〈Chapter 636〉 Part 2, Chapter 3, Scene 01
After the Gangwon humanoid monster incident.
The Korean Hero Association had no clue about the existence of SS-Rank Special Ability users but endured a tough time fielding endless questions from the public.
– Were you hiding an SS-Rank Hero all this time?
– Were you secretly training them in Gangwon Province?
– Are we supposed to believe that an A+-Rank Monster just died like that?
Public criticism arose, questioning if the government had concealed the existence of SS-Rank Heroes. This unexpectedly turned into an attack on President Sun Icheol’s administration.
– Is the government deliberately hiding heroes?
To shift this mood, Sun Icheol announced one countermeasure.
The Seoul Recovery Operation.
For Sun Icheol, this was almost a lifelong project – an operation to reclaim the capital from monsters. Under the guise of regularly clearing out monsters in Seoul, it was an operation whose spirit everyone understood even though it had failed multiple times and its name had lost meaning.
People saw it as just another event for Samil Day, but Sun Icheol declared:
“This time will be different!”
As people mocked what could possibly be different, it truly was.
The participation of S-Rank Hero Princess Seolhwa.
Endorsement by the Hero Association President Nightmare.
And approval for “all volunteers” to participate.
With people’s hopes rising that Seoul might actually be reclaimed, New Seoul fell into chaos.
Seoul could be taken back.
This desire heated up New Seoul.
* * *
<February 27, 2:00 PM, New Seoul Oracle Studio.>
“…That concludes the potential threats in Seoul.”
I laid out all the information I knew.
Based on what I already knew, I compiled data from the Hero Wiki in the game, combined it with the intelligence Kim Gaon and I gathered during our covert inspections, and shared the information.
“It’s officially monster territory above ground. But things are different underground.”
“Wow…a villain paradise?”
“Whether they’re regular villains or fiends, we don’t know.”
I spread out the Seoul subway map on the table. The tangled web of subway lines resembled a chaotic dungeon to us.
“The monsters above ground are the ones that got pushed out. The real heavyweights are hiding underground.”
“I don’t understand. If there are people down there, why are they hiding?”
“They’re people who’ve been erased from the registry.”
At my words, everyone stiffened. Normally, when someone’s registration is erased, it implies death, but in the underworld context, it means their existence has been wiped out.
“People who stayed behind in Seoul and hid underground to escape monsters. People excluded from living in New Seoul by Sun Icheol. People who fled away from heroes’ eyes. They’re all hiding in Seoul.”
“…I still don’t quite get it.”
Sun Gyeoul spoke with a tense face. Though she was part of our studio, her father was Sun Icheol himself.
“Putting aside any slander against my father…why am I hearing this here?”
“Because it’s the truth.”
“…”
“Gyeoul, you know too, right? About your father’s true nature.”
Sun Gyeoul remained silent. She wasn’t arguing that what I said was false; rather, her question itself proved she knew it was true.
“Well…to be honest, I don’t care about the political situation of this country. Whether he’s a two-faced dictator or a dark hero making tough choices for the nation’s survival, what matters is gaining benefits by riding his operations.”
I hadn’t revealed the full truth about Sun Icheol yet. There was no need to bring up stories of massacres and risk drawing unnecessary aggro.
“So, Gyeoul, if it’s too burdensome, feel free to step back anytime.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s just…a bit uncomfortable, but not enough to quit over.”
Gyeoul bitterly smiled while sipping her caramel macchiato.
“My father is my father, and I am me. It’s my life…so I’m okay.”
“Understood. If you ever need counseling, feel free to talk.”
If she learned the truth—that her father was capable of merciless massacres or showed no hesitation in killing civilians—it would be quite shocking.
‘Maybe she’s acting.’
Or maybe she already knows. Either way, Gyeoul is an employee of our studio.
“In any case, Seoul isn’t just a place where monsters run rampant. The association aims to gather as many people as possible through the Seoul Recovery Operation, and we plan to participate as a team.”
After the battle in Gangwon, we’ve grown stronger. Over the past two months, the starting members have significantly increased their magic power, each gaining at least 15 points.
Yuna, currently Light Attribute 29.
Park Ra-on, currently Wind Attribute 27.
Kim Nuri, currently Water Attribute 45.
While Nuri stands out alone, Yuna, who perfectly uses 29 magic power, and Ra-on, who leverages experience to output power exceeding 27, differ slightly.
Kim Nuri, current pure power 23.
Even though she was an ordinary high school girl until January, awakening magic power doesn’t mean she’d have much combat experience.
“Looking at this, going to Seoul might seem like a nuisance and a burden.”
Thus, the average combat strength of the three is roughly C-. They’re decent but weak compared to the upcoming dangers, likely hindering progress.
“But don’t worry. As long as you follow my orders, everything will be fine.”
When following my commands, they reach C-Rank.
Wearing Yu-Sung’s Battle Suit, they hit C+ Rank.
“And if things get dangerous, we’ll have backup support.”
In addition to our three main heroines, I recruited two new forces for the Seoul Recovery Operation among the squad of seven.
A-Rank Special Ability User <Siren> Kim Gaon.
C-Rank Xroid <Trailer Driver> Yoo Eun-ha.
“Kim Gaon will provide combat support, and Ms. Yoo Eun-ha will assist in various ways.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Originally, Yoo Ha should join as an Xroid member around this period. Since I made a deal with him, he’ll openly support us now, but originally, he would enter as a completely different ally like Ha Yu-jun or Yoo Hae-eun.
Including Kim Gaon and Yoo Eun-ha, our average power level rises to approximately B-~B Rank.
We can easily handle 50-level monsters and, similar to what happened in Gangwon, manage fairly well against 60-level monsters.
And now, the remaining two spots.
“The identities of these two will remain secret.”
I decided to keep quiet about these two since their presences are too overwhelming. Their identities must remain hidden.
“Will they support us?”
“Direct support might be difficult. One will assist from the open, and the other from the shadows.”
Nyaah~
Our office mascot, the black cat Kim Penril, yawned widely while sipping mint chocolate milk from a bowl. After stroking her back with my finger, I reviewed the official roster we were submitting.
“This is our squad for the operation.”
Team Leader, Baek Cheong-hwa.
1. Yuna
2. Park Ra-on
3. Kim Nuri
4. Kim Gaon
5. Yoo Eun-ha
6. Sun Gyeoul
7. Seok Harang
<Snow Princess> and S-Rank Hero. She’s scheduled to arrive in New Seoul tonight as our final team member and open supporter.
* * *
Soon after, New Seoul Airport.
Amidst the crowd gathered at the New Seoul airport, soldiers in uniform stood neatly in rows waiting for the plane’s arrival.
“Do you see it, citizens! The plane carrying Princess Seolhwa is arriving at the New Seoul airport!”
Though the distance from Busan to New Seoul is less than 250 km, the flight took off officially due to the visit.
Due to airborne monsters, flights rarely take off easily, but the plane carrying the S-Rank Hero landed without a scratch.
Despite the cold winter wind, the airport buzzed with excitement from the gathered crowd. Those who came to see Princess Seolhwa were gripped by a mad enthusiasm.
The Seoul Recovery Operation with the participation of an S-Rank Hero.
“Seok Harang! Seok Harang! Seok Harang!”
Even those outside the airport chanted her three-character name as she appeared.
Dressed in a tight black suit, she stepped off the plane wearing a white coat she rarely wore. Her silver hair fluttered in the wind like falling snow.
“…”
The emcee hosting the welcome event for Princess Seolhwa momentarily lost his words. After a month’s absence, Seok Harang exuded even more grace and aura.
“Uh, um…”
“Nice to see you all again.”
Princess Seolhwa gently smiled and waved at the cameras.
“I’m honored to officially participate in this Seoul Recovery Operation.”
Waaaahhhhhh!
The entire New Seoul erupted in cheers.
* * *
<A Little Later, New Seoul Hero Association Headquarters.>
“Please remove all the bothersome events. They’re annoying.”
“Princess Seolhwa, it’s not as easy as you say.”
“What? If Big Daddy Sky tells me to do it, I’ll do it, but stop being so picky.”
“…Ha, this senior is something else.”
<Nightmare> Seol Ji-young sighed at Seok Harang, who lounged on the sofa like a dried fish. The queenly presence seen on TV disappeared along with the cup that once held blueberry latte, now thrown into the trash.
“How can we handle it if you skip government-approved events?”
“But it’s annoying. It feels dirty under the lecherous gazes of old men. How can anyone endure that?”
Seok Harang staged a protest on the sofa.
“You know they’ll just lobby or scheme anyway. Someone will ask me to team up with their acquaintances or friends… Besides, I already belong to a ‘group,’ don’t I?”
“That’s true… Officially, you’re known as a solo army.”
Anyone with special abilities could participate in the 2025 Seoul Recovery Operation.
There were no weapons or equipment provided, nor any compensation for injury or death, but many people signed up because Seok Harang was participating.
To manage the influx, the association announced teams of seven or more members were required from the start.
As a result, people rushed to form teams and submit their rosters, deepening the mystery of who Seok Harang would team up with.
“Congratulations. For joining Commander’s team.”
“Who cares? Everyone will forget anyway. That Commander coming to Korea, what’s he doing right now?”
“But thanks to you, you became SS-Rank, didn’t you?”
“…”
Seok Harang sheepishly smiled and twirled her hair.
“Ahh, whatever. Thanks for making me SS-Rank…but did we really need all the fuss with ‘Fengyuhuan’ and such?”
“Technically, it worked out, didn’t it?”
“That’s exactly what’s irritating… Ugh, so irritating.”
Seok Harang blushed and snarked.
“Anyway, I’m technically affiliated with Commander’s team, but I won’t be taking orders, right? And the guy never asked for it either.”
“Yes. Your team hasn’t grown enough to recruit Princess Seolhwa yet…”
“Tch. All this politicking is because of some stuck-up old codgers.”
Seok Harang’s overt hostility made Seol Ji-young grimace.
“What’s that person doing now? Skipping this one too?”
“…T-that…”
Seol Ji-young hesitated to answer.
* * *
While Yoo Ha, Kim Gaon, and Sun Gyeoul were temporarily out on business,
I brought Yuna, Ra-on, and Nuri to briefly visit the association headquarters to register our squad. We waited at the cafe inside the building while Seol Ji-young personally retrieved our roster.
“Light Blade won’t appear in this Seoul Recovery Operation.”
Another S-Rank Hero in Korea.
Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan. He absolutely cannot participate in this operation.
“He’s suffering from chronic illness.”
“Chronic illness?”
“Yeah. It’s been over a year since he last appeared publicly, right? That’s because of his condition.”
“But sometimes he does show up. He seemed no different from usual.”
“He only shows his good side intentionally.”
In 2025, Light Blade suffers from a severe chronic illness due to the presence of ‘that’ embedded in his heart. It will become so serious that he’ll eventually stab his own heart with a sword before losing control.
Monsterization.
‘Talking about tigers brings them.’
A familiar face with unmistakable blonde hair entered the cafe.
