Chapter 128

〈Chapter 128〉Part 1, Chapter 7 (8)

<June 4th, 2020, 6:00 AM, Blue Wind Sect Hideout>

“What the heck is going on? Is this for real?”

Cheon Gaeul shook the screen in disbelief as updates poured in. Despite all the details being laid out, it all boiled down to one thing – Ji Hwa clicked his tongue and replied.

“It’s an official press release from the spokesperson. It’s really happening.”

“…He didn’t even announce it himself.”

Yu I-shin showed clear disappointment at his irresponsibility. The monster who used to issue commands through Cheongsong was gone, leaving only a coward who had fled like a dog with its tail between its legs.

“Are you serious? He’s just stepping down over some video?”

James was so shocked he left his ever-present beer can behind. Ji Hwa scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“This makes our sequels meaningless.”

“I don’t know whether to be happy that it’s over or cry that all our hard work filming is useless.”

Gaeul whistled and shrugged. They had prepared follow-up attacks in case Sun Icheol denied the truth, but with him stepping down, it wouldn’t have much effect now.

“Still, let’s just release it. Let’s bury this completely while we’re at it.”

“I agree. Though maybe not right away – let’s release it gradually with some time buffer. Would that be alright, Chairman?”

“No problem. There’s always a minimum procedure required.”

Yun Yuhwa nodded on the screen. Next to him was Heo Yoon-hwan, though he was too busy seething over discovering Sun Icheol’s hidden truths to speak. Gaeul discreetly hid her tentacles.

“……”

Ryu Cheonseong remained silent. Jo Deokbae nudged him subtly.

“Shouldn’t you be happy? Your nemesis just disappeared on his own.”

“The Sun Icheol I know wouldn’t collapse this easily. That’s what bothers me.”

Everyone’s attention focused on Ryu Cheonseong’s words.

“To be honest, I find it hard to believe that it was announced through a spokesperson. Something might be off.”

“Let New Seoul handle the complicated political issues.”

Phoenix interrupted, appearing suddenly. Gaeul’s usual priest robes looked strangely unfamiliar.

“We have our own duties to attend to. That’s all there is to it.”

“That may be so… but what happens now? You know the future, right? Tell us who the next president will be!”

Deokbae’s urging made Phoenix visibly irritated.

“Don’t know.”

“…”

Even Deokbae was taken aback. Not just him – the other officers were at a loss upon hearing Phoenix’s sharp reply. Only Gaeul managed to maintain composure while still being slightly flustered.

“Jo Deokbae! Didn’t you press the bell instead of knocking again and wake them up?”

“Well, it was urgent! What was I supposed to do when pressing the bell got no response and this was serious business? Besides, it was normally his waking hours!”

“Shut up. Let’s focus on our tasks first.”

Phoenix’s cold tone drew everyone’s attention instantly. Especially Yun Yuhwa and Heo Yoon-hwan, whose eyes widened in shock without any attempt to hide it. Yun Yuhwa recovered first.

[So this is your true nature? Everything before was just pretense?]

“Either way, it’s still me. Just consider it maintaining minimal decorum until now. Or would you prefer I go back to how I was before?”

The officers shook their heads at her high-and-mighty tone. Phoenix seemed to be deliberately pushing them to forget how she used to be by enforcing this new manner of speaking. Ji Hwa clasped his hands together and nodded.

“I’m fine with it. I can feel the power and authority of our leader in every word.”

“Not exactly what I felt before, was it?”

“…”

Ji Hwa stiffened. Gaeul hastily waved her hands to mediate.

“A, ahaha! When someone’s way of speaking changes overnight, we need to give it time, right? What kind of wind blew through here anyway?”

“That’s right. It’s like God Himself speaking in a form of reversal…”

Yu I-shin trailed off under everyone’s gaze. His vague expression conveyed the meaning, and the officers responded with warm understanding. Deokbae scratched his head.

“Your old ‘monster’ persona’s coming through? No more of that ‘~yo’ honorifics?”

“Now that it’s unnecessary, why bother? Do you want me to keep using them?”

“No way! Just do whatever makes you comfortable.”

Deokbae frantically waved his hands in refusal. He couldn’t possibly understand how burdensome it was to have such a powerful monster addressing him with respect. Deokbae swallowed his thoughts, and Ji Hwa, catching his eye, briefly closed then reopened his eyes.

Ryu Cheonseong stroked his beard and asked, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Director, are you planning to step forward now?”

“What makes you think that?”

“New Seoul is in chaos, isn’t it? Frankly speaking, the Blue Wind Sect is a band of righteous heroes. We stopped a massacre and exposed all of Sun Icheol’s corruption.”

“Most of the heroes killed by you personally were from the Pine Tree Brigade. Even those you revived as monsters were mostly from there. Given the current situation with the Round Table, I believe it’s appropriate for the Blue Wind Sect to start public activities. We also have Chairman Yun Yuhwa here.”

Ji Hwa’s explanation was met with a nod from Yuhwa.

[As requested last time, we can create fake identities for all of you like passports. While the Association might catch you if they target you intensively, at least within Korea, their influence won’t reach.]

[They’ll probably try to grill Harang to find out who’s behind her.]

Heo Yoon-hwan pointed at Phoenix with his chin, mentioning his daughter. Having learned through Yuhwa that Phoenix had been meeting and training Seok Harang, he recognized her as a mentor helping his daughter grow.

[Though if Harang really tries to kill you, what will you do? The Association will bombard you with gifts trying to make the world’s first SS-Rank hero their pawn.]

[Even the Round Table has approached you. While they differ somewhat from the Association, since half of them have ties to the Association, they could still be swayed by that atmosphere.]

“There’s no way.”

Phoenix declared firmly.

“Seok Harang will never go astray. Someone will be mentoring her closely.”

“Who?”

“Undine. Vladimir.R.Anastasha. A Round Table hero agreed to cooperate.”

[What? What does that person have to do with anything? Aside from liking Korean food, they have nothing to do with you, Customer.]

“She’s a Rusalka vessel. The spirit who was both Mrs. Heo Yoon-hwan and Seok Harang’s biological mother.”

Pfft! Everyone spat out what they were drinking at Phoenix’s calm bombshell. Deokbae choked on water that went down the wrong pipe, coughing violently. The most explosive reaction came from Kwanggeom, Heo Yoon-hwan.

[Wha…what…]

“Your wife. Sorry about this, Yuhwa. She said she needed to find her husband, so there was nothing I could do.”

Phoenix gave a brief explanation. Rusalka had died – which caused another round of spitting from officers unaware of this fact – and her soul had wandered the afterlife before possessing a young Russian noblewoman who had died prematurely. Under the name Vladimir.R.Anastasha, she became an ability user and eventually joined the Round Table.

As questions followed about why Rusalka had hidden her identity, why she hadn’t visited her husband and daughter in nearly twenty years, and why she was visiting Korea now, Phoenix cut them short with a simple answer.

“Things have changed.”

All the officers wished Phoenix could go back to yesterday. Until just the day before, she used to elaborate on even trivial matters, so delivering such an emotionally charged and touching backstory with only a conclusion and no context frustrated them immensely.

Except for one person.

[Rusalka is alive… she’s alive.]

Heo Yoon-hwan covered his face on the screen. The officers knew well how he had lived as a bachelor well into his forties. Phoenix pointed at the bowed Yoon-hwan and spoke to Yuhwa.

“They’re both still in Busan, right? I’ll head down soon. We agreed on a direct trade since it’s second-hand.”

[Give me back my emotions! How can you say something like that in this situation?! This is a tear-jerking love story of the century, and you keep throwing in strange comments?!]

Yuhwa wiped away tears while shouting, evoking strong agreement from the officers. Phoenix casually fiddled with her veil and shrugged.

“Just once or twice.”

[……]

There was a brief exchange of glances between Yuhwa and Gaeul. Yuhwa quickly composed herself and responded.

[Alright then. When will you come down?]

“As soon as Undine arrives at Gimhae Airport. She went straight to Gimhae without layovers, so she must’ve already unpacked at the hotel.”

[Wha, what?! Rusalka is in Korea?! Where?!]

Heo Yoon-hwan couldn’t sit still. Yu Yuhwa beside him turned pale.

[Good grief, my goodness.]

“Predictable.”

Phoenix gave Yoon-hwan a sympathetic look. Jee Hwa, who had just been searching for Undine on the screen, nearly passed out.

“Undine, Oracle, staying at Busan’s Yusung Hotel in a suite…”

“Same floor, huh?”

Gaeul’s muttered comment made Yuhwa swallow hard, and Heo Yoon-hwan finally lowered his voice to a squeak.

[You! If you knew Rusalka was staying here, you should’ve told me earlier!]

[How was I supposed to know that?!]

Yuhwa glared at Phoenix with accusing eyes. Phoenix smirked slightly and wagged her finger.

“You welcomed her because she was from the Round Table, didn’t you? I really appreciate that about you, Miss Yuhwa. Your commitment to monetary gain is admirable.”

[…Really! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?! Forget about being a seller or whatever, you should’ve given me time to prepare mentally!]

“It was her choice. Oh, by the way, are they together right now?”

[Of course. If I put her out there alone, something…might happen…]

Yuhwa’s face drained of color. Rising from her seat, Phoenix broke the window with a kick and spread her wings. The morning sun illuminated the sky.

“I’d better rescue her before Rusalka grabs her by the hair. The Blue Wind Sect will act as usual. That’s all.”

With that, Phoenix leaped out of the building. Her form shifting into her monster state, she stretched her wings and flew toward Busan at full speed.

“…We gathered because of Sun Icheol.”

With Ji Hwa’s resigned voice, the Blue Wind Sect officers recalled their respective duties and committed themselves to their missions.

June 4th, 2020. President Sun Icheol’s resignation.

Without making a personal nationwide announcement, the resignation was communicated through a spokesperson, disappointing supporters. Speculation began about whether it was related to the Pine Tree Brigade massacre.

Was the Pine Tree Brigade massacre actually ordered by Sun Icheol? Did the omnipotent ruler really need to kill refugees in Seoul?

Amidst the heated debates, Sun Icheol maintained silence, remaining secluded at home, leading the country into chaos.

The timely official statement from the Association regarding Princess Seohwa helped quell the confusion relatively quickly.

Her ascension to the 13th seat of the Round Table. The visits of Oracle, Undine, and an yet-unrevealed third Round Table hero to Korea.

Even with a bomb dropped in their backyard, people hurried to prepare for the visitors. The prime minister, who had been eagerly waiting for an opportunity, immediately took over as acting president and prepared to welcome them.

Despite internal and external turmoil, Seoul remained peaceful as always.

* * *

“What?! What are we going to do? It’s going to look like she’s having an affair!”

“Rusalka is here? Right here? Right next door?”

Heo Yoon-hwan had broken down. Yu Yuhwa paced anxiously around the room, biting her nails, checking the time. Three minutes had passed since Phoenix cut off contact.

Ding dong. The doorbell rang. Yuhwa’s heart sank.

Ding dong. Ding dong. The bell kept ringing without any voices. Instinctively wanting to shout “Who’s there?”, Yuhwa glanced at the hotel CCTV screen instead.

“……My Lord.”

Standing in front of the door was a white-haired witch. Yuhwa felt dizzy. The bell ringing matched her heartbeat, getting faster and faster until the intervals disappeared entirely.

Dingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdong

“Ah, shut up already! Damn ice lady!”

Someone – or rather, something – burst out from outside, kicking the door. Gale Guest appeared, allowing Yuhwa to catch her breath.

Crash!

The window shattered. Turning her head urgently, Yuhwa nearly screamed when something grabbed her waist.

[Shhh.]

Phoenix placed a fiery fingertip on Yuhwa’s lips. Seeing Phoenix’s monster form for the first time – though she had heard about it – made Yuhwa’s heart sink further. Meaningful sounds came from outside.

“…Didn’t you hear that sound just now? Sounded like glass breaking.”

Yuhwa wanted to cover Gale Guest’s mouth. Phoenix grabbed Yuhwa’s waist, ready to leap out, but paused when she saw the black hero suit on the table.

[…I wish you well.]

Leaving Gaemasked Yoon-hwan behind, Phoenix immediately carried Yuhwa and flew into the sky. At the same moment, the door was slashed diagonally.

“Hey, hey?!”

“Go back to sleep. This is adults’ time now.”

Yoon-hwan swallowed at the grating voice. A voice he hadn’t recorded but kept in memory played again in his ears.

Tsk. The woman who cut the door entered and immediately froze it with ice. In her heels, she approached Yoon-hwan slowly.

Clomp. Anastasha stopped behind Yoon-hwan. He swallowed at the coldness coming from behind. That voice from back then wasn’t a hallucination after all.

Swoosh. Anastasha extended her white fingers over Yoon-hwan’s shoulder. Wrapping her arms around his neck from behind where he sat, she whispered into the gap of his mask.

“If only you had a little courage, we could’ve met sooner. I wondered why you didn’t until now.”

Yoon-hwan removed his mask himself. His bleached hair from becoming a monster fell down.

“…Same here. You’ve changed a lot.”

“So have you.”

Heo Yoon-hwan and Rusalka. The young D-rank ability user who crossed the threshold of SS-rank only to become a monster, and the officer who died for love only to return human.

Anastasha released the hug and knelt on his lap facing him. They spent many such moments in that shabby house in Busan. Habitually, Yoon-hwan brushed her hair with his hand.

“You’ve grown taller.”

“And you’ve gotten stronger than me.”

Anastasha leaned against Yoon-hwan. In response, Yoon-hwan wrapped his arms around her waist. They stayed like that for a long time. Until the sun fully rose beyond the broken window where Phoenix had departed, they silently felt each other’s warmth.

“What…”

Yoon-hwan spoke first.

“I don’t know what to say. I thought I’d never see you again. I never imagined you’d be alive like this.”

“…Same here. There’s so much I want to say, but I don’t know where to begin.”

Anastasha flipped around to sit on Yoon-hwan’s thighs, facing him. Their faces close, she wrapped her hands behind his neck.

“But I do know where to start.”

“…”

Anastasha smiled faintly. But Yoon-hwan remembered that this smile was hiding considerable dissatisfaction. Anastasha placed her hand on his chest.

“I smell another female’s scent.”

“………It’s a misunderstanding.”

Yoon-hwan glanced around the room. It was filled with Ferryman Yu Yuhwa’s belongings. He tightly closed his eyes, while Anastasha chuckled bitterly and pointed to the core embedded in his heart.

“The damn bird’s scent is inside your body. Can’t do this. Before saying what I want to say…”

Anastasha started unbuttoning her shirt from the top. Realizing his fate, Yoon-hwan instinctively swallowed hard.

“Let’s do what I wanted to do first, Husband?”

Anastasha licked her lips predatorily.

And thus, after 20 years apart, the couple reunited, overlapping their bodies to relieve their long separation.