Chapter 212

〈 Chapter 212 〉 Part 1, Chapter 10, Section 15

June 30, 2020, 11 PM.

At the New Seoul Central Bus Terminal, the protesters who had been causing a ruckus had dispersed, and the heroes were busy cleaning up the trash they left behind.

“Making old men work this late… tch.”

Pungbaek massaged his lower back in silent protest. Even though he was an ability user far more physically capable than most young men, the sight of the white-haired elder bending over made the onlookers feel uneasy.

“Old man, stop slacking off and get back to work. Once we’re done taking pictures, you’ll be using your powers anyway.”

“Ugh…”

Usa picked up a crushed soda can with her tweezers and dropped it into a wicker basket. The two veteran ability users unintentionally set an example by diligently picking up trash.

“That guy doesn’t even seem tired.”

“It’s because he’s young. If I were ten years younger…”

“Is it his age or because he’s S-Rank?”

Unsah passed by carrying two 100L garbage bags in each hand, responding to their conversation. Though it sounded like criticism, there was no malice in Unsah’s words.

“His fire martial arts power surpasses ours. It’s only natural that he can handle more trash efficiently.”

“Unsah, work is something you only need to do halfway. There’s no need to go all out for these mobilization tasks.”

“If he keeps working so hard with all that excess power, what does that make us?”

“I think he’s setting a good example as a hardworking hero.”

Pungbaek and Usa were left speechless. After filling another 100L bag with trash and loading it onto the garbage truck, Unsah took a new bag and continued working.

“He’s got that military discipline in his bones, huh? Tch. If I’d had an officer like that, I probably would’ve deserted.”

“Are you crazy? Where would you find an FM like him?”

“There’s one here, another there, and the biggest king of them all coming up. Hohoho!”

Pungbaek’s cane pointed at Fire Fist and Executioner passing by. They were working harder than anyone else, drenched in sweat.

“The Executioner lady is impressive too. Despite not being able to enhance her physical abilities much with magic power, she’s still going strong.”

“Ahn, they want to interview you now, old man.”

Usa subtly put down her tweezers. Pungbaek straightened his back and took off his straw hat. One of the reporters covering the heroes approached Executioner Baek Hee-a, who was wiping her sweat, with a microphone.

“Uh… Executioner ma’am, would you like to take a break before we start the interview?”

“No, it’s fine to start now.”

Executioner adjusted her beret and cleared her throat. Temppest Lady quickly stepped in to tidy up Executioner’s appearance. Pungbaek and Usa stood aside drinking their tonics while watching the scene.

“Yes, let’s begin the…”

“Yes, I fully understand the sentiments of those gathered in the square, but please leave behind a beautiful space…”

Executioner gestured toward the trash left behind by the departed protesters – protest materials, lunch boxes, food scraps, even cans of beer scattered everywhere.

“She seemed like such a proper young lady, yet she’s good at this kind of work too. Tch.”

“Don’t be fooled. It’s all image-making. Not much different from Sun Icheol’s schemes.”

“Hohoho, true, but at least he just gives orders from above. Unlike Miss Executioner who gets her hands dirty.”

“At least both are cunning foxes. With her interrogating every three seconds, how are we supposed to rest?”

“That’s true. She really is remarkable, taking care of old men’s health this late at night. Tch.”

The heroes were mobilized to clean up the trash left by the protesters. Though the heroes called out at this late hour naturally had complaints, seeing their superior personally rolling up her sleeves and cleaning the square made it impossible to openly voice dissatisfaction.

“…Yes, that will conclude our interview.”

“Thank you, reporter.”

The interview ended. As Pungbaek and Usa were tidying up the cleaning equipment to head home, they heard an unusual sound.

“Truly resourceful, aren’t you, Executioner? You’re literally ‘cleaning’ the square. Hehe.”

“It’s because we have important guests coming. Reporter, please take good pictures.”

“Would I dare not comply?”

After excusing herself from the reporter, Executioner quietly conferred with Fire Fist. Fire Fist used his magic power to create a barrier ensuring no one else could overhear their conversation.

“…Seniors, did you hear that?”

Tempest Lady pointed at Executioner and Fire Fist. The mobilized heroes began sensing an unusual atmosphere. With all the protesters gone, the square was now empty except for the heroes Executioner personally called in.

“Important visitors from Seoul…? Old man, any idea?”

“Could it be…Sky Castle?”

Pungbaek immediately waved off his own suggestion. As the heroes’ mood grew increasingly tense, Executioner gave movement orders through her watch.

“All heroes, move to the designated position.”

“……!!”

The heroes quickly moved to their assigned positions. Forming two long rows across the square, they appeared to be welcoming someone important while also protecting them from outside threats.

“What…?”

“A car is coming?”

The confusion among the heroes was matched by the confusion of the passing citizens. The murmurs grew louder, and screams erupted from inside the terminal.

“Kyaaaah?! It’s Cheongnyeon!”

“…”

The terminal gates opened, and a woman with blue hair wearing her signature priest robes appeared in New Seoul’s square. Executioner was the first to step forward and greet her.

“You’ve traveled far.”

“Not at all. Took the last bus, two hours max. Puhuhu.”

Cheongnyeon grinned mischievously as she casually strolled past the heroes. Only then did the heroes realize the real reason they were mobilized.

“Stop her!”

“Calm down! We’re trying to calm down ourselves!”

People gathered to see Cheongnyeon, and soon ordinary citizens and ability users alike flocked to the square upon hearing the news.

“Ho ho.”

Pungbaek blocked a middle-aged man trying to thrust a piece of paper through the defensive line with his cane.

“This young lady just suddenly popped up without any warning. Ho ho.”

“Coming from Seoul to New Seoul, what’s the big deal? It’s not like she came from abroad.”

Cheongnyeon smiled as she passed by Pungbaek. For a moment, Pungbaek genuinely felt goosebumps.

“…She really is elusive.”

Click.

The reporter who had been interviewing Executioner followed Cheongnyeon, snapping hundreds of photos until she boarded the car arranged by the association.

“Miss Cheongnyeon! What brings you to New Seoul?”

One determined reporter managed to break through the heroes’ blockade, raising his smartwatch like a fist despite forgetting to remove it. But as Cheongnyeon about to enter the car, she simply waved and left with one sentence:

“To buy ice cream.”

A short while later.

The association officially announced Cheongnyeon’s visit to New Seoul.

***

<July 1, 2020, 1 AM, Association VIP Room>

“Exactly why did you come here so suddenly?”

Lee Seung-hyung questioned my reason for coming to New Seoul. While Executioner was doing the press interview, I was sitting on the bed tossing a can I grabbed from the vending machine.

“Let’s drink while we talk. Sit comfortably. Don’t go around flaunting your magic power and burning with determination.”

“I’ll do so once you explain why you came to New Seoul.”

Lee Seung-hyung still hadn’t dropped his hostility toward me. I pondered why he volunteered to guard me.

“Surely you didn’t think I was Gaeul?”

“There’s no way. I’d recognize Gaeul right away. You’re not her.”

“Is that so? Then surely you didn’t think I came here to commit evil deeds?”

“How could I not suspect? You came without even giving notice.”

“Announcing visits is for thieves. I’m just a regular villain. Right now, I’m here on business as ‘Cheongnyeon’, so you can relax.”

I didn’t tell anyone I was coming to New Seoul. I simply boarded a bus and through some channels, leaked information to Baek Hee-a – “Cheongnyeon is on the last bus from Seoul to New Seoul.” With the help of a certain resourceful young lady skilled in backstage operations within Korea, I successfully got this information to Baek Hee-a’s ears. She took the bait, and I entered the association building in the car she prepared.

“As I said earlier when getting in the car, I’m here solely to buy ice cream.”

“Am I supposed to believe that now?”

“And if you don’t? It’s summer, isn’t it? Seoul hasn’t reached the point where ice cream shops are flourishing yet.”

It would be about a month before areas like Yeouido and Dongjak start regaining their urban functions.

“So have you thought about whether to return to Seoul or not?”

“…I’ll answer that later.”

There was something calculating in Lee Seung-hyung’s response. However, I didn’t particularly care what choice he made. Lee Seung-hyung wasn’t my top choice, and S-Rank fire attribute ability users could be created as long as potential was slightly higher.

“Alright. The more you think, the more it will come to mind. But.”

I clapped my hands to summon Xiao Lin. Dressed in her blue battle robe, Xiao Lin stood protectively in front of me, facing Lee Seung-hyung.

“Xiao Lin is sufficient protection, so would you please leave my room?”

“…I’ll guard the entrance.”

“What exactly are you guarding against? Puhuhu.”

“If you suddenly lose control, I’ll break down the door and rush in immediately. And Lord General.”

Lee Seung-hyung deeply bowed to Xiao Lin, earnestly pleading.

“I don’t know what conversation led her to volunteer as your guard, but please make a wise decision.”

“My affairs are my own. Don’t concern yourself.”

Xiao Lin coldly dismissed Lee Seung-hyung with an order to leave. He complied silently, opening the door and stepping out. Now, no one could enter from outside.

“A stubborn but arrogant one. What nerve to say such things.”

“From his perspective, it makes sense since the Round Table has allied with villains. I understand. If you were in his position, you might have tried to fight too, right?”

“No. What I want to say is this.”

Xiao Lin slashed the air threateningly toward where Lee Seung-hyung stood beyond the door.

“How dare an inferior person act so arrogantly?”

“S-Rank, right?”

“Someone whose abilities were enhanced by your power, correct? Just someone who can’t properly wield the given strength.”

Xiao Lin quickly sensed the traces of my power within Lee Seung-hyung due to her excellent magical perception. She immediately understood that Lee Seung-hyung’s ascension to S-Rank was achieved through my enhancement.

“Only two months since his awakening, right?”

“His mental state is still at A-Rank level. Like putting pearls around a pig’s neck. No matter how superior the physical specifications, what’s the point if the spirit can’t keep up?”

“…”

Though it hurt me a bit too, I didn’t show it. The greatest disparity between physical capability and spiritual realm belonged to none other than myself.

“Well…that’s why we’re creating the academy, right?”

“Do you really intend to take Fire Fist as a disciple?”

Xiao Lin pouted unhappily.

“It seems you favor fire attributes.”

“Crabs stick together, after all. Unfortunately, you’re not fire attribute. Actually, you’re illusion magic now, right? Go get pampered by Illusion Dragon.”

“Master Illusion Dragon resides within Mo Taegyeong’s body. It’s quite awkward to look at.”

“Is that so… Puhuhu.”

I was rather looking forward to how Illusion Dragon would react.

“Then it’s better this way. Tomorrow…or today since the date has changed. Anyway, look forward to what will happen to Mo Taegyeong when the sun rises.”

“Understood. Then please explain now. The reason for visiting New Seoul like this.”

“…? Haven’t we been talking about it the whole time?”

I firmly drove the point home to Xiao Lin who doubted me.

“I came here to buy ice cream.”

Really.