Chapter 213

〈 Chapter 213 〉 Part 1, Chapter 10, Section 16

Cheongnyeon’s surprise visit to New Seoul caused quite a stir among the people.

– “Why is he just wandering around like this? What if someone kidnaps him?”

– “Shut up! The Round Table’s guardian is right there protecting him. Who could possibly kidnap him?”

– “Have you considered the possibility that the guardian might be the one to kidnap him? Isn’t the guardian ultimately Chinese anyway?”

– “Who can beat Phoenix and the guardian together? Cheongnyeon always sides with the winner.”

While some felt uneasy about Cheongnyeon’s movements…

– “He’s coming to New Seoul from Seoul every three days… I think we should be able to go to Seoul now.”

– “Planning to walk? Haha, all that’s special treatment. The Hero Association and government provide him with a dedicated car. It’s all about ability supremacy, you know.”

– “If it bothers you so much, you should have been born as an EX-rank maiden.”

– “Now people move freely between Seoul and New Seoul. But last time, I confirmed my husband was in Seoul, yet still haven’t been able to contact him… They said they’d provide communication watches, but I haven’t received mine yet.”

– “Maybe your husband has set up a new household in Seoul?”

– “There are things you should say and things you shouldn’t. How dare you say such things?”

– “What are you talking about? I’m the one who saw your post on the bulletin board about setting up a new household in New Seoul.”

– “(Deleted comment)”

– “You want ice cream? Are you serious? You came all the way from Seoul for that?”

– “Understand him… maybe his brain got messed up from controlling monsters…”

– “Nah, his brain’s just in the flower field.”

– “More like the fiery flower field. Chang-yeom, what a joke!”

Some were shocked by Cheongnyeon treating Seoul and New Seoul like his own home…

– “Serves the protesters right! Always making noise with gongs and bells, causing chaos, and then they don’t even get to see Lord Cheongnyeon!”

– “This is a conspiracy by the Hero Association and the government. How could the heroes gather in the square right after the protesters left?”

– “Yeah, next thing you know, the heroes will be having fried chicken and beer in the square, leaving trash everywhere.”

– “Honestly, this doesn’t make sense. How could everything align so perfectly? Cheongnyeon coming from Seoul without anyone knowing, and the heroes just happening to clean up and greet him? Come on.”

There were also those who suspected a conspiracy behind the heroes welcoming Cheongnyeon instead of the protesters.

“My head hurts…”

Baek Hee-a placed her beret on the table and slumped into her chair.

“All this interviewing was completely useless.”

She compared the number of articles about herself versus Cheongnyeon on the screen.

The hero-led community service for propaganda purposes was only covered by a couple of news agencies. However, most media outlets were capturing and posting articles featuring photos and videos of Cheongnyeon submitted by citizens.

“This is strange…”

As Baek Hee-a sipped her green tea, she compared the volume and speed at which articles were being posted.

“It’s the same pattern as when Yu-Sung went viral.”

The method of alternating breaking news from major news agencies to grab attention, followed by copying and registering articles from third-rate tabloids, resembled the tactics used by Yu-Sung for promoting people.

“…But they wouldn’t go this intense, would they?”

The sheer volume of articles pouring in like hydras gave Baek Hee-a pause. If this were directly managed by Yu-Sung for viral marketing, the current attention on Cheongnyeon would surpass the excitement of a global idol visiting the country, she was certain.

“He really is an idol. An idol.”

A woman currently receiving love calls from around the world. Though requests to deal with monsters quietly without being seen have increased recently, Cheongnyeon remained a globally renowned top-tier talent.

“If only he wasn’t a Seoul refugee, he could have been helpful in many ways.”

Baek Hee-a snapped the pencil in her hand. Just thinking about Sun Icheol and his gang, who had effectively turned Seoul and New Seoul into adversaries, made her blood boil.

“Really, really… sigh. What am I doing working so late?”

Massaging the area around her eyes to relieve fatigue, Baek Hee-a realized how physically exhausted she was from picking up and carrying garbage. A bed that looked inviting enough to fall asleep instantly caught her eye when she turned her head slightly.

“…No, I can’t. If I sleep now, I won’t be able to get up…”

Staggering to the refrigerator, Baek Hee-a found it stocked with various types of energy supplements.

“Caffeine… caffeine…”

She popped open the brown bottle and downed the tonic in one gulp. A refreshing chill began to spread through her body.

“Why did he come to New Seoul so late at night…? What exactly?”

She couldn’t figure out the reason. The words Cheongnyeon had spoken before getting into the car kept echoing in her mind.

“To buy and eat ice cream.”

“Is it real? Or just a metaphor?”

“Ice… cream… Could it be Snow Spirit? Is this some kind of signal to meet Snow Spirit in New Seoul?”

Baek Hee-a’s thoughts started racing.

“Not enough protection with just the guardian? Or a message to bring Snow Spirit to New Seoul? Should I consider ‘ice’ and ‘cream’ separately? Or ‘ai’ and ‘scream’? A child eating screams?”

Baek Hee-a began pacing in circles around the room.

“Child? Scream means eliminating fear? Removing threats…? Next country hint? Ugh… Or removing children who scream? Nah, surely not. Even if…”

Her worrying imagination began to run wild.

“Or Ice-scre, Rim (林)? Talking about a forest where the monster Ice-scre lives? Some unknown monster dungeon? Could it be DMZ? Gaema Plateau? Gah, I have no idea!”

Baek Hee-a carefully placed the glass bottle next to the trash can instead of throwing it, then flopped onto the bed, bouncing slightly.

“Oh.”

With screens obscuring her vision, Baek Hee-a nodded her head.

“I’ll find out tonight, no matter what… Why did he come to New Seoul so late?”

Her eyes were filled with determination. Perhaps from overthinking, she suddenly craved sugar.

“Delivery… delivery… ice cream…”

Clearly brainwashed by Cheongnyeon’s statement, Baek Hee-a searched for places that could deliver this late at night. Unfortunately, none were available.

“…I’ll go tomorrow. …Uh?”

When she saw the new menu item from a famous ice cream shop celebrating July, Baek Hee-a suddenly lost all sleepiness.

“….How can humans eat something like this?”

Apparently, they’re not interested in doing business. Pushing away the emerald glowing screen with distaste,

“Haa.”

Her mouth felt dry. It was the perfect moment for sleepiness to disappear and clarity to return.

“…Right. It must be a message to summon Snow Spirit.”

Baek Hee-a’s thoughts wouldn’t stop.

* * *

<July 1st Morning 8:00, Hero Association Korea Branch Cafeteria>

“Eh, so… Miss Cheongnyeon?”

“Yes.”

“This is where the heroes eat breakfast…?”

“Yes. We’ve come to eat here.”

I held up my shiny white tray and utensils. The fairly elderly cooks were clearly showing signs of discomfort.

“Eh, so… there’s nothing suitable for Miss Cheongnyeon to eat here, right?”

“Why? There’s plenty of side dishes.”

“No, what I mean is, is it really okay for Miss Cheongnyeon to eat food like this here…”

The cook gestured toward the prepared side dishes. The free meals provided certainly didn’t seem to be of the highest quality, and the variety was rather simple – kimchi and seasoned bean sprouts.

Though it resembled the side dishes served in any factory dormitory cafeteria, I shrugged and extended my tray.

“It’s fine. I don’t have any particular preferences and can eat anything well.”

“Ah! Mi, sorry! Black, ah, yeah, you came all the way from Seoul, aren’t you hungry?”

The cook looked at me with pity and concern. Feeling embarrassed by the sympathetic gazes directed at me, I pushed my tray forward even more.

“Black, yeah, yeah. Eat a lot. Phew, look at those arms… Black!”

“…”

I realized the cooks had misunderstood. And I sensed how much the people of New Seoul looked down on Seoul.

“Let’s sit?”

“Yes.”

Xiao Lin and I sat at an empty table. Heroes who were already eating, those waiting in line behind us, and others who rushed over upon hearing we were in the cafeteria quickly filled the space.

“About the story…”

“I’ll summarize.”

Xiao Lin deployed magic power around us. The invisible barrier visible only to ability users formed a one-meter radius around Xiao Lin, effectively blocking our conversation from being overheard.

“Well done.”

“Can we drop the formalities now?”

“In case someone overhears.”

We don’t want to reveal that I’m inside Cheongnyeon. If someone with keen senses were to overhear our conversation or barge into the barrier during our talk…

“Executioner…?”

“Excuse me, I heard you’re having breakfast. Please wait a moment while I fetch some.”

Baek Hee-a approached with bloodshot eyes, placing her beret next to me and grabbing a tray. Xiao Lin looked surprised at Baek Hee-a entering her territory without hesitation.

“…If she had hostile intent, I would have cut her down immediately.”

“You shouldn’t be so extreme…”

“…”

Xiao Lin frowned and curled her lips. Having no choice, I stepped on Xiao Lin’s foot under the table.

[What’s wrong? What does that expression mean?]

“There’s nothing…”

Xiao Lin gave a bitter smile as if accepting defeat, and I lifted my foot while waiting for Baek Hee-a to return with food. Since she boldly joined us, it wouldn’t be polite to finish eating first.

Shortly after, Baek Hee-a returned with food and enthusiastically talked about the association’s hero welfare while fiddling with her chopsticks.

“…The association provides free accommodation and meals. Not everyone gets the same rooms and meals; it varies by rank. A-rank, B~C-rank, D~E-rank. This cafeteria where you’re eating now is for D~E-rank members. The association serves delicious meals using fresh ingredients to all the heroes…”

Does Baek Hee-a realize how the expressions of the real D~E-rank heroes utilizing this cafeteria are deteriorating? They’re barely eating, even more so than how Baek Hee-a is poking at her food.

[It’s like a general coming to eat where soldiers dine.]

“Wow.”

Xiao Lin shot a disdainful glance at Baek Hee-a. Sensing something eerie, Baek Hee-a shivered.

“Ugh, what’s this sudden feeling…?”

Regardless of whether Baek Hee-a gets goosebumps or not, I communicate telepathically with Xiao Lin under the table using magic power. When I convey my intentions through magic power, Xiao Lin understands them unilaterally.

[Baek Hee-a comes from one of the most influential families in this country. She’s also the granddaughter of the current prime minister.]

“…”

Xiao Lin whispered quietly to me with her mouth.

Didn’t I grow up quite nobly in the main hall? Under Mo Taegyeong-

[Who doesn’t know you became Guanyin from the marketplace?]

“…”

“Tsk.”

“Um… General Gunshin, is the meal not to your liking?”

Baek Hee-a looked awkwardly at Xiao Lin. The cooks and heroes trembled even more while checking Baek Hee-a’s reactions than she did.

Being practically the second-in-command after the branch director, Baek Hee-a holds a high position. Upon giving her a hint, Xiao Lin smiled and shook her head.

“No, I’m enjoying it sufficiently.”

“Thank goodness. Um… Miss Cheongnyeon…”

“It’s good. Reminds me of old times.”

Even though it’s salty.

I appropriately responded to Baek Hee-a’s association boasting while continuing the conversation. Baek Hee-a couldn’t finish her meal, Xiao Lin mixed all the rice and side dishes and forced them down, and I finished without leaving any leftovers for the sake of nostalgia and Cheongnyeon’s image.

“Black!”

“A… I want to treat you to a separate meal.”

“Seems like Seoul isn’t doing so well these days. Seeing someone like him eat like that…”

“…”

While returning my tray, I clearly heard the heroes muttering. I bowed my head sheepishly to the heroes whose eyes met mine and thanked the cooks doing the dishes as I handed over my tray.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“…Miss Cheongnyeon. Though I don’t know when you’ll come again, I’ll prepare something better next time. My, look at those wrists.”

“…”

Shortly after.

Realizing staying longer might cause the cafeteria to explode, I followed Baek Hee-a to the executioner’s exclusive command room. Though it was a place I was quite familiar with, I pretended ignorance and accepted the coffee she offered.

“…”

“Is there something troubling you…?”

Baek Hee-a maintained a low profile especially in front of me. While sipping coffee, I glanced at Yi Seunghyeong who had been following us closely the whole time.

‘Seems like Yi Seunghyeong didn’t tell her.’

Since I told him not to mention that I’m Phoenix, he apparently didn’t inform Baek Hee-a either. His adherence to righteousness made me chuckle involuntarily.

“Ugh.”

“Excuse me, Miss Cheongnyeon?”

“Yes.”

“Um… Could you explain why you came to New Seoul?”

“Oh. Please hold on.”

I asked for the executioner’s understanding and pressed the large screen.

“What? It’s not touch?”

“It’s synchronized with a smartwatch.”

“Then please wait a moment.”

I searched for the synchronized smartwatch. Baek Hee-a swiftly manipulated her own watch linked to the screen and pointed with her finger.

“If you wish, I can issue one to you anytime.”

“Yes.”

Fortunately, the magical gear resembles a bracelet-like accessory. With Baek Hee-a’s help, I displayed the reason for my visit to New Seoul on the large screen.

“…?”

Baek Hee-a’s expression contorted horribly. Pointing at the mint-colored ice cream floating on the screen, I grinned widely.

“I really wanted to try this!”

The screen prominently featured a chocolate chip-filled mint ice cream.

And the release date for this newly developed flavor in South Korea was July 1, 2020.

I had come down to New Seoul precisely on that day.