Chapter 286

〈 Chapter 286 〉 Part 1, Chapter 13, 3

Yun Yuhwa made a rather cocky remark. And it was a statement that far exceeded my expectations.

In the future, or rather in the original story, Yun Yuhwa never leaves Korean soil. She’s a heroine like a shadowy puppet master who handles everything through her puppets; if there’s ever a need to go abroad, she sends her puppets instead of going herself.

Yet here was Yun Yuhwa expressing her desire to go in person.

I carefully pondered Yun Yuhwa’s nature and the meaning behind her words. I quickly came to a conclusion.

‘This kid is definitely protesting about wanting Gaechonkwang as her partner right now.’

The fact that I had carelessly thrown around promises and then snatched them back seemed to be bothering her quite a bit. I also felt a little guilty about this issue with Yun Yuhwa and resolved that at least this time, I would definitely make Gaechonkwang her partner.

“Yun Yuhwa.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s make a deal. If we capture Gaechonkwang, I’ll hand him over to you.”

“…Are you promising me this?”

Yun Yuhwa extended her pinky finger, demanding an assurance from me. Unlike her usual self, she didn’t push for a contract or anything formal but instead chose this emotionally-charged promise, making me feel even guiltier.

“Yeah. It’s a promise.”

Still, if this was Yun Yuhwa’s strategy, I decided to play along. Just as the combination of Cheon Gaeul and Hwanryong fits perfectly by nature, the duo of Yun Yuhwa and Gaechonkwang is considered the golden rule in light attributes.

With a firm grip, we hooked our pinkies and sealed the deal with a thumb press. Thanks to Yun Yuhwa, I managed to save the Light Blade technique, Rusalka, and resolve Russia’s problems, so it wouldn’t be morally right for me not to look out for her.

“But you coming directly is dangerous. I don’t want you to become another Cheon Gaeul.”

“Grrr…”

Since Yun Yuhwa knows how Cheon Gaeul became a monster, and given her intelligence, she would understand my point immediately. Yun Yuhwa sipped her coffee, seemingly consoling her disappointment.

“The private jet will land in New Seoul. Oh, and Usa has some interesting stories to share…”

Through the bugging device installed on the plane, Yun Yuhwa relayed to me the conversation between Usa and Pungbaek. Usa’s keen insight into the true nature of the Galaxy University recruitment guidelines was quite sharp.

“Hmph, still S-Rank material.”

“Usa?”

“Yeah. In terms of water affinity compatibility, he scores 88.”

He was the male hero with the highest potential among water-attribute males in Korea. Later, due to an accident, his compatibility dropped, reducing him to an ordinary A-Rank, but right now, he’s in top form.

“You’re right. The people recruited through Galaxy University are ultimately those who shine brilliantly in the future.”

“In other words, you’re just scratching off already-winning lottery tickets?”

“Exactly.”

I know better than anyone else who has the potential to reach S-Rank in the future. Not just the heroines, but most of the supporting characters, I remember them all.

“And it’s not just about picking the surefire winners.”

“You mean you can turn regular lottery tickets into winning ones if they match the spirit element?”

“Correct.”

It’s up to me to decide whether to promote an A-Rank hero who has reached their limits after testing their character and morality. I’d refuse to train someone talented if they ended up becoming my enemy later.

Shiver.

I shivered from the cold magical power emanating from the southeast. Having finished the strawberry latte prepared by Yun Yuhwa, I stood up.

“They’re coming.”

“Anyway, Fall-sister is handling the external stuff disguised as the customer, so why don’t you stay a bit longer?”

“……”

Yun Yuhwa looked anxious, staring down at her coffee cup. Coincidentally, just as Yuha finished her coffee, Seok Harang entered New Seoul.

“……Tell Seok Harang to come here.”

“Yes!”

Yun Yuhwa grinned and contacted Seok Harang. I handed her the empty cup I’d been fiddling with.

“One more.”

“Of course, I’ll prepare it for you. Hehe.”

“And can I have a caramel macchiato too?”

“…Alright.”

I felt a bit sorry for Cheon Gaeul who was working in my place. Knowing she had taken away my time, Yun Yuhwa pouted but silently started brewing the coffee without complaint.

“Yun Yuhwa.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll have a coffee too.”

“……Is there something wrong with the strawberry latte I made?”

While brewing the coffee, Yun Yuhwa turned pale and looked at me, and I waved my hand to clear up her misunderstanding.

“I’m not a ghost who eats strawberries every day of the year, am I?”

“Really?”

“……Let’s say 364 days. One day, I can drink something else, right? Especially today.”

I took a deep breath watching the private jet carrying Yu-Sung heading towards Daejeon.

“It’s almost like a ritual to have a good cup of coffee before departure.”

Since it wasn’t a villain group but the Hunter Guild Blue Wind Sect setting out, their spirits needed to be lifted.

I enjoyed the aroma of the coffee Yun Yuhwa brought and waited patiently for Seok Harang to arrive.

“That’s nice… Drinking coffee with the customer. Hey, should I add some strawberry juice to your coffee next time?”

“No.”

“……”

Neither I nor Chang-yeom liked that idea.

A short while later.

As soon as Seok Harang arrived, I informed her about what needed to be done during the pre-departure ceremony, and she was floating on air thinking about creating two S-Ranks.

“Just control the water properly.”

“Am I incapable of that? It’s like cooking rice! Haha, this will increase the number of S-Ranks….”

Which only made me more nervous.

* * *

<9:44 AM, Temporary Runway in Daejeon.>

“So, we’re supposed to get off here?”

Usa was dumbfounded at the Xroid flight attendant’s instructions. The private jet landed on the old Daejeon Research Complex site, and the first thing greeting them was the Black Flame Dragon shimmering with black scales.

“The Executioner’s order is for you to ride the Black Flame Dragon to the event venue.”

“Huh? Event venue?”

“Yes. …The Prime Minister wishes to greet and encourage those heading to India.”

Though Sun Icheol resigned, no one referred to him as President. His role as Acting President would end in about ten days.

“Old man, what do you think? Following the Executioner’s orders, Cheongnyeon suddenly became a child throwing tantrums about wanting to go to India.”

“There’s no way. The Executioner couldn’t have failed to prepare beforehand, could he? Hwakwon, did you hear anything?”

“……Nothing at all.”

Rather, they were itching to grab someone by the collar right now.

Snatched from sleep and forcibly sent to Russia, causing significant chaos there, they hoped for a brief rest upon returning to Korea, but they were immediately put on a private jet back to Korea, and now they’re leaving for India without even going home.

“Physically, there’s no problem, but mentally… sigh.”

Hwakwon needed peace of mind, and both Pungbaek and Usa consoled him inwardly after hearing about his encounter with Rasputin. Physical contact like patting his shoulder triggered severe hypersensitivity reactions.

“At least there will be a day to rest somewhere. We’ll probably spend two or three days flying.”

“Maybe. Didn’t you see what happened in China, senior? As soon as we got there, the plane exploded, and within two days, we dealt with two S-Ranks and returned.”

There’s no guarantee that nothing similar will happen in India. Hwakwon steadied his mind, determined to rest as much as possible on the plane, and approached the Black Flame Dragon. The Black Flame Dragon sighed deeply upon seeing the three men.

[Carrying such dark-skinned guys… sigh.]

“What did you say?”

“Why are you doing that, Hwakwon?”

“Senior, didn’t you hear just now….”

Hwakwon gestured helplessly, but the Black Flame Dragon closed its eyes and acted as if nothing happened. Apparently, the comment was meant only for him.

[It felt great when the divine being sat on me… Damn.]

“Wow, this is serious.”

Hwakwon instinctively realized this dragon was beyond redemption. But there was no way to prove it.

“Come on, Hwakwon. Let’s get this event over with quickly and rest on the Executioner’s ship.”

With a tired face, Usa climbed onto the Black Flame Dragon. Both the dragon and Hwakwon winced as Usa plopped down on it.

“……Yes.”

Hwakwon also mounted the Black Flame Dragon. Once Pungbaek joined them on the dragon’s back, it soared high into the sky toward the venue.

“Why are you standing?”

“It’s more comfortable this way.”

Hwakwon stood on the Black Flame Dragon’s back with his arms crossed, balancing like he was riding a board.

* * *

Soon after.

The deployment ceremony was broadcast nationwide. As Phoenix predicted, fortunately, India accepted Cheongnyeon’s visit immediately, and the Blue Wind Sect was set to take off as soon as the ceremony ended.

“……Therefore, I urge our heroes to work hard for world peace in India.”

After a long speech from the Prime Minister, he shook hands with each ability user dispatched and exchanged encouraging words.

“Be careful.”

Standing beside him was Seki Harang. Dressed formally, Seki Harang shook hands with the heroes, earnestly praying for their safe return.

“I’ll guard things here, so please come back safely.”

Watching Seki Harang, the strongest hero in the world, vowing to protect Korea reassured the viewers. If Seki Harang had left the country too, the anxiety would have been unimaginable.

“Please, I’m counting on you.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Such unnecessary drama… Hmm, understood. Please come back safely.”

Seki Harang held Yunsa and Usa’s hands tightly. Frost formed slightly on their hands, indicating how long he clung to them.

“I’ll be back.”

“Yes.”

Seki Harang greeted Hwakwon for barely a second. Barely meeting his eyes, he looked elsewhere.

“Hmph.”

Phoenix, seated in the VIP section, waved at I Seung-hyeong when their eyes met. She appeared overly confident, but Hwakwon bowed deeply to Phoenix instead.

“What…?”

Why is he bowing to me like that? Phoenix suspected I Seung-hyeong’s intentions internally but missed the chance to ask.

“Executive Officer Baek Hee-a and the Hero, Blue Wind Sect. We are now departing for support in India.”

Roar!!

The Black Flame Dragon spread its wings, showcasing its strength. Even though the distance from New Seoul to the old Incheon International Airport site was relatively short, people couldn’t take their eyes off it until it disappeared.

“Damn it!”

Rushing from Seoul to New Seoul, the foreigners with black hair—referred to by Seki Harang as “runaways”—slammed their fists against the Black Flame Dragon’s retreating wings.

“How dare they toy with us!!”

Covered in dirt from running through the muddy path, they were more upset that their target, Cheongnyeon, had departed again toward Seoul.

“Where is he going? India?”

“Damn it, this is completely messed up.”

The runaways pulled their hair in frustration. Their original mission to persuade Cheongnyeon to return to their “home country” had failed from the start, and they couldn’t even determine where Cheongnyeon’s next destination was.

“Could they possibly be messing with us on purpose?”

“Nah, surely not…”

“Then why does he keep going back and forth between New Seoul and Incheon? No matter how you look at it, it feels like they’re playing with us. What do you think?”

Among the runaways, a girl with striking red hair spat her gum onto the ground.

“How should I know… I didn’t even want to come here.”

“Why are you being so uncooperative? If you keep this up, we won’t be able to help you. Do you want to live as an illegal immigrant forever?”

The runaways threatened the girl. Trembling with her hands clasped behind her back, she slipped away, claiming she needed to use the restroom.

“Life… damn it…”

The girl slammed her head against the restroom wall and quietly cried. Despite her determination to hold strong, life wasn’t going her way.

“I also… huh?”

Inside the restroom stall, the girl noticed a sticker on the wall.

♚♚Galaxy University♚♚Admission$$Tuition Waived☜☜100% Scholarship Supported※ ♜Uniforms Free Gift￥ Anyone Can Apply §§Dormitory Facilities Complete§§★Seoul★Ability Enhancement Opportunity@@

“What is this ridiculous sticker…?”

For some reason, the girl couldn’t look away from the sticker’s text.

“Hey! Su Ri! We’re heading back to Seoul!”

“……Damn it, I heard you!”

Su Ri, the girl, kicked the restroom wall angrily.

The toilet stall Su Ri exited had only the peeled-off residue of the sticker left behind.