Chapter 241

〈Chapter 241〉 Part 1, Chapter 11, Section 11

Though I managed to retrieve the Cube, there’s no proper place to use it.

Firstly, I unintentionally ended up facing Chang-yeom, and secondly, there’s nowhere worthwhile to use the Cube anyway.

Then again, if I summon her again, who knows what might happen? She could get mad at being summoned so soon after meeting. Still, it’s probably wise to keep one as a backup, just in case.

‘Fortunately, the Association has decided to stand with me.’

It could be seen as mutual benefit, or maybe it looks like I handed over the Blue Wind Sect and slipped away clean. But I’ve chosen to enjoy the national pride that Baek Hee-a gives out without avoiding it.

– Is it true the entire Blue Wind Sect is now part of the Association?

N: Yup, pretty much Team Pine Trees Mk.2.

N: If I were you, I’d have taken over the Blue Wind Sect, seized New Seoul, and smashed some keyboard warrior into pieces.

N: Zang Nicks Nium! A champion who united villains for the nation! *sniffle*

“……Just hearing about ‘contributing to the nation’ makes me feel awkward all of a sudden.”

In various ways, it was quite an odd feeling, but fortunately, public opinion about the Hunters Guild’s inclusion of the Blue Wind Sect didn’t seem too bad.

Everyone knows by now that <Phoenix> exists behind the Blue Wind Sect.

And thanks to the public relations efforts of Baek Hee-a and Yun Yuhwa, <Phoenix> will transform into an entity that dumped the Blue Wind Sect onto the country and continues to secretly manipulate things from the shadows.

‘That’s what they call a secret weapon.’

“Even though it’s a secret everyone knows about.”

Just as the Sky Castle stepped forward while the Blue Wind Sect stayed hidden in the background, this is the strategy where the Blue Wind Sect takes center stage while Phoenix hides behind the scenes.

No matter what Phoenix does, the Blue Wind Sect itself won’t be held accountable.

‘So, there’s no longer any need to make the Round Table publicly recognize the Blue Wind Sect as a ‘public good’.’

“The public figures the Round Table should promote globally are the seven leaders of the Dark Legion.”

Seoyea’s Rusalka is dead.

The Chaos Dragon was repelled in China.

Thus, they’ll aim to capture the remaining five leaders, and I’ll inevitably be pushed to the bottom rank by the Round Table.

“With such a sweet future ahead, it’s not something I can expect for myself, so let me prepare early.”

I headed to Busan.

* * *

<July 19th, 6 PM, Seok Harang's residence>

“Why do you always burst in and start cleaning my house?”

Seok Harang’s home was, as usual, a garbage dump. Even after becoming an SS Rank member of the Round Table, their survival skills hadn’t improved much beyond S Rank standards.

“Did you order delivery again?”

“I can’t exactly go grocery shopping when I’m supposed to be cooking.”

“Tch. You could just add items to your online cart and place the order.”

“……I tried that once, and everything turned out messy.”

Seok Harang opened the freezer door. I stared in disbelief as neatly stacked blocks of food waste covered the fridge shelves.

“I’m getting rid of this fridge.”

“Are you crazy? This thing costs three million won from Yu-sung!”

“What do you think about turning a three-million-won item into a trash can?”

“…”

Seok Harang fell silent. I salvaged what little usable ingredients remained and managed to whip up something edible.

Fortunately, the fridge was kept relatively clean thanks to countless bottles of blueberry drinks.

“Doesn’t it bother you to leave it like this?”

“I’m swamped with work, so stop nagging. Do you even know how much I’ve been running around lately?”

Since July 1st, a total of 18 days had passed.

After re-enlightening Seok Harang about the truth of the world, we finally met face-to-face in Busan.

“Every day I meet with the Round Table members, snapping hundreds of photos. Oh man, I’m gonna die!”

Seok Harang rolled on the floor, pretending to suffer. With no other choice, I spread my magic power over the food and climbed onto her back to give her a massage.

“Ahhh… I really feel alive again.”

“Flying around the world instead of taking planes will do that to you. Magic power works like muscles; overuse it, and you’re exhausting yourself.”

“So, does that mean if I don’t use my magic power enough, it’ll weaken like muscle loss?”

“…While it doesn’t exactly weaken, the flow in your blood vessels could harden. Once a channel opens, it doesn’t close, but waking it up again will take time.”

I moved my hands along Seok Harang’s veins, guiding her magic power to slowly circulate throughout her body.

“Haaaah, feels like I’m soaking in a hot spring….”

“First you treat me like a masseuse, now you treat me like a hot spring. What next?”

“Still, warmth is warmth. Haa, since you can’t leave your duties anyway, why don’t you become my exclusive fatigue recovery expert?”

“Where do you come up with these ideas?”

I jabbed a pressure point beneath Seok Harang’s lower back. The moment the tip of my finger grazed the edge of her underwear, she buried her head into the couch.

“Uuuuuhhnnn…”

Her voice carried a nasal tone.

“You’re not seriously enjoying this, are you…?”

“C-Come on, keep going.”

Without looking back, Seok Harang urged me to continue the massage. I hesitated but resisted her temptation.

“Will you regret this later? I suggest you stop here.”

“At this point? No way. Hurry up. My meal’s waiting.”

“…Who cooked it again?”

I began moving my hands more vigorously. Scanning her entire body, I inadvertently brushed against some sensitive areas.

“Haaaah… Ughhh…”

Seok Harang now openly moaned, turning her head toward me. Her eyes gleamed mischievously like a fox.

“Why do you keep avoiding my butt?”

“Because you’re practically naked.”

“Why? Aren’t I the person you love? Or are you scared I’ll fall for you?”

“If touching your butt changed my feelings, this world would’ve already ended long ago, brat.”

I stood up and stomped on her rear with my foot. Despite the shaking of her lower half, Seok Harang relaxed, treating it like another form of massage.

“This feels good too… hahaha.”

“……Why does everyone end up like this?”

I couldn’t understand why everyone kept acting this way, starting with Seok Harang.

“Do you really think you can seduce me with sex appeal?”

“Yup, absolutely.”

Seok Harang answered with complete seriousness.

“Tch.”

She grabbed my ankle and twisted her body. Using magic to pull me closer, I ended up sprawled on top of her, flipped 180 degrees.

“Haha, you’re resisting too, aren’t you? Keep struggling.”

“I’m holding back because you’d get hurt otherwise.”

If I used magic to resist, Seok Harang would’ve been injured. Instead, I simply relaxed on top of her.

“Fine. Do whatever you want. Just don’t become my enemy.”

“Aww, our Phoenix Sir seems nervous. Are you scared I’ll turn into your Round Table rival?”

“Haha. Yes, I am. Happy now?”

“Hehehe~”

My empty words seemed to please her as she hugged me like a doll and shook me gently.

“Haaaah… So healing…”

“Would you still say that if I turned into a monster?”

“Nope. Stay like this. Look at these soft curves… hehehe.”

Seok Harang grabbed my waist like a pervert. Her lecherous grin resembled the face of a Rusalka targeting Light Blade.

“You’ve worked so hard, so I’ll allow this. Otherwise, you’d be dead already.”

“Hey, despite appearing female, is it okay for two women to touch each other’s butts and chests?”

“Already happening, isn’t it?”

Seok Harang had me wrapped in her arms, and naturally, our chests pressed together since I was lying on top of her.

“Tch, look at this. You asked me to circle the globe for you, yet you can’t even grant such a small request?”

“That’s unrelated.”

“Why? Can only your true love touch your body?”

“Of course. This is already pushing the limits of what I can tolerate.”

I wouldn’t have done this much for anyone else. But since Seok Harang is half-human, half-spirit, the level of discomfort wasn’t as strong compared to others.

“Maybe it’s because we’re related spiritually like cousins.”

“Have you ever molested and impregnated your cousin?”

“…Not me.”

“Ha! You can’t fool me. Other sisters might, but not me. You’re a guy. One hundred percent.”

My heart sank. Given our physical proximity, she’d instantly notice if my core started racing.

“What then?”

“Then I’ll deal with it accordingly. It’s fine. I’m spirit-based too. If I need to, I can become male.”

“Do you really like me that much?”

“Yup, immensely.”

Seok Harang grabbed my face and locked eyes with me. Her deep gaze, calm like the sea, reflected blue flames.

“Even though my first impression of you was trash… thanks to you, I’ve become the strongest in the world and received so much help. Though if you ask if I love you romantically, that’s a separate matter.”

“……??”

I couldn’t comprehend. What thoughts did Seok Harang hold toward me? I couldn’t grasp the meaning.

“Haha, look at you, completely flustered. Your core is pounding like crazy.”

“It’s not.”

“I can feel it right beside me. Stop lying. Every time we bicker like this, I feel…”

Seok Harang sat up, leaving me cradled in her arms.

“It feels like having an older brother nearby. Yeah, family.”

“Where in the world do older brothers and younger sisters hug like this?”

“Himeji siblings did.”

“……That’s their special case.”

“Then we’re also special. Right? Back when I was S Rank, I wanted to kill you through all sorts of nonsense, but now that I’m SS Rank, my perspective has changed.”

Seok Harang tightened her grip on my neck, dropping her dialect.

“Even though we’ve only known each other for a few months, you’ve become my family. Isn’t that true right now?”

She pointed at the dining table.

“Who else would come down to Busan despite already having a headache, just to eat with me? Isn’t that right?”

“……That’s because your survival skills are a disaster.”

“Yeah, yeah. Since my survival skills are a mess, I wish someone in my family could support me. Hmm, now that I can cover both Seoul and Busan, should I move to Seoul? Will you give me a penthouse?”

“……Family, huh. Tsk.”

A strange bond formed between us. I grabbed Seok Harang’s shoulders, stood up, and distanced myself.

“Let’s eat. Get up.”

“You’re deflecting.”

We sat across from each other at the dining table. Despite the simple meal, Seok Harang dug in without complaint.

“So, there’s something else.”

“Your dialect’s back.”

“Shut up. In my house, I can act however I want. Hey, listen while you eat. What were the results from the Round Table?”

“…”

I swallowed a mouthful of rice. I came all the way to Busan to hear this, and I did everything Seok Harang wanted.

“Alright. Their decision is?”

“Congratulations.”

Though clearly reluctant, Seok Harang clapped for me with a face saying “what can you do?”

“Just as you wished, the world will be informed about the impending apocalypse.”

“……Chaos will surely ensue. Good.”

How will humanity behave in the face of extinction? Will they plant an apple tree as Spinoza said, or chop it down with a chainsaw? No one knows.

“Thanks to this, the movements of the leaders will become clearer. Penril disappeared without a trace. Hehe.”

“Even after traveling the world, I couldn’t spot a single one of them. Are you pulling my leg? Are you sure all three leaders are active?”

“That’s certain. I personally fought them.”

“Were they thrown into the deep sea after being defeated? Tch.”

“…”

I quietly ate my rice. Unable to reveal anything about Chang-yeom, I became trapped within a barrier, powerless to act.

“Anyway, you’re truly blessed. While the leaders feud among themselves, you have the most beautiful, kind, and powerful spirit on your side. Be truly grateful, got it?”

“……Isn’t that a bit excessive?”

“A bit excessive? This is why you’re keeping quiet right now, isn’t it?”

Seok Harang put down her chopsticks and pulled out two small objects from the pocket of her shirt. Seeing the items wedged between her index and middle fingers made me sigh involuntarily.

“……I only told you about one.”

“It happened accidentally. Hehehe. Come on, finish eating and do the dishes. Then I’ll tell you how I got these while lounging on the bean bag together.”

Seok Harang fiddled with the two Cubes in her hand and grinned.

“Am I impressive? Big Brother.”

“Yeah, impressive. …When do you plan to stop calling me ‘Big Brother’?”

“Hmm? Let’s see…”

Seok Harang returned the Cubes to her shirt pocket and nudged my knee with her bare feet under the table.

“When Big Brother becomes Husband?”

“……You should give up while you can.”

“When has a hero ever given up on reforming a villain? Haha. You picked the wrong person to mess with.”

Seok Harang forced a piece of food into my mouth with one hand while propping her chin with the other, smiling smugly.

“Interested in acquiring a spirit wife? There’s a really nice one available.”

“……Hmm.”

I swallowed the food in my mouth and raised my index finger at Seok Harang.

“I have no intention of marrying a woman with smaller breasts than me-”

“You worthless big brother!”

Indeed.

This is real sibling rivalry.

To prevent the scenario where the older brother becomes husband, I gave my all during the post-meal exercise session of SS Ranks inside the barrier.

“Damn you for using your ultimate attack from the start!”

[Get angry and use your ultimate attack already!]

I can’t lose to such an arrogant younger sister, so I began by detonating a sun right off the bat.

Fortunately, I won.

…Though I almost lost for real midway through.