Chapter 188

〈 Chapter 188 〉 Part 1, Chapter 9, Section 22

<8:08 PM, Western Plains of New Seoul.>

Preparations were complete. As Lee Seung-hyung boarded the flying vessel in his white ceremonial robes, all the heroes had already taken their places on board.

“Are you really sure this will be okay?”

Prime Minister Baek Se-joon anxiously asked the Executioner. The black short-haired maiden gave a slight nod, her lips trembling ever so slightly as if she was starting to get irritated.

“The number of personnel is fine, the flight path is clear. We’ve even received clearance for takeoff. All we need to do now is just… drive for a bit.”

“But what if we run into one of those mysterious creatures along the way…?”

“…We’ve got over a hundred heroes on board. What’s there to worry so much about?”

The Executioner relaxed her tense posture and softened her expression. Though their relationship was officially formal, this conversation felt more like a comfortable chat between grandfather and granddaughter—well, at least in tone if not in content.

“Grandpa. You focus on preparing for the next administration. I’m stepping forward so you can finally grab some real power.”

“Well… alright…”

Prime Minister Baek hesitated but nodded. Though his young granddaughter hadn’t lived even a third of his lifetime, her sharpness and decisiveness far surpassed that of most middle-aged men. She was someone he cherished deeply, yet sometimes he couldn’t help but wonder how things might have been different if she’d been born a boy. Despite that, <Executioner> Baek Hee-a was undeniably talented in every possible way.

“I don’t know when the early election will happen, but make sure to solidify your influence by then. Cut ties with those lackeys who used to cling to Sun I-cheol.”

“But still, they’re friends I shared meals with…”

“You’ll regret it if you keep hanging around with the wrong people. While I’m off in China, absolutely do not associate with suspicious individuals. Got it?”

“…Alright…”

Who was worrying about whom here? Prime Minister Baeg sighed and shook his head. The black short-haired girl adjusted her white beret and donned her uniform.

“In that case, Prime Minister, we’re setting sail.”

“Yes. Be careful, <Executioner>. …Hee-a, be safe, alright?”

“Stop worrying already.”

With that, Executioner Baek Hee-a saluted Prime Minister Baek before boarding the *Baegnaroh*. Heroes led by Lee Seung-hyung were drawing attention as they boarded the ship from one side, while she quietly slipped onto ‘her own ship’ from the opposite side, avoiding public notice.

“Captain, you’ve arrived?”

Park Ra-on, <Unsah>, who had been waiting nearby, greeted her. Executioner looked around at the crew standing at attention and sighed.

“This isn’t the military, so why are you doing this?”

“It’s just a way of saying please drive safely.”

“Are you all just teasing me?”

“Pfft, how could that be? Hmph hmpf hmpf…”

Executioner scanned the heroes with a wry smile. Adjusting her beret, she walked down the central aisle and took her seat. At the center of the bridge, overlooking the operators, sat the red captain’s chair—the command throne.

“All preparations for departure are complete.”

Upon receiving the report from the operators stationed at their consoles, Executioner picked up a metal rod hanging from her necklace. In front of her seat was a small groove where the rod fit perfectly. Inserting the ‘key,’ she infused it with magic power.

“Ah. Code change. From now on, <Executioner> will serve as <Captain> and oversee your trip to China. Please take your seats and fasten your safety belts. If anyone doesn’t follow this rule, I’ll throw them into the middle of the Yellow Sea during the journey.”

The captain delivered a rather menacing threat as she fully inserted the key. Her eyes began to glow ominously, and soon her vision expanded to encompass the entire ship.

“…<Tempest Lady>. This isn’t a pleasure cruise. Get rid of that wine you’ve stashed in your water bottle.”

“Ugh…”

“And you too, <Pungbaek>. Remove the makgeolli from your potion flask and fasten your seatbelt.”

“Geez, so fussy. Tch.”

The heroes marveled at the captain’s uncanny ability to detect trouble. It was rumored to be her first mission, but many wanted to test her skills. She effortlessly dismantled their tricks.

“To reiterate, my special ability is ‘Synchronization.’ This ship and I are now one. So please refrain from any funny business.”

Seated with legs crossed, the captain ignited the engine. The cores in the engine room began pistoning, releasing magical energy, and slowly the flying vessel ascended into the sky.

“In that case, the *Baegnaroh* is departing. Our route goes through Beijing to Qinghai. Estimated arrival time…”

The captain displayed the course and expected arrival time on the heroes’ front screens.

“10:30 PM. It’ll take about two hours, so please prepare yourselves comfortably. Do not leave your seats. If anyone needs to use the restroom, please let us know beforehand. For in-flight meals, simply press your display screen, and Xroids will deliver it to you. Oh, and…”

The heroes started putting on headphones to block out her voice.

“In case of an emergency where the flying vessel explodes, there are life jackets under your seats. Should we encounter an aerial monster attack, remain calm and follow the captain’s instructions to initiate interception…”

The new captain leading the heroes after the Regent was even more anxious than the Regent herself.

– She’s not even a mother…

If anything, she was a nagging woman.

“Do not enter the engine room, and also…”

Half an hour after departure.

For the full thirty minutes while crossing the Yellow Sea, the captain’s mouth didn’t stop once.

* * *

<9:33 PM, Above Beijing>

“What’s all the commotion?”

[I’ve come to greet you.]

“For a greeting, you don’t have to look so shabby, do you?”

I met Seok Harang, who had spread icy wings in the sky, while hiding my monstrous form beneath a tattered black robe. Despite kicking the air with his feet, Seok Harang didn’t invite me aboard.

[We need to conceal our identities.]

“You usually show yourself freely enough.”

[That’s only possible when it’s sunny. There are many restrictions now.]

“…? Are you weaker at night?”

[There are various non-combat limitations.]

Specifically, since it’s impossible to hide in sunlight, he has to wrap his armor in rags like this to conceal himself.

“You look like a total beggar.”

[Then who should live in pigsties?]

“Though I don’t know why, hearing that from you makes me kinda mad.”

[A twenty-one-year-old kid talks like they know everything.]

“How old are you, anyway? Acting like such a geezer. How old exactly? Show me your ID. Not Cheongnyeon’s, but your real age.”

[……]

Seok Harang subtly tried to pry into my background. Unsure whether to mention the protagonist’s age from the original story or my actual age, I hesitated. If I went with the former, we’d be the same age, but I didn’t want to appear inferior to Seok Harang.

[Twenty-five…?]

“If it’s five, say five. Why so unsure?”

[My memory’s a little fuzzy.]

I guess that’s about right. Seok Harang muttered while counting on his fingers.

“So there’s a four-year gap between you and me… wow.”

[It’s uncertain.]

“A four-year gap that you won’t confirm? Haha.”

[Clearly, we’re incompatible.]

I quickly checked the analog wristwatch I had hastily procured. It was 9:35 PM. Around now, the problematic flying vessel would be passing over Beijing.

“You’re strange. Aren’t you annoyed that a girl four years younger than you keeps talking back disrespectfully?”

[Your rudeness is… no, never mind. I never expected politeness from you anyway.]

“Should I call you something else then? Hmm…”

Seok Harang cleared his throat and adjusted his voice.

“Big Brother?”

[Crazy girl.]

“What’s crazy about that? Why the immediate insult?”

[Stop saying creepy things. Honestly, it’s embarrassing. Anyway, looks like they’re arriving.]

I kicked Seok Harang’s butt and shoved him toward the approaching flying vessel. Although he glared at me, he refrained from attacking.

[……You’ve become less aggressive.]

“Hmph, shouldn’t a strong person show some tolerance? Right? You’re only strong during the day and weak at night, so you need consideration. Oh, speaking of which, you’re totally that guy, aren’t you?”

Seok Harang unfolded his wings and came close to whisper in my ear, though it could’ve been said from afar.

“Day-to-night-weakened-guy. Hehe!”

[Haa…]

What am I supposed to do with this reckless person?

[People go out of their way to greet you, and you don’t hold back on insults.]

“Exactly! If you’re annoyed, why don’t we settle it tonight? Hahaha, guess I’ll only see you at night from now on~ I’m leaving! Watch out on your night travels, alright?!”

[You watch out too. Don’t let your guard down and get into an accident.]

Seok Harang stuck out his tongue and flew eastward. Having reached SS Rank, he could now travel at supersonic speeds and appeared ready to dock mid-air and join the flying vessel. I watched him until he became a dot in the distance.

[Is this from inheriting Seoyea’s power?]

He launches powerful attacks at night. I tapped my chest lightly to subdue the fluctuating magical energy.

[Day-to-night-weakened-guy…]

That line coming from someone I’ve never beaten in bed was absurd. At that moment, I sensed the rumbling approach of a flying object from the southeast.

[They’ve arrived.]

The reason I came here instead of staying in the hospital room was twofold: greeting Seok Harang and wanting to see the Death D– err, the *Baegnaroh* with my own eyes, even if it meant wrapping myself in rags.

[Still the same.]

From afar, I spotted the flying vessel approaching several kilometers away. First, I sensed the magical reactions of numerous special ability users inside, followed by the dark-aligned magical energy synchronized with the ship.

[She certainly acts fast.]

Baek Hee-a.

Before handing over the captain’s position to the protagonist later in the original story, she was the captain and helmsman of the Death D– now renamed *Baegnaroh*, the airborne base of the protagonist’s group. She was always helpful whenever we traveled abroad.

[Why did she come so early?]

We’ll find out eventually. For now, I decided to assist her flight and return to the hospital afterward.

Squeeeeak!!

Monster birds of B-Rank level followed behind the *Baegnaroh*. Though they were merely giant monsters capable of flying, they were quite troublesome in the open sky where one couldn’t stand on solid ground.

[Oh.]

Our eyes met. The pupils of Baek Hee-a, sitting in the captain’s chair on the bridge, widened in shock. Even though I minimized my magical presence to stay hidden, how did she spot me? This was intriguing.

[Come to think of it, I heard the Western Sea Weapon entered Seoul.]

In that case, the cleanup mission on Yeongjong Island must be complete. I resolved to gift the entire island’s old runway to Baek Hee-a. Using it for most departures except the final battle would be more convenient.

[Take care and come back safely.]

I waved at Baek Hee-a. Wearing her beret, she seemed flustered as she awkwardly waved back and forth. Though her abilities were trustworthy, the name “Baegnaroh” for the flying vessel grated on my nerves.

[How can I not be bothered when the flying vessel’s name is like that? Ugh.]

Squeeeeek!!

The monster birds noticed the trace of magical energy I intentionally leaked and started turning toward me. I extinguished my magical aura and descended to lure them down. No more monsters pursued the *Baegnaroh*.

[Maybe I should visit New Seoul sometime soon.]

I kicked the head of the first monster bird that opened its beak to dive.

Lying in bed doing nothing just wasn’t my style.

As I plummeted toward the ground, I snapped the necks of the monster birds.

* * *

“Captain, is something wrong?”

“Ah, nothing at all.”

Baek Hee-a instinctively realized that what she had just seen wasn’t an illusion. The SS-Ranked villain <Phoenix>, presumed to have easily defeated Seok Harang at Gwanak and killed the Light Blade, waved at her as if saying hello. Without realizing it, she responded in kind.

Would she have been blown to pieces in midair if she hadn’t waved back? Baek Hee-a’s mouth went dry.

“Captain, the monster birds have turned their heads toward the ground. They’re no longer pursuing us.”

On the radar, the monster birds appeared to be slowing down and turning back.

“Why?”

“Pardon?”

“Why are you helping us?”

“What are you talking about?”

A villain aiding heroes?

Why?

Until Seok Harang folded his wings and boarded the ship, Baek Hee-a couldn’t stop pondering Phoenix’s intentions.

“Could they be planning to hijack us on the way back and kill everyone…?”

“What on earth are you saying, Captain?”

Is Phoenix just showing off? Did they save us once? Should we alter the return route? Ugh, why did they suddenly appear there?!

“Medic! Someone calm the Captain down!”

Without ever imagining that Phoenix might have simply waited to catch a glimpse of the flying vessel, Baek Hee-a agonized over Phoenix’s true intentions until they reached Qinghai.