Chapter 330

〈 Chapter 330 〉 Part 1, Chapter 14, Section 21

All heroes except the supervisor were given free time.

I, along with supervisor Baek Hee-a, was invited to the Indian Association in a bulletproof limousine personally driven by Indian heroes.

“……”

Baek Hee-a was wearing her usual uniform, but her eyes looked utterly exhausted. Thanks to the chai-fatigue recovery agent I gave her, there’s at least some life returning to them, but she’s purely relying on willpower.

“Please relax during the ride.”

“…Anyway, the ship back to Korea also needs to be moved. I can sleep after finishing quickly.”

“It doesn’t seem like you’ll get any rest.”

It was 4 PM, my designated time. Even after handling business at the association, Baek Hee-a wouldn’t be able to sleep.

Insomnia caused by worrying about accidents if the heroes wander outside was practically her passive ability.

“Do you want to lie down for a bit?”

I tapped my thighs. Baek Hee-a stared at my thighs intently and immediately blushed.

“Are you offering to use your lap as a pillow…?”

“Yes. You’ve worked hard, haven’t you? Though our martial art, Hwakwon, couldn’t last 30 minutes, you still held out for quite a while. Honestly, I thought we could easily spare five minutes.”

In the battle against Karura, Baek Hee-a commanded the heroes and fought against Karura.

Although overwhelmingly defeated due to Karura’s unreasonable power, Baek Hee-a’s leadership was accurate and systematic. I had merely anticipated her commands several steps ahead.

“So this is your reward.”

“…What an odd reward you give.”

Baek Hee-a rolled her eyes and lowered her head.

“Isn’t there something more beneficial for national interests?”

“Hmm… So you’re refusing?”

“No. I’ll take a quick nap… I’m too tired.”

Baek Hee-a gently placed her head on my thighs. Unable to look at me directly, she rested her head facing my knees.

“Tch.”

I used magic power to flip Baek Hee-a’s body. She ended up lying properly on her back, her head resting on my thighs.

“…The shadow bothers me.”

“My apologies.”

Baek Hee-a now openly showed discomfort.

She was small, comparable in size to Seok Harang or Yun Yuhwa, but compared to the others, Baek Hee-a was especially tiny.

“You know? When you reach S Rank, your body gradually transforms into your ideal physique.”

“Is magic power some kind of plastic surgeon?”

“What else would be the reason for adjusting hero suit sizes when you rank up? It has no impact on combat, but your constitution changes to align with your ideal physique.”

That’s why everyone above S Rank tends to have modern beauty standards.

Who would sincerely wish for an ugly face?

Who would wish to overcome their physical insecurities?

Except for Baek Hee-a.

“…I’m satisfied with my current body.”

“But future you will reach B Cup, right?”

Grrr. Baek Hee-a gritted her teeth, lifting her head to meet my gaze.

“Are you mocking me?”

“No. Future you just changed her mind. You’re already pretty, but maybe your lover prefers fuller chests.”

“…”

Baek Hee-a slightly lowered her head, her face turning red.

“…Are you spoiling Tempest Lady’s life now, and then mine? Planning to reveal my husband too?”

“No? Pfft. No plans to spoil. Why would I spoil anything?”

“Isn’t that because it’s you?”

“…”

I checked the barrier again in case anyone overheard. The barrier behind the limousine was intact, and there were no hidden listening devices inside.

“You said you came from the future, right? There must be a reason you’re being so kind to me. Besides…”

Baek Hee-a raised her left hand. The ring on her fourth finger fit perfectly on her petite fingers.

“There’s only one reason you’d bother giving me this, isn’t there?”

“….So what do you think about it?”

I grabbed Baek Hee-a’s ring and asked. Calmly looking at me, Baek Hee-a spoke.

“I don’t really care. Even if future me connects with you, that’s future me, not me. But…”

Baek Hea-a reached out, grabbing my cheek and smiled slyly.

“Making you officially part of the Baek family—whether as my husband or wife—and then drafting a law wouldn’t be bad, would it?”

“What kind of law?”

“A special law regarding marriages with spirits.”

“…”

What is she talking about? Before I could question her, Baek Hee-a began explaining seriously.

“The existing marriage laws apply to human-to-human unions, not extraterrestrials or spirits, right? Although Qinghua might technically have a registered human identity, they’re actually a spirit, which will eventually come to light. Even if we file a marriage certificate, it would be considered fraudulent marriage—”

“Wait, isn’t this going too far?”

“Not at all. Legal issues are important. Legalizing polygamy would be too controversial and impossible. But if Qinghua wishes to marry multiple people, they’d have to go abroad, where some countries might allow it specifically for Qinghua. This could lead to a loss of national assets—”

Snap.

I flicked Baek Hee-a’s forehead with my finger. Her weary eyes slowly regained some vitality.

“You worry about such random things. Go to sleep. We’re not going anywhere. At least until we save the world, I have no plans to leave Korea.”

“After saving the world… Then what?”

I gripped Baek Hee-a’s hand and infused magical energy. The restless magical power, agitated by caffeine and fatigue, slowly settled, and her eyelids drooped shut.

“…”

Baek Hee-a fell asleep. Until the limousine arrived, I circulated magical energy through her body to relieve her exhaustion.

After saving the world…

I hadn’t thought about it yet.

It’s overwhelming just thinking about removing obstacles to a hopeful future.

By the time the car reached the association,

I finished certain adjustments using the white noise of Baek Hee-a’s soft breathing.

A moment later.

The car arrived at the branch of the association, and I woke Baek Hee-a.

“…So, do you plan to marry Baek Cheonghwa?”

Baek Hee-a was persistent.

* * *

<10 AM, Indian Association Branch>

“…Where did <Mahatma> go?”

Baek Hee-a frowned irritably. Usually showing signs of anxiety without much irritation, it was quite unusual for her to express annoyance towards someone.

“…He hasn’t left his house. His condition is too severe to come out.”

An A-Rank hero, <Rama>, awkwardly bowed his head. The handsome young man with brown skin and black hair had rushed from Bengaluru in southern India all the way to New Delhi. Due to <Mahatma>, who should have been controlling the capital’s association, leaving his post.

“Is he really stuck at home? Or has he disappeared somewhere?”

“Yes. His magical presence is inside the house. Unfortunately, no one can enter.”

“…At least he knows shame. Tch.”

Baek Hee-a twisted her lips. Rama didn’t offer any counterarguments.

“…Because public opinion against Mahatma isn’t good. Please understand. Allow me to apologize on his behalf.”

Various communities were already filled with accounts of Mahatma’s mistakes, leading to widespread criticism.

Unplanned intervention during the battle with Yasha, triggering a counterattack.

Fumbling during Kinna-ra’s rampage, failing to issue timely orders, ultimately allowing Baegnaroh’s independent action to save New Delhi.

Prematurely declaring failure of Qinghua’s ritual before it concluded during the fight with Karura, urging retreat.

And during the battle with the three S-Ranks, Mahatma displayed disgraceful behavior, taking on all sins to an almost extreme degree.

Though the association keeps his whereabouts secret, if it were revealed that he’s at his personal residence rather than the association branch, the situation would predictably escalate.

“People criticizing Mahatma will soon storm his house, huh.”

“It looks suspicious, like someone’s pulling strings from behind, doesn’t it?”

I subtly glanced at Baek Hee-a and Rama. Baek Hee-a quickly understood my look, while Rama simply shrugged with a faint smile.

“Well, someone who wasn’t qualified as a representative stayed in that position for too long, and now the truth is finally coming to light.”

Rama openly revealed his true colors. Knowing his tendencies, I stopped pretending.

“Miss Baek Hee-a.”

I tapped my fingers, and Baek Hee-a clasped my hand under the table. Through magical energy, I quickly transmitted information about Rama to her.

[The man who will represent the Indian Association in the future. An S-Rank with lightning speed, a moderately gray character.]

Lacking command talent but otherwise a fine hero. Understanding my meaning, Baek Hee-a bowed to Rama.

“Looking forward to working with you.”

“Yes. In that sense, though it may be presumptuous, I’d also like to gain some leverage through this negotiation…”

“You’re quite straightforward, aren’t you?”

“Why hide? Help save a pitiful sentient being. We did obtain an S-Rank core, but you took away something even more precious, didn’t you?”

Rama requested a trade. Both Baek Hee-a and I immediately understood his meaning.

“We’ll overlook Karna and Garura if you give us something extra?”

“I never expected such smooth conversation with the Executioner. Haha.”

We share common ground. While Baek Hee-a prioritizes Korea’s interests, Rama values India’s.

Given Rama’s subordinate position, he made the best choice available to him.

“Alright.”

Baek Hee-a pulled out the previously handed-over Kinna-ra core. Surprisingly expecting an S-Rank core, Rama froze momentarily.

“Will this suffice?”

“…Just enough to achieve my objectives. Feels like we’re negotiating with all cards exposed.”

“There’s information I’ve gathered.”

Baek Hee-a touched her ring and lifted the corner of her mouth. Receiving real-time insights about Rama’s speech and weaknesses from me, exploiting Rama became effortless.

To conduct a mere transaction with Rama, achieving his purpose suffices. To build a long-term relationship with him, something exceeding his expectations must be offered.

Something unpredictable yet irresistible to Rama.

“In exchange for Kinna-ra’s core, Karna will reside permanently in India.”

“I thought you’d take him to Korea.”

Everyone worried about that. What if the unregistered S-Rank ability user <Gaechonkwang> went to Korea?

“He’ll temporarily stay in Korea. Just need to complete some procedures.”

Baek Hee-a discussed Karna’s arrangements with Rama. Listening seriously, Rama nodded.

“Indeed, managing image concerns, Karna will eventually return to India.”

“He’ll commute via air routes. With Garura flying at full speed, it takes two hours between Seoul and New Delhi.”

Even I can usually match that speed, so there’s no way Garura in its true form wouldn’t be able to. Upon hearing about Garura’s true capabilities, Rama whistled in awe.

“…A terrifying monster, cough. Sorry. We haven’t decided on official terminology yet.”

Rama scratched his head sheepishly, glancing at me. While we call them monsters, people seem to expect a special title for cases where monsters become human.

“Disciple (使徒).”

“Pardon?”

“Call them Disciples.”

The attendant guarding the fire god Chang-yeom, Disciple Garura.

Before the higher-ups create strange titles, I needed to act first.

“That person ordered it. To protect world peace alongside my disciple.”

“Aha.”

Rama clapped his hands and grinned.

“Ah, the person Qinghua serves is indeed ‘Chang-yeom’! Oh, this cleared up the hardest part of the translation during the ceremony! Kkheuk, Qinghua.”

Rama bowed deeply to me in prayer.

“Please convey this to Him. That your great mercy will bring peace to this land. Blazing Phoenix Revival.”

“What did you just say?”

I clenched my fist under the table. Rama looked up, puzzled.

“Didn’t you know? Everyone is praying that way now. Didn’t you always end your speeches like that? Thank you once again. Kkheuk, Blazing Phoenix Revival.”

As expected, heroes are all messed up.