Chapter 117

〈Chapter 117〉 Part 1, Chapter 6 (23)

Vladimir R. Anastasha

Hero Name: Undine

Affiliation: The Round Table Knights, 2nd Generation

Nationality: Russia

Date of Birth: October 13, 1992

Height: 159cm (Claims 160)

Hero Rank: S

Special Abilities: Ice Barrier, Water Flow Mastery, Instant Teleportation

# The Snow Maiden of Russia. // Just as Korea has its Snow Princess, Russia boasts Undine—a globally renowned hero who practically handles the entire national defense of Russia through her affiliation with the Round Table.

# Illness. // As a child, she suffered from a severe illness and was declared dead due to cardiac arrest but miraculously revived. Despite some memory confusion, she quickly regained her senses. However, due to aftereffects, she remains frail and is constantly on medication.

# Teleportation. // Undine’s ability allows her to teleport to any location with water, enabling Russia to defend its vast territory effectively. This ability, despite requiring less magical power compared to similar abilities like those of the Snow Princess, was key to her recruitment by the Round Table.

# Love for Korean Cuisine? // An unexpected hardcore fan of Korean food, she once caused a disturbance at a fusion Korean restaurant in Moscow and was revealed to be behind the famous pig bone soup incident at Gimhae Airport.

Excerpt from Hero Wiki <Undine> entry.

* * *

Xiao Lin dreamt happily.

A bird trapped in a cage regaining its freedom and flying freely across the sky. In this dream, there were colleagues she could open up to and banter with unlike in reality, and even an ideal prince charming that only existed in dreams.

“…”

However, upon waking up, Xiao Lin realized all too well that such sweet dreams were merely that—dreams. Her stomach ached, her body felt powerless, and most importantly, the mysterious restraints on her limbs were troubling.

Munch! The ashen-gray tentacles binding her limbs made Xiao Lin panic, but what shocked her more was the absence of her mask covering her face. Instinctively trying to cover her face, her hands remained immobilized by the tentacles.

“It’s no use. I’m draining your magical power in real time.”

Phantom pointed to her clothes. The green robe had vanished, replaced by a blue-flamed cloak covering Xiao Lin’s body.

Though her magical power had diminished significantly, she could still feel a minimal amount. If the cloak woven from magic dissipated, Xiao Lin would instantly become naked, causing her to lower her head in embarrassment.

“Hey, how did this…?”

“You lost. To one of our side’s special ability users.”

Phantom gestured toward a nearby nest. There, a familiar-looking youth was arguing with a man in sunglasses. Xiao Lin brightened up.

“Oracle…!”

“But it’s not just that. Apparently, you were quite important in the Round Table?”

Phantom pointed to a figure standing by the river. With golden hair, crimson eyes, and clad in white armor, the man unleashed a lion’s roar, intimidating Chinese heroes.

“Any further approach will not be tolerated by the Round Table! Please return immediately!”

“How absurd! How can we retreat when hostages are being held?! Is the Round Table siding with China or with these villains?!”

“The Round Table moves for justice and world peace! Should you cross this river—”

Gawain plunged Galatine into the bridge.

“Anyone under the sun who wishes to face me shall do so!”

Meanwhile, the sun began rising over the horizon. The Galatine embedded in the bridge glowed with gold-infused magical power.

“Ugh! Even Director Yun, surely he would release you if you’re truly from the Round Table! What is your leader doing, leaving you like this?!”

“Hey! Immediately disable all video equipment! Director Yun’s visage must not be revealed to the world!”

The red-headband heroes tried to stop their comrades, but other pure-hearted association heroes stood frozen, gazing in awe at Yun’s display.

It was shocking enough to discover the true identity of the strongest warrior, known for defeating SS-Rank monsters with a single blow, as a delicate woman. But seeing her semi-covered by a translucent cloak while restrained by tentacles left many heroes stunned.

Deep within their hearts, a forbidden emotion began to stir—guilt mixed with betrayal.

“…But, is there proof that she is truly Yun?”

“She could be someone else! Perhaps an impersonator!”

“Yes! Director Mo Taegyeong surely prepared a few doubles! Director Yun wouldn’t fall hostage so easily!”

As the heroes argued, Dongchang-affiliated hero <Sajae> Lin Lei quietly operated his smartwatch, summarizing the situation and awaiting a response.

Ping. A reply soon came—it was Feng Xiao, the leader of Dongchang and direct subordinate to Mo Taegyeong.

[Kill.]

Who knew how much meaning was packed into that single character? But Feng Xiao’s orders were as good as Mo Taegyeong’s.

Lord Mo seems determined to attack Pyongyang, even if it means abandoning Yun and engaging the Round Table. What exactly is he so fixated on in Pyongyang?

‘I don’t need to know.’

Lin Lei relayed the secret command to the other covert Dongchang heroes hidden among the crowd. Though initially hesitant, they quickly dispersed to incite the heroes.

“What right does the Round Table have to interfere in international disputes?! They seek only to obstruct our righteous cause!”

“We’re here to fight monsters! How dare another hero block our path?! Clearly, the Round Table conspires with Korea to claim old North Korean territories!”

“That woman isn’t Yun! If she were, would the leader of the Round Table stand idly by while one of his own is captured?! She must be an imposter pretending to be Director Yun! Kill her!”

“Kill her! Kill her!”

The heroes’ fervor grew menacing. Watching from afar, Phantom clicked his tongue and asked Xiao Lin,

“It seems you’ve been abandoned, huh?”

“…”

Xiao Lin leaned her head back against the tree of the nest. Her expression was filled with sorrow and regret.

“I anticipated this day eventually. The moment the invincible war god falls, my utility ends.”

“…Hey, are you crying?”

Xiao Lin’s face remained expressionless, yet tears streamed down her cheeks. Phantom scratched his cheek awkwardly before wiping her tears with the remaining tentacle.

“Don’t cry. You’re a hero of the Round Table. Don’t let losing once get you this upset…”

“My father is Director Mo Taegyeong. The moment Director Yun fell and was taken hostage, he likely calculated the benefits of sacrificing her.”

“The Round Table? S-Rank? Daughter?”

“S-Rank special ability users can always be replaced. I’m merely a slightly better pawn. My father has countless illegitimate children, half of whom are A-Rank special ability users. He probably believes anyone can replace me.”

Speaking coldly, Xiao Lin described her situation as if recounting someone else’s story. But Phantom, and Autumn through the tentacles’ connection, sensed the genuine emotions underlying her words.

“You’ve thought about this for a long time, haven’t you? That the moment you lose value, something like this would happen. You’ve foreseen this for a very long time.”

“…Ever since I was young. For birds caged in cages, life is nothing but longing for the outside world while constantly worrying about being discarded.”

Xiao Lin pointed her chin towards the river.

“Look. Just an hour ago, these people followed my orders, and now they’re already clamoring to kill me.”

Xiao Lin’s voice turned gloomy. Perhaps the happy dream she had while unconscious was the last mercy granted by the dying war god to the one impersonating her.

“Could I ask you for a favor?”

“What is it?”

“If I’m going to die anyway…”

Xiao Lin’s gaze fell on the ice barrier.

“I wish to die by the hand of the victor who defeated me.”

Xiao Lin calmly recited her own death sentence.

* * *

Among the supernaturals I’ve encountered over the past two months, there weren’t many whose abilities I didn’t recognize. Korea presented little danger before diving into the main storyline, and most major supernaturals either survived to become allies or enemies.

The exception was neighborhood troublemaker Deokbae, but even remembering low-level villain organizations overseas seemed excessive.

So I was startled when I met a supernatural I didn’t know—an overseas villain destined to be devoured by Fenril named Rusalka. My throat tightened involuntarily.

[How are you still alive?]

“Why? Did you think I was dead?”

[You were clearly killed by Light Blade.]

Rusalka snorted. Unlike the small-framed girl from the Harang storyline or setting illustrations, she now stood slightly taller than my human form.

“Yeah. I died. The Dark Legion officer Rusalka, that is.”

[…?]

I tilted my head unconsciously. Rusalka tapped her chest.

“Rusalka’s heart was pierced by Heo Yoon-hwan’s blade. The spirit’s power transferred to her daughter…the child, and the core went to Heo Yoon-hwan. But one thing remained.”

[Soul.]

Rusalka nodded.

“Without a body and power, my soul wandered the netherworld. Oddly enough, the brainwashing broke right before I died.”

Rusalka tapped her temple. I finally unraveled the tangled threads in my mind.

[You awakened. You broke free of the brainwashing yourself.]

“Exactly. After losing my powers and giving my core to my husband, I finally realized ‘who’ I was. Using the last of my strength, I became an ethereal spirit wandering the world.”

[And possessed this person’s body?]

“Correct. A convenient opportunity arose with a newly deceased child.”

Recalling the Hero Wiki content I skimmed earlier, I remembered the girl who survived cardiac arrest to become a supernatural—Vladimir Anastasha possessed by Rusalka’s soul.

“I originally intended to possess my daughter’s body, but…”

[Your love for your husband and daughter broke the brainwashing, impressive, Rusalka.]

“…Hmph. Your praise is meaningless. By the way, did you awaken too?”

[Of course.]

I transformed from my monstrous form back to human shape. Rusalka’s expression briefly twisted.

“The fallen world, Tera’s fire elemental spirit. The phoenix reborn from Chang-yeom. Seongju made me ‘Blazing Phoenix.'”

“That’s right. We were spirits. Our ‘true names’ were stolen, our brains extracted, and we were remade into officers.”

“True name?”

Rusalka’s expression faltered. I quickly changed my expression.

“What? You broke free of the brainwashing too, right?”

“…Seems like it?”

“Did you break it by sheer force? No, there’s only one condition to undo brainwashing. So how did you—did you possibly—”

“No.”

I waved my hands quickly.

“I didn’t break free because I loved someone like you did. I broke free because I love this person.”

I placed my hand over my heart. Rusalka chuckled humorlessly.

“Crazy woman. I always knew you were odd, but you seem even worse than during Tera. What was it called again? Naroholic?”

“I’m not a narcissist. Explaining would be pointless, so let’s skip that part. First, let me apologize.”

I bowed my head to Rusalka. Her slight step backward betrayed her surprise.

“You, you seriously tell me. Are you crazy breaking free of brainwashing? Otherwise, why would you sincerely apologize to me—”

“Heo Yoon-hwan.”

Rusalka stiffened.

“I’m sorry for killing Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan. But if I hadn’t, your daughter, Seok Harang, risked falling under Tera’s influence and going berserk.”

I briefly explained why I had to kill Heo Yoon-hwan. Rusalka clenched and unclenched her fists several times, seemingly trying to calm her anger.

“…So my daughter became a spirit?”

“A human with spiritual powers. If she meets someone she loves, she might grow closer to our original forms.”

I pointed to the white butterfly badge pinned on my collar. Rusalka muttered thoughtfully.

“My daughter turned 21 this year. Ugh…she’s well past the age where she should know about men.”

“She’s still a virgin, though.”

“What?!”

“…I learned while guiding her from the side to prevent her from falling under the spirit’s influence.”

I gave a brief account of the current situation with Seok Harang. Occasionally asking about trivial details regarding Seok Harang, Rusalka seemed maternal despite everything, so I shared a bit more information.

“So, Harang likes spicy food…but how do you know that?”

“…Searching Hero Wiki reveals personal preferences. Anywhere else, Ana斯塔sha. Loves Korean barbecue. Soy milk no pig bone soup? What’s this? Causing a disturbance by bringing pig bone soup onto an airplane? Hahaha! Who could live together to develop such tastes?”

“Shut your mouth.”

Living with Heo Yoon-hwan seemed to have made her taste buds align with Busan’s. Love makes you alike, they say. I grinned lewdly as I approached Rusalka.

“Why didn’t you reveal your true identity? I didn’t know, and neither did Light Blade.”

“…People need dignity. How could I face my husband and daughter after trying to devour them both like some monster?”

Rusalka sighed bitterly, folding her arms.

“I deliberately avoided looking. The owner of this body, Anastasha, had a full life to lead. It was amazing to experience being loved by Father…ahem, Father, having brothers and sisters around was another kind of happiness. Watching my daughter grow up from afar through videos was also…”

“You two are ridiculous. …Cough!”

“…You seem to have become more ‘human,’ don’t you?”

“I am fully human now. I chose to live as a human, so no objections.”

“Alright. Live fully, love yourself, and comfort yourself alone. So, what will you do now?”

Rusalka pointed beyond the barrier. Outside, Chinese heroes surged across the river like a mob. Gawain shouted futilely.

“That leader really isn’t useful.”

“Whatever. You’re here messing around while they’re over there doing that. Why did you come here?”

“Explaining would take a while—”

Hmm. I turned my head westward. Rusalka looked puzzled.

“Why?”

“Apparently, it wasn’t a mistake.”

I transformed into my monstrous form. The barrier hiding my appearance disappeared, and the smartwatch on Rusalka’s wrist started beeping loudly.

Beeeep——

Not just Rusalka’s, but every smartwatch nearby sounded alarms signaling an emergency. Heroes crossing the river, Qinghua Sect members preparing countermeasures, and Round Table members stuck in the middle all stared at the purple alert flashing on their screens.

<Dimensional Gate opened. Dimensional Gate opened.>

“…Heaven is helping us.”

A massive dimensional gate opened in the sky above Xi’an City, China.

* * *

“…It’s so noisy. I can’t sleep.”

The sleeping girl woke up.

Even in the pitch-black darkness, her eyes gleamed gray.

“Tch. My magic recovery isn’t complete yet. Damn alarm ringing so loudly. Yeah, yeah, I’m getting up. Going to kill humans.”

The girl kicked off the coffin lid and crawled out like a zombie. Familiar deathly aura swirled in the sky.

“…What a hassle. Let me sleep five more days. They’ll probably all die on their own anyway.”

The girl, with only her upper body emerged from the coffin, drifted back to sleep.