Chapter 203

〈 Chapter 203 〉 Part 1, Chapter 10, Section 6

<Three days ago, at the Blue Wind Sect hideout.>

What would happen if someone possessed two S-Rank Cores?

Perhaps it might be different if they had the ability to protect themselves, but many were after Cheongnyeon, who on the surface appeared as a fragile maiden, despite her possession of these cores.

– “Who cares about that Black Flame Dragon nonsense? Just snatch the person and take the cores!”

Villains from the provinces, unaware of the true state of New Seoul, mingled among the crowds, yearning to ascend to the capital. Some hotheaded ones even traversed broken roads and mountain trails to reach Seoul.

This was also a headache for the Association.

Even though Heroes handed over their collected Cores to the Association for disposal, with only a portion of the proceeds going back to them, Cheongnyeon had taken those two Cores without going through the Association.

Thus, the Association sought to negotiate with Cheongnyeon.

“That’s why an official request came in the form of a CF shoot, right?”

The Pantless Director of the Blue Wind Sect, <Lighthouse> Ji Hwa adjusted his glasses and surveyed the gathered officers in the lounge.

Rock Monster, Phantom, Sky Castle, Architect, Gongsung, and Phoenix.

“First off, what does the Director think?”

“No.”

Phoenix bluntly refused.

“But there’s money in public service announcements! They say just show up, film some footage, and you’ll get 100 million won!”

“Why not go hunt Monsters instead of doing some ad?”

“I’d like it if you did the shoot, Director.”

<Gongsung> Yu I-shin was the first to voice their opinion, contrary to Phoenix’s refusal. All eyes turned to Yu I-shin.

“After all, advertising has intangible value that can’t be measured in money, doesn’t it? I think it could greatly help build the image you desire, Director.”

“Yeah, it’ll leave a strong impression on the people too. It’ll reassure them that someone is always watching over Cheongnyeon.”

“But putting her out there like a display makes people uneasy. There have been incidents like plane explosions, remember?”

Public perception of Cheongnyeon was divided into three main categories.

First: The idol successor to Seok Harang.

“The world needs to know. What? A one-in-six-billion doll-like appearance? People should realize what kind of killer lurks within her.”

“It doesn’t matter since only we here know that, right? I heard her fan club already surpassed a million members.”

“Crazy. No, it’s expected. Hmm. With this body’s charm already ensnaring a million hearts, it truly is impressive.”

Phoenix tapped her shoulder in self-praise. The corners of the officers’ mouths twitched slightly, but Phoenix didn’t notice.

Second: A girl brimming with justice but somewhat unsettling.

“She took down two S-Rank Monsters in just two nights and three days, didn’t she? And when she stormed out of the negotiation room, didn’t she say something like ‘I can’t stand seeing Monsters running rampant!’? Ugh, sorry Director. Don’t recall the exact words.”

“You wouldn’t, would you? Do you even know the nickname of that video? Blazing Phoenix Revival—”

Deokbae was dead.

“So, because of that, people are extremely cautious whenever Boss might fly off somewhere. Did you know all the foreigners wandering around Seoul are actually here begging our Miss Cheongnyeon to visit their countries?”

“Not to mention, captured Monsters can potentially be tamed, right? Isn’t there some term… ‘familiar’? Anyway, something like operating a Black Flame Dragon is possible, so the Association is desperate to call upon Director’s cooperation.”

“Hmm. Indeed. Registering my abilities as a Pyromancer rather than Monster Controller was the right move. Everyone’s going berserk wanting to adopt Monsters one by one.”

Phoenix praised her own skills as an officer. The monsters were grateful for their revival thanks to her powers, though three out of four were originally killed by her.

Third:

According to Architect, “I’m Team Lee Seung-hyung. Could Boss’s reluctance to do the ad be because she’s worried she might fall for him?”

Gongsung said, “I support the Crown Prince. The interest shown during the negotiations clearly indicates love at first sight. Yes, it’s definite. If the Crown Prince were a puppy, its tail wouldn’t stop wagging.”

Sky Castle added, “I’m also for the Crown Prince. With Illusory Dragon assisting, it seems like lifelong rule isn’t far off. He has a good background and a handsome face—it’s a great picture. Hehe.”

Lighthouse remarked, “Perhaps it’s more related to Huakwon. Considering the Director’s hypersensitivity towards Lee Seung-hyung starting from Guro, this is clearly what you’d call tsundere…”

“Shut your mouth.”

Phoenix finally snapped after enduring it all. The resurrected Deokbae casually put his feet up on the desk and teased her.

“Hey, sounds nice, doesn’t it? You’re super popular with all the handsome men! Why choose between two when life is short? Just take both. No, wait, are there three?”

“Three? Is there another?”

“Yeah. There’s a pretty face under the Illusory Dragon faction who talks with you more than Illusory Dragon himself. ‘Bonghyo,’ wasn’t it?”

“<Fonhyo>. Former Admiral Dong Chang, current Vice President of the Illusory Dragon Group. Hey, Jo Deokbae, don’t confuse others.”

“These guys are having way too much fun teasing people.”

…That third category.

The protagonist of the Love Scandal.

Blazing Phoenix’s unique beauty ignited flames in the hearts of many, and the number of men infatuated with her was overwhelming.

“Do you think loving someone will make you care more about their country? That’s laughable. It’s tiresome.”

“But still, wouldn’t you if you really fell in love?”

“…I won’t deny it. But it’s neither two nor three. I have no interest in dirty men.”

Phoenix finally declared her coming-out. However, the officers didn’t pay much attention.

“Didn’t we already know that from how she behaves with Cheon Gaeul or Chairman Eun?”

“Still, you never know. She might fall for someone unexpected and get charmed.”

“Enough. Anyway, I’m not doing the CF.”

Phoenix stubbornly refused the CF. Ji Hwa adjusted his glasses and pressed further.

“Is it because of the co-star?”

“Of course.”

“Because Lee Seung-hyung is the co-star?”

“Exactly. Dead or alive, I won’t do it. Why should I film a CF with Lee Seung-hyung? This is ridiculous.”

Phoenix flicked the storyboard sent from Xian with the back of her hand.

“A Hero protecting Cheongnyeon from the threat of Monsters, the appearance of Huakwon? How cliché is this? Are you joking?”

“Even if it’s clichéd, visuals alone account for more than half the impact, so it should suffice.”

“The Monster isn’t even the Black Flame Dragon, right? There should be no issues with filming the ad.”

“Director. This is a great opportunity.”

Ji Hwa stood up and looked down at Phoenix. His legendary persuasion skills, which once got him through a major corporate interview, began to weave their spell.

“If Director spends just an hour, everything will become so much easier. The Association won’t hassle us anymore about the S-Rank Core issue, and viewers will imprint the delicate image of Cheongnyeon in their minds. Not just Korea—when it goes up on YouTube, people worldwide will see it. That will elevate Korea’s national prestige, and people around the world will see Director’s visage. Not once—no, they’ll watch it repeatedly every day. Think it’s low-paying because it’s a public service announcement? Far from it! Who’s the biggest sponsor of the ad? Chairman Eun, of course. So Chairman Eun will benefit from the ad revenue and be grateful to Director. Director, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance!”

Ji Hwa’s impassioned speech drew applause from the officers. Even Phoenix nodded slightly.

“But I just don’t want to do it with Lee Seung-hyung.”

“Director-niiiiiim?!”

Lighthouse collapsed. A despondent Ji Hwa was consoled by Yu I-shin patting his back.

“Director, don’t you know better than anyone else the benefits of this single ad?”

“Come on, Boss. No more hassle from those Association bastards, right? Oh man, those crazy guys keep saying the two Cores Director worked hard to obtain should belong to the nation, cough. They’re such a pain. Do you want to hear that forever?”

“Chairman Yoo will handle those who badmouth behind the scenes, right? Director, please grant us this favor. Besides, isn’t all the detailed work handled by Lighthouse anyway?”

“If you say so…”

Phoenix hesitated.

“Then I want it even less. It’s annoying, that’s all. Facing Lee Seung-hyung is worse than anything.”

Phoenix stubbornly refused until the end.

“Hmm… Ah, then let’s do this.”

Chun Gaeul, who had been deep in thought alone, clapped her hands and smiled brightly.

“As long as ‘Cheongnyeon’ appears in the ad, right?”

“…Gaeul?”

“Then I’ll transform.”

Chun Gaeul transformed into Cheongnyeon. Since Phoenix’s human form—Cheongnyeon—fell within the S-Rank category, Gaeul, being of equal caliber, successfully transformed into Phoenix’s appearance with ease.

“How’s this? Pretty similar, huh?”

“Almost identical, except for the strange feeling from the magical aura. Impressive, Chun Gaeul.”

“Shouldn’t Boss frown a bit more? Like, act like everything is beneath you. Yeah, exactly that expression. As expected, being a melodrama specialist pays off. Hmm.”

The officers burst into laughter and applause, leaving Phoenix in a bind.

“Gaeul? Surely, you’re not thinking of shooting the ad in my place?”

“That’s the plan. You said you didn’t want to do it, so I’ll shoot it.”

Chun Gaeul lifted her head as Cheongnyeon. In the lounge, the two blue women facing each other like dopplegangers differed only in eye color.

“I’m an actress. Do you think you can outdo me in CFs?”

“……”

Phoenix wanted to stop her but couldn’t. Though she complained earlier, stopping Gaeul now would make her look—

“That guy, that guy didn’t want to shoot with Lee Seung-hyung, but now that Chun Gaeul is doing it, he’s probably nervous they might hit it off. Tsk, honestly, who’s the trash here?”

Deokbae couldn’t hold his tongue.

In a fit of anger, Phoenix threw him out the window, but Deokbae mocked her as he flew away.

That was why, three days later, both Cheongnyeon in human form and Phoenix in monster form appeared simultaneously in Seoul.

Gaeul, transformed into Cheongnyeon, headed to the Association with Executioner Baek Hee-a, while Phoenix, accompanied only by the Core-made Deokbae, trailed the bus Gaeul boarded.

* * *

On the limousine bus heading to the Association.

Opposite Baek Hee-a sat Cheongnyeon, motionless like a doll. Cautiously, Baek Hee-a broached the subject.

“How can you come here all the way to New Seoul without any escort…?”

“Do you need an escort to come to New Seoul?”

Cheongnyeon tilted her head and blinked innocently. Her naive demeanor made her seem like a child unaware of worldly matters, making Baek Hee-a feel awkward about addressing someone older than herself as an older sister.

“Where is that divine protector of yours?”

“He’ll appear if it gets dangerous, so there’s no need to worry.”

“I see. Understood.”

After witnessing the feats of Su Hwaryeong, Baek Hee-a stopped trying to judge SS-Rank ability users based on common sense. These were monsters who could traverse from Seoul to Beijing in just ten minutes, far beyond the comprehension of ordinary people like herself.

Also, the rogue who dared intrude into the women’s restroom.

Clack.

Baek Hee-a clenched her teeth while Cheongnyeon picked up a caramel macchiato from the box of drinks and sipped it.

“Ah, that’s mine…”

“……? Wasn’t it a new one?”

“I barely touched it… cough.”

Accidentally sharing an indirect kiss, Baek Hee-a blushed. Although she hadn’t intended it that way, the thought of defiling such an innocent maiden made her heart race.

“I’m sorry.”

“Not at all. It’s my fault for not marking it.”

Baek Hee-a picked up a strawberry smoothie. Cheongnyeon, who had been drinking, stared at the cup containing the strawberry smoothie for a while.

“By the way, I heard you like strawberries. Sorry about that.”

“No, I occasionally try other things too… It’s just that I rarely get the chance to drink them in Seoul.”

“Is that so?”

Baek Hee-a’s eyes saddened, vividly imagining Cheongnyeon struggling inside a cave, drinking groundwater and Monster blood.

“Was life in Seoul difficult for you?”

“It was tough, but I adapted.”

“……I’ll do my best to ensure swift support reaches Seoul.”

“Support… ……Hmm.”

As Cheongnyeon sighed, Baek Hee-a felt uneasy, wondering if her words had unintentionally offended the pride of Seoul’s residents or hurt Cheongnyeon’s feelings. Before she could dig herself deeper with worries, Cheongnyeon changed the topic.

“The CF, right?”

“Yes.”

Cheongnyeon picked up the printed material placed between the seats. The document, bearing the Association’s seal, detailed the script for the CF featuring Cheongnyeon and Huakwon as a pair.

“Yes. The original author of <Last Love> personally reviewed the content at Huakwon’s request.”

“……”

Cheongnyeon stared intently at the printout with a complicated expression. Baek Hee-a hastily bowed her head in apology.

“I apologize. You probably weren’t aware of this while staying in Seoul…”

“No, it’s fine.”

Cheongnyeon flipped through the cover page and began focusing on the script. Seeing her concentrate, Baek Hee-a refrained from asking the questions she wanted to pose to Cheongnyeon.

The Blue Wind Sect named after Cheongnyeon, the SS-Rank Villain Phoenix who entered the women’s restroom and teased Baek Hea, urging her to conspire together…

“What is your relationship with him…?”

“Who are you talking about?”

“……”

Realizing she had inadvertently voiced her thoughts, Baek Hee-a froze. Cheongnyeon paused reading the script.

“Lee Seung-hyung?”

“No… I mean, Cheongnyeon, do you know an SS-Rank Villain called <Phoenix>?…”

“He’s someone I like.”

“……”

Baek Hee-a lost her words. Cheongnyeon, flipping through the script, muttered while looking up at the ceiling.

“No, maybe someone I love?”

Why was the bus suddenly getting so hot? Baek Hee-a fanned her face with her hand to cool down.

“Did they turn on the heater…?”

The bus was inexplicably warm. Cheongnyeon didn’t even glance up from the script, leaving Baek Hee-a sweating uncomfortably until they arrived at the Association.

After the Gaeul-transformed-as-Cheongnyeon reached the Association building,

No one noticed the black-armored monster secretly atop the bus roof flying off toward Seoul.