Chapter 276

〈Chapter 276〉 Part 1, Chapter 12, Section 22

Russia, July 22nd, 5 AM.

The public demanded the truth about last night’s incidents.

The purpose of the special envoy delegation from Korea, who arrived in Moscow aboard Yu-Sung’s private jet.

The attack by an intruder coinciding with the arrival of the special envoy at the Vladimir family estate.

The appearance of a dimensional gate on Vladimir family grounds that followed.

The emergence of a demon towering several dozen meters high, accompanied by the Black Dragon.

The golden sword that repelled the demon and its wielder, Undine.

And the mysterious disappearance of S-Rank Hero Rasputin.

Amidst all this confusion, no one truly knew what had happened—only malicious rumors continued to spread. Especially since the special envoy’s arrival was followed immediately by the appearance of a dimensional gate in Moscow and Rasputin’s vanishing act, Korea could do nothing but anxiously wait for an official statement from the Russian branch.

A short while later.

Vladimir Aleksandrovich Suborof, Commander of Russia and Patriarch of the Vladimir family which had been attacked, stepped forward to address the public.

* * *

“Greetings, citizens of the world. I am <Marshal> Vladimir Aleksandrovich Suborof, head of the Hero Association’s Russian branch. I stand here today to clarify the chaos that occurred earlier this morning.

Firstly, let me assure you that the intruder who breached the Vladimir estate is unrelated to these events. The intruder targeting Undine was successfully apprehended by our security and staff. Yes, his identity is none other than the infamous individual involved in the ‘Busan Scandal.’

As for how he managed to reach Moscow…he claims he walked. After Undine returned to Moscow, he promptly left the Korean Peninsula and traveled overland to arrive here just before midnight. He infiltrated our estate shortly after reaching Moscow. This concludes the matter regarding the intruder at the Vladimir estate.

Next, I will address the appearance of the dimensional gate in Moscow and the Dark Demon Dragon.

Before proceeding, I must warn you: the truth may come as a shock. However, the Hero Association is committed to revealing everything without reservation.

Currently, the world faces a threat from the malevolent organization known as the Dark Legion. It has been revealed that Rasputin, the S-Rank ability user, was a pawn of the Dark Legion, masquerading as a hero while hiding his true nature.

Hwakwon master Lee Seung-hyeong, part of the special envoy delegation from Korea, sensed something amiss and confronted Rasputin, leading to a battle where Rasputin revealed his true colors.

According to official records, the so-called demon Rasputin overloaded his body with magic power, causing the dimensional gate to open. The Dark Demon Dragon that emerged subsequently consumed and fused with Rasputin.

Undine then engaged the fused Rasputin-Dark Demon Dragon, defeating it with the ‘Union Strike’ as many of you have already witnessed. The dimensional gate closed, captives were rescued unharmed, and the Dark Demon Dragon was vanquished.

…To be honest, Undine did not defeat the Dark Demon Dragon alone. The young man involved in the scandal, who happened to be trespassing in the side palace, turned out to be an ability user surpassing S-Rank. Together, they combined their powers to fell the Dark Demon Dragon.

This concludes the sequence of events from midnight until four in the morning. Further details are still under investigation by the Association…”

* * *

<Russia, July 22nd, 6 AM>

“Congratulations, <Belobog>. You’ve become a Russian citizen and even a hero.”

“…”

My mockery only earned silence from Heo Yoon-hwan, now officially dubbed <Belobog> by the association.

“Why so glum? Embarrassed?”

“It’s not the nickname that embarrasses me…it’s…that…”

“That you threw everything away to chase your love across continents? Is being seen as a hopeless romantic really that bothersome?”

“…Yeah.”

It seemed Light Blade Yoon-hwan was more troubled by being known for running thousands of kilometers for love rather than his new title of Belobog.

To the public, Belobog appeared as a determined prince who fearlessly crossed the Taebaek Mountain Range to rescue his bride. In reality, he was a washed-up drunkard who barely managed to reunite with Rusalka thanks to Hwanryong’s assistance.

“Don’t worry too much, Belobog. Word back home isn’t too bad. People are praising your devotion, saying you loved her enough to leave Korea. Baek Hee-a might be furious, though.”

Baek Hee-a had dreams of bringing Russia’s princess back to Korea, but alas, Heo Yoon-hwan became Russia’s son-in-law instead of Korea’s hero.

“If I can’t bring Rusalka to Korea, it’s best I stay by her side. With Azidahaka around, it could get dangerous.”

“My apologies.”

“What’s there to apologize for? If anything, I should be sorry. Look at you, resurrected from your grave only to end up living abroad as a son-in-law.”

With Rasputin gone, Russia’s Hero Association faced significant power gaps.

“Looks like General Chongmugong ended up guarding the North-West.”

“Let’s not use such embarrassing metaphors.”

“Understood. Still, filling the power vacuum here is your responsibility.”

“I’ve accepted that.”

Among the heroes who came to seal the dimensional gate, those consumed by Rasputin remained unconscious. Even those who woke showed signs of severe trauma.

“Thankfully, Rusalka can teleport anywhere, so you’ll help her for now. Living as a hero beats being a villain any day, right?”

“…When I died, I never imagined things would turn out like this.”

“Same here.”

Who would’ve thought Snowball reviving Light Blade would lead to this?

“I’m really grateful to Yun Yuhwa.”

“If you’re so thankful, why don’t you show it?”

“But I already take good care of him!”

“…Our president complained that after your China trip, you supposedly hooked him up with another S-Rank hero, yet he’s still waiting.”

“…”

Silence reigned.

“Wait, didn’t you say you’d offer Hwanryong? But circumstances changed…”

“So you haven’t introduced another S-Rank hero yet?”

“…Then make one.”

While no fire-attribute candidates exist in Korea, plenty of promising talents could ascend to S-Rank with proper training.

“Tch. Looks like you’ll be getting roasted by both Baek Hee-a and Yun Yuhwa.”

“Karma’s catching up to me.”

“Yes, accept your karma.”

“Fair enough. So you should accept yours too.”

I subtly gestured towards the door where Suborof was meeting with Rusalka.

“You’ve got an eight-year age gap father-in-law now. What do you plan to say? Any thoughts?”

“…Don’t know. More importantly, how do you think Suborof will react?”

“Hmm…”

Would Suborof accept the truth about Rusalka and Anastasha? I worried deeply, but Rusalka insisted on revealing everything despite potential consequences.

“I always prepare for the worst.”

“What?”

I lowered my voice so others couldn’t hear.

“If things go south, I could kill him and turn him into a monster…”

“I shouldn’t have asked. You’re still trash.”

“…”

* * *

Suborof bowed his head, processing the shocking revelations from Rusalka far more than the fact that Rasputin was actually a monster.

“Yes. I am Seoyea’s Rusalka, a spirit from Tera and former officer of the old Dark Legion. I’ve taken residence in Anastasha’s body, gaining new life. I apologize for not telling you sooner.”

His daughter wasn’t his daughter anymore. The Anastasha he knew had long passed, replaced by an extraterrestrial entity inhabiting her form.

“It’s alright. I can handle that much.”

“Really?”

Surprisingly calm, Suborof’s response startled Rusalka. Lighting his pipe cigarette, he exhaled toward the window while Rusalka used her magic to disperse the smoke.

“When our daughter transformed into someone else, I joked about whether someone else had possessed her. Our stubborn girl, who took after her mother, died and came back completely changed. With abilities and dimensional gates existing, possession or reincarnation didn’t seem so far-fetched. Just didn’t expect you’d be my daughter…”

Suborof chuckled bitterly, chain-smoking despite his composed exterior. Inside, he must’ve been burning like the ash falling from his cigarette. No matter the situation, Vladimir Suborofovich Anastasha, his child with his wife, was undeniably gone.

“Yeah…she wouldn’t have grown up so properly…”

Suborof held his pipe between two fingers, covering his face with trembling hands. Rusalka sensed deep sorrow and resignation through the magical aura emanating from his quivering body. He mourned his lost daughter in his own way.

“…Sorry.”

Rusalka sincerely apologized.

Regardless of being a spirit or human, she felt guilty for deceiving him as Anastasha all these years. Though as a Dark Legion officer or spirit she might’ve marched proudly, living as Anastasha made her genuinely human.

“You have nothing to apologize for, daughter.”

Suborof raised his head, extinguishing the cigarette. Rusalka was surprised to hear him still call her “daughter.”

“Erm…I mean…”

“Carry on as usual. Whatever anyone says, you’ll always be my daughter. …Do you intend to renounce being my child now that your secret’s out?”

With unwavering resolve, Suborof awaited her answer, ready to accept whatever decision she made—even if she chose to live as a separate individual.

“…No, ‘Dad.'”

“Good.”

Her simple reply reflected her desire to maintain their relationship, cherishing the endless love she received from Suborof over the years.

“I know it took immense courage for you to reveal yourself. Daughter, I’ll always be on your side.”

“Thank you…from the bottom of my heart.”

Rusalka’s voice wavered slightly. Suborof smiled gently, offering comfort—

“However, that bastard Heo Yoon-hwan is another story.”

Instantly turning fierce, Suborof glared daggers. Rusalka instinctively shrunk back, startled.

“You two were lovers twenty years ago? Then fate brought you together again recently? Ha! Daughter, this is the most shocking thing I’ve heard today. All this about Rasputin being a monster or you being an alien bent on world domination pales in comparison to learning my daughter is romantically involved with a guy only eight years older than me.”

Had he the power, Suborof would’ve armed himself with a shotgun to beat Heo Yoon-hwan senseless. Unfortunately, Heo Yoon-hwan was an SS-Rank ability user beyond his reach.

“Do you find that troubling, Dad?”

“Of course! That scoundrel taking advantage of my daughter…ugh.”

Suborof sighed heavily, causing Rusalka’s cheeks to flush red. Technically, she engaged in public indecency abroad using her daughter’s body.

“That…sorry.”

“If I were just a bit stronger, I would’ve castrated that bastard instead of Rasputin. How dare he put a leash on my daughter…!”

“Ah…”

Rusalka realized she misjudged the situation. Suborof genuinely viewed her as his daughter and was infuriated by the idea of an older man mistreating her.

She couldn’t let this misunderstanding persist. Despite the immense embarrassment, Rusalka decided to confess the truth.

“Dad.”

“What is it?”

“…That outdoor stroll plaything…I asked him to do it. Western-style, I coerced him into it against his will…”

“…”

Dead silence enveloped the father-daughter conversation.