Chapter 1004

EP.1004 Part 2 Chapter 10 Scene 17: THIS IS YOUR FUTURE, TEACHER!

The Commander is coming to New Seoul!

Naturally, the reason could only be registering at the Hero Association.

Thus, people sought out the appropriate person in charge.

It’s customary for a suitable representative to greet important figures arriving from afar, and managing the welcome for someone of the Commander’s stature would naturally fall to either the government or the Hero Association.

– Surely they won’t meet with politicians during election season?

No matter how high-ranking the Commander might be, they wouldn’t stoop to such actions. That would amount to blatant political interference—a declaration of seeking unofficial influence.

– “I shall personally greet the Commander! Welcome to New Seoul! Welcome to Korea!”

– Not that guy, definitely not.

At first, a few politicians stepped forward claiming they’d handle the formalities, but public interest quickly waned.

Then, people began searching for who truly should manage the reception.

“The Hero Association President Seol Ji-young, who appears to be in her early thirties due to recently awakened special abilities despite being over sixty years old this year! A word from you, please!”

“…”

“The president whose presence has been so minimal it’s almost as if she doesn’t exist! In novel terms, someone who reappears after nearly 200 chapters and readers might have forgotten about her! Any words to share?”

“…”

The president herself.

Seol Ji-young, head of the Korean branch of the Hero Association and known externally simply as “the President,” felt the wrinkles around her eyes cracking under the reporters’ questions.

“President! Please explain!”

“Well, well, we haven’t officially received any communication yet.”

Seol Ji-young stepped forward amidst the throng of reporters to clarify the situation.

“This isn’t mere rhetoric; we genuinely haven’t received any official request at the association.”

Murmurs spread among the journalists.

With Seol Ji-young’s statement, reporters started speculating wildly about the Commander’s movements.

“So, does this mean the Commander moved without consulting the association or the government?”

“Isn’t this an insult to the Hero Association? If you were to deliver a message to the Commander as the Hero Association President, what would it be?”

“Could there be a possibility of registration outside Korea?”

Reporters bombarded Seol Ji-young with somewhat rude questions, their faces reflecting palpable desperation.

“If the Commander doesn’t intend to link up with the Korean Hero Association, could they already be collaborating with another country?”

“What if the Commander leaves Korea?”

“Won’t the Commander relocate all S-Rank heroes elsewhere?”

“Is the ‘Kidnapping Golden Sun’ rumor true? Are they finding Korean women capable of becoming S-Rank and taking them abroad?”

“Baseless rumors.”

What if the Commander selects magical girl candidates and helps them defect to America?

“Are they planning to register Dallyo with a neighboring country’s Hero Association and assign her to that region?”

Or perhaps sending Korean magic girls abroad easily by registering them elsewhere?

“With so many S-Ranks in Korea already…”

“Still, shouldn’t registration happen here to confirm their affiliation?”

“But isn’t the Commander registered somewhere too?”

“Surely the Commander must be registered with the Hero Association, right?”

Reporters exchanged information while discussing amongst themselves.

Seol Ji-young wiped sweat from her brow with her sleeve, spotting a familiar face which made her even more nervous.

“…”

“Hehehe.”

A mischievous grin.

The black-haired young man stood silently, enjoying her predicament like it was entertainment.

Though his black hair contrasted slightly with his face, despite never having communicated directly before, Seol Ji-young instantly recognized him.

It wasn’t oversight—it was as if he’d been mocking everyone all along.

Seol Ji-young wanted to expose this man immediately, fearing the Commander might leave Korea using her as an excuse.

-The greatest traitor since Dangun!

Whoever offends the Commander enough to drive them away will go down in history as a national traitor.

So, Seol Ji-young held back.

If things proceeded according to public knowledge, the moment she spoke now, he’d likely book an international flight.

-Here.

The young man gestured alternately between the two women beside him and the Magical Gear.

“!!”

Beeeeeep.

The Magical Gear began to sound.

Seol Ji-young immediately changed her expression, extending her hand toward the reporters and placing the Magical Gear against her ear as she turned her head.

“…”

Silence.

The sudden stillness descended upon the press conference venue, broken only by a voice emerging from Seol Ji-young’s Magical Gear.

[Hello? Hi, President.]

“Yuinah?”

Yuinah.

A member of Magical Girl Kyuukyuus and leader of the magical girls.

[Yes, hello. This is Yuinah. I’m contacting you on behalf of the Commander. How have you been?]

“Of course, Yuinah. And how are you holding up?”

Once just an E-Rank hero, now grown into B-Rank thanks to the Commander, she had become the officially recognized Sub-Commander.

[Sorry for not reaching out sooner. We’ve been caught off guard ourselves…]

“Not at all, not at all. But Yuinah, I’m currently in the middle of a press conference…”

[Ah, really?]

In other words, she was the Commander’s proxy and secretary-level presence.

[Ah, perfect then. I actually had something to relay.]

Perfect?

Something to relay?

Reporters perked up their ears.

[The Commander departed for New Seoul early this morning. They should be arriving shortly.]

“!!!”

Everyone gasped.

“Uh, may I ask how they’ll arrive? I’ll come to greet them.”

[We’re supposed to be notified beforehand, so once I receive confirmation, I can contact you immediately. The Commander instructed me to handle communications with the association…]

“Absolutely, Yuinah. Please do call.”

[Thank you.]

Click.

The call ended.

All eyes turned to President Seol Ji-young, who quickly pressed her Magical Gear and shouted.

“Check all routes leading into New Seoul! The Commander is coming, so prepare personnel at every access point! Got it?!”

The Commander is coming.

The distance from Seoul to New Seoul is practically ‘a blink’.

And departing at dawn?

“I’m heading out as well! Vice President, the association is in your hands!”

Seol Ji-young rushed out.

Fearing missing even a crumb of news, all reporters followed her outside.

“President! Yuinah’s number…”

“When did communication with Yuinah begin?”

“Rumors regarding Yuinah’s rank…”

Swoosh.

The room emptied in an instant.

Less than ten people remained in the press conference venue, hastily tidying up before leaving.

“Hmm.”

Except for the black-haired youth and the women beside him.

“Shall we move?”

Instead of heading outside, the trio turned inward.

Toward the Hero Registration Office inside the Hero Association.

* * *

Shortly afterward.

Inside the Hero Association’s Hero Registration Office, in front of the Magic Power Pattern Analyzer.

“Outdated.”

Hikari frowned deeply upon seeing the Magic Detector.

“What’s the point of making it so large? All it can detect is basic awakened magic power.”

Hikari criticized the device harshly.

“Can’t we just check it like this? Or should I donate some tech improvements?”

“Not yet.”

“A shame. Sigh. These kinds of checks are why disasters keep happening…”

Hikari possessed a device no larger than a pregnancy test that could assess latent abilities.

Thanks to it, she understood why Yuinah led the magical girls and gained clear insights into their latent powers and capabilities.

“It feels a bit embarrassing to use this for registration…”

“But it’s good for checking current status, isn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

The Association’s analyzer could only detect active magic patterns.

Hikari’s device analyzed all latent abilities.

Performance-wise, Hikari clearly outperformed.

“Dallyo’s next, then yours. You…”

“[Professor].”

Professor.

Doctor.

As one of the world’s foremost experts in special ability theory, Hikari chose the title Professor.

“Someday when I reach S-Rank, I’ll announce globally as Professor.”

“Good idea. Lieutenant, come register here too.”

“Understood.”

Hikari registered first, followed by Xiao Lin.

The moment Hikari finished, she pulled out a holographic keyboard from her Magical Gear and connected it to the Association terminal.

Chirp, chirp.

In seconds, Hikari hacked into the system, altering data for Dallyo and Professor while I observed those captured by Lieutenant.

“My apologies.”

The remaining staff in the Hero Association Registration Office had been subdued by Lieutenant and now served as our hostages.

“Well…let’s kidnap Light Blade now.”

Light Blade is currently within the Hero Association.

To abduct this ‘her,’ I decided to use a very special method.

“Let’s verify first.”

Is it Light Blade?

Or Rusalka?

“Image transmission…complete.”

Whether it’s merely a change in appearance or if Light Blade disappeared entirely, leaving behind Rusalka with lost memories…

“I’ll give you ten seconds. If you don’t come in ten seconds, I’ll leak this online.”

Either way, my direct action involves…

‘Raping Roharang in the former case, or raping Seok Harang in the latter.’

Beep.

I sent a text to Light Blade using a number obtained earlier from Roharang.

Thump-thump. Crash!

Soon, footsteps echoed above, and a white-haired maiden resembling Rusalka arrived before us.

“You…who are you?”

“What do you mean?”

Clang.

Hikari locked the door via hacking, and Lieutenant positioned herself before Light Blade.

“What is this picture?!”

“Oh, that.”

The photo sent to Light Blade.

It showed Botteve Rusalka wearing a scandalously revealing high-leg wedding dress—precisely how Light Blade looks now, pregnant.

“Your future.”

“!!”

Lieutenant charged at Light Blade.

“Snatched an image of pregnant Rusalka from the bonus content and edited it together. Works like a charm, huh? Hehe.”

“So, does that mean Sister Harang is inside there?”

“Not incorrect. Once we’re all full…maybe we’ll take a group shot in dresses?”

“…Can I get a picture like that too?”