Chapter 1006

EP.1006 Part 2 Chapter 10: 19 – Whale Hunt

As everyone’s attention focused on the outskirts of New Seoul…

Sun Icheol, president of the Korean branch of the Hero Association, stood in the middle of the outer road waiting for a call from Yuinah.

“……”

No one dared to disturb Seol Ji-young.

Like spectators watching an Olympic gold medal match, those around her worried she might be startled or make a mistake if she received the awaited call.

They formed a protective circle around her, desperate to see the commander and hoping she’d at least get a glimpse or have a word with them.

Bzzt.

Her Magical Gear rang.

“Yes! This is Seol Ji-young-”

[Hello, we at U-Sung Telecom would like to offer you our latest model…]

“No thanks!”

Click.

Bzzt.

“Yes! Seol Ji-young-”

[Hello, this is US Research conducting a survey…]

Click.

Bzzt.

“…Yes?”

[Dear citizens, greetings. This is your host…]

“Ahhh, seriously?!”

Seol Ji-young exploded in frustration as unwanted calls kept coming while the expected one didn’t.

But she couldn’t ignore unknown numbers, not knowing which one might be from Yuinah.

Bzzt.

An unfamiliar number called.

After hesitating briefly, Seol Ji-young answered.

“Hello?”

[Hello Ms. Seol.]

“…Huh?”

A vaguely familiar voice.

As Seol Ji-young reacted, others nearby leaned in to listen through the speakerphone.

[It’s been a while since we last contacted.]

“Wait, could it be…?”

[We asked Yuinah to contact you, but I thought it would be more proper to call directly. May we speak?]

“!!”

Seol Ji-young clenched her fists and bent slightly.

Meanwhile, people around her scrambled to record the conversation, creating chaos that the association members struggled to contain.

[Are you in a difficult situation to take the call?]

“No, no! I’ll clear it up right away.”

Bang!

She stomped her high heel, creating a fiery barrier around her where she could focus on the conversation.

“I apologize for the crowd around me.”

[I understand. And I apologize too.]

The mysterious caller started with an apology.

Seol Ji-young, sensing the situation, spoke first.

“You, Commander?”

[You can call me Commander. Or by my name, if you prefer.]

“…Ms. Baek Cheonghwa?”

[Yes, please continue.]

Of course, their conversation leaked beyond the fiery barrier meant only to block outside noise.

“What do you need?”

[……]

The commander remained silent, letting out a faint chuckle.

[It’s good talking with someone who understands. Sorry I didn’t inform you beforehand.]

“!!”

So her suspicions were correct.

[Sorry for using you. I’m quite shy about these things.]

“Ah….”

[The registration process is complete. Two new entries have been added, which you can verify now.]

“Huh?”

Murmurs.

Startled, the fire barrier flickered, letting in the murmurs from outside.

“What do you mean…?”

[Dallyeo and Professor. S-rank durability and A-rank darkness attribute respectively.]

“!!”

Both S and A ranks.

While Dallyeo was already known, ‘Professor’ was an entirely new registered special ability user that had escaped the association’s notice.

“Are they both magical girls?”

[Yes, they are. I’ve sent you profiles accessible only to you. Profiles of other prospective magical girls will also be shared soon.]

“……”

Got played.

Totally played.

And Seol Ji-young came here specifically to be played.

[Looking forward to working with you, President.]

Still, there were gains.

Click.

The call ended.

Changing her expression, Seol Ji-young lifted her head arrogantly.

“I apologize.”

Though her expression said otherwise, she started with an apology.

“I tricked all of you.”

“Huh?”

“The commander has already visited the association.”

“!!”

Shock and horror.

“You tricked us?”

“Yes.”

Seol Ji-young declared confidently.

“Further details will be provided through press releases.”

Zoom!

Using her powers, she soared into the sky, leaving the crowd behind.

* * *

-S and A ranks. The phantom commander’s registration operation dissected.

-President Seol colluded with the commander?

-Seol “Sorry for deceiving”, fully qualified as president.

-To deceive the enemy, deceive your allies first. Perfect teamwork between the commander and president.

[Total scam, right?]

On screen, Yun Yuhwa grinned showing newspaper headlines.

[Did the president collude? She just read the room and played along.]

“That’s what presidents do.”

[True. To lead any organization in this country, that skill is necessary. Otherwise, step down.]

“Indeed, Chairman.”

Yun Yuhwa shrugged while sipping coffee.

Wherever he went, he remained mysterious.

[The media will sort itself out without my intervention. Once association-friendly outlets publish stories, they’ll spread everywhere.]

“Thanks.”

[The issue is Light Blade.]

“……”

Currently.

Somewhere in New Seoul, Light Blade exists.

[What’s Light Blade doing now?]

“Re-education training.”

[Huh?]

“He’s currently undergoing reconditioning to become a proper magical girl.”

He’s trapped somewhere receiving education to cultivate proper magical girl qualities.

“I’ll transform him so anyone would recognize him as a magical girl. Just wait patiently.”

[Might as well claim he’s entered secluded training.]

Light Blade can’t act publicly right now.

Not just because he’s turned into a child-like Rusalka form, but his image as hero Sun Icheol still lingers in public consciousness.

“Light Blade needs to shed Sun Icheol’s image. While cutting down an SS-rank in Seoul helped somewhat, many still harbor ill will towards him.”

That’s unavoidable.

Light Blade belongs to the old era, and the old must fade for the new era of the commander and heroines to begin.

Originally, Light Blade should die.

But there’s a way to keep him alive….

“DLC forever!”

Turns out the DLC contains a method to save Light Blade. Though I haven’t figured out the specifics yet, I have a hunch about it.

“So Yuha will need to help a lot. To transfer Light Blade’s soul…”

[Soul… As someone who splits their mind across multiple bodies, I can’t deny that concept.]

Yuha casually revealed his abilities.

A sign that trust between him and the commander is growing.

“Resources needed for Light Blade’s transformation will be coordinated by Na. Counting on you again.”

[Again?]

“Just another way of saying we always count on you. Can’t do anything in this country without your help.”

[Hehe, such a baby.]

“Yep.”

[…]

Our relationship with Yuha has grown casual enough for light teasing.

Then perhaps it’s time to deepen things further with Yuha.

[Let’s move to the main topic then.]

Just as Yuha began.

[Everything the commander asked me to investigate is ready. Special planes are secretly being prepared. Just set the departure date.]

“Already?”

[Yes. Though, as you know, I can’t accompany you. My influence is limited to domestic areas.]

Yun Yuhwa’s special abilities have range limitations.

Even using Xroids as relays to extend consciousness halfway around the world would require placing them every few kilometers.

“Shame. Would’ve liked to bring you, Yuha.”

[Me? Why?]

“Wanted to show you how money is made. Foreign currency, you know.”

[…I’ll be satisfied watching contracts and bank statements. Plus, I have other preparations here in Korea.]

Yun Yuhwa has responsibilities in Korea.

Thus, unfortunately, Yun Yuhwa must pass.

[Who will you bring then? Or rather, who will you leave behind in Korea? That’s most important now.]

“At least Seok Harang.”

Seok Harang must remain in Korea.

Despite his rank, if Seok Harang leaves Busan, the whole world is endangered.

“There’s no limit to the number going, but leaving at least five S-ranks besides Seok Harang will reassure the public.”

One in Seoul.

One in New Seoul.

One in Gangwon.

One in Busan. (Seok Harang)

And one in Jeju.

“All will be S-rank placements.”

[Luxurious. Like placing tactical nukes in each region.]

“Can’t predict where enemies might emerge.”

With current difficulty levels, the peninsula is far more dangerous than wherever we’re going.

Enemies born of desire – human or otherwise – abound in all directions.

“I’ll adjust the departing roster. And…there’s someone I want to bring.”

[Who?]

“Is the pilot arranged?”

[Not yet.]

“Perfect. There’s someone I know.”

There’s an extremely important person who mustn’t miss the opportunity for national elevation.

“There’s a woman who mustn’t miss the chance for national growth.”

[…A woman?]

“Yeah, a woman.”

Click.

Yun Yuhwa cut the video call.

If this were a dating sim, it’d be a goodwill drop moment…

“Going to India to scrape three S-rank cores.”

[……Safe travels.]

Yun Yuhwa is different.