Chapter 1008

EP.1008 Part 2 (?) Chapter 10-21

The year 202’1′, somewhere on Earth.

“Ah, hello everyone! Nice to meet you all. I’m Ee Giwoo, the man traveling through the ‘post-Salvation world.’ Yuha.”

The young man Giwoo waved at the camera attached to his magical gear.

“Still traversing the globe with full energy. Last time I was in Russia! Oh man, penetrating those high-ranking noble estates was no easy feat. But I did manage to capture some shots of the castle over the lake, right? Check out my early morning video for more details!”

Beyond the camera, countless viewers awaited his broadcast, as Giwoo pointed to where he’d be showing them today with a somewhat serious expression.

“Today’s destination is Hefei City, located smack dab in the middle of China. Why China, you ask? Well, this place happens to be one of the ‘key battlegrounds.'”

Giwoo turned the camera toward the riverbank.

“One of Phoenix’s life-or-death battles took place around here, folks.”

Indeed, the vast plains and lake that stretched like an ocean presented a magnificent natural scene rarely seen in Korea.

“Not the Yangtze River – though it’s slightly north of it. If you’re into Romance of the Three Kingdoms, you’ll recognize this place instantly. Hefei, yes? The very spot Zhang Liao defended back in the day? That’s where I am now.”

Giwoo glanced around cautiously.

“Looks like there’s nobody nearby to nab me just yet, so I can show you a bit more. Last time, when someone guessed my location from the types of trees in the forest, I thought my transmission was being intercepted live! Really, let’s cut down on the jokes. Don’t want to end up in some ‘mysterious human exhibition’… Ah, just kidding.”

Though the magical gear’s signal was being directly relayed to Korea via satellite, getting caught by local authorities would certainly cause trouble.

“Just to clarify: I have absolutely no intention of committing suicide. Why would I, when peace has been restored to humanity and I’ve awakened to special powers? Still, this is a restricted area, so I’ll exercise caution.”

After all, this region was one of the most strictly controlled areas within China.

“Do any of you remember all the places I’ve visited so far?”

-Daejeon!

-Busan!

-Pyongyang!

-London!

-India!

And so on.

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve been concentrating on visiting the places Phoenix went to. Like the Taj Mahal – already a famous tourist spot, but it became even more popular after the ‘Great Garura War.’ Side note: don’t buy those old DVDs near the Taj Mahal. Big trouble ahead.”

Since the Salvation, Giwoo had traveled the world, filming locations people were curious about and sharing them with the public.

“The collapsed moon? I’d love to go there too, but since it’s managed by the Blue Wind Sect, I’ll wait until it opens to the public.”

Most travel vloggers either focus on specific countries or simply showcase their own journeys.

“Pyongyang might be worth a visit once they clean up the radiation. Heard those radiation-resistant Xroids are working on a massive redevelopment project there.”

But Giwoo’s broadcasts had a unique theme.

“Phoenix Sir… I miss you…”

Searching for traces of Phoenix.

“Thanks to you, I was able to protect my real estate investments. And of course, world peace too. Pi-man!”

The dark hero who saved humanity and then vanished, Blazing Phoenix. Traveling to the places she’d been, documenting her legacy through videos – that was Giwoo’s current occupation.

“Now, let’s get started on today’s topic. Want me to talk more? Gotta earn a living, you know.”

Surprisingly lucrative, actually.

“After filming this introduction, I need to catch the next flight. This place is ultra-top-secret, after all.”

While global travel does cost a fortune, the immense views and ad revenue kept Giwoo planning to continue until his content ran dry.

To buy land in Seoul and Pyongyang.

“I’m sure you all remember this sound.”

Good morning, papapapa pa-pa-pa-pa!

Giwoo played it briefly before cutting it off.

Many viewers recoiled in horror, while others testified they’d actually heard it during the broadcast.

“The Good Morning Terror. Was it every seven minutes? We’ll fact-check that later. People were driven mad by alarms going off at regular intervals using magic power. Considering how much magic power was spread across all of China, you can imagine how powerful Phoenix truly was.”

– God!

– Phoenix!

Everyone had witnessed the extent of Phoenix’s magical prowess firsthand.

“Perhaps this was when she subtly demonstrated the strength that destroyed Pluto and the moon, holding back while gradually revealing her true power in battle. Though what she was so worried about, I’m not entirely sure.”

He had a rough idea, though.

”

Giwoo’s broadcasts, focused on Phoenix’s exploits, contained extensive research – speculative but closer to the truth than most.

“If she revealed too much power, she might have been detected by the monsters on Pluto or something. Don’t jump to conclusions. We’re alive today because of her actions, so clearly there was something we didn’t understand.”

-Shouldn’t we know by now?

-Nah, just sell your data. I’ll pay 2 billion.

“Not for sale.”

Among ordinary people, Giwoo might be the closest to uncovering the truth.

News agencies and media outlets often included clips or commentary from Giwoo’s videos when producing analyses or documentaries about Phoenix’s actions.

“Anyway, during the Good Morning Terror, Phoenix fought battles all over Baiqinghua. She really was everywhere at once. Flying east and west, dodging bans like a pro. Some of these jokes are getting stale.”

He baited the chat and immediately banned someone, sending shivers down his spine.

Certainly, someone angry yet unable to resist watching would find a way around the ban to tune in.

Despite being just a casual chat stream from an average East Asian youth, it consistently ranked within the global top 10.

Live viewership: approximately 500,000.

Rather than conversing with Giwoo, most chatters analyzed events from the Good Morning Terror or dissected the questions he raised.

But things were different now.

“Guys, I lied about something.”

A cascade of hooks appeared in the chat.

Giwoo approached the cliff edge and pointed downward.

“This isn’t Hefei Castle. I made that up in case anyone tries following me.”

Surely, if there were pursuers, they’d be searching around the Hefei Castle area mentioned earlier.

“Just look below.”

Giwoo aimed the camera downward.

There.

??????

“You’ve never seen anything like this, have you?”

An indescribable new sight unfolded before them.

As if mythological beasts had rampaged through the area, leaving deep scars across the river and landscape, unlike any battle site involving Earth Dragons or Black Sand Beasts.

“Not where those battles happened. This is a completely different location. Where exactly? Hmm…this is just my guess.”

Read: speculation.

“Perhaps this was the result of convincing a Dark Legion officer hidden in China?”

Giwoo’s mouth watered.

“I seem to recall Seok Harang drawing attention elsewhere during this time. And meanwhile…”

Suddenly.

Crackle, crackle.

The magical gear went dead.

Giwoo clenched his fists in frustration at the sudden communication failure and threw himself sideways.

BOOM!!

Something fell toward him.

Had he been any slower, the massive boulder would have crushed him.

“T-this…”

“Dangerous places you frequent.”

Thud, thud.

Someone approached Giwoo.

Her long gray hair flowing, the woman suddenly appeared out of thin air.

“How did you know about this place?”

“Huh?”

“There’s nothing special here.”

“So…?”

Giwoo swallowed hard at the slender beauty and gestured to his magical gear.

“Because there seemed to be nothing here, I assumed a battle must have taken place nearby. Perhaps… Phoenix Sir?”

“Hmm.”

The woman nodded gravely.

“Not an incorrect assumption. She always fought to keep humans out of harm’s way.”

“Um, might I ask…”

“If you promise not to speak of what happens here today, I shall explain.”

“…Long live the sun.”

Snap.

Giwoo raised his arms at a 45-degree angle, and the woman mirrored his gesture.

“Who are you?”

“Xiao Lin.”

“…”

“A Qinghua Sect special abilities user, Xiao Lin.”

“…”

Encountering someone far more significant than expected.

“Savior of the world number…”

“No. Not anymore. My other half crossed over there.”

She pointed to the lake.

“If other worlds exist, would you believe?”

“Other worlds… Could it be the dimension from which monsters emerge…?”

“Close enough. But what I wish to tell you is this.”

Crackle.

Xiao Lin produced a massive staff topped with a sharp crescent blade.

“The world hasn’t achieved complete peace yet. So please keep this a secret.”

“…”

Giwoo spotted an unusual creature emerging from the lakeshore.

A black form.

A creature filled only with darkness, resembling a jellyfish, slowly crawling out of the lake to survey its surroundings.

“What is…that?”

“That’s…’Floating Horror.’ For every one of us who crosses over, an equivalent entity comes through, according to ‘Professor.'”

“…”

“Simple logic.”

Xiao Lin sighed and aimed her crescent blade at the black monstrosity.

“My other half crossed over, so now I have to deal with this one that came through as a reaction.”

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Don’t worry about me.”

Neigh!

A steel horse with fiery red mane emerged.

“Mecha Akatombo, making a dazzling return thanks to Professor’s power!!”

Flutter.

Xiao Lin wrapped herself in a blue cloak.

“For the love of my partner.”

Screeeeech!!