Chapter 216

〈 Chapter 216 〉 Part 1, Chapter 10, 19

Xiao Lin sent me to Seoul, and I had fully prepared for an exploration of New Seoul.

By comparing the map I possessed with the current map of New Seoul, I jogged my memory of the past and recalled where the main heroines might be now.

First was middle schooler Kim Nori.

Despite being a hero, her affinity for darkness gave her a rather prickly personality—she was like a stray cat, reckless and unruly to the point that she often got scolded.

Then there was high schooler Yuinah.

The titular heroine, someone I owed a great deal to, and also considered close to “perfect” in terms of special abilities—the strongest human on Earth. Unfortunately, at this original timeline point, her god-like talents were unknown to anyone due to “certain reasons,” only to be revealed later when the protagonist discovered them, cementing her as the straight-line female lead.

There was the cafeteria heroine and the healing heroine.

I truly owed both of them a lot, and given the nature of the original story, they were currently going through quite unfortunate times.

‘Saving the world while helping them on the side.’

I had no other intentions. No matter how much of a pervert I might be, I wouldn’t target minors. In the original story, they were both in their early twenties; this was just five years earlier.

Talented allies are always welcome, and the top recruitment targets for the academy were these two.

“Why am I making such excuses?”

“What do you mean?”

“Just idle chatter. Anyway, nice to meet you… uh…”

I feigned ignorance and asked for her name again despite knowing it well. The refreshingly dressed woman, significantly taller than me, reintroduced herself.

“Park Ra-on. An A-ranked individual with special abilities, assigned as Cheongnyeon’s bodyguard. Though I may fall short compared to Lord Gunshin’s power, I will do my utmost with sincerity.”

“Yes, thank you, Unsah.”

And then there was another heroine, Unsah Park Ra-on. Unintentionally, I’d already extended a helping hand to her.

“By the way, didn’t you participate in the Seoul Recovery Operation?”

“That’s correct. Under the command of the Monster Countermeasures Minister, I advanced towards Guro.”

Park Ra-on calmly answered my questions. Unable to hold back any longer, I questioned her directly.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“About what?”

“The Hellhounds that blocked your path—who controlled them?”

“Isn’t it Miss Cheongnyeon?”

“Well said.”

I paused and pointed out something to Park Ra-on.

“I’m the villain who interfered with your mission, yet here I am, standing next to you without hesitation—is that alright?”

“Uh…”

I subtly hinted at Hwakwon Seung-hyeong, who was following us cluelessly.

Initially, I planned to tour New Seoul with Park Ra-on alone, but additional security was deemed necessary, so Baek Hee-a was persuaded to tag along behind us.

As I subtly complained toward the driver’s seat without Park Ra-on noticing, Seung-hyeong countered while driving.

“It’s so we can respond immediately if anything happens.”

“Is something going to happen in New Seoul?”

“Could it?”

“It won’t.”

I leaned against the window frame teasingly, but Seung-hyeong showed no reaction.

“Hwakwon.”

Baek Hee-a sitting quietly in the passenger seat reprimanded Hwakwon instead. Despite nodding, Seung-hyeong continued to glance at me.

“…”

“Just focus on driving ahead.”

I embarrassed him by pointing out his frequent glances in the rearview mirror. Eventually, Seung-hyeong gave up and turned his head forward.

Park Ra-on, who had been silently observing, turned her head toward me.

“Miss Cheongnyeon is far more assertive than I heard.”

“Huh?”

“When meeting new people, you seemed rather nervous, but now in front of Hwakwon, you express yourself strongly. That’s why I say it.”

“…”

Unsah Park Ra-on.

Even in the original story set five years later, she remained the type who expressed her thoughts bluntly, often causing misunderstandings.

Her language habits could sound like praise or criticism depending on interpretation, but surprisingly, all her words were compliments.

In short:

-You’re shy around others but lively in front of Seung-hyeong?

Wasn’t the case;

-Rather, though you struggled speaking before strangers, now you’re expressing yourself strongly, which looks good.

She was a tedious heroine requiring some mental translation.

“Unsah… ”

Naturally worried, Baek Hee-a tried to intervene between the two interpretations, but I completely ignored her and responded to Park Ra-on.

“Continuously involving oneself with someone disliked—even I find it a bit strange.”

“Hmph.”

Baek Hee-a gasped. Most attempts to pair me and Seung-hyeong together usually stemmed from her meddling.

“I don’t wish to be romantically involved with that person either.”

“Oh my, what a relief! Fufufu.”

Sitting in the passenger seat, Baek Hee-a’s expression turned pale. With our obvious discord, she found herself awkwardly mediating between us.

Of course, this was because Seung-hyeong listened too well to me.

‘If Baek Hee-a knew I’m Phoenix, she wouldn’t act this way.’

Instead, she’d relentlessly try to persuade me, using any means necessary, since brute force wouldn’t work.

“Ah, Executioner.”

“Yes?”

“The ring on your left ring finger… Are you married?”

“Wha?!”

Baek Hee-a jumped in surprise. I stretched forward and grabbed her arm to inspect the ring. It appeared worn-in but couldn’t be removed without cutting off the finger.

“Pretty ring.”

“Ah, um, well, you see…”

Baek Hee-a panicked. To explain the ring’s origin would involve explaining certain events, effectively admitting that an SS-ranked villain visited the heart of New Seoul.

“…”

Seung-hyeong frowned at me but I deliberately ignored him, continuing to fiddle with Baek Hee-a’s hand.

“Envious. Whoever you’re marrying must be lucky.”

“No, it’s just something I wear…”

“You’ll make a wonderful mother, Executioner.”

That, I guarantee. I tapped her hand gently to calm her down.

“Miss Cheongnyeon.”

Park Ra-on suddenly spoke up.

“Are you a lesbian?”

“…”

An awkward silence filled the car. Only Park Ra-on, still curious, continued questioning.

“Ah, if that made you uncomfortable, I apologize. Let me rephrase.”

Clearing her throat, she continued.

“Are you homosexual?”

“…”

Though her phrasing often caused misunderstandings, knowing her tendencies, I quickly grasped her intent.

Click.

I placed my hand on Park Ra-on’s thigh and smirked lazily.

“Perhaps…”

“…”

Park Ra-on turned her head away, but her ears were slightly red.

Afterward, we drove around New Seoul, but the individuals I sought remained unseen.

At least, I expected to spot one middle schooler heading home.

Regretfully leaving that aside, I returned to the association.

* * *

Cruising around New Seoul in Seung-hyeong’s car for a tour, before departing, I had to formally discuss matters with the heroes present.

“So, Miss Cheongnyeon.”

Hiding her previous fluster, Baek Hee-a seriously asked as an execution officer.

“What do you plan to do with the cores of S-ranked Ji Paragon and Water Monkey?”

“What does the association intend to do with them?”

To gain the upper hand in negotiations, I first questioned them. Many were curious about the disposition of the S-rank cores owned by the individual known as Cheongnyeon.

“Let me first introduce the association’s initial proposed usage.”

The execution officer showed me a map, pointing to New Seoul and Busan.

“Currently, Black Flame Dragon resides in Seoul. Reviving Ji Paragon and Water Monkey to serve as guardian spirits protecting New Seoul and Busan respectively.”

“…”

I inwardly marveled at Baek Hee-a’s somewhat radical suggestion.

“And if I have other intentions, what then?”

“Do you have other intentions?”

Baek Hee-a counter-questioned, threatening me. As I frowned, the government official beside her flustered, but Baek Hee-a maintained her stern face, demanding honesty from me.

“…Hehe.”

Once again, I realized that Baek Hee-a and I were not allies. What she cherished most was still her family and New Seoul.

Perhaps she wanted to place both guardians in New Seoul, but feared it might seem too overt, thus creating a diversion.

“Let me ask you.”

“Yes?”

“Do you really think monsters can become true protectors of humanity?”

My provocation made Baek Hee-a close her eyes briefly. Though inappropriate for her role, I needed to highlight the dangers in her proposal.

“Monsters are just monsters. The only one who can control them is me. If I die and lose control, or change my mind, what happens then? For example,”

I leaned forward slightly and lowered my voice.

“If I were recruited by a foreign spy and instigated terrorism, what would you do then?”

“This is outrageous!”

The government official reddened with anger but was stopped cold by Baek Hee-a’s icy gesture. She was not only the association representative but also a politically influential figure.

“There’s absolutely no chance of that. Losing someone talented like Miss Cheongnyeon would be akin to losing this nation’s treasure.”

“Then what will you do?”

I relaxed into my chair.

“How do you plan to persuade me? Force patriotism upon me? Considering the massacre of Seoul residents?”

“That insolent…!”

“Leave.”

Baek Hee-a coldly dismissed the man beside her.

“But Executioner!”

“As this negotiation is hindered, please step outside and cool down. Calm your temper. Or else…”

Baek Hee-a lightly tugged at his collar.

“Should I undress you?”

“…Kkut!”

The man bit his lip and hurried out. Suddenly, I found myself alone with Baek Hee-a in this spacious room.

“Now, let me speak freely.”

“Isn’t that a bit harsh?”

“If it makes Miss Cheongnyeon comfortable, anything is permissible.”

“Hmm. Then…”

I gestured to the camera-filled conference room.

“It’s a bit difficult talking here… How about moving to my room for discussion?”

This wasn’t a conversation suitable for cameras and recording devices. Rising from my seat, I pointed to the door.

“…Hmm.”

Baek Hee-a took a deep breath and stood up, following me. Her visible thoughts made me feel sorry for her.

“Understood. I’m prepared.”

“…”

Baek Hee-a opened the meeting room door. Outside, numerous officials, heroes, and the recently dismissed government official waited.

“Mu, wha-”

“Miss Cheongnyeon finds this setting uncomfortable, so we’ll move venues.”

It was clear whose gaze the attendees’ sharp eyes targeted. Following Baek Hee-a, I entered my personal quarters—a VIP room provided by the association.

Click.

I locked the door.

“You sure know how to use a room well.”

“One day is enough. And isn’t this the best soundproofed place?”

Now, this room became an impenetrable chamber, openable only by its registered owner—me.

I sat on the bed and tapped the empty space beside me.

“Come over here. Let’s have an honest chat.”

“…Prepared.”

Baek Hee-a sat stiffly beside me, her face flushed red, nervously fidgeting with her fingers.

“If offering myself can persuade you, I’ll do anything…!”

[Then let’s do that.]

I transformed into a monstrous form beside Baek Hee-a. Staring at the bizarre scene unfolding before her eyes, she froze.

“Phoenix-”

[You offered yourself, remember clearly.]

I pounced on Baek Hee-a, who was trying to stand, forcing her down onto the bed.