Chapter 143

〈Chapter 143〉 Part 1, Chapter 8 (2)

Monster controller. Beast Tamer. Master of the Black Flame Dragon.

The young girl with a convoluted tale about taming humanity’s enemies to protect Seoul—her true identity was none other than Phoenix of Blazing Flames, the real leader of the Blue Wind Sect.

Thanks to the Round Table’s swift intervention, the nations grumbled but didn’t abandon their attempts to recruit this special ability user. Money, fame, power, and even men were on the table as countries worldwide tried every trick in the book to connect with Phoenix—but entering Korea itself proved no easy feat.

“Thieves trying to steal our national treasure! Go back to your own countries!”

“Hey! What are these blonde-headed sheep doing here?! Get out!”

Kimhae Airport.

Now the sole gateway connecting the Korean Peninsula to the outside world, the international airport buzzed with foreigners arriving on the peninsula. Outside the terminal, angry mobs blocked their entry with sheer force.

“Ughhh!!”

“UUUUUUGH!!!”

Since the Pyongyang Incident years ago, far more people left Korea than entered, and most who left never returned. But now, they began trickling back into Kimhae Airport, one by one, testing the waters.

“…What a mess.”

A white-haired woman with a deep-brimmed hat surveyed the scene. Though she thought the citizens’ anger excessive, she understood where it came from.

“Honestly. After all the chaos caused during that ‘airport escape,’ I’d be mad too if I were them.”

Among the mob, one particular group caught her eye—a cluster of ability users standing upfront.

“Come on, isn’t this going too far? We’re all Koreans here!”

The man leading the group smiled amiably. His hair appeared hastily dyed black, though roots of gold peeked through at his crown.

“It’s really unfair how you treat us expatriates who worked so hard abroad for money.”

A female hero dressed in hanbok gazed wistfully over the crowd, her eyes misty yet tinged with faint irritation and killing intent.

“How can someone born in Korea not even enter their homeland? And we haven’t been banned from entry either!”

She unleashed a sliver of her mana, subtly intimidating the non-ability users crowding around. Faced with what felt like staring down a monster, the ordinary citizens recoiled in fear.

“Tch… These guys…”

Thus, the woman had personally come to greet them—not for them specifically, but rather to bid farewell to someone else. While waiting anyway, she decided to settle this matter once and for all.

“Everyone, please step aside. We have business with the Hero Association—”

“These fine folks must’ve lived overseas long enough to look so polished. Wow, your mana even smells like cheese. Incredible.”

Her voice rang throughout the entire airport, deceptively sweet but laced with chilling mana that sent shivers down everyone’s spines.

“…Ah.”

The ability users immediately recognized its owner. The S-Rank ability user they fled from like refugees now stood casually leaning against the railing of the second-floor lounge, waving with an amused grin. She’d reached transcendent heights beyond their comprehension—the Celestial Rank.

“Hello there, ‘foreigners.’ Or should I say… shall we speak English?”

With a graceful leap, she descended from the balcony, gliding smoothly before landing lightly between the heroes and the crowd.

“Welcome to Korea? What brings you back with so much luggage after renouncing your citizenship?”

The world’s first SS-Rank hero, Seok Harang, also known as Snowflake Princess and the thirteenth member of the Round Table, welcomed the returning exiles with open arms.

* * *

[Yes. All assets left behind by those individuals have been seized. Legally nationalized when they signed away their citizenship. If they hadn’t returned within three years, all remaining property automatically reverted to state ownership. This is the official response from the Prime Minister’s office.]

“Understood. Still, let’s show some generosity to avoid unnecessary complaints. Foreigners are still valued customers of You Sung Corporation.”

Seated in her office, the blonde woman tapped away on a virtual keyboard while scanning dozens of monitors. Beneath her headset, golden eyes sparkled with seven stars arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper.

“All hotels in Busan, prepare for renovations. Our foreign guests will likely have high expectations after dining on exotic cuisine.”

[Understood, President.]

The man onscreen acknowledged her orders and departed. Removing her headset, the president, Puppeteer Yun Yuhwa, leaned back in her chair.

“I’d need eight bodies just to keep up, seriously.”

Even with computational aids powered by dozens of cores, life remained hectic. Controlling seven key figures in finance and politics via her abilities wasn’t enough; she barely had time to breathe.

Though always busy, things worsened since the You family perished under monstrous assault, leaving only her. Now busier than ever…

“Should I just become a superhuman already?”

Muttering words that would send chills down anyone’s spine, Yun Yuhwa considered abandoning her humanity altogether—not out of malice, but simply because she wanted to handle her mountainous workload without rest.

“Or maybe I could fuse with some spirit or something… like that Phoenix specialty SSS-Rank thing. At that level, I wouldn’t eat, sleep, or use the restroom—I could drink coffee and work 24/7!”

Why did spirits of fire and water exist but not one of money? Lost in foolish daydreams, Yun Yuhwa clutched her throbbing head.

“…I should finish my tasks and rest eventually.”

Despite knowing this, seeing the source of her exhaustion brought a pang of sadness. But for love, she could overlook temporary fatigue.

Money.

And the precious business partner who earned infinite wealth for her.

“Welcome to New Seoul, dear customer. I’ll be waiting.”

Yun Yuhwa raised her teacup toward a blue-haired girl preparing to leave Seoul.

—

Seoul and New Seoul.

Though differing by just a single word—”New”—these cities contrasted starkly in infrastructure and population. Many factors contributed to their divergence, but chief among them was the presence—or absence—of S-Rank heroes protecting against rampaging monsters.

Heo Yoon-hwan, Light Blade. Unofficially the world’s first SS-Rank ability user.

“If Light Blade had stayed behind to guard Seoul instead of heading to Pyongyang during the Pyongyang Incident, perhaps Seoul wouldn’t have fallen,” reflected Yu Yinghuo, Director of the Hero Association.

Indeed.

Gone.

Light Blade became a tragic hero, his death indirectly tied to the Blue Wind Sect—a refugee organization based in Seoul. Despite appearances, New Seoul couldn’t ignore old Seoul entirely.

“Could anyone besides Light Blade stop an S-Rank monster like the Black Flame Dragon? It could reach New Seoul from the Han River in ten minutes!”

Though Ma Hwakwon, now S-Rank, existed, his uncle—and former president—Sun Icheol’s corruption scandals tarnished his reputation. Even though he helped expose Sun’s crimes, Ma suffered a fatal weakness: “Whenever he enters Seoul, he coughs up blood and collapses due to the curse of the Fire Demon Dragon.”

“So, how about inviting Princess Snowflake herself to New Seoul?”

“Not happening. Be grateful she hasn’t left the Korean Peninsula entirely, Human.”

Seok Harang stayed confined to the Busan area.

Ultimately, New Seoul extended an olive branch to Seoul.

Their cornerstone involved formally registering the Beast Tamer—an enigmatic figure controlling numerous Blue Flame Monsters in Seoul—as an official hero within the Hero Association.

Atop Gwanaksan Mountain, which now marked the boundary between Seoul and New Seoul…

“…Hmph.”

Director Yu Yinghuo kicked irritably at the dirt beneath his feet, growing increasingly impatient as the appointed guest failed to arrive.

“Citizens of Korea, we are live from the summit of Gwanaksan Mountain, awaiting the arrival of EX-Rank ability user and S-Rank monster master, ‘Blue Flame’ Young Lady…”

“What nonsense is this with new rankings? Seriously?”

The director whispered bitterly to Ma Hwakwon beside him, jabbing him gently in the ribs.

“Why complicate things with ‘EX’? Just stick with S-Rank, right? Those old geezers at the association sure love making things complicated.”

“Perhaps they prioritize combat power… Though the individual themselves might lack fighting prowess.”

Ma Hwakwon, known as Fire Fist, brushed dust off his white suit with flames. Once clad in mourning attire to fight alongside his corrupt uncle, his request for traditional Korean garb was denied, forcing him into formal wear instead.

“Some people get all the luck, huh? Devoted boyfriend chasing justice and all that drama…”

“…”

Ignoring Yinghuo’s sarcastic remarks about lost loves turning out to be double agents, Ma turned away. Since discovering the truth about Light Blade’s death and Assistant Kang Soyeon’s hidden past, he drowned himself in alcohol, living recklessly.

“You’re fine, Director. Someday, you’ll find a woman worth loving.”

“…Are you saying you’ve got plenty yourself? Face value, huh? And wow, your looks exploded after reaching S-Rank?”

“…”

Too embarrassed to respond, Ma faced away entirely. Though transformed dramatically since then, he maintained professionalism during working hours, improving his skills further.

Wooowr.

From beyond the peak came the eerie howl of wolves. Civilians swallowed nervously while the assembled ability users prepared themselves, raising their powers.

Thud, thud.

Massive wolves emerged along the ridge, each wreathed in ethereal blue flames, resembling ghostly apparitions.

“…What kind of monster is that?”

The reporter forgot his broadcast, muttering alone in shock. As New Seoul residents panicked over these unfamiliar creatures, riders dismounted gracefully onto the dusty path.

“Long time no see. Feels like ages despite being just days apart.”

Ryu Cheonseong, former four-term congressman and current interim mayor of Seoul, greeted them warmly.

“Relax, put down your weapons. We aren’t here to fight.”

James Lee, architect extraordinaire who saved 60,000 lives by constructing massive underground bunkers in Dongjak using his reconstruction ability, chimed in calmly.

“…Pleased to meet you.”

Finally, a shy girl with blue hair bowed deeply.

Cheongnyeon (Blue Flame).

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Beast Tamer.”

“…Likewise.”

Cheongnyeon blushed slightly, taking the proffered hand of the director. Both Ryu Cheonseong and James Lee struggled to suppress laughter, while others from New Seoul stared entranced by her delicate beauty.

“Uh…”

Even Ma Hwakwon found himself momentarily captivated as she greeted them with a gentle smile.

“Thank you for coming such a long way. I am Cheongnyeon, the Beast Tamer and master of the S-Rank monster Black Flame Dragon.”

Of course, she was truly Phoenix of Blazing Flames.

“Do I smell beer rising? How about you, Sky Castle?”

“…Swallowed it.”

The two aides grimaced visibly at their leader’s overly cute act. Out of sight, Phoenix discreetly flipped them off before resuming her role, feigning nervousness.

“So… What do you want me to do next?”

The director launched into a list of missions typically reserved for elite S-Rank heroes. His commanding voice echoed across Gwanaksan’s peak, carried by enhanced mana to audiences nationwide via microphones.

“First, register as an ability user with the Hero Association. Second, dominate monsters not only in Seoul but also in New Seoul, Busan, and other regions, transforming the entire peninsula into a safe zone free from monster threats.”

Closing his eyes briefly, the director added the third task.

“…Travel to China and subdue their S-Rank monsters.”

“Understood.”

Phoenix accepted the mission readily. While the first two made sense, why go to China?

‘It’s because of me…’

After Blue Wind Sect and Black Flame Dragon wreaked havoc, incapacitating heroes stationed in Yeodong, they hoped Cheongnyeon could pacify Chinese monsters before their recovery.

This formed part of the deal struck between Sir Gawein, head of the Round Table, and Mo Taegyeong, actual ruler of China’s Central Monster Management Bureau.

So, Cheongnyeon—or Phoenix—chose China as her next destination. Perhaps, along the way, she’d awaken a fellow spirit sleeping somewhere in that vast land.

Legal core extraction disguised as aid.

Awakening a dormant spirit.

And retrieving a Cube hidden somewhere in China.

These were the tasks awaiting Phoenix in the Middle Kingdom.

“So busy…”

“What did you say…?”

“Nothing at all.”

Phoenix flashed an endearing smile before boarding the limousine prepared by New Seoul officials.