Chapter 939

EP.939 Part 2 Chapter 8 Section 23

What’s a surefire way to let everyone know about the survival of Seoul citizens in all directions?

We brainstormed and brainstormed some more.

There were suggestions to retreat southward to New Seoul, and others to expose Sun Icheol’s atrocities to the international community.

But none of these proposals were adopted. Instead, my proposal was greenlit.

“If we take down an SS-Rank Monster, won’t everyone notice?”

“Oooh…”

The sole known SS-Rank Monster in Seoul.

Subduing it would definitely draw people’s attention.

No, they wouldn’t be able to look away.

After all, the ultimate reason Seoul hadn’t been reclaimed so far was due to the SS-Rank Monster at Jongno City Hall – the snake.

So, if we could just defeat the snake at City Hall…

It wouldn’t just mean bringing Seoul citizens back above ground; it would signify the true recapture of Seoul.

Even though New Seoul has taken on the role of the capital, Seoul still remains the heart of the nation in many people’s minds.

The restoration of Seoul.

Even a villain who killed an SS-Rank Hero might become a Dark Knight in the eyes of the entire nation simply by reclaiming Seoul.

Very slowly, preparations began for what would truly be the first genuine attempt to retake Seoul – something no one had managed before.

* * *

<July 2nd, 1:00 AM>

[Is this really okay? Should I head up to Seoul?]

Seok Harang (old) asked with a face full of worry through the screen.

“It’s fine. Protect Busan for me.”

[Doesn’t matter if you’re here or in Seoul, kid?]

“I can cover this side easily. You know how many SS-Ranks are gathered here.”

Analyzing where the SS-Ranks in Korea are concentrated, Seoul clearly takes the crown.

“Park Ra-on is here, Su Ri is here, Kim Penril is here, Azidahaka is here, Hydra is here, and if we push Kim Nori a little further, she might awaken into a real SS-Rank.”

Three humans, three monsters.

Or rather, four monsters.

“With <Master Tentacle> around, taking down the snake at City Hall should be a piece of cake.”

[That person worries me the most.]

“Don’t sweat it. They’re the safest monster out there.”

I’ve already made my judgment about Master Tentacle as a variable.

There’s no need to dig up spoiler material from DLCs.

Master Tentacle is merely the physical manifestation of Cube’s er… “eroticism.”

Yeah.

Just extremely erotic.

“As long as someone makes a suitable sacrifice, everything will go smoothly. Create a situation that satisfies the Cube, and Master Tentacle—also known as Tentacle Blob—will cooperate without resistance.”

Regardless of Master Tentacle’s personal tendencies, they are a ‘monster derived from the Cube’ that doesn’t belong to any faction.

“They were originally the guardian of the Cube.”

In the vanilla mode, they were the field boss of Yeouido National Assembly.

And in the 20-year Earth timeline, Phoenix fought and defeated Tentacle Blob in an aerial battle.

There was also an incident where the lingering will of the Cube’s tentacles settled into some troll, but after a DLC update, the Cube’s will became embodied as Master Tentacle.

“You’ll understand once you see the situation later. For now, it’s better if you don’t come.”

[Some kind of scandalous situation will happen, right? Got it. I won’t come then.]

Seok Harang, lacking confidence in her figure at 26 years old, immediately backed down upon hearing my words.

Of course, if sacrifices were planned or her help was absolutely necessary, she’d prepare fully and rush to Seoul. But for now, things were going swimmingly.

“Does telling you not to come make you feel bad?”

[…Got it.]

“If this goes well, I’ll come back soon. And…”

[About our mentor…]

Seok Harang threw me the topic first.

[Let’s talk about it after everything is done. Alright?]

“…Alright.”

I finished talking with Seok Harang.

At this moment.

Seok Harang (26 years old, dried seafood girl) still doesn’t know the truth about Light Blade.

How much effort did Phoenix expend trying to convince the 21-year-old Seok Harang?

Given the complexity of the situation, approaching Seok Harang requires going through several steps.

Who could grasp it all at once?

That Dad is the mentor, and Mom is an alien.

‘There’s no need to worry about the sixth Spirit story just yet.’

We have quite a while before Seok Harang goes berserk.

Moreover, depending on the circumstances, there’s a method to subdue her without causing her to go berserk, which we can use if necessary.

To progress with Seok Harang’s storyline, we need to deal with at least two more commanders first.

For that, we need to ‘venture overseas,’ and for this overseas expansion, Sun Icheol needs to exit the stage.

To reveal to the world that the commander protects the center of the nation.

And as the signal, by defeating the SS-Rank Monster and reclaiming Seoul, the country will realize:

Hope will rise even in the Peninsula of Hellfire.

Just.

‘It wouldn’t be fun if corrected too early.’

Preheating is necessary.

Interest will grow only when the hype is kept alive just enough to prevent it from dying down.

If Master Tentacle had announced the assault on Seoul and attacked immediately, there probably wouldn’t have been much attention.

Ah, Seoul just came back, huh?

The monster was defeated, huh?

‘That level isn’t enough.’

Everyone in New Seoul, those living in the provinces, and even those overseas must show interest in Seoul.

Also, considering the battles ahead.

“Excuse me, Commander.”

“What’s up?”

“Oh, that’s my tone of voice.”

Kim Penril subtly approached me and pointed at her outfit.

“Do we have to wear these too?”

“Why are you embarrassed about this when you casually wear the commander’s uniform?”

“T-this is… a Magical Maiden outfit!”

“What’s the big deal now?”

Kim Penril is wearing a Magical Maiden outfit.

Not the kind worn as a joke once or twice before, but a genuinely childish Magical Maiden costume with frills straight out of a children’s anime series.

If Yuna and other Magical Maidens represent the newer generation, inheriting the design even after magical maidens aged ten years and couldn’t wear such youthful outfits anymore, thus adopting a ‘Magical Legend’ style…

Then Kim Penril’s Magical Maiden outfit is a traditional one with frills, jewels, and neon colors that sparkle.

Frankly speaking, it looks like something from Pre-Oeru—

“This disqualifies her as a villain’s officer!!”

“Didn’t you know that when evil officers switch sides, their design changes to Magical Maiden costumes? That’s a national rule!”

“At least give us business attire! Like when I merge with Raon! This is, this is too…!”

Kim Penril grabbed her own face in despair.

“It’s too middle-schoolish!”

“For someone who usually works part-time in a maid outfit and performs outdoor assassinations in sexy gear, being embarrassed about a childish Magical Maiden outfit is funny.”

“Can the commander even wear something like this?”

“I’m a guy.”

In-game gender-wise.

“You’re a woman right now!”

“Oh, that’s right.”

Since it’s daytime, my body is female.

“There’s nothing stopping me. If it’s for the person I love, I’d do it.”

“Isn’t that something said before heading to bed?”

“That’s right.”

“We’re not heading to bed but fighting, right?”

“That’s right.”

Kim Penril narrowed her eyes and questioned me.

Is this really ‘combat gear’?

“This body and others may not care, but can we fight thousands of A-Rank Monsters and possibly an SS-Rank-level beast with this outfit?”

“It’s not impossible, right?”

“But in fantasy webtoons, most characters wear armor or suits.”

“Such outfits exist too. But this is a symbol. Fighting in Magical Maiden outfits means, in short…”

“Pyo-en.”

Suddenly, Hikari jumped into the conversation.

“We have the confidence to win in these outfits! The mission of Magical Maidens protecting Earth! Heroes of justice! Known as Magical Cutie-Cutie!”

“Where did that name come from?”

“It’s the official guild name, so don’t question it.”

<Magical Cutie-Cutie>.

Our team’s official name and the title of those destined to save the world.

Until the day 5 billion Earthlings cry out ‘We believed in you, Magical Cutie-Cutie!’ as the moon falls and humanity departs toward it.

I will uphold the name Magical Cutie-Cutie.

It’s not something that can be changed anyway.

“In any case, the motto of Magical Cutie-Cutie is that. We’re different from other heroes. We don’t wear these outfits just for fun or show; we wear them to demonstrate our certainty that we can triumph against monsters and villains in these costumes.”

“Because there’s no content where Magical Maidens lose!”

Magical Maidens are invincible, and the commander is a god.

Therefore, if the officers, including Kim Penril, transform into Magical Maidens by wearing these outfits, we can overcome any powerful enemy.

“In other battles, we can change outfits. But for this battle, we must wear Magical Maiden outfits.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s a tough battle, and the value of Magical Maiden outfits becomes more significant in such situations.”

Though it’s the main story battle, this game’s elements often decide whether side quests open based on the progression of the main storyline.

Mostly concerning Cubes.

“Our battle will become known across Earth. Everyone’s attention will focus on us, and that’s when the effectiveness of the Magical Maiden outfits will shine.”

“To attract people’s Aggro?”

“Exactly.”

More specifically, to attract the Aggro of the Cube.

“Kim Penril, what do you think the ratings for <Only You Can Save Us> will be?”

“Hmm… 140%?”

“Yeah. Some people will have multiple devices ready to switch in case of errors during this crucial operation to overthrow the snake that ruled Seoul for 13 years.”

“But what if the scenes shown on mass media look like this?”

Snap.

I pulled out a video stored in the Magical Gear.

“Gulp.”

“Commander…?”

Both Kim Penril and Hikari stiffened simultaneously.

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. This is the true value of Magical Maiden outfits. Only Magical Maiden outfits can truly save humanity.”

The video showed our team’s Magical Maidens struggling against slimy slimes.

“What’s the most valuable clothing when it gets torn or melted?”

Most Cubes cheer wildly when Magical Maidens’ outfits get torn or melted.

“This is an important choice to gain an advantage in future battles.”

Because…

In the future, instead of events designed to ‘kill’ those in Magical Maiden outfits, Cubes will arrange events to ‘strip’ them.

“Would you prefer your whole body dissolving in acid, or just the Magical Maiden outfit melting off, leading to exposure?”

This game isn’t gory fantasy but an adult-rated romantic fantasy.

“Critical injuries cutscenes are major issues.”