Chapter 842

EP.842 Part Cheongnyeon’s Era No. 4 My Uncle

Jeong Su Ri.

Having arrived in Seoul as a refugee, she is now growing up to be a full-fledged citizen of Korea.

However, despite being of the age to undergo regular schooling, she hasn’t been able to attend school.

The reason was that she hadn’t even entered elementary school yet, and it was deemed far too dangerous for her to attend either elementary or middle school.

Special Ability.

Even at such a young age, she manifested an incredible talent—Fire Attribute A Rank, and astonishingly, nearing S Rank.

People from all over the nation targeted Su Ri.

They wanted her to join their forces.

They desired to raise her so they could place her as a figurehead or something similar in front of them.

No matter how many renowned Special Ability users there were these days, with S-Rank individuals numbering over ten again, the value of someone who achieved S-Rank remained undeniable.

Especially Fire Attribute.

The attribute of the one who saved the world held even greater worth.

Though this country boasted the highest percentage of Fire Attribute Special Ability users worldwide, having a child younger than high school age reach near S-Rank created plenty of controversy.

Moreover, being foreign-born, she had grown into a stunning young woman thanks to good nutrition and a regular lifestyle.

Honestly speaking…

“Su Ri could model.”

“Eh…?”

Hunter Guild, Blue Wind Sect.

Hearing the long-haired woman’s comment about her body, Su Ri curled up.

“I’m not kidding. High school students often model for teen magazines. Like those for teens.”

“Would I be in teen magazines?”

“Yeah. It shows how people are getting used to peace. In fact, they existed even before then…”

“It means we’ve become peaceful enough to care about youth culture.”

A man in sunglasses approached and placed a paper book in front of Su Ri.

It was quite old but well-preserved, resembling a stand for books.

Illustrations of celebrities-like figures adorned its pages.

“It’s been ages since I’ve seen one of these. Back when I was young, I couldn’t play with friends at school without one.”

“Every Saturday at school, kids would proudly show off their collections.”

“At school on Saturdays?”

Su Ri was shocked.

“Why? It’s the weekend!”

“…Back then, it was.”

“Not anymore. Hehe, it’s nostalgic. We had ‘Play Saturdays’ where we’d lie about school days just to fool each other. Did you ever fall for that?”

“Nope.”

Listening to the two adults talk, Su Ri was utterly bewildered.

“So this is what they call….”

“Hmph. We’re still in our early 30s?”

“Nah. This uncle here is in his 30s, but I’m in my 20s.”

Realizing the bickering between the two adults about their ages, Su Ri quietly slipped away.

Their conversation grew increasingly absurd, and Su Ri retreated from their childhood reminiscing which she couldn’t relate to at all.

Who would have guessed?

That the man and woman discussing trampolines with fervor were actually at the peak of this nation’s hunter organization.

WHOOSH!

Su Ri climbed to the rooftop.

From the tallest building in Yeouido, the scene of Seoul was ever-changing in real-time.

“Quiet, and nice.”

Peaceful.

Despite a traditional-style skyscraper shooting up in Jongno direction, Su Ri enjoyed the tranquility, lying down cross-legged on the rooftop.

“Really, it’s great.”

Calm and peaceful.

Could anyone believe that this place was once overrun by monsters, filled with blood and massacres just a year ago?

No matter how rapidly the world changes, there’s always a limit to transformation.

Seoul had drastically transformed within the past year.

Even places like Yeouido….

“Are we not planning to ascend to Heaven later?”

“That might not happen?”

With a gentle voice, Su Ri briefly smiled before changing her expression.

“What is it, Uncle? How did you know I was here?”

“Your usual spot is obvious.”

Thud, thud.

The blonde-haired, blue-eyed young man approached Su Ri with an umbrella and sat beside her. He tapped his crossed legs, prompting Su Ri to grimace.

“Uncle’s legs are all muscle, I don’t like it.”

“That’s a bit shocking.”

“…Just kidding.”

Su Ri rested her head on the young man’s leg.

Using the umbrella like a parasol to shield the sunlight, Phoenix smiled warmly at Su Ri.

“Uncle, did you go to school on Saturdays?”

“On Saturdays? Who said that?”

“The director of pants and his wife.”

“For heaven’s sake.”

Phoenix shook his head.

“Lacking in consideration.”

“…Huh?”

“Nope.”

Phoenix gently stroked Su Ri’s hair while looking up. Though Su Ri had something she wanted to say, she closed her mouth tightly, fearing she might stir up trouble unnecessarily.

“Uncle.”

“Yeah.”

“You said you were made based on Cheongnyeon, right?”

“……”

Phoenix wore a troubled smile. Though he seemed to have much to say, he continued to nod encouragingly at Su Ri with a kind smile.

She didn’t like it.

“Uncle, do you dislike me?”

“Why?”

“There’s nothing relatable in any of the stories you tell.”

“Don’t say that.”

“But it’s true.”

Su Ri’s body shrank back.

“Sometimes I think about it. The world feels really strange. Every day for me was a war to survive.”

“Su Ri.”

“I’ve never attended school. It got bombed.”

An era of monsters and monstrous humans.

Yet, even then, humans waged wars against each other.

“…Of course, I’m not complaining that only I’ve suffered. Everyone endured hardships; it’s a fact. But still…”

“Su Ri.”

Phoenix caressed her cheek.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“…Hmph.”

Su Ri covered her face with one hand.

Phoenix stayed silent until she stood up on her own, and after a few minutes, Su Ri finally rose.

“Uncle, I want to go to school.”

“School?”

“Yeah. School. If I try to enter a school appropriate for my age, what should I do?”

“…Because you’re a Special Ability user, it won’t be easy.”

Phoenix stepped closer to Su Ri and covered her with the umbrella.

“There’s the route of entering a regular high school, or there’s a specialized high school designed to train Special Ability users or offer courses tailored to them. But Su Ri, you don’t want to go to school because of that, do you?”

“…Yeah.”

Though she wanted to learn, what she truly desired wasn’t knowledge.

“Just…I want to know how to make friends with people.”

Getting close to others was incredibly difficult for her.

“I’ve always doubted people. Will that guy do something bad to me? Will someone steal the penny I hold while I sleep? Even now… Can I get along well with others in the future?”

“Well…”

“If I just became S-Rank from A-Rank and acted however I wanted, would I be called trash and cursed?”

“It’s possible.”

Phoenix didn’t deny it.

“But Su Ri, the fact that you want to improve your relationships with others is already enough. There’s someone who locks themselves in their room every day and doesn’t leave home.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. They just lie around watching TV, playing on computers, and when the time comes, they turn on their smartphone to watch dramas. They’ve been doing this for months.”

“Can someone really live like that?”

“They’re not human.”

Phoenix shook his head.

“Uncle.”

“Yeah.”

“Why does Uncle treat me so well? Me, who has nothing but paranoia? A refugee girl whose only possession is a lump of Magic Power. Out of pity? Special Ability? Or…my body?”

At Su Ri’s words, Phoenix firmly shook his head.

“If it were for any of those reasons, wouldn’t I have done something by now? The reason I’m always by your side is…”

SWISH.

Standing next to Su Ri, Phoenix covered her with the umbrella.

“When the whole world turns its back on you, shouldn’t there be at least one person who always believes in and protects you?”

“…Hmph.”

Su Ri lowered her head and muttered.

“As if there aren’t other uncles around.”

“That’s debatable.”

“Originally, you were supposed to be an older sister.”

“That’s ambiguous.”

SPLASH!

It began to rain suddenly.

Caught off guard by the unexpected downpour, Su Ri looked up.

“I’m a machine. When you think about it, you can consider me a programmed AI. You might feel like my empathy is just some installed counseling program. But remember this one thing.”

Phoenix pulled Su Ri closer by the shoulder.

“No matter which path you choose, I’ll always be by your side. I will always be your supporter.”

“People might think you’re my dad if they hear that.”

“Wanna try calling me Dad?”

In response to Phoenix’s words, Su Ri silently mouthed a curse.

“Dad? Uncle is just Uncle.”

“That’s harsh.”

“Then, Uncle, do you want me to call you Oppa?”

“All men, regardless of age, want to hear ‘Oppa.'”

“Insane.”

Su Ri shook her head.

“Uncle.”

“Yeah.”

“Did Uncle attend school?”

“Yeah.”

“Then help me out.”

Su Ri pulled out a small chip from her pocket.

“This is a school life simulation program I received from Hikari. I’d like Uncle to help me with it.”

“…Huh?”

“Apparently, doing this will give me a better understanding of school life.”

“…This seems inappropriate.”

Phoenix chuckled nervously as he examined the chip.

“How about watching a drama about school life together instead?”

“Why? What is that?”

“Melodrama. Rated 19+. Not allowed.”

“……”

Su Ri’s face instantly turned red.

“U-Uncle! Th-that…”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

“In Korean terms, considering my age…when can we do stuff like that?”

“…”

Counting on his fingers, Phoenix smirked.

“Since it’s 21 now, probably around 24, right?”

“……”

Su Ri repeated the word “24” several times.

“Uncle, will you still be by my side when that time comes?”

“Of course. I’ll always be by your side.”

In the rain, under the umbrella, Su Ri quietly leaned into Phoenix’s embrace.

It was much later that Xroid realized there were no legal issues involved, making everything perfectly fine.