Chapter 475

〈 Chapter 475 〉 Part 1, Chapter 20, Section 7

Beeeeep——

The beeping sound rang out as the capsule door opened. The blue nutrient solution that enveloped my whole body was still warm like a hot spring, but I couldn’t afford to linger here any longer.

“It’s done.”

Even submerged in the nutrient solution, the hologram of the magical gear stood out clearly. I rose to my feet. The sight of the lab unfolded before me, and as soon as I emerged from the solution, I quickly donned my robe.

“How’s it going?”

“Seems like it won’t work after all. It’s designed so nothing external can interfere… You’ll probably have to handle this yourself, Leader. Sorry about that.”

Hikari felt self-loathing at her inability to resolve my issue with her abilities. Perhaps deep down, she felt inferior to Seongju in terms of skill.

“Hikari, you’ve absolutely nothing to apologize for.”

I spread my arms wide, just like Hayate used to do—or how I did back when I was Baek Cheonghwa. Hikari immediately rushed over and hugged me tightly.

“Seongju has lived thousands—no, even more years out there in space. Hikari hasn’t even turned twenty yet, right? So it’s fine. I’m already incredibly grateful for everything you’ve done so far.”

Comparing someone with a strong sense of self-worth to an adult and child might hurt their pride, but ignoring the difference in the time they’ve lived isn’t fair either.

“Your abilities are on par with Seongju’s. While you were busy making mistakes and conducting research, Seongju had already built upon his previous studies to advance further. If we’d started at the same point, you would’ve undoubtedly surpassed him.”

“But if I had only cut back on sleep slightly more for research… Maybe…”

“Not true. You’re already researching while sleeping only two or three hours a day and pulling all-nighters regularly. What more could you ask for?”

I flicked Hikari lightly on the forehead.

“Why do you think Angga chose Baek Hee-a instead of Nuri, who is better suited due to elemental compatibility? It’s because he feels guilty burdening a growing sapling with heavy responsibilities. Of course, I’m asking quite a lot of you too…”

“No! Not at all! Thanks to you, these past days have been the most fun I’ve ever had! And just today alone—”

“Shh.”

I placed a finger over Hikari’s lips.

“The ultimate weapon should be used secretly to maximize its impact. When everyone thinks ‘It’s hopeless now,’ that’s when we’ll make our dramatic entrance with BGM playing in the background. Got it?”

“…Yes!”

Thankfully, Hikari shook off her gloom. She’s small, so when she smiles happily like a child, it’s heartwarming. That made me feel much more relieved.

“…I’ll leave this insurance matter entirely in your capable hands.”

“Of course! Leave it to me!”

It felt like having an entire army under my command.

* * *

After a long time, everyone gathered in one place. Instead of the meeting room, I called the officers directly to my penthouse to start what might be our final meeting.

“Leave other areas to the heroes. All you need to do is protect Seoul.”

“Bu-but shouldn’t we also send reinforcements to other places?”

Lighthouse was the first to voice his objection.

“I believe Seoul will be sufficiently defended even without me. Over the last few months, the power of the Blue Wind Sect has grown significantly, and our officers have become stronger as well.”

“Whether it’s Terasite or Terrarists, they’ll likely all be at least B-Rank. In the worst case scenario, they could all be A-Rank, and high-level entities might even reach S-Rank. Do you think you’ll be okay?”

“Absolutely. Isn’t it better than other regions?”

“…Then proceed as you see fit.”

Though I wondered how many regions we could actually protect centered around Seoul, since they showed such enthusiasm, there was no way to stop them.

Over the past few months, despite the population of Seoul not reaching a million, considering the strength of the Blue Wind Sect in Seoul, it might even be enough to defend New Seoul with some to spare.

“Spirits, standby at Yeouido. Just like during the Azidahaka Gate incident, you’ll travel worldwide to provide support if necessary. Everyone knows their designated areas, right?”

The spirits carefully examined the “defense zones” assigned to them. The territories that the former Dark Legion officers once vied to conquer are now the areas they must protect.

“Harang, take care of the Americas.”

“Sure thing.”

In preparation for emergencies, Harang needs to position himself in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Beyond what Rusalka did when she dominated Alaska and parts of Russia for a week, Harang now covers all the territory up to the Americas, which I plan to invade.

“Can you handle it?”

“Of course I can. No, I must.”

Effectively, he’s taking responsibility for roughly one-quarter of the Earth by himself, but Harang possesses the strength to match. Anyway, he has to head to the Pacific Ocean.

“If my attack range expands too much, use Pacific water to protect the Earth. If anything runs dry, replenish it with your magic power.”

“Understood.”

“Thanks. Then starting now… everyone rise together.”

We have 12 hours left until Seongju arrives. Although it took quite a bit of time preparing for the crash course with Hikari, this level of experience is still pretty impressive.

“Yuna, how’s the holographic training program coming along?”

“All ranks hit S-Class. Without synchronization, solo play only.”

“In that case… let’s aim for an SS-Class raid together. You need to experience it firsthand.”

I updated everyone else’s magical gear with the training program I received from Hikari. Now that we can simulate battles on the spot without needing cockpit-like simulators, we could practice fighting Seongju right here and now.

“Just one hour. Spend exactly one hour freely battling Seongju.”

Seongju’s designated level is 97.

Levels 98 and 99 are nowhere near the numerous individuals who’ve already reached level 100 through synchronization, but whether they can defeat Seongju remains uncertain.

“I’ll step out for some fresh air then.”

I moved to the rooftop, and my comrades began their cram session practicing battle against Seongju.

No one will be able to defeat Seongju.

* * *

“Are you deliberately setting things up this way just to torment them?”

“Nope. This is really the only way to remove that thing.”

I truthfully answered Deokbae’s accusation. After all, there’s no reason for me to mess around during what is essentially the final battle of this world against Seongju.

[Aaaagh! Why am I breaking out of ice again after freezing?!]

[Brahmasutra! Brahmasutra! Brahmasutraaaaa!!]

An hour passed, then two. Those who gave up early have already left, while stubborn ones like Harang, Karna, and Xiao Lin continue trying to figure out ways to deal damage to the yellow-robed Seongju.

A perfect recreation of the Great Seongju Battle by Hikari. No one can remove the interdimensional deity’s robe without the power of Chang-yeom.

“So, question: Can’t we use what’s inside Lee Seung-hyung?”

“If that worked, I would’ve already bowed down and asked Lee Seung-hyung to fight Seongju immediately.”

“That’s true. I’ll demand the noble sacrifice of Lee Seung-hyung and promise to resurrect him as a disciple if he dies.”

“You know me better than I do. If that were possible, I would’ve definitely tried it.”

It was quite tempting. Using the magic power within Lee Seung-hyung’s heart to attack Seongju? Since it’s my magic power imbued with Chang-yeom’s essence, it might work, but Lee Seung-hyung is relatively lower in rank.

“But Lee Seung-hyung doesn’t have the capability. That robe may look like a garish neon-yellow robe, but it’s something a god wore. At least you need to be of equal standing to deal damage. That’s what I’m saying.”

If I promised resurrection and asked SSS-Rank Lee Seung-hyung to simply strip Seongju, I wouldn’t have to risk my life in this battle.

Unfortunately, Lee Seung-hyung is currently not even close to SSS-Rank, barely scraping into SS-Rank. Therefore, the only person currently capable of achieving Fire Attribute SSS-Rank is me, synchronized.

“So anyway, it comes down to me stepping forward.”

“Right. If you fail, both me and Cheon Gaeul are dead.”

“Stop piling on the pressure, alright? I’d be fine if it were just me going down, but your stubbornness is making my shoulders heavier than they need to be.”

“Huh? Cheon Gaeul makes sense, but am I really that much of a burden?”

Deokbae widened his eyes in genuine surprise. Since this is almost the last moment with only a day left, though somewhat embarrassed, I decided to tell the truth.

“Well… this is the first time I recruited you.”

“…? Didn’t I join the Blue Wind Sect before? I wasn’t a monster back then.”

“For the first time in this life, nice to meet you.”

“Is that so? …Ah, then I could’ve lived peacefully without getting involved with you.”

Deokbae gritted his teeth and glared at me angrily. Though being resurrected thanks to my whims was fortunate, surely his life as a Flame Giant of the Blue Wind Sect was far better than whatever life he originally led.

“As I’ve told you many times, where would you have been otherwise? Probably working as some low-level thug for the Chinese Triad monsters invading Incheon docks, shouting ‘Chel!’ while engaging in human trafficking.”

“……”

Deokbae fell silent and turned away.

Everyone has skeletons in their closets, but Deokbae’s seem deeper and darker than most.

“Well… watching you screw things up has been entertaining at least.”

“Puhehe. If there’s another chance, shall I show you again?”

“Another? Are you talking about resetting after failure or something? Forget it. Succeed no matter what. And if you do fail and restart, leave me out of it. Don’t turn me into a monster again.”

“But telling me not to do something makes me want to do it even more—it’s human nature.”

“……Shut up.”

Deokbae restrained himself from cursing at me. I’ve received a lot of help from this newly reformed villain. Truly, in many ways.

“How has it been watching me screw things up from the sidelines all this time?”

“What’s with the sudden question?”

“I thought I’d plant a death flag on you too, since dodging them is my specialty.”

“Are you insane? That gives me chills.”

Deokbae shivered as if overcome by goosebumps. His hairless scalp didn’t tremble.

“Puhehe. Alright then. There won’t be a next time. I’ll definitely succeed.”

“Good. Definitely succeed. I want to see you end up as a living dildo squirming around among women.”

“Still, thank you for saying that.”

As I scratched my head and turned away, Deokbae’s bald head gleamed in the sunlight.

“Hey, what’s this insurance you mentioned to Hikari?”

“It’s the Joker.”

“Are you saying your junk is big? Yeah, it kind of makes sense given how you always walk around trying to enlarge your chest. Stop joking around and tell me seriously. None of that life insurance or health insurance nonsense.”

“……”

Clearly, this guy is hopeless. I kicked him off the rooftop of the 63 Building.

He survived the fall, so I chased after him and burned him to ashes.