Chapter 168

〈 Chapter 168 〉 Part 1, Chapter 9, Section 2

“My name is Xiao Lin.”

Xiao Lin.

The woman with an ordinary name had a background and abilities that were anything but ordinary.

“I’m twenty-two.”

The public was shocked to learn that Yunjang, an S-Rank Hero, was a young man who had barely passed adolescence,

“Awakened as a special ability user at the age of thirteen and started activities as a hero alongside Jeokto.”

And they were astonished that she hunted monsters wearing a red mask at an age younger than adulthood,

“Currently, I am a hero associated with the Round Table.”

And the public was utterly flabbergasted to learn that this woman was one of the twelve heroes of the Round Table, known as the strongest humans.

“Any questions?”

Xiao Lin calmly asked the crowd, and one reporter quickly regained their composure and raised their hand.

“Is… Is it really you, Yunjang?”

Though they didn’t reveal their affiliation or even pronounce their words clearly, people understood the reporter’s panic. It was impressive that they managed to ask such a question on the spot.

“Yes. It’s me, Yunjang. Since the Association is officially announcing this, the Round Table profiles have likely been updated from this point.”

People hurriedly checked the official site of the Round Table. Among the profiles of the twelve, now thirteen, heroes of the Round Table, there was a dignified-looking woman with gray eyes standing proudly.

Xiao Lin.

Born in 1998. 22 years old.

“When…?”

“Not long ago.”

Fifteen minutes earlier. Xiao Lin kept this thought to herself. And the first reporter who had shouted that Xiao Lin was fake became speechless upon seeing the profile content.

“S… two S-Ranks?”

“Yes.”

Xiao Lin cleared her throat to draw attention. Her voice, imbued with magic power, drew the reporters’ eyes to her lips. They instinctively knew that a massive scoop was about to break.

“I apologize for disappearing for a while.”

Xiao Lin smiled faintly and greeted the citizens of the world once again.

“After completing my seclusion training, I’ve returned as SS-Rank.”

Xiao Lin lied to the entire world.

* * *

<7:47 PM, Special Ward Roof, Beijing Hero Association>

“Alright then, please take care.”

[Don’t worry about this side. The troublesome matters will be handled by Oracle. And also…]

“Seok Harang will be sent back to Korea soon, so don’t worry so much. It’s all part of a setup anyway, why are you so anxious?”

[I know better than anyone what an out-of-control officer looks like.]

“That’s true.”

I recalled Anastasha-Lusalka’s final moments. She gave birth to Seok Harang, transferring the spirit ‘Seoyea’, and the monster ‘Lusalka’ went berserk, nearly turning Busan into ruins. Luckily, it was subdued just before going rampant by her husband, Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan, preventing a tragedy.

“But don’t worry. Even if the officer goes berserk, it can be handled within the SS-Rank level.”

[There are three children left. And we only have three SS-Ranks now. Is that alright?]

“Yes. If we use attribute counters, two of them can be easily caught.”

Penril of Gale.

Ji Ryun’s Hydra.

I’ll take care of the wind-attribute Penril, and Seok Harang will handle the durability-based Hydra. With Illusory Dragon and Xiao Lin supporting us, there shouldn’t be any major issues.

“The one we need to watch out for right now is Mo Taegyeong. Though we’ve cut off his limbs, he hasn’t fallen completely yet.”

[China is a place where the influence of the Hero Association or the Round Table is weak. Remember that limiting Dong Chang’s movements was already a big achievement.]

Based on my knowledge of the original work, Lusalka judged China’s situation as Undine, one of the members of the Round Table.

But neither I nor Lusalka, nor anyone else, could have anticipated this unexpected variable.

“I didn’t expect the Son of Heaven to awaken as a special ability user.”

[Ju Cheok?]

“It’s Son of Heaven (天子).”

[…You’re confusing people.]

No matter how you think about it, it was a calculated naming. Nonetheless, coincidentally, the Son of Heaven simultaneously awakened with A-Rank levels in both Fire Attribute and Illusion Magic. This special ability user didn’t appear in the original work, so I felt an unsettling sensation.

“…This follows Lee Seung-hyung.”

[Lee Seung-hyung? Hwakwon?]

“Yes. Ah, no. Don’t worry about it. I’m just surprised to find another A-Rank Fire Attribute user.”

A hypothesis popped into my mind, but for now, I decided to ignore it. Eventually, when we find another sample, it might evolve into a plausible theory, but there’s no reason for me to dig my own grave.

“For now, Seok Harang will stay in China today. The rescue of captured Cheongnyeon, Xiao Lin’s return and ascension to SS-Rank, gratitude towards Seok Harang for defeating the monster. All of these will be lumped together into a modest thank-you event.”

[Modest?]

“Yes. Modest. Since the incident happened today and the main culprit hasn’t been completely eliminated yet.”

From our perspective, the mastermind behind everything is Mo Taegyeong, but the public believes the terrorist group “Illusory Threat” is behind it.

“We tried using former Dong Chang members from the Illusory Dragon Sect, but they responded by cutting off Dong Chang entirely.”

[It’s like a lizard shedding its tail. Though they seem to have cut off the body along with the tail.]

“Yes. They’ll probably set up a few examples soon. In this case, someone will be scapegoated as the criminal! An individual’s misconduct! We thoroughly investigated Dong Chang, found no problems, and the organization has no sins! Most likely, the person everyone dislikes will end up on the executioner’s block.”

[Shouldn’t we stop that?]

“Puhahaha.”

I laughed at Anastasha’s almost human-like concept. Was it because she only carried the name Lusalka, or because she’d been influenced by people’s sense of justice while working as a hero, or perhaps because she softened after reuniting with her husband? Whatever the reason, Anastasha seemed quite reluctant to let the sacrificial lamb of Dong Chang die.

“No, I’m letting them die.”

[…You.]

“There’s really a guy who terrorized the airplane. One of Dong Chang’s members tried to kidnap me. His head will probably roll!”

The dead cannot speak.

The high-probability candidate for the chopping block was the nasty guy who tried to take me hostage disguised as a flight attendant at Gimhae Airport. They’ll surely claim it was a personal deviation caused by radical patriotism.

“Are you not curious how far Mo Taegyeong has read the situation?”

[A gamble. Isn’t it dangerous?]

“This is a chance to accurately gauge the opponent’s abilities. Xiao Lin, whom I killed, came back to life? What is this? Did my solitude go out of control? Or did someone resurrect her through some method like in the Qinghua Sect? His head must be hurting like crazy. No matter how brilliant he thinks he is, his advisor betrayed him.”

[Anyway, you’re really unpleasant. So are you moving too?]

Anastasha shook her head at my plan.

“It’s not something I planned alone, and I’m not the one moving, right? Can’t exploit lazy people forever.”

[…You’ve got it all wrong. Aren’t you sorry for him?]

“Now it’s his land; he needs to work hard.”

I scanned the vast expanse beyond the roof railing.

“I’m extremely busy, so can Asia handle itself independently?”

For that, I revived Shi Huangdi, and saved all his subordinates. China will become the base region for the Qinghua Sect’s subordinate organization, the Illusory Dragon Sect. Illusory Dragon will dominate the underworld across Asia, suppressing monsters and building strength.

“Don’t worry too much. I’m not a cruel employer.”

Just five and a half years of exploitation.

I hastily ended the call as I sensed someone climbing onto the roof.

“Alright then, Anastasha.”

[Yeah.]

“Give my regards to your dog Light Blade under you.”

[…When did you notice?]

“From the start.”

Click. Anastasha quickly hung up. I was somewhat surprised that it wasn’t just idle chatter, but I needed to focus on talking to the person who climbed up.

“Are you here?”

“Yeah. Time to get ready?”

Gaeul arrived with makeup supplies, smiling widely. After confirming we were alone on the roof, I sighed.

“Why are you so enthusiastic?”

“Isn’t it nice to finally have a chance to look pretty?”

“Hmph. Even if I do my makeup, who’s gonna see it?”

“Me?”

“……Alright. Fine. Do as you wish.”

I followed the excited Gaeul down to the ward. The modest celebration mentioned to Anastasha would begin with Cheongnyeon regaining consciousness and officially announcing his survival to the public.

While I was on the phone enjoying the breeze, the people inside the ward were chatting lively. Seok Harang had already returned to the Association, leaving Jo Deokbae and the Black Scorpion monster sitting quietly browsing the internet.

“Done with your call? It’s almost eight.”

Deokbae glanced at his watch. Although time was tight, we decided to speed things up by borrowing Gaeul’s help. Gaeul brushed her silvery hair aside and smirked at Deokbae.

“What do you take me for? I’m a woman who does her own makeup.”

“Good for you. Still, with a face like yours, makeup must help cover it up, huh? Cough!”

One tentacle shot out like lightning and jabbed Deokbae’s chest. Although Deokbae had evolved to B-Rank and improved his defense, Gaeul’s attack power doubled after reaching S-Rank.

“Hmph. You’re still not good enough. Just sit there.”

“Y-Y-Y- Durability! Durability!”

Deokbae clutched his chest, seeking the durability spirit. Since the whereabouts of the durability spirit were unknown, it would take Deokbae quite some time to grab even the tip of Gaeul’s tentacles.

“Hmm. Shall we start then?”

Gaeul opened the makeup box wide. Various types of cosmetics I couldn’t identify were neatly arranged inside.

“…Hold on.”

I stopped Gaeul, who was humming a tune.

“What’s wrong?”

“Are you really planning to use that?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Gaeul summoned nine tentacles, each holding different cosmetics – mascara, eyeshadow, and even unidentifiable creams. She was very serious about this.

“If you let me, I can do it with my hands-”

“It’s fine. Tentacles are faster.”

“…….”

The scheduled press conference was at 8:05. I closed my eyes tightly and entrusted my face to Gaeul’s tentacles.

Whishh. Whishh.

The blackness before my eyes was disturbing as something moved rapidly. I brainwashed myself into believing those were Gaeul’s hands and waited for the makeup to finish.

* * *

Press Conference Room.

Xiao Lin confirmed the appointed time and sprinkled magic power to calm the reporters.

“Could you wait just a moment?”

Pretending to adjust her watch, she exchanged signals with an association staff member. The sunglasses-wearing young man nodded. Behind his sunglasses, his eyes were similarly dyed gray like Xiao Lin’s.

“I see. …I heard that Cheongnyeon has awakened.”

“Is that true?!”

“Who’s the mastermind?!”

“Is it Illusory Threat, or truly Dong Chang?!”

The reporters began getting excited. Seeing a golden opportunity to bite into a national-level power figure, they went wild, and Xiao Lin merely deflected their questions with an awkward smile.

“I don’t know that either. I simply received ‘anonymous information’ and rescued Cheongnyeon, who was imprisoned in the mansion. The identity of the mastermind is still unclear, but if you’re watching this broadcast, I humbly request you.”

Xiao Lin adjusted her voice.

“A Beast Tamer is not someone who can be forcibly owned by anyone. He is not a remote control for monsters, nor a pet bird to be caged against his will. Please keep this in mind. If any nation, group, or organization desires his support, formally request assistance through the Association.”

Though the Association would suffer, it wasn’t Xiao Lin’s concern. The young man pretending to be an Association staff member nodded and signaled to wrap it up, but Xiao Lin paused, closed her eyes briefly, and continued.

“However, since it’s certain that someone somewhere will undoubtedly commit similar disgraceful acts, I declare here and now.”

Xiao Lin took a deep breath and proclaimed.

“I will guard him for life. Even if it means stepping down from the Round Table.”

This was a declaration of war to the world.

“Seriously? That chick was also a wife?”

“…No comment. By the way, Gaeul, your makeup seems smudged.”

“Refusing to answer? How many wives is she now?”

“Hey, just throw a slap. Then it’ll bruise nicely, huh? Gack!!”

Deokbae died.