Chapter 941

EP.941 Part 2 Chapter 8-25

What if the nation’s hero suddenly reappears as a woman one morning?

The country would fall into chaos.

And not due to some strange situation, but if a man were to suddenly become a woman…

Especially if said woman turned out to be an ultra-dazzling Western-style maiden who looks stunning in white dresses… The chaos would reach unprecedented levels.

To put it bluntly:

An S-Rank 40-year-old uncle has transformed into an S-Rank young lady.

This would send the entire nation into utter disarray.

In fact, this very public revelation might just be what the doctor ordered.

“Chaos can only be masked by greater chaos.”

Sun Icheol stood before Hyun Yun-Hwa(?), extending a dossier towards them(?).

“Within these documents lies evidence of your colossal sins.”

“……”

Light Blade personally picked up the file.

Inside lay two horrifying ‘secrets’ concerning themselves.

One.

“Seok Harang – isn’t she your daughter?”

“……”

“Even the genetic tests didn’t match, and I originally thought it was mere slander or misunderstanding. But now, things look different.”

Sun Icheol pressed a remote control towards a monitor.

Photos of Seok Harang’s childhood appeared, arranged by age.

“Could anyone deny the blood relation upon seeing this face?”

Young Seok Harang.

The 12-year-old prodigy who first awakened to S-Rank power stood before Sun Icheol now.

Seok Harang wasn’t just any ordinary face; being the first to awaken at S-Rank level meant their appearance was far beyond simply “pretty.”

“I’ve conducted extensive investigations. I tracked down the orphanage director where Seok Harang was discovered, assumed your sponsorship was more about raising her, and when the initial genetic test results came back negative, I dismissed it as impossible. But I was wrong.”

Sun Icheol rose from his seat and approached the window.

“You tampered with it, didn’t you? For an S-Rank individual, such manipulation would have been entirely feasible.”

“…Is this my weakness?”

“Indeed.”

Sun Icheol gave Light Blade a sardonic smirk.

“The man who abandoned his newborn baby at an orphanage with nothing but a name, then later adopted her as a disciple after discovering she had awakened to S-Rank powers—this revelation will devastate the moral standing of Light Blade, wouldn’t it?”

“Are you planning to tarnish my reputation with this?”

“Of course. If it diverts attention, it’s worth it.”

Sun Icheol began pouring wine into a glass.

“Isn’t it a rule in politics that entertainment scandals cover political issues? Since the Hero industry has even greater influence than the entertainment world, revealing the relationship between Light Blade and Snow Princess will surely overshadow everything else.”

“Is that all you’ve got?”

“Is that all? Haven’t you been trembling in fear all this time, afraid of this secret coming to light? Or are you scared now?”

Sun Icheol pointed to a file labeled “Top Secret.”

“At the Pyongyang battle, it wasn’t the Pyongyang monster that wiped out all the S-Rank heroes—it was you, wasn’t it?”

“……”

Year 2012.

During the fight against the S-Rank monster in Pyongyang, every S-Rank hero except Seok Harang perished.

All S-Rank heroes, excluding Light Blade, were killed by the Pyongyang S-Rank monster.

As a result, the 38th parallel defense line collapsed, and with the disappearance of S-Rank monsters’ influence, lesser monsters began crossing southward.

“Isn’t it all Light Blade’s fault that our nation fell apart like this?”

“……”

Light Blade’s face went pale.

“No matter how great a hero Light Blade may be, no one wants to go down in history as a notorious traitor, right? After losing control and wiping out all the S-Rank heroes, you returned and were celebrated as a guardian deity without a second thought. In reality, you’re nothing but Huwan Yong.”

“Didn’t you exploit that situation…!?”

“So I’ll continue exploiting it. Right?”

Sun Icheol raised his wine glass toward Light Blade.

“Appear before the media exactly as you are. Everything is prepared.”

Click.

Sun Icheol tapped the Magical Gear, summoning a screen before Light Blade.

[Light Blade’s transformation into a woman! A harbinger of lost abilities…?!]

[Core damage side effects. New Seoul’s security under threat.]

[Sun: “If Light Blade falls, New Seoul collapses.”]

[The strangely similar faces of Snow Princess and Light Blade. Are they connected??]

“As soon as you step forward, the media will unleash a barrage of attention on Light Blade’s transformation, instilling unease among the populace.”

“……”

“People in New Seoul don’t care anymore about what happens to Seoul. Their priority is the safety of New Seoul. Will they believe the underground rebels slandering me, or trust Light Blade, the guardian of New Seoul, whose core is deteriorating and causing bodily changes?”

Crackle, crackle.

“Turn into a female, Light Blade.”

Suddenly, the lights went out.

In the darkness illuminated only by the glow of the Magical Gear, Sun Icheol’s expression remained rigid and unchanging.

“For the sake of the nation.”

“…Not for the sake of Sun Icheol?”

“For Sun Icheol.”

Sun Icheel shrugged.

“Because I am the nation.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Light Blade stood up.

“Screw you!”

A tiny crack appeared on Sun Icheel’s otherwise calm expression.

“Haven’t you enjoyed enough power already?”

At Light Blade’s words, Sun Icheel froze, mouth agape.

“What do you expect me to do about killing everyone? Shouldn’t you be satisfied living as you have so far and continuing life as usual?”

“…What nonsense are you spouting?”

“S-Rank heroes can die in accidents too. In this era of special abilities, whether it’s metahumans or monsters, accidents caused by special abilities can kill anyone.”

Gradually…

“My loss of control back then was merely an accident. I never intended to kill everyone, and facing S-Rank monsters often leads to the deaths of S-Rank heroes anyway.”

Light Blade’s eyes began glowing purple.

“I’m tired of dealing with dictators who threaten me. I want to end this wretched life of slavery myself.”

“……”

Sun Icheel dropped his wine glass.

The glass shattered on the floor, and Sun Icheel silently adjusted his glasses before speaking.

“Light Blade, you…”

Through clenched teeth, Sun Icheel continued.

“Are a hero who should not exist.”

“…Then fine. If that’s the case…”

Trembling, Light Blade covered their face with their hands.

“Now, it’s time to end—”

[Commander!! Urgent report!!]

Sun Icheel had grown accustomed to this.

He knew that sudden urgent reports from subordinates were never good news.

“What is it?”

[The associations are issuing statements!!]

“Associations…?”

* * *

<July 2nd, 9 PM, Somewhere beneath Seoul>

[…Therefore, our Hunter Association supports the S-Rank monster raid initiated by Seoul’s ability users. If they wish, we will join forces to repel the monsters threatening Seoul.]

The Hunter Association took the lead by broadcasting publicly.

Behind the Hunter Association president, a green sign reading “20km to Seoul” could be seen, pointing down a long road.

[We will reclaim Seoul. Regardless of how the government defines us, as citizens of this country, we aim to pass on Seoul to future generations. Please, fellow Koreans, join us in reclaiming Seoul!]

The president raised his fist.

[We are hunters who hunt monsters. Who exactly are the monsters? Everyone knows! They are those who seek to harm humans! We call such beings monsters! Hunters hunt monsters! We will fulfill our roles to the best of our ability!]

Waahhh!!

The hunters erupted in cheers.

The president’s speech concluded shortly thereafter, and I skipped past the video to play the next one.

[Our Hero Association has the duty to protect humanity from the threats posed by monsters endangering peace. Heroes rescue people. We aim to safeguard even a single soul possibly remaining in Seoul beneath the ground. Heroes! We became heroes to save people. Beyond gender, age, race, politics, and borders, we have gathered to protect humanity! Please follow your heart and join us.]

“They sure know how to talk.”

I closed the videos featuring both presidents shouting passionately.

“If the Hunter Association president is here to freeze cores for hunting, and the Hero Association president is here because of funding threats, does anyone really not know that?”

[If you say that, fewer people will participate.]

“Shouldn’t fewer participants mean less profit for Yu Sung?”

[In big issues like this, the more spoons, the merrier. Hehe.]

Though there was no video, the other party was leaning back in their chair, speaking directly to me.

[Commander, do you know when humans get most angry? It’s when everyone else benefits except them.]

“Is Yu Sung betting on the recapture of Seoul?”

[Of course. Even without Light Blade, there’s still Commander and Magical Gears, isn’t there?]

As Yoon Yuhwa said, Seoul will “definitely” be reclaimed.

Regardless of the extent of sacrifices, the people of Seoul will greet the warm sunlight of morning.

Even without Light Blade.

Even if Seok Harang stays behind in Busan.

The S-Rank monster, ‘The Serpent of City Hall,’ will be defeated, and Seoul will return to human territory.

“President, release it 10 minutes before the raid starts. Don’t spread flyers. You know why, right?”

[Of course. We’re spreading fake flyers right now. We can’t let those unable to reach Seoul within 10 minutes enjoy the pleasure of its conquest, can we?]

“Still the same old President, aren’t you?”

To give more benefits to those participating in the raid and leave spectators twiddling their thumbs.

Because once the information officially goes public, everyone will rush to Seoul regardless.

[Let me confirm one last thing. Can we still cancel this?]

“No. Let’s proceed.”

The information will be sent to all news agencies simultaneously with the raid start.

Neither the Hero Association president nor the Hunter Association president, nor anyone else, knows this information.

But 10 minutes before the raid begins, everyone will learn.

“This raid will be commanded by <Commander>.”

S-Rank, Su Ri.

S-Rank, Kim Penril.

S-Rank, Azidahaka.

S-Rank, Hydra.

And S-Rank, Kim Nori.

“All cores obtained from this battle belong solely to ‘us.'”

Commander will command five S-Ranks to reclaim Seoul in this battle.

“Code: Blazing Phoenix Revival.”

Why precisely 10 minutes before the raid?

“Since Mr. Hyun Yun-Hwa rarely appears in public, I don’t need to face public backlash before the raid begins.”

July 3rd, 10 PM.

[Light Blade transforms into a woman.]

“In the end, unable to resist the blackmail, they’re going public about becoming a woman… Sorry, but taking the protagonist role isn’t happening.”