Chapter 447

〈Chapter 447〉 Part 1, Chapter 19, Section 3

In front of the whiteboard, Hikari, a pure beauty wearing an ill-fitting white coat that didn’t suit her at all, was in the middle of an enthusiastic lecture. The timing for the video recording was when I had pushed her back to get acquainted with the Blue Wind Sect executives after settling a quarrel with Ang.

“…So, you see, the recent idea that’s been bubbling up is about pregnancy through artificial wombs. Heroes might be one thing, but the Apostles can’t get pregnant, right? So I started thinking…what if we create an artificial womb and twist magic patterns into genetic patterns, blending two magics to achieve magical fertilization…”

“…Goodness.”

I held my words. I didn’t expect Hikari would already be brainstorming at this level. And only after hearing Hikari’s statement did I finally understand why the two had proposed marriage.

“Did you guys by any chance ask Hikari to be a clinical trial subject?”

“Uh…”

“…Yes.”

They were asked. Though Hwakwon cut off the video, considering Hikari’s personality, she probably approached Hwakwon personally afterward. “I want to try this experiment for these reasons; is it possible?” And the two came to me for permission in the form of ‘marriage’ to approve the experiment.

Marriage.

Marriage, huh.

“…By the way, wasn’t it Rusalka and Veloborg who suddenly announced their wedding too…? Right on December 31st….”

Everything clicked into place now.

December 31st, the day after the predicted end of humanity on December 24th, also happened to be the day they first met at Sokcho’s East Sea. The couple declared they wouldn’t marry unless they saved the world, strengthening the resolve of countless hero couples.

“So, you two also want to get married on December 31st?”

“…Everyone’s doing it on that day.”

“Master, it will be a great opportunity to announce the harmony between humanity and spirits worldwide. Even if information about Rusalka and Guang…Veloborg is concealed, we could serve as a good example, couldn’t we?”

Officially, there are only two known cases of humans and apostles (monsters) being lovers: Hwakwon and Garura. Many monsters from Ceres still hiding in Jeja fear coming above ground.

– At least in Jeja, they can stay safe.

Because the Kingdom of Jeja accepts only apostles, relations between humanity and apostles have been deteriorating and reaching extremes. Luckily, Hydra and Yuna managed to suppress the dragon demons as Yaldabaoth, or else public opinion would’ve spiraled out of control.

‘I guess, eventually, humans and apostles will have to coexist.’

Given some apostles are naturally born monsters yet manage to overcome their murderous instincts and hide in Jeja, consideration for them is essential. Even the executives of the Blue Wind Sect need understanding.

“The harmony between humanity and spirits.”

It sounded noble. Indeed, it was something I desired too. Ultimately, what I longed for was the relationship between myself, a human, and Chang-yeom, a spirit.

“Alright. I approve of the marriage. But…”

My conditional tone made both of them excited before quickly tensing and swallowing nervously. I didn’t give annoying requests like gathering hundreds of S-Rank cores to build assets or challenging me to take Garura. If they’re happy getting married, why stop them?

“Don’t ever cheat later on. Your image from the Azidahaka campaign would be completely ruined otherwise.”

“Yes.”

“Of course!”

The two high-fived happily. Their enthusiasm made me feel like they’d camp out here until they got approval, and since it didn’t bother me much, I just approved it. Whether this approval becomes a death flag or boosts their motivation remains to be seen.

‘If the result is good, it’s all good.’

I peeled open the wrapper of a strawberry-scented bubble gum as withdrawal symptoms began creeping in.

“But didn’t you two not really need my approval?”

“Huh?”

“The magical engineering parent is technically Gaechonkwang, right? Considering your family background, Hwakwon, and Garura isn’t entirely my responsibility. Shouldn’t you seek approval from Karna instead?”

But I immediately regretted saying that upon seeing Garura’s expression.

“Because of Master, I became human…”

“…Right. From a human perspective, I am indeed the one who brought you into existence. But don’t even think about changing the titles. You’ll continue calling me Master or Teacher. Change it, and I’ll revoke the marriage approval.”

“Yes!”

Both genuinely rejoiced. Watching their happiness made me feel oddly melancholic.

‘I’m envious.’

I envied them in many ways.

“Master, may we record a commemorative video for the marriage approval?”

“We… We’re confident the Vlog won’t expose anything inappropriate…”

“Young people these days!!!”

Envious.

Ah.

I want to cuddle with Chang-yeom too.

* * *

After sternly forbidding Hwakwon and Garura from filming any videos…

I visited Professor Himeji Hikari’s lab to prepare for my final battle against Penril.

“Why are you here?”

“Brother visiting his sister, what’s wrong with that? How about a match?”

Gale Guest—Himeji Hayate, who looked exactly like Hikari except for different eye colors in his punkish outfit—was provoking me. I’ve never fought him, and he’s eagerly awaited our battle.

“With skills so formidable, I’ll lose for sure, so no thanks. You beat Xiao Lin first.”

“Are you mocking me?”

“Then go defeat Xiao Lin first.”

“…”

Hayate bit his lip and tried to suppress his anger towards me. Despite the world nearing its end, his patience has grown significantly compared to his former self who’d lash out instantly.

“You’ve become more mature.”

“I’m in my late twenties. It’d be embarrassing to act immature right before the end of the world and face my little sister.”

“And where is this problematic younger sister of yours?”

“To fix my weapon.”

Hayate tapped his empty scabbard with his fingers.

“It broke while fighting Xiao Lin. Hikari said she’d make me a new one, and there’s leftover material…”

“Hooh.”

Hayate turned his head away. The glare that once wanted to kill me disappeared, and he avoided eye contact, seemingly realizing something.

“Hikari making your sword, and there’s leftover material… Oh ho, oh ho?”

“What are you implying? Hikari must be insane to embezzle materials secured by you?”

“I haven’t said anything yet! Materials overflow in Seoul anyway. Why are you so defensive? Did you…”

“That’s not it… sigh.”

Opening the door, Hikari entered with heavy dark circles under her eyes, sleepily placing down objects. Gale Guest’s usual sword was replaced by a far longer blade, easily two meters in length. Hayate hid behind Hikari and gestured rudely at me.

“Little brother, your captain just doubted me.”

“That’s because you always give him reasons to doubt.”

“…No, I haven’t done anything wrong this time!”

“Hayate said you used leftover materials to make your weapon?”

Hayate silently cursed at me with expressions unseen by Hikari. Despite having the same face except for eye color, their personalities differ drastically in expressions.

“Ah… leftover materials… Captain, I used Kinna-ra material.”

“Hayate?!”

Hikari confessed, and Hayate nervously glanced at me. He clearly misunderstood something. His worried look suggested he thought his sister secretly used materials without telling me.

“That, someone asked for a weapon, and Hikari said there were leftovers…”

“Who cares? If Hikari says it’s leftover, then it’s truly unnecessary material. Do you think I’d bother with such trivialities? You’re causing unnecessary drama.”

“Brother, Captain doesn’t care about such things.”

A long-standing agreement existed between Hikari and me.

“If Hikari uses leftover materials without telling me, it’s fine.”

“Captain explicitly said not to use them.”

Between me supplying materials and Hikari freely exercising creativity, I provided ample research resources unless they were specifically needed elsewhere, like SS-Rank cores or Cubes.

“To put it bluntly, even if Hikari used leftover materials to build a five-stage transforming robot in the basement of this lab, I wouldn’t say anything. Right?”

“…Right?”

“Why the hesitation?”

This time, Hikari blinked and avoided eye contact. She definitely did something, Himeji Hikari. Seeing this, I realized siblings truly are alike.

“What did you do?”

“That… special mobile weapons for the Blue Rangers. Ah, Captain! There’s something I’m curious about!”

Hikari tapped her magical gear, projecting a hologram in the lab.

“! Five apostles guarding the sun!”

Poof–! Fireworks erupted as Hikari struck a bizarre pose. Behind her, Gale Guest mimicked her stance perfectly.

“! ! ! !”

Four mechanical bodies appeared around me. My casual comment earlier actually had designs ready.

“Not sleeping properly!”

“But ideas just come before bedtime!”

“Then there’s nothing we can do. So what’s your question?”

“The last one!!”

Hikari moved the four holographic machines with her hands, assembling them into one. The Red Salamander formed the arms, Black Dragon the legs, Gold Garuda the wings, and Blue Phoenix the facial and chest markings.

“What about the torso?”

“There’s none! Captain, you mentioned three commanders after Garula and Salamander, right? What’s the last one?”

“Oh. That.”

The Light-speed Garura. The Durability Salamander. And the remaining slot was empty.

“Wind attribute, and the color is green.”

“Yay, no overlap!”

“But it’s a bug.”

“……What?”

Hikari froze. Hayate, who was celebrating with a high-five, also froze. Two dragons and two phoenixes forming a body with a bug in the middle.

“Wait, what kind of bug?”

“Scarab beetle.”

“……That’s a song Hwakwon sings!”

“Hikari. We need to use the sword now. He’s mocking us!”

“I’m correct, but I have friends!”

“Sorry, sis.”

“Sorry.”

The twins accelerated simultaneously and apologized identically. Hayate holstered his sturdy sword made from Kinna-ra hooves. Before they could say anything, I preemptively responded.

“The scarab beetle isn’t a joke. It’s another name for fireflies. Firefly.”

“Then… why bugs…”

“Are you belittling bugs now? This is the entity that blocked three armies of light and darkness. …Though we can’t summon it now. It appears in 2025, and unlike Garura, there’s no way to call it prematurely.”

“Ahhh…”

Hikari despaired. Her ambitious plan to create a combined robot with the Blue Faces team fell apart. Assigning Blue Phoenix to the center despite its blue color was already generous. I had business to settle here.

“TAT 2 units. Adjustments complete?”

“Yes…”

With a lifeless expression, Hikari handed me a gun case. Inside lay two identical TATs, heavy and reliable. Until now, I fought with one unit, but given this battle against Penril was essentially the final fight among the executives, I had to give it my all.

“Thank you. I’ll use them well.”

“…Hikari, why is yours cooler than mine? What happened?”

Hayate compared my guns with his sword, jealous. Though usually indifferent to equipment, he seemed annoyed that Hikari made mine “cooler” according to him.

“Captain personally procured the materials, while yours was made from scraps left over from his.”

But Hikari’s rebuttal silenced Hayate. Without my efforts to gather S-Rank monsters for TAT creation, Hayate’s longsword wouldn’t exist either.

“Why? Want to test it out? Switch classes to Gunner?”

“No. Well, all gun users were thrown away wrist and all, so I never got a proper fight. You suddenly switched to guns while excelling in hand-to-hand combat.”

“Do you want to experience it directly? Shoot you?”

I pulled up a video from my magical gear. In the footage, I used one TAT to engage in close combat with Xiao Lin wielding a transparent crescent blade, showcasing gun kata techniques. Hayate watched intently with wide eyes.

“Combat training footage. Naturally, my victory.”

Before the final thunderclap, the video ended. Hayate was already itching for a fight.

“Do you really want to fight me?”

“One match?”

“…”

Extremely tiresome. However, considering he contributed to world peace through his sense of justice and personal desires during the original story, helping various heroes slay dragon demons while others faced Azidahaka, I decided to grant his wish.

“Alright, let’s fight. Around November 14th.”

“Why that day?”

“Just picked any day after November 11th.”

“Just, nothing special.”

I added another reason to survive the battle against Penril.