that guy Seongju’s skull right now. Isn’t he recovering from injuries? The two of us can crush him instantly, and then I’ll kill you afterward.”

Seok Harang ignited her fighting spirit, glaring at me. Having eaten her fill, her passion burned brighter.

“Not possible.”

“Why? Afraid I’ll get brainwashed? I’m S-Rank. If I request help from the Round Table, even they can’t—”

“He’s not here.”

I pointed at the floor. Seok Harang slammed her fists on the table and stood up.

“T-Then let’s fly overseas! What’s the problem?! Are you scared? Do you think I’ll really kill you?!”

“Calm down. People are watching.”

From the moment S-Rank Hero Seok Harang arrived here, the outside world had been restless. Though I erected a Barrier to block their gaze, all bets were off if Seok Harang started making a scene.

Seok Harang grinned triumphantly.

“Wow, aren’t you scared? You’re ridiculously strong, but inside you’re such a coward!”

“Want to die?”

…My true nature slipped out without me realizing it. Seok Harang flinched and sat back down. I barely managed to suppress a sudden surge of magic power.

“He’s not here right now… We have to wait until Seongju comes to Earth… Damn it.”

“Can’t you just talk casually like in Guro?”

I sighed, and Seok Harang began testing the waters. When dealing with the public, I have to act like Phoenix, but since Seok Harang is also a Spirit, I unconsciously wavered.

Is it because of the Spirit power?

It’s hard to maintain composure.

“…”

Maybe it’s fine to treat one person casually. After all, we’re both Spirits. Until other Spirits awaken, perhaps she might understand me better from a perspective slightly different from that of humans.

“Ugh.”

I decided to speak candidly with Seok Harang. Relaxing my mental barriers, I let the forced smile slip from my face.

“Seongju isn’t on Earth.”

“Earth?”

I nodded and pointed upwards.

“He’s recuperating in his domain, Pluto. That’s why we can’t reach him.”

According to the original timeline, the day of the world’s destruction is December 25th, 2025.

“Seongju will recover his wounds by that day and fly to Earth. He’ll arrive on Christmas Day in 2025.”

“Are you insane? Flying from space? What kind of monster is he?”

“As a Spirit, I can’t say his name…”

Fortunately, just as the Heroes and Villains of this world have aliases, Seongju also has another title.

“<The Whisperer in Darkness>.”

Seok Harang’s expression stiffened.

“What is that supposed to mean? Is that some kind of reference to your middle ear infection or something?”

“…”

I was seriously considering just going to find the Protagonist.

* * *

<USA, Palomar Observatory>

“Still haven’t found it, Oracle?”

The blond man urged impatiently. The pink-haired boy, <Oracle>, furrowed his brow after stepping away from the telescope.

“Shut up, Gawein. Your fish-and-chips smell terrible.”

As Oracle pinched his nose, the blond man—Gawein of Britain—looked genuinely offended.

“That’s national defamation, isn’t it?”

“The fact that British cuisine is garbage is accurate.”

The brown-haired black-haired man shrugged off Gawein’s grip on his arm.

“Uncle, didn’t you eat fish-and-chips again today?”

“That’s not true!” Gawein thumped his chest proudly. “Mashed potatoes garnished with truffles and smoked salmon crackers!”

“…”

Jaeilguk’s face twisted in disgust. Oracle shrugged his shoulders.

“Not every Brit is like that, right?”

“…If this guy inherits the throne, I’ll never visit England again. The state banquet will surely serve herring pie. Definitely.”

“But it’s delicious, isn’t it?”

Both Oracle and Jaeilguk grimaced simultaneously. Gawein, the world’s strongest hero from Britain, may have a pure heart reflected in his innocent face.

“Who corrupted the palate of Sir Gawein, the number one Hero?”

“That ranking isn’t valid anymore, though.”

As Oracle teased Gawein jokingly, Jaeilguk added sarcastically. Clearly, they were trying to change the subject.

“Why? Wrong?”

Jaeilguk pointed at the three of them, including himself, mockingly.

“Among the members of the Round Table, who broke through that wall first? None of us did. And the one who did is dead now.”

“There’s one person.”

Gawein said calmly. Oracle shot him a disapproving look.

“That mysterious Villain? Even if you promote him to the first SS-Rank, Sir Gawein?”

“I don’t agree with that either. Then what becomes of the Heroes?”

Gawein looked confused between the two.

“What difference does it make whether one is a Hero or a Villain? Should humanity split into two factions in a fight for survival? What was the purpose of creating the Round Table?”

“…I wasn’t part of the initial group, so I don’t know. Do you?”

“I don’t know either.”

Gawein fell silent, clearly shaken. Jaeilguk patted him on the shoulder consolingly.

“Hey, don’t be too disappointed. We’re still following you, aren’t we?”

“What are you talking about? You go wherever you want anyway. There’s chaos now because an S-Rank monster surfaced in Okinawa.”

Upon Oracle’s comment, Jaeilguk whistled.

“A whale-level thing? They’ll handle it themselves. Japan is the world’s top whaling nation, after all.”

“That’s spitting in my face, isn’t it?”

“What? It’s your country.”

Jaeilguk flicked Gawein’s hand off his shoulder and winked at Oracle.

“It’s the country of the woman I’m going to marry.”

“…”

Oracle pushed up his sliding glasses with his index finger and spat at Jaeilguk.

“Not allowed!”

Gawein swung his sword like lightning, burning Oracle’s spit away. Oracle chuckled nervously, scratching his head.

“This is why S-Rank swordsmen are hopeless. Damn bastards. Hey, you, go back to your home country. Go deal with that S-Rank issue. Because of you, my dad keeps calling me nonstop.”

“Is it that serious?”

Jaeilguk’s expression hardened. His piercing gaze seemed ready to draw his sword from his waist at any moment. Oracle brought up a screen.

“Japan requested Korea’s help. They want both of their S-Rank individuals brought over.”

Gawein stiffened.

“…Impossible. Jaeilguk, you must return to your home immediately. Oracle, please arrange a private jet. I’ll go as well.”

“Why?”

Jaeilguk’s eyes widened with confusion.

“Isn’t it just an S-Rank monster?”

“Keep up with the news, you bloody murderer.”

Oracle pounded his chest in exasperation.

“Light Blade is dead. Now Japan is in chaos due to the monster. Do you think China will sit idly by?!”

“Isn’t Yunjang there?”

“FUCK!”

Oracle rushed forward and grabbed Jaeilguk by the collar, standing on tiptoes to reach the much taller man.

“Which do you think Yunjang feels more loyalty towards: the male-dominated Round Table or his home country where his father holds the second-in-command position?!”

“Loyalty…what’s that?!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!”

Oracle pulled his hair out and collapsed onto the ground. Gawein pondered for a moment before speaking to Jaeilguk.

“While the south is in chaos, China might seize the opportunity to eliminate Pyongyang’s S-Rank monster.”

“WHAT?! That’s mine! I’ve been eyeing that catch!”

“Hey, Oracle! Call your dad right now! Get a plane ready!”

“…”

Oracle wandered out of the room with a vacant stare. Jaeilguk was ecstatic.

“Ah, the monster in Pyongyang. Uncle, what do you think? Is it stronger than the ‘monster’ you mentioned earlier?”

“No. That creature is far beyond human capability. Luckily, it sustained some injuries and fled; otherwise, continuing the fight would’ve been disastrous.”

Gawein sighed deeply and released Jaeilguk from his shoulder hold.

“In any case, let’s head to Korea. We’ll deal with the monster in Japan and personally assess Korea’s S-Rank individual. …And indirectly keep an eye on China while we’re at it.”

“Will you put that kid in the thirteenth seat?”

“We can’t leave it vacant indefinitely.”

After finishing his phone call, Gawein followed Oracle’s guidance to board the limousine heading to the airport.

‘This place never runs out of incidents.’

Watching the setting sun, Gawein lost himself in thought.

* * *

The explanation for Seok Harang has concluded.

From now on, Seok Harang will burn with a desire for revenge against me, but ultimately, she will cooperate in defeating Seongju, the Lord of Pluto.

“So, control that Spirit power of yours. It’s getting uncomfortable.”

“I wish I could…”

Seok Harang scratched the table with her fingers. I sighed audibly and grabbed her hand.

“?!’

Surprised, Seok Harang tried to pull her hand away. I caught it firmly in both of mine and infused it with Magic Power.

Thump, thump.

I could feel Seok Harang’s racing heartbeat. Frowning, I calmed the surging Magic Power radiating from her.

“…Eh?”

Seok Harang placed her other hand on her chest, surprised. Sensing her confusion, I released her hand.

“You’ll be fine for a while. Whoever you’ve fallen for, don’t sleep with them. Once you do, you’ll never escape their grasp. Got it?”

“…”

Seok Harang froze. I scratched the back of my neck and added an explanation.

“Spirits tend to fall in love easily. Just holding hands can make you fall in love, and you’ll start envisioning grandchildren in your head. Manage your emotions well.”

“What are you even talking about?”

“…Listen carefully.”

I tapped the table. Seok Harang’s ears perked up.

“Spirits are notorious for falling in love indiscriminately. They don’t care about age, gender, or even species. You’re young, so you need to be careful.”

“Then these feelings I have for Sister Yuha…”

I was momentarily speechless. The only Yuha I know is Yun Yuhwa, but the residual Magic Power emanating from Seok Harang clearly indicated her feelings toward Yun Yuhwa.

Seok Harang is in love. Unfortunately, it’s with Yun Yuhwa.

“…There’s no doubt it’s genuine love.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Damn it, I’m losing my mind.”

Now I was pulling my hair out. Who would’ve thought that the main heroine (Spirit) would fall in love with another main heroine?

Should I quickly seat the Protagonist next to Seok Harang? No, that would just get the Protagonist killed by Light Blade.

“Kkkkkkrrrrrreeeeengggg.”

“You.”

Seok Harang quivered her lips and asked.

“You… who do you love?”

“Me?”

I looked up at Seok Harang and smiled, raising a finger.

“Obviously, Phoenix.”

My finger pointed to myself—the Blazing Phoenix.