Chapter 125

〈 Episode 125 〉Part 1, Chapter 7 (5)

<8:00 PM, Seok Harang's Residence in Busan.>

“Damn birds keep breaking my windows.”

Seok Harang scratched his belly as he summoned magic power. The moisture in the air gathered to fill the gap where the broken window once was. Harang tapped the ice with his finger.

‘Stronger than reinforced glass, it seems.’

Harang felt a swell of pride at how his abilities have improved since reaching SS Rank—even in these small ways. Especially how he could now survive summers without an air conditioner.

‘Remember those beatings I used to take back at the orphanage? Every summer when I’d get sick?’

His perpetually broken fan had always been Harang’s lot. Because of that, he often got into fights with the other orphans and suffered quiet bullying.

‘All old news now though.’

When you’re in the thick of it, you don’t realize it’ll become fond memories later. Harang flopped backward onto the bean bag. Staring blankly at the ceiling, he fidgeted with his stomach.

“It’s lonely being alone.”

The constant chatter of his bird companion sure is missed. Harang reached for the bluebird hairpin on his head but pulled his hand back.

“…Such liars.”

They’re all nothing but con artists—people who toy with others’ feelings. Harang created a shard of ice on his palm, then flicked it away.

‘Hmph… guess I’m the idiot for letting myself be swayed.’

Since attaining SS rank, things have started to make sense. All the puzzle pieces are falling into place, revealing the truth—and strangely, it feels like a relief.

After Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan’s death, the latent elemental energy inside Harang began to awaken. Just as Phoenix had said, Harang’s tendency to fall in love easily was merely a transitional phase while the elemental force settled within him. Once his mind and spirit merged completely, Harang no longer felt confused.

“…Or maybe not?”

Harang popped the tab on a can of coffee he’d retrieved from the fridge. Using a touch of magic, he made it colder than before—it was almost freezing.

“How much harder must it have been for them?”

It made him feel sympathetic. Maybe someone more experienced should’ve stepped in to guide them properly. If so, Phoenix would’ve willingly sacrificed herself—

“…And here I go, getting swayed again, gaslighting bastard.”

If she’d just acted outright mean or mocked him, it wouldn’t hurt this much. But no, Phoenix kept caring for him and offering comfort. Ironically, it was Phoenix herself causing all this confusion.

“But I don’t hate it.”

Seeing her fret over whether her harsh words caused harm made him want to tease her even more. Harang steadied himself and summoned the screen.

“…Washed up, feeling fine.”

Interview time was almost here. With resolve as solid as Arctic glaciers, he prepared to deliver a cold rejection. Still, being nervous was only natural.

“Gulp.”

Harang pressed the circular button on the screen. It split left and right, expanding into twelve screens. The original spot remained empty.

Most faces were unfamiliar, seen only through screens. Among them was a feminine yet familiar face. About 10km away at a hotel, Gale Guest sat with an indifferent expression, unaware of Harang’s gaze.

[Greetings, Miss Snow Princess Seok Harang.]

The blond man at the center of the screen raised a corner of his mouth in greeting. Harang nodded in return.

“It’s nice to see you again, Sir Gawein. Feels like it’s been years.”

[…Straight to the sore points, huh?]

[Not really. We need to acknowledge the truth. Back then, we were weak, weren’t we?]

Gale Guest chimed in. For a moment, Harang felt a lump in his throat but decided to agree. Back then, they were young and inexperienced.

“Yes. Back then, I was a foolish S-rank hero. So, what verdict has the Association come to?”

But whether then or now, Harang was brimming with confidence. The difference was that last time, there was no basis for rejection, whereas now, evidence overflowed. Gawein nodded approvingly.

[Congratulations. The Association has officially declared you the world’s first SS-rank.]

Harang clenched his fists tightly while maintaining a poker face. Meanwhile, Gale Guest added sarcastically,

[Of course, as the world’s first SS-rank ‘hero,’ mind you.]

[……Gale Guest, if you’re going to sabotage this, shut your mouth.]

The turbaned man shot down Gale Guest. Saladin, a hero known by that alias, covered his entire face with his turban. Harang smirked knowingly.

“Judging by that ‘hero’ addition, looks like that phoenix got announced too?”

[That’s right. <Blue Phoenix>. That’s the name of the SS-rank villain who’ll be announced alongside you.]

Harang wanted to point out the inconsistency—”I insist on full names,” he thought—but saw no reason to help further.

“Wow. Planning to announce three SS-ranks in Korea simultaneously?”

[…We don’t have definitive proof that the swordsman is Light Blade yet. And there’s no confirmation if those individuals are truly Korean.]

[Maybe they just find it easier to commit crimes in Korea. Right, neighbors?]

Saladin’s comment earned nods from two East Asian figures with dark hair—one male, one female. Gale Guest shrugged, and Yunjang smiled bitterly.

[Not my place to say, but he’s strong. Even if unseen, he might currently be the strongest.]

[Light Blade died at his hands, after all.]

Undine, who had remained silent with lips firmly closed, finally spoke. Harang tilted his head at her tearful expression. Oracle quickly interjected.

[Ah, everyone knows me and her are heading to Korea together. She’s drunk, so cut her some slack. She doesn’t see anything clearly right now.]

[Huh?]

“…”

That tone sounds oddly familiar. As Harang blinked, he asked Gawein,

“So, are those two coming to Busan?”

[No. Only Oracle is. Undine’s visiting for a different matter.]

“…Then who’s the other person?”

He heard two people would visit Korea for full-power tests. Gawein swept the room with a playful smile.

[Mr. Seok Harang may not know because you failed the first interview, but there’s a second one. Passing the first is usually enough to qualify, though. Hmm…]

Gawein cleared his throat awkwardly, catching the Round Table members’ attention.

[Now then, let’s proceed with a majority vote on Snow Princess Seok Harang’s recruitment into the Round Table. Please indicate your approval or disapproval within three counts. Abstention counts as disapproval. Three, two, one.]

Approval indicators appeared on the Round Table screens. Ten approvals, one disapproval, one abstention.

[…Invalid! Not deliberately invalidating like before, honest. Drunk, so late to press. Let’s redo.]

[Ah…? Wasn’t this about opposing Snow Princess’s recruitment? Personally, I support her inclusion…]

Undine reversed her decision, leaving Yunjang scratching his cheek awkwardly. Gawein gave an embarrassed smile.

[Occasionally, non-unanimous decisions are part of Round Table tradition. Regardless, it’s passed by majority rule: ten to two.]

“Is it usually this easy?”

[No. Up until today, we’ve discussed endlessly among ourselves. This is actually quite fast. Yunjang’s case took nearly a week because votes were split fifty-fifty.]

[Family issues complicate matters. Cases like mine or Undine’s aside, many Round Table heroes have relatives in powerful positions in their countries. Especially Yunjang, due to his father.]

“Father?”

Yunjang nodded.

[My biological father is Mo Taegyeong, Director of China’s Monster Management Bureau. A one-night stand with my mother produced me.]

The sudden family revelation shocked the other Round Table members. Though most knew already, hearing it directly from Yunjang’s calm voice was unexpected. Gawein hastily cleared his throat to redirect attention.

[For that reason, Mr. Seok Harang needs to prepare for similar situations. Likely within Korea, but expect claims of parentage from various quarters.]

[Those bastards should all be locked up.]

[…Sorry. Next time, alcohol will be banned on the private jet.]

Oracle tore his hair in frustration. Harang scratched his cheek and smiled sheepishly.

“Don’t worry about that. If anyone tries to trip me up with family issues, I’ll reveal the truth personally.”

[Truth?]

Harang nodded.

“Heo Yoon-hwan, Light Blade, is my dad.”

*POOF!* Undine sprayed her vodka across the screen.

“…Holy crap, holy crap. What a bombshell.”

Hikari, hiding in the bathroom, listened intently to Hayate’s intercepted Round Table meeting. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine this theory would turn out true.

“Should I upload this while he’s asleep?”

A clickbait title like ‘SS Seok Harang, His Father Is XXX?’ seemed perfect. After pondering briefly, Hikari changed her plan.

‘Nope. Making this too easy ruins the fun. Need to space it out over three videos.’ Step-by-step: draw attention with the first video, drop hints in the second, then present multiple candidates in the third, emphasizing one subtly.

Excitement fluttered in her chest as she navigated community forums.

“…What?”

Her heart sank. On the popular video list was a clip titled ‘The Shocking Reality Behind Sun Icheol and His Gang.’

“Sung-hyung is Sun Icheol’s nephew.”

Without thinking, Hikari clicked play. Her breath hitched.

* * *

“This firewood burns well, doesn’t it? Viral marketing really skyrocketed views.”

Ji Hwa sipped coffee while watching the screen. While shocking scenes were appropriately pixelated, the leaked original spread rapidly through the black market’s underground network.

“…”

Yu I-shin hung his head like a guilty party. Though not visible in the video, he was the culprit behind similar acts on the opposite side, unable to meet eyes with anyone. Gaeul lifted his chin with a tentacle.

“Will this bring down Sun Icheol?”

“Can’t guarantee it. He was king in New Seoul, after all. Even if he falls, it won’t be easy.”

“Hmph. You guys messed up. Paralyzing the nation, you understand?”

Soyeon, sprawled on all fours like an animal, taunted the others. Gaeul sat cross-legged on her back, arms crossed.

“The Regent? When are they arriving?”

“One hour until estimated arrival. They’re coming personally to arrest him, so betrayal must be boiling over.”

At Ji Hwa’s words, Soyeon flinched.

“Hey! That wasn’t the deal! We agreed anonymous tips with my identity concealed!?”

“True. We promised to hide your identity.”

Ji Hwa waved the camera in his hand—the very same one used during the Seoul restoration operation to film captured heroes.

“But the Hero Association, especially the Round Table, didn’t get tipped off by us. Proud heroes who defected to U-Sung exposed it.”

“W-What?! You tricked me?!”

“To trick you? Why would we tell such a pretty boy to come to Seoul? Heehee, you worked hard. Sky Castle enjoyed it thoroughly, didn’t you?”

Gaeul’s lewd grin drew a deep scowl from Ryu Cheonseong.

“Next time, don’t assign me such tasks. My dignity’s severely damaged. Tell James, James.”

“Hey. Between someone dispatched from the association and Seoul’s representative, who should James follow? Look at him glaring at you like you’re untrustworthy.”

James’ words made Ryu Cheonseong bow low and meet Soyeon’s trembling gaze.

“Thanks to you, I’ve had a filthy experience. In many ways. Hopefully, we’ll never meet again.”

Ryu Cheonseong tossed a crumpled paper from his pocket onto the floor. Gaeul caught it with a tentacle and unfolded it with her hand.

“Enjoyed it so much, huh?”

“That promise of a sparring match was yours.”

“Ah, understood. Stop looking so scary… Next time, I’ll send Dukbae.”

“Sounds good.”

Ryu Cheonseong, hat in hand, prepared to leave early to greet the regent speeding up from New Seoul. Gaeul rose and swallowed the paper with a tentacle.

“Well then, shall we escort the criminal?”

“KRAAAAH?!?!”

Soyeon writhed in agony as tentacles consumed his stomach. I-shin glared coldly at him.

“What’s with all the pain? Hundreds have suffered from your inscriptions.”

“IT HURTS! AAAAGH!”

Soyeon clutched his stomach and thrashed, but Gaeul’s tentacles pinned his limbs securely.

“We’ll wait patiently until the regent arrives, then.”

“PLEASE SAVE ME, REGENT SIR, URK?!?!”

“Shut up, seriously. Anyway, where’s Dukbae? Where’d he go?”

* * *

“Burns well, doesn’t it? Really blazing.”

“Dude, you’re the one who made it this way.”

Dukbae leaned against the railing with a cigarette dangling from his lips. Phoenix snapped her fingers, igniting the tip of the kindling slightly.

“Thanks.”

“…Never thought I’d hear ‘thank you’ from Dukbae for something like this.”

“Would you criticize someone lighting another person’s cigarette when they don’t have a lighter?”

Dukbae exhaled smoke toward the sky. The acrid tobacco smoke ascended, and Phoenix lazily watched it dissipate lying on the railing.

“Sun Icheol will disappear like this smoke, right?”

“Why? Worried? Because it’s different from what you knew?”

“Of course. Originally, he was supposed to eat lifetime profits until the day of his downfall. Many things will change moving forward.”

“You know that, but I don’t. So your talk means nothing to me.”

Phoenix turned with a mischievous grin.

“Want me to teach you? What’s going to happen next? What was originally supposed to happen?”

“No.”

Dukbae flicked the kindling. Squashing the ember with his sneaker heel, he pointed at Phoenix with his finger.

“Just figured it’d be better to watch what you do from the sidelines.”

“Amused by my struggles to save the world, huh, Dukbae?”

Phoenix’s jibe didn’t faze Dukbae.

“Isn’t it better to feel something amidst the mundane routine of a hamster wheel? Hey, so what now? I heard Gaeeul is throwing a tantrum about you going to China.”

“…Already spreading rumors? Give me a break.”

Phoenix clicked her tongue. Dukbae crushed his cigarette underfoot before leaning close and whispering.

“Hey. Take me with you. I speak decent Chinese from hanging around Incheon Chinatown.”

“What can you do?”

“你吃饭了吗??”

“Are you asking if I’ve eaten? I just stuffed myself with sweet and sour pork at lunch!”

Phoenix’s sharp gaze intensified. Dukbae shrugged and gestured to his smartwatch.

“Come on, everything translates these days. Who knows? If you get lost or lag behind, you’ll need a companion, right?”

“Rather take Gaeeul.”

Faced with Phoenix’s sarcasm, Dukbae resorted to his final tactic.

“I’ll go quietly without interrupting. I’ll listen attentively to your explanations.”

“…Seriously? Why go through all this trouble?”

Phoenix straightened up from the railing. Despite her apathetic expression, her actions and body language showed she was fully focused on Dukbae. After brief contemplation, he replied.

“Wanted to witness firsthand what kind of blunders you’ll make in China?”

“….Arrogant, but okay. Was planning to bring someone along anyway. Pfft.”

“…Wait, did I just dig my own grave? Nah.”

“Nothing lost, nothing gained! I’ll ask Euiha to make a passport for Jo Dukbae~”

Phoenix perched on the railing, looking down. Blocking out Dukbae’s incessant chatter, she eyed Qing Song and Soyeon being handed over to the regent.

Click. Without a word, the regent slapped handcuffs on Soyeon. Qing Song silently cried as she was loaded into the transport vehicle.

That night, the whole country buzzed with excitement.