Chapter 167

〈Chapter 167〉 Part 1, Chapter 9, Section 1

June 13, 2020

10:07 AM – Beast Tamer Cheongnyeon officially registers as an ability user with the Hero Association.

10:30 AM – The Association announces Beast Tamer Cheongnyeon’s departure for China. Details about travel from New Seoul to Gimhae undisclosed. Covert departure.

11:49 AM – Cheongnyeon goes off the grid. Plane explodes.

11:58 AM – Mo Taegyeong identifies villain group “Hwanjeon” as responsible for the attack. Temporary border closure declared to prevent further terrorism.

1:50 PM – Monster reactions detected across China. Entities presumed to be spirit-type monsters; no civilian casualties reported.

1:59 PM – “Good Morning Terror” incident occurs. Mo Taegyeong blames Hwanjeon. Ability users in China react with outrage.

2:22 PM – Monsters begin rampaging in various regions of China. Heroes successfully repel them. No fatalities.

2:44 PM – Authorities confirm whether dormant ability users awakened following the “Good Morning Terror.”

5:01 PM – Jucheok registers abilities. Dual A-rank powers in Fire and Illusion confirmed.

5:04 PM – Black Flame Dragon emerges over Seoul before flying toward China. Intent unknown.

5:07 PM – Counter-Measures Bureau detects S-Rank monster reaction. Proposes missile strike against Black Flame Dragon and interception by fighter jets.

5:23 PM – Black Flame Dragon makes sharp turn over Shandong province and heads north toward Beijing.

5:33 PM – Beijing prepares to counter Black Flame Dragon. All heroes mobilized.

5:54 PM – Jucheok requests assistance from the Round Table.

5:56 PM – Round Table dispatches Snow Spirit Seok Harang on emergency mission.

6:14 PM – Snow Spirit arrives in Beijing, intercepts and drives away Black Flame Dragon.

6:16 PM – SS-Rank monster detected near Yangtze River region. Named “Chaos.” Snow Spirit moves to confront.

6:30 PM – Snow Spirit defeats Chaos. Returns to Beijing.

6:59 PM – Snow Spirit announces rescue of Beast Tamer. Rescuer identified as Yunjang.

7:00 PM – Yunjang announces official press conference in 30 minutes.

* * *

<June 13, 2020, 7:12 PM, Yu Sung Family Mansion, New Seoul>

“You’ve certainly been making quite the spectacle.”

Yun Yuhwa organized external developments based on information obtained through Xroids. Though many incidents orchestrated by Phoenix remained concealed from public view, all surface-level events were undoubtedly her doing.

“Yunjang Xiao Lin…”

An S-Rank ability user who crossed the sea riding a red horse, whom Yun Yuhwa suspected might have been another lover from his previous life.

Cheon Gaeul, Seok Harang, Xiao Lin… Everyone suspected to have been romantic connections for Phoenix in her past (?) or before her regression (?) boasted extraordinary talents. Even Himeji Hikari, currently wreaking havoc within Yu Sung’s private research facility while recklessly spending funds, raised suspicions.

“…Surely she hasn’t gathered only wives ranked at S-Level?”

Suspicion naturally arose. With the power to cultivate ability users, even slight enhancements could potentially elevate individuals beyond S-Rank to SS-Rank. After all, wasn’t Snow Spirit Seok Harang a prime example?

…Though that situation was unique and fraught with difficulties, their relationship eventually resolved satisfactorily. Now, Yun Yuhwa found himself pitted against Seok Harang, someone he cherished as a younger sibling.

‘Too many rivals.’

It seemed increasingly burdensome to deal with each emerging challenge. While one-on-one encounters were manageable, should the number exceed the seven puppets under Yun Yuhwa’s control, it would undoubtedly cause significant headaches.

Phoenix’s Thousand Autumns.


Yunjang Xiao Lin.


Snow Spirit Seok Harang.


Himeji Hikara.

Ability Puppeteer Yun Yuhwa.

And who else might there be? Though the legend of heroes possessing three concubines and four secondary wives exists, did it truly end at seven? Or were there more kept secret?

‘Upon reflection, this too seems questionable.’

Yun Yuhwa scrutinized the ‘Ability User Cultivation Academy Establishment Proposal (Draft)’ before him for an extended period. Ostensibly aimed at expanding Seoul’s stable population while cultivating ability users for the final battle, something insidious seemed to lurk beneath Phoenix’s intentions regarding the academy.

Already extending beyond the Korean Peninsula to encompass East Asia, perhaps Phoenix’s influence might soon span the entire globe.

‘Could she be planning to personally cultivate them in Korea?’

A reasonable suspicion. Despite some improvement since her obsessive behavior during the Seoul Recovery Operation, Phoenix’s fixation on Cheon Gaeul remained unpredictable.

Perhaps she intended to directly raise and nurture them beside her.

Yun Yuhwa’s doubts grew increasingly intense, approaching the truth.

“…Will she cultivate me as well?”

Yun Yuhwa lowered his head. While Xroids and puppets could freely alter their forms and rejuvenate, he couldn’t bring himself to perform surgery on his own body.

Phoenix had said…

That things would change upon reaching S-Rank. Though unlikely, he momentarily hoped the spirit captured in China wouldn’t possess illusion magic but rather light magic.

‘First, I must thoroughly handle my own affairs.’

Yun Yuhwa issued instructions to his puppets using his abilities. Alongside Jae-min, the puppets now occupying senior positions in various fields needed to swiftly address today’s turmoil, with Yun Yuhwa overseeing their actions.

“Who should I send…?”

One position needed to be vacated. Before Yun Yuhwa’s eyes loomed the S-Rank core to be received as payment for the flight ticket.

* * *

<Same Day, 7:15 PM, Beijing Hero Association Special Ward>

I lay back on the plush mattress prepared for me, enjoying a moment of rest. Having traveled from Seoul to New Seoul, boarded a plane in Gimhae, and traversed China, I’d covered well over 3,000 kilometers.

“I’m exhausted. Really.”

“Lying there alone enjoying yourself. Lucky bastard.”

Deokbae leaned against the wall, arms crossed, looking particularly smug after his recent B-Rank evolution.

“You didn’t see how trashed I was fighting Chaos, did you?”

Autumn sat beside me, snapping at Deokbae. He shrugged, seeking allies.

“It’s because you went berserk like that. Right?”

“Don’t talk. I’m busy.”

The Scorpion Man was engrossed in reading hundreds of volumes detailing post-Qin Chinese history on his screen.

“Is that really him?”

“If it’s not a scam, then yes.”

“Hey, do these two know if he was actually an emperor?”

Deokbae somehow overheard, tapping my shoulder. While irritatingly informal, addressing the First Emperor of humanity so casually did seem inappropriate – though the man himself didn’t appear to mind much.

“Your Majesty, may I kill him? We can always resurrect him.”

“Is it the dog’s fault when it barks, or the master’s?”

“The dog’s fault.”

I deflected responsibility. Deokbae snorted contemptuously while the emperor returned his focus to studying history on his screen.

Clunk.

The special ward door opened. A silver-haired woman in formal attire entered, her tense expression softening upon seeing us. I waved to greet Seok Harang.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Hard work? Please. I was stressed out dealing with everyone.”

Seok Harang hesitated between my monstrous companions before conjuring an ice chair against the wall and sitting down gently.

“Preparations are complete. Now we just need to watch the live broadcast.”

“Is your direct presence necessary?”

“He insists on handling everything himself. Besides, technically speaking, I’m his junior in the Round Table.”

“That’s true.”

Seok Harang pointed to the large TV screen in the corner of the ward. The association’s press conference room buzzed with people, though the main figure hadn’t yet appeared, creating quite the commotion. Discussions between journalists and anchors added to the noise.

[Mr. Yunjang’s official press conference is almost here. Let’s review the video again.]

Following the anchor’s words, the screen changed. Heroes parting to either side revealed Yunjang walking steadily forward, carrying me unconscious in his arms.

“So, did you enjoy being held?”

Autumn jabbed my side. Though I had embraced her before, I’d never been held by her. She seemed to be pointing this out.

“No, I mean, did you enjoy it?”

“Does that matter?”

Thinking about it, I decided to be honest.

“Not really. I prefer holding others rather than being held.”

“With that tiny little body of yours?”

Deokbae interjected mockingly. Transforming my hand into a monstrous form, I threw a quick jab.

Bang!

Deokbae’s head collided with the wall, felled by the magical energy wave attack.

“Hmph. You transform and suddenly think you’re all that, huh?”

“Yeah, well…”

Seok Harang nodded sheepishly, blushing slightly. Recalling our first encounter at Gwanak Mountain when I caught him mid-fall, I wondered when exactly I had embraced him.

[What is the reason behind Yunjang’s sudden appearance after disappearing without a trace?]

[The Round Table hasn’t provided much explanation… It’s strange that he didn’t appear when the Black Flame Dragon emerged earlier.]

While we chatted, television analysts debated as well. With national borders reopened, we watched the Korean broadcast instead of the nearly paralyzed Chinese networks. The latter remained largely incapacitated due to Yunjang’s last message – specifically, his voice.

[19:30. I’ll meet you at the association’s press conference room.]

Beneath the crimson mask flowed a mesmerizingly beautiful soprano voice. While his normal voice was already quite high-pitched for a middle-aged man, it retained masculine qualities.

“Red Earth has been speaking for him until now.”

“What’s more surprising than Yunjang being female?”

Though widely known among those in the know, how many people within China could claim such knowledge? Likely fewer than fifty.

“People will probably overlook gender anyway.”

Recovering from his fall, Deokbae scratched the back of his head.

“Speaking of which, there’s something even more shocking.”

“More shocking?”

“Xiao Lin being Modaepyeong’s daughter, and Xiao Lin achieving SS-Rank.”

“…I just became SS myself! Dammit.”

Seok Harang pouted, clearly feeling overshadowed despite having drawn significant attention as the first human SS-Rank hero.

“Hey, make me an SS too! Let me be the first male SS!”

“You’re still far from that. Despite all the experience points pushed your way, you’re still only B-Rank.”

“Hey! B-Rank is amazing! Where is B-Rank common…?”

Deokbae looked around the room and fell silent. Among the gathered individuals, all were at least S-Rank except for him at B-Rank.

“Damn. Everyone else gets good attributes and immediately hits S-Rank. Hey, let’s go for endurance spirits next time, alright?”

“I don’t know where they are. They’ll appear on their own in two years.”

All section leaders have predetermined activation dates.

February 22, 2022.

On the day when the Yellow God’s will becomes fully manifest, all slumbering section leaders awaken and commence operations. I’ve already awakened the Confusion Dragon as a spirit entity, and now know the direction of one of the remaining four.

Deokbae pounded his chest in frustration.

“Do we really have to wait two years?”

“…Ideally, finding them sooner would be better. Don’t worry, one will appear soon.”

“Really? Is it the endurance type?”

“Nope. Sorry.”

Remaining elements: Wind, Earth, Light, Darkness.

As for non-spirit heroines, six remain. Counting Seok Harang as a spirit, we’ve barely passed the third major hurdle.

“Oh, it’s starting.”

Seok Harang pointed at the TV monitor. Camera flashes erupted as Yunjang appeared wearing the navy blue double-layered combat suit I designed for him.

“So that’s why he always rode Red Earth.”

“He’s not particularly tall.”

The carmine-colored mask-wearing Yunjang had to adjust the microphone stand. Eventually, an association staff member stepped in to assist with positioning.

“Cough, cough. Then, I shall begin the-”

“Where is the real Yunjang!? The association shouldn’t insult Yunjang by sending out an imposter!”

One journalist suddenly shouted and caused a disturbance. Association employees moved to restrain him, but the reporter continued ranting wildly.

“There’s no way Yunjang could be a woman-”

Click.

Yunjang placed a hand on his mask. Silence descended upon the press conference room as he pulled back the hood-like upper portion of his combat suit.

Rustle.

Letting his silk-like black hair flow gracefully, Yunjang – Xiao Lin revealed herself openly to the public. The face hidden beneath the mask was finally shown to the world.

“Wow, incredible.”

Watching Xiao Lin toss her hair behind the specially tailored combat suit I created, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“She didn’t wear underwear.”

“Hmph.”

Looking down at the reporters, Xiao Lin’s face radiated liberation.

Had Modaepyeong allowed Xiao Lin to reveal herself as she truly was, the world’s first SS-Rank martial artist since ancient times would have been none other than Xiao Lin.

The keyword leading to her awakening: Liberation.

Guanyin cosplay, her father’s constraints, pressure as China’s strongest hero, yearning for freedom.

By breaking free from all these shackles, Xiao Lin achieved SS-Rank status.

…I told her to remove the mask, not the underwear.

Definitely.