Chapter 400

〈 Chapter 400 〉 Part 1, Chapter 17, Section 8

And so…

Due to the scheming of the Baek family, Phoenix had been unfairly labeled as a villain in love, and this image was further tainted by various people’s sinister intentions.

For instance, it was rumored that the actor-turned-special ability user who played Phoenix’s love interest on screen.

Or that Phoenix had lost to Earth’s mightiest warrior after a long-standing rivalry.

Or perhaps more hilariously, the subtle spread of information suggesting Phoenix could awaken fire-attribute special abilities, drawing curious foreigners to boost tourism and tax revenue—a collaboration of nationalism and capitalism at its finest.

Anyway, amidst all this chatter online about Phoenix’s true intentions…

People began questioning why the Executioner chose “Mexico-bound” after conversing with Phoenix.

Truthfully, it held no real significance.

My real destination is Rome, you see.

I visited Hikari’s lab for my final preparations before departure.

“So, enjoying dipping nachos in strawberry jam?”

Hikari grimaced at my last meal before leaving. I didn’t particularly like it either, but I’d eat anything if it meant pleasing someone important inside.

“Care to try?”

“No thank you. I’m not fond of bizarre foods.”

“What do you think about kimchi sushi then?”

“…Director, I need to reconsider my plan to naturalize in Korea.”

Hikari genuinely recoiled in horror. Though she’d escaped Japan, her palate remained quintessentially Japanese, leaving her perplexed about fusion sushi.

“Just kidding.”

“Director…you don’t actually eat strawberry-covered sushi, do you?”

“…Hikari.”

Suddenly feeling nauseous, memories of past nightmares resurfaced.

“Do you know what happens when you cook rice with strawberry juice instead of vinegar?”

“Ew…”

Hikari’s face twisted in disgust. My lips curled too, remembering how our master enjoyed eating two servings of such abominations. The taste and scent still lingered uncomfortably.

“Director, you’ll be in Europe for days. Can’t you just eat normal food?”

“I’ll have strawberry pasta in Europe, so it’s fine.”

Hikari cringed again.

“Are you teasing me? There’s no such thing as strawberry pasta!”

“…? It exists though.”

“Stop it. Here, calibration’s done. Take it.”

Hikari handed me a small case. Opening my 007-style briefcase with the code 1225, I revealed the TAT stored within. Handing it over to Hikari, I declared:

“Here, borrowing this for now.”

“Yes, I’ll adjust it to revolver type.”

The heavily modified hand cannon would barely resemble a TAT anymore, but it couldn’t be helped. Too noisy for this stealth mission despite its firepower.

“And here’s the small pistol you requested. Our chairman specially imported it from America. Minimal changes were made, but I reinforced the materials inside.”

Opening the case with the same code, I found two compact pistols perfectly fitting one of my hands. Carefully lifting them…

“Did you know? There was an agent who switched from Beretta to these.”

“…? I didn’t find that in the specifications.”

“They come as a set with this case.”

Apparently, that series doesn’t exist in this world. Clapping my hands, I changed into my outfit.

A perfectly tailored men’s suit. A white shirt. And my 007 briefcase.

“Preparations complete!”

“…You’re really going out like that?”

“Of course. Given the location, let’s add two more touches.”

Clap!

A black coat and a top hat styled exactly like Sky Castle’s gentlemen appeared on me. Hikari furrowed her brows while inspecting me.

“…?”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“No…just a sense of déjà vu.”

“Probably a mistake.”

Just painting the protagonist’s outfit black. The blue accents in the hat and tie subtly hint at Chang-yeom’s colors. Placing one gun in my jacket and returning the other to its case…

“You’ve worked hard preparing this late at night. Rest now or you won’t grow taller.”

“That growth requires the world to survive first. Skipping sleep for three months is fine… yawn.”

Hikari blinked while yawning, then shyly bowed her head. I patted her head gently and pointed to the bed.

“Go to sleep. Departure is near.”

“…Once the Baegnaroh departs, we’re off, right?”

“Indeed.”

The Mexico deployment is merely a deception for Hydra. Using the commotion around the Baegnaroh’s departure, I plan to escape Korea.

“Director, remember the Baegnaroh you mentioned upgrading last time?”

“Yes, I do have something to ask about that, but let’s discuss it later. Sleep well tonight.”

If I keep disturbing her rest, Gale Guest might not stay quiet. He could even travel worldwide slaying monsters and meet me in Europe to attack me with his sword.

“Let’s talk when I return.”

“…Could you confirm one thing before I go? About the design you suggested, the provisional <Death Dinass>, is it okay to proceed with that?”

“Absolutely.”

What could possibly go wrong? Though it might seem odd to Hikari, the person synchronizing with the ship’s opinion matters most.

“Fully incorporate Baek Hee-a’s preferences. The more their will reflects, the better the synchronization.”

“R-really? Are you sure about this? You won’t change your mind later?”

“Yes. If I do, I’ll marry Hitomi. That settles it?”

“Got it recorded! Real promise!”

I ended up confirming the agreement multiple times—finger-crossing, stamping, even signing written documents. Even if this rocket flying to the moon for the final battle gets globally live-streamed, debating design details feels excessive.

“Well then, take care of Galaxy University while I’m in Europe, Hikari.”

“Yes! I’ll create stricter training programs using the data you provided. By the time you return, everyone will be S-rank! Hehe.”

“…I’ll definitely return within a week.”

Failing to capture Hydra within a week practically means never capturing Hydra. Thus, I must absolutely return to Korea within a week—with Ji Ryun.

“Ah, Director. One last question.”

“What is it?”

“Why did you choose those twin pistols specifically?”

“Oh, these?”

I pulled out the compact automatic Walther PPK from my jacket.

“While I have the chance, I intend to give a taste of it to a certain German neo-Nazi.”

Adolf Wilhelm.

A high-ranking member of the Elder Council and one of the masterminds behind the <Terra Exodus>, plotting dimensional gate research to invade Terra.

* * *

Dawn arrived.

Many key figures had gathered in Incheon’s Yeongjong Island already.

Centered around Executioner Baek Hee-a, numerous heroes participated: Hwakwon, Unsah, Pungbaek, Usa, and others. Hunters from the Blue Wind Sect led by Lighthouse also assembled in Yeongjong Island.

The official participant count reached approximately 200.

More heroes and hunters boarded the Baegnaroh bound for Mexico than during the Chinese Black Sand Raid. The quantity and quality of power increased overwhelmingly.

All special ability users except Seok Harang boarded the ship. Baek Hee-a unusually announced the Mexico departure along with a quick distribution of the passenger list, prompting analysis throughout the night to speculate her intentions.

An unexpected yet expected name appeared on the list.

Cheongnyeon. Black Flame Dragon.

Some worried that Cheongnyeon’s trip to Mexico might provoke Phoenix’s mischief, inadvertently reinforcing Phoenix’s image as the Eightfold Path.

Meanwhile, I secretly returned to the penthouse without drawing attention. All officers waited in the conference room, and I stood before them in the same attire after putting Hikari to bed.

“Mafia?”

“We’re heading overseas. The coat is just for style.”

“Completely serious business.”

Autumn had already transformed into Cheongnyeon, wearing contact lenses. Seeing Chang-yeom’s appearance in Autumn’s style created an interesting impression. I scanned the gathered officers.

Lighthouse, Gongsung, Architect, Phantom, Sky Castle, Black Flame Dragon, and Seawest Weapon waiting in Yeongjong Island.

“Lighthouse, I leave the management of the blue feathers to you. Use Seawest Weapon as team leader to command the feathers.”

Reviving all monsters except Iron Spear Chopyo who rebelled against me in Moscow. After individual discussions with Baek Hee-a, they either became blue feathers again or were confined by Seok Harang’s barriers. The former consisted of political prisoners and unregistered special ability users manipulated by Sun Icheol, while the latter were genuine villains who massacred civilians.

Click.

I opened and closed the Zippo lighter in my pocket. Aside from Zippo-turned-stone Jo Deokbae, essentially all of the Blue Wind Sect Hunter Guild’s forces headed to Mexico.

“Make as much trouble as possible overseas. The more attention you draw, the easier it’ll be for me to move.”

“Isn’t being overly conspicuous likely to attract enemies?”

“Using sunlight to hide still involves magic use, which can be detected. Besides, Rome’s weather isn’t good lately.”

“Ho ho, don’t worry. I’ve got everything planned.”

“Hearing ‘plan’ from the boss makes me nervous.”

I lost my words. Since I hadn’t disclosed the details of my plan to them, they worried about me just as I worried about the Blue Wind Sect.

“Be careful. Seriously careful. Especially you. Understand?”

“You nag more than my parents, Director.”

“Is the director originally like this?”

New Blue Wind Sect officer and cafeteria hunter Kim Nori fiddled with her smartphone before addressing me. Everyone showed obvious discomfort towards Nori, but she shook her head while holding up her phone.

“I’m taking notes for the director’s precautions. I’m not stupid enough to leak this outside, relax.”

“Hikari hacks and reviews everything anyway, so don’t worry.”

“Wow, major scandal.”

“All because we trust Hikari completely. Don’t worry. She only runs automated checks without actually viewing them due to her busy research schedule.”

It’s something impossible without trust. With many people aware of the situation yet ensuring no leaks occur, we only need to monitor one person.

“Keep this secret from Lee Seung-hyung, understood?”

“I’ll manage it thoroughly. If anything, Garura…no, she moves with Karna. Hey, A-young. Want to pair up with Lee Seung-hyung?”

“Bitch.”

Guksa Young, or rather Black Flame Dragon Guks Yong-woo, openly cursed at Autumn. I immediately warned Black Flame Dragon.

“Nuri is listening.”

“…Forgive me, oh deity.”

“Does calling me a crazy woman bother you?”

“Of course not.”

Unless she wishes otherwise.

Shortly after,

The officers departed on Black Flame Dragon from Seoul. Alone in our now-empty base in the penthouse, I snapped my fingers in front of the full-length mirror.

Snap!

My body transformed. Before me stood Baek Cheonghwa with blue hair and a black coat.

“It’s about time you showed up.”

“I got tired of waiting… Should I greet you as if meeting for the first time?”

“Do as you please. I’ll speak casually too.”

“…Your gentle tone surprises me. Let’s hurry since there’s no time to waste.”

Rusalka emerged from behind the curtain and extended her hand toward me. Taking Rusalka’s hand, I closed my eyes.

The world shifted, and I arrived at Rusalka’s Side Palace. Rusalka pulled a white envelope from her bosom and handed it to me.

“Be careful on your journey. Avoid unnecessary trouble.”

“I never imagined receiving something like this from you.”

“I never thought you’d look like this either. Hmm…as expected, whether it’s my daughter or future Ha-lang, they both have good taste in men…”

“If I seduced him in female form, would you believe it?”

Rusalka’s expression wavered dramatically. I waved my hands in denial while accepting the envelope and placing it in my inner pocket. Despite it being late September, the weather remained quite chilly.

“Half-joking. Well, Rusalka, I’ll quickly fetch Ji Ryun and return. Won’t take long.”

“No, why are you suddenly so affectionate? Your tone…”

“…This is my default setting.”

Later,

As the Baegnaroh departed Yeongjong Island for Mexico, I boarded a flight from Moscow to Rome simultaneously.