Chapter 958

EP.958 Part 2 Chapter 9 Scene 15: Now This Belongs to Me

Seoul has been restored.

Upon hearing the news, Kiwoo hastily boarded a bus heading toward Seoul.

“Hey, hurry up and pack up the camera! We can’t afford to lose this one!”

“Understood, Director. Kiwoo! Give me a hand over here!”

“Can I undo the belt?”

“We’re not gonna crash on the way! Just come over here already!”

This was no ordinary bus.

Through a past connection from doing part-time work at a broadcasting station, Kiwoo managed to hitch a ride disguised as a broadcast staff member aboard what was actually a live news vehicle.

Click, click.

Kiwoo helped his senior organize equipment while eavesdropping on conversations between key passengers.

The female anchor in a suit and the PD were having a serious discussion.

“Are you kidding me? This is insane!”

“Just bear with it. If we’d left any later, we would’ve gotten caught in New Seoul’s curfew.”

“Better off staying safely in New Seoul. That place is a monster nest. Ugh, I hate it.”

Seeing the famous anchor shiver in disgust was awkward, but Kiwoo didn’t care.

If Seoul is okay, then Gyeonggi Province and Incheon will also revive. And if that happens, his real estate properties in Incheon should be safe too.

Over the last five years, surviving at rock bottom in New Seoul had been tough, but now his old life might return.

And…

“The apartment in Seoul has to still be there!”

Even though Incheon had many buildings, Kiwoo personally owned one property in Seoul.

It wasn’t particularly valuable real estate, but owning an apartment in Seoul itself was quite an accomplishment.

“Besides, isn’t that true? The commander plans to stay in Seoul, right?”

“Don’t know. With New Seoul in such bad shape, how could anyone live there? Plus, lots of foreigners are coming. They probably think Seoul is better than New Seoul. Getting from Busan to Seoul without trains isn’t easy either.”

“That’s true. Damn monsters really messed up the country.”

The anchor sighed deeply while fidgeting with magical gear.

“But I’m right, aren’t I? Holding onto your Seoul property instead of selling will pay off.”

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks to you, I stuck through and survived.”

Some people sold their Seoul properties for cheap, while others held onto theirs.

Those who sold have lost ownership rights, but those who held out now see hope.

If Seoul recovers, they believe they can endure even if it means living in containers.

Even if it means coexisting with grotesque mutants.

“Speaking of which, don’t you think they’ll create separate districts for those mutated humans?”

“…Maybe.”

“Not maybe. Even if they’re fellow Koreans or former Seoulites, how can we possibly live together with such monstrous beings? It’s better to confine them to some island where they can’t escape.”

“…”

At this, Kiwoo gave a bitter laugh.

When he first saw citizens transformed into mutants in Seoul, he almost threw up.

Some looked like animal-eared humans or pointy-eared elves, but many resembled creatures straight out of fantasy novels – completely losing their human forms.

No matter how rational these beings may seem, can they truly be called “human”?

Can we guarantee they won’t attack and kill others?

Real estate is one thing, but life is another.

Despite their contributions to retaking Seoul, Kiwoo couldn’t help but feel uneasy about living next door to mutants.

“It’d be better if they just exiled them to some remote countryside village. Haha, then…”

“SITUATION REPORT! Unusual phenomena detected in Seoul!”

Someone’s shout changed the atmosphere on the bus immediately.

The previously relaxed anchor quickly composed herself, facing the camera with professional seriousness as everyone prepared for live broadcasting.

Truly, professionals are professionals.

While adjusting the lighting panel, Kiwoo focused on his job…

“…What the hell is that?”

He couldn’t help but mutter in shock, though no one blamed him.

“Citizens, can you see this?”

Even the anchor gripping her microphone showed obvious tension despite her professionalism.

“In the ruins of Seoul, on Yeouido land… ”

Swish swash.

“…Hanok houses are sprouting up.”

Soon after,

According to the Hero Association’s official announcement, A-Rank special ability user ‘Architect’ had restored Yeouido.

However, these Hanok houses…

* * *

“Wow, Yeouido filled with Hanok houses.”

The political and financial hub once covered in skyscrapers has transformed into a forest of traditional Korean houses.

“Seeing so many low-rise buildings after being used to tall ones feels pretty strange.”

“That’s true. Seoul always tried to cram as much as possible into its limited space. There were entire 20-story buildings operated by single companies, and many corporations headquartered here.”

“All moved to New Seoul.”

“That’s why Yeouido could finally be blanketed in Hanok houses.”

I enjoyed the Han River view from the expansive garden built on the former National Assembly site with Yuna.

Just hours ago, the Han River was filled with monster corpses but has now returned to its clear, tranquil state.

Though not officially announced yet, S-Rank hero Kim Gaon diverted the river westward from upstream, pushing all the water away.

Right now, somewhere in the Yellow Sea, a festival of monster corpses must be happening.

Most cores have been recovered, but some remain among the bodies. The sea monsters in the Yellow Sea will feast well and clean up everything nicely.

No matter how nice the Han River view is, seeing floating insect corpses isn’t something anyone wants.

“Looking at this purified scenery, it’s really beautiful.”

“I find the commander’s current appearance even more beautiful.”

“What?”

“You mean… wearing that magical girl costume to hide yourself.”

“To hide a leaf, put it in a forest.”

I personally wore the magical girl outfit.

Though I have no powers, this costume will make people think:

Ah, this blonde, blue-eyed woman isn’t the commander but rather one of the special ability users allied with the commander!

“Even if we try to minimize daytime activities, we still need to move around somehow.”

“So what should we call you?”

“Phoenix.”

Naturally, when dressed like this, calling me Phoenix makes sense.

“If you see me in this state during the day while I’m in magical girl attire, please call me Phoenix.”

“The name doesn’t quite fit the current Yeouido landscape, does it?”

“True. It’s English. How about Phe-nis?”

“Even worse. Let’s just stick with Phoenix.”

“Disappointing.”

Though I want to be called “Blazing Phoenix,” that title already belongs to someone else.

‘How will we meet in-game?’

In the game, “Blazing Phoenix” attacks Seoul as a giant phoenix monster.

After showcasing immense power and overwhelming allies, she sacrifices herself upon reaching a certain health threshold in Phase 2.

That location is precisely this Yeouido.

The place he worried about repeatedly, the place where “I” die in the game.

But now, instead of ruined Seoul,

Blazing Phoenix will perish in the heart of Neo-Hanyang, surrounded by Hanok houses.

A private area accessible only to the commander, where magical girls and Magical Cuties helpers gather.

Yeouido is mine now.

“Yuna, wasn’t Yeouido once a key point connecting northern and southern Seoul?”

“Yes, it had the National Assembly and the 63 Building.”

“Not anymore.”

“…Commander, do you think people who own land in Yeouido will demand their land back?”

Yuna cautiously voiced her concern.

“People coming to Seoul now all want to reclaim their properties, whether the buildings are destroyed or the land is sunken.”

“True. While you can’t claim ownership against monsters, you can argue with people.”

I gestured widely across Yeouido.

“But listen, I plan to use Yeouido land as if it’s mine, though technically it’s not the commander’s property yet.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve been slowly buying up land for quite some time. Though there are squatters and ownerless plots where everyone perished, I’ve secured ownership of 47% of Yeouido’s total area.”

“…Since when?”

“Over the past six months, very gradually.”

I utilized Yu Sung’s background and received help from Yun Yuhwa to acquire substantial land.

Though currently registered under the Yu family, eventually it will all belong to the commander.

“And people can’t criticize the commander for this. Why? Because we rented it.”

“…Huh?”

“We rented the entire Yeouido from the Yu family. 10 billion won per month. Cheap, right?”

“…Not sure if it’s cheap or expensive.”

“Definitely worth the money.”

I showed Yuna the magical gear screen.

“Oh no. While fighting, I accidentally destroyed all the bridges connecting Olympic Boulevard to Yeouido.”

“…Um, also?”

“Ruined parks have inexplicably sunken, forming moat-like structures. All underground entrances flooded too. Wow, this place has become a medieval fantasy-style island surrounded by a lake!”

In every sense, Yeouido has become an island.

“This place will become both an island and a castle. A castle for magical girls.”

“Some say it’s the commander’s perverted sex castle.”

“…”

I quietly raised my thumb.

“In that spirit, how about we call this place ‘Magical Cutie Island’ starting today?”

My personal Viewbeamland.

“Wanna check it out together later in the day?”

“No thanks. I’d rather have sex at night.”

“…”

Everyone’s barriers were unexpectedly strong.

Why?

“Penises are obviously better than vaginas, right?”

Yuna’s response was unwavering.