Chapter 885

EP.885 [Light Novel Side Story] The Death Dinass of Changcheon Vol.2 002

<Snow Princess> Seok Harang

Date of Birth: October 13, 2000 (26 years old)

Haeundae District, Busan Metropolitan City

Nationality: South Korea

Affiliation: Hero Association Korea Branch

Physical Stats: 164cm, 46kg, Blood Type O

Position: Damage Dealer, Ice Mage

Magic Pattern: Fire 01 Water 99 Wind 33 Earth 24

Light 50 Dark 32 Illusion 48

Overall Rating: S Rank (As of 2024)

<Guardian Spirit of Busan> – Hero Wiki

# Initial S-Rank Awakening – An S-Rank hero who has been active since awakening in 2012. The only person in the world to have reached the maximum water attribute growth limit of 99, a national treasure.

# Ice Mage – Freezes monsters or pierces enemies with ice spears. Her ultimate technique <Snow Butterfly Wings> creates a blizzard by spreading icy powder from butterfly wings made of ice that unfold behind her.

# Disciple? Enemy? of Light Blade – Originally discovered by Light Blade at an orphanage, she awakened to her special abilities and became his disciple but had an irreparable falling out during the Great Cataclysm of 2022. She hasn’t set foot in New Seoul for three years.

* * *

Snow Princess Seok Harang.

A beauty with snow-white hair and silver-gray eyes. Her exotic appearance, like an incarnation of the winter spirit, captivated many hearts, leading the association to bestow upon her the nickname ‘Snow Princess.’

The single ice flower that bloomed in the southeastern peninsula reached adulthood in 2019 and has been on the verge of SS-Rank ever since, though unfortunately still unable to ascend. Xian recited Snow Princess’s profile to the team members, pointing out her rank.

“What’s the difference between S-Rank and SS-Rank?”

“It’s the difference between ultimate techniques and regular finishing moves, right?”

“…Correct.”

With Nuri’s answer, Xian brought up two screens.

“Let’s look at the finishing move first.”

One showed Snow Princess’s signature finishing move, <Snow Butterfly Wings>. The team marveled at the spectacle of thousands of ice butterflies filling the sky as Snow Princess unfurled her butterfly wings.

“That was… from…”

“<Moby Dick Assault Operation>. In 2022, heroes from Japan and Korea teamed up to defeat the S-Rank monster Moby Dick, which had grown to be over 100 meters long after sinking Okinawa ten years prior,” explained Yuna based on her academy studies.

“There were rumors it had nearly reached SS-Rank, but fortunately, Snow Princess managed to restrain its movements with her finishing move.”

“The final blow was finished off by the Round Table though.”

Xian smirked while resting his chin on his hand. Though the trio disliked Xian’s muttering, they could sense his obvious disdain for Snow Princess. Xian paused the scene where the ice butterflies settled onto the sea surface.

“Simply manifesting magic power through one’s will is what we call a ‘finishing move.’ In comparison…”

Xian looked unsatisfied as he watched Snow Princess’s finishing move before stopping the video.

“SS-Rank is different. Want to see?”

On the Round Table’s official YouTube channel, Xian played a video of Sir Gawein, known as the strongest and first SS-Rank hero in the world.

“The last ‘Dimensional Gate’ incident in Manchester. Here, Gawein awakened to SS-Rank and used his ‘ultimate technique.’ Let’s watch.”

Xian replayed the scene where Gawein raised his sword high into the sky. As he lifted the greatsword bestowed by the queen, golden energy erupted from the blade tip, forming a massive sphere. Pointing at the sphere, Xian explained:

“‘Mini-Sun.’ Using mere human magic power, he created a pseudo-nuclear fusion reaction. The result is obvious. So, what’s the difference?”

“I heard it’s about whether one can harness nature’s magic power or not. From Professor Do’s lecture.”

“…Correct again.”

Though reluctant, Xian nodded in approval of Yuna’s clear answer. Xian displayed the numbers 95 for Snow Princess and 96 for Gawein.

“Originally, anyone above a growth limit of 90 was considered S-Rank. But in 2022, when Gawein surpassed 96, the SS classification was created. No one imagined a human could reach such a level of utilizing nature’s magic power. It’s improved somewhat now, but…”

“Are you saying Snow Princess hasn’t reached that level yet?”

Xian snapped his fingers in response to Raon’s question.

“Yeah. While everyone’s different, she clearly hit a wall at 95 despite having a proven growth limit of 99. Maybe she’s been stuck at 95 since her initial awakening in 2012. That’s just my guess though. Her supporters might claim she’s already SS-Rank.”

“Wow, so she’s been stagnant for over a decade?”

Nuri nervously fidgeted with her knees. Even someone who started as an S-Rank hero got blocked by the SS-Rank barrier for nearly 13 years, making her doubt if she could ever reach SS-Rank herself.

“Don’t worry.”

Xian gave Nuri a gentle smile to encourage her.

“I’ll definitely make you SS-Rank. Just follow my instructions.”

“You’re just laying groundwork to ask for something weird, aren’t you?”

“Is this brat fresh out of school or what? All she thinks about are dirty things.”

“Is that sexual harassment? Should I report it?”

“Our conversation doesn’t contain even 1% sexual harassment elements, does it?”

Xian turned to Yuna and Raon for confirmation while picking his nose. Admitting it would be like confessing his own dirty thoughts.

“He’s trying to get free labor,” Raon deflected the topic.

“So, what do you plan to do about Snow Princess?” Yuna redirected the conversation smoothly.

“Am I the only one turning into a pervert here? Seriously?” Nuri glared at the two who were avoiding her gaze.

“We’ll meet her anyway.” Xian scratched his cheek as he answered.

“There’s no reason to refuse a meeting. Plus, we’re curious why an S-Rank hero would want to visit this studio specifically.”

The four carefully analyzed the wording of Snow Princess’s official notice to figure out why she wanted to contact the studio.

First, Nuri offered her opinion.

“She said she’d visit ‘personally.’ So obviously she knows us, right? Uncle, if you lie, I’ll kill you.”

“If I know Snow Princess, I’ll be your slave for life.”

“Xian, stop digging your own grave…”

“No, I really don’t know her. Want me to sign an affidavit?”

“Hmm, I’ll keep that option open.”

Xian’s firm denial dismissed Nuri’s theory of a personal connection.

“Then how about this?”

Raon presented his idea.

“She’s going out of her way to visit in the evening and seems to be accommodating our schedule as much as possible. Though she set an appointment time, her actions suggest she’s in the subordinate position in this relationship. Having done dozens of contracts, I can say that likely means-”

“Just the conclusion please.”

“She probably wants to enter our studio.”

“That actually sounds plausible.”

Xian stroked his chin in agreement as Nuri tilted her head in confusion.

“Why would Snow Princess want to come to a place like this?”

“……Hey. This ‘place’ is where we’ll make you SS-Rank, you know.”

“Ugh, you’re just deflecting because you can’t counter. You know the studio’s image is ruined, right? Remember the top comment from the last interview?”

“I deliberately avoid looking at public reactions to the studio. Xian does.”

At Raon’s additional jab, Xian clenched his teeth as unpleasant memories resurfaced.

“Hey, even if that’s true, isn’t ‘Western Blondie’s Harem Studio’ taking it too far? I didn’t come here to start a harem.”

“……Alright then.”

“If that’s what you say. Hehe.”

Raon and Nuri exchanged knowing glances and snickered, leaving Xian feeling left out and indignant. He retaliated.

“Hey, so if we really recruit Snow Princess, it would just add another member to this harem, right?”

“……Wow, this needs to be reported. Your chastity is trash.”

“Sir Xian, declaring your intention to expand your harem tentacles so openly.”

Instead of countering, he got attacked further. Xian broke out in cold sweat under the three pairs of accusing eyes.

“Ah, no. I was just using a metaphor because you guys said it!”

“Not entirely wrong though.”

Quietly observing, Yuna finally spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Publicly, Sir Xian is known as the scout who discovered Nuri, right? Perhaps Snow Princess is seeking something like that from you?”

Yuna added another S to the S displayed on Snow Princess’s screen as she continued.

“Maybe she’s desperate enough to believe finding a clue to reaching SS-Rank is worth trying.”

“…Indeed. Adopting a new approach after being stuck for 13 years, perhaps seeking advice from foreigners since all domestic methods have failed?”

“True. Snow Princess has never left Korea, stuck in Busan due to association duties. How many chances has she had to meet foreigners? Likely using this opportunity to try something different.”

“Hmm?”

Yuna’s argument gained support from Raon and Nuri, making the ‘consultation for SS-Rank ascension’ theory quite convincing. Even Xian found it appealing.

“Then Snow Princess wants my exp-…”

Xian cut himself off. Seeing all three pairs of eyes lock onto his lips, he panicked about another slip of the tongue.

But the trio already understood what he was about to say from that small hint.

“What does Snow Princess’s SS-Rank ascent have to do with your identity?”

“Do you really have no prior connection whatsoever?”

“Sir Xian?”

Under their persistent questioning, Xian nervously avoided eye contact as he sweated.

“Isn’t it unnecessary to reveal everything? We don’t know much about each other anyway.”

“Bullshit. Hero Wiki knows everything about us, down to last year’s weight. And you supposedly know our entire menstrual cycles! If you know so much, let’s stop hiding secrets!”

“Fine! I’ll tell you! But there’s a condition. This is non-negotiable.”

Xian closed his eyes tightly. The trio held their breath in anticipation of his revelation, wondering if some extraordinary condition was coming. However, Xian maintained a serious expression without even a smile.

“At minimum, you need to be prepared to go all the way with me. Not just talk, but ready to enter the grave together. Actually…”

The solemn atmosphere prevented anyone from interrupting. The room fell silent as Xian forced a faint, wistful smile.

“Until the moment the world ends.”

* * *

Evening.

Alone on the office sofa, Xian opened his cup ramen. Normally they’d order dinner together or go to a nearby restaurant, but Xian had been abandoned by the three women.

– Wow, total ghosting. Such bad vibes. Tell sister but not us?

– If you don’t want to be honest, just say so.

– …I’m not feeling well. Mind if I leave early?

Using Yuna’s early dismissal as an excuse, Raon and Nuri also left the office. Left alone, Xian muttered to himself while pouring boiled water from the electric kettle into the cup ramen.

“It wasn’t exactly a lie…”

Three minutes until the ramen is ready. Xian was deep in thought.

“…There’ll be a chance to tell them eventually.”

To snap out of it, Xian slapped his cheeks. The stinging sensation woke him up.

“Think about it after eating.”

It was precisely 7 PM, the perfect time for dinner. The instant food company’s new product that Yuna constantly nagged him about because “instant noodles aren’t healthy” had cooked just in time.

The spicy aroma tempted his taste buds. Just as Xian tore open the wooden chopsticks…

Knock knock knock.

A clear knocking sound came from the office door. Xian covered the ramen lid and stood up from the sofa to open the door.

“Excuse me, we’re closed for th-”

“Hello…?”

Standing outside was a winter princess seemingly stepped out of a fairy tale, looking up at Xian.