Chapter 239

〈 Chapter 239 〉Part 1, Chapter 11, 9

The White Phoenix and Baek Hee-a of the Blue Wind Sect, who had tried to ensnare me in a trap, succeeded in bringing the Blue Wind Sect under their control.

With success on their side, Blazing Phoenix was removed from the Blue Wind Sect’s roster.

Hee-a pleaded with me from my arms, asking if I wouldn’t consider joining the Blue Wind Sect as well, but ultimately gave up after my firm refusal.

Baek Hee-a seemed genuinely surprised but readily accepted Kim Ji-hwa’s signature. It appeared there was some political burden in accepting Phoenix that weighed heavily on him.

After fine-tuning the details, I gathered the officers to inform them of the situation. With Baek Hee-a tagging along, I explained the situation to them respectfully.

“So, this doesn’t change much for the Blue Wind Sect. Just like before, crossing the 38th parallel to hunt monsters and selling them will now be officially legal. Taxes might take a small cut, but Yoo Sung will handle it, so it’s not something we need to worry about.”

“Truly fortunate. Though sitting in such a high position has its burdens.”

Now genuinely the leader of the Blue Wind Sect, Kim Ji-hwa let out an unexplainable sigh of relief.

“What? Do you think I’ll completely withdraw from everything?”

“No, Director… What should I call you?”

“Just call me Phoenix Sir.”

“Yes. I will naturally follow Phoenix Sir’s orders. My earlier comment about being relieved meant I’m grateful we chose not to fight.”

Ji-hwa must have been inwardly reluctant to engage in combat. While I knew he prepared earnestly for battle even more than me, his attitude respecting his superior’s decision earned my respect.

“So, did you notice something different about you…?”

“Is that so? Hahaha.”

Ji-hwa exuded an unprecedented air of ease, as if some unfulfilled void within him had finally been filled.

“Well then. How are the other officers doing?”

“We welcome it wholeheartedly. Ah, I’ll continue calling you Boss.”

“Since we can now officially operate the Blue Wind Sect, this should stabilize Seoul’s security. Thanks, …Phoenix.”

Architect and Sky Castle also accepted the agreement. As those most actively involved in Seoul’s restoration, they were clearly concerned about it becoming a battlefield again.

“I merely follow orders. I will support Lighthouse diligently.”

Gongsung stuck closely beside Lighthouse, grinning lazily. Lighthouse shivered when Gongsung got too close.

“…?”

“I’m leaving the Blue Wind Sect.”

“Me too.”

Cheon Gaeul and Deokbae wanted to remain villains. Their declaration left me and the other officers momentarily speechless.

“…Why?”

I couldn’t help but ask. Gaeul raised her hand first, pointing at me.

“Why would I stay in the Blue Wind Sect? It’s only because I want to be with you. If you leave, what reason do I have to stay?”

“That thought is appreciated, but…”

Gaeul still had a role to play within the Blue Wind Sect.

“Even though <Blazing Phoenix> may leave the Blue Wind Sect, I intend to keep ‘Blue Youth’ registered with the organization as a monster pilot.”

“You want me to act as Blue Youth?”

“Just multitasking. Executioner, explain.”

“Thank you. Hmm.”

Baek Hee-a bowed deeply to the officers before carefully beginning.

“…Phoenix Sir may leave the Blue Wind Sect, but people still don’t know that Phoenix and Blue Youth are the same person. If that fact became public, there would be great confusion.”

Phoenix, the self-sacrificing paragon and heroic figure.

Phoenix, the embodiment of recklessness and a psycho killer.

If the world learned these two were one and the same, society would fall into chaos.

“Luckily, the heroes who attended Phoenix Sir’s announcement conference have all agreed to cooperate fully. They’re discreet, so there’s no worry about information leaking. I’ll make sure of it.”

Neither Phoenix, the Blue Wind Sect, the government, the association, nor Yoo Sung wants the truth about “Phoenix=Blue Youth” to be revealed. Therefore, to ensure Phoenix and Blue Youth are seen as separate entities, they must operate in different locations.

“The person who will take over Blue Youth’s role is Phantom… Will you do it?”

“Sure. Got it.”

Gaeul readily accepted my request, transforming into Blue Youth right in front of Baek Hee-a.

“…Ah, was that the day too?”

“Yeah. That was me transforming.”

Gaeul linked arms with me, pressing her face against mine. We looked exactly alike—same face, same build—raising suspicions of being cloned rather than twins. I informed Baek Hee-a and the other officers how to distinguish us.

“It’s just the difference in magical energy manifesting through our eye color.”

My hair color matches my bright blue eyes.

Gaeul’s represent Illusion Magic with ashy gray.

“But back then…”

“I wore colored contact lenses. This guy made them for me.”

“Of course measures were taken since the differences are obvious.”

Gaeul rubbed her transformed face against mine.

“Don’t do that in front of others.”

“Does that mean it’s okay elsewhere?”

“…Stop fooling around and step back. I’ll entertain your jokes later.”

“Tch.”

Gaeul pouted and stepped aside. Baek Hee-a looked somewhat shocked.

“…Is that really Actress Cheon Gaeul?”

“Yeah. The same one whose funeral Seung-hyung presided over.”

“…No wonder Martial Art Hwakwon dislikes you.”

Baek Hee-a glared at me suspiciously. To clear up any misunderstanding, I clarified the timeline.

“I didn’t steal anyone’s husband?”

“Technically, it amounts to the same thing, but anyway, I can’t live without her. She saved me and made me S-rank.”

“…I see. Ah, then Cheon Gaeul, can you manage a double life?”

“Separate lives as Blue Youth and Cheon Gaeul?”

Gaeul quickly understood Baek Hee-a’s question. I used flames to differentiate between day and night while explaining, and Baek Hee-a nodded appreciatively.

“Yes. Live as Cheon Gaeul during the day but as Blue Youth at night. …Other than sleeping or resting, there isn’t much else you’d do at night, right?”

“I’ll work as Blue Youth during the day. Mostly international tours or formal events?”

“Nope. You can do it like last time when you visited Gangnam’s Sky Castle.”

“Ah.”

[Is this what you’re suggesting?]

I transformed into Phoenix and stood behind Gaeul, spreading a powerful wave of magic to conceal my body.

“Oh, that’s it.”

[Night is tough. Back then, I used Cube power, so invisibility was possible even at night. Likely, once you reach S-rank, people will notice you following.]

I returned to human form after canceling the transformation.

“So, that settles Cheon Gaeul.”

Out of courtesy, I asked for his opinion next.

“Deokbae, why are you leaving?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Hanging out here with these guys and the association seems less fun than traveling with you.”

“Ugh.”

Despite my overt displeasure, Deokbae didn’t budge.

“Number Two Underling, where are you going? Didn’t we have fun together when you came to China?”

“……That’s true. Ah, wait a moment.”

I moved behind Deokbae and tapped his back. In front of everyone, his back split open, leaving only his Core behind, transforming into Deokbate.

“Uh…?”

“Monster humans can do things like this too. Take note.”

I spun Deokbate around to recheck the grip, then lifted him high into the sky to inspect his condition.

“Seems like this form suits better.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Personal reasons. Anyway, Miss Baek Hee-a.”

I pointed at Deokbate.

“There are also members of the Blue Wind Sect with criminal records similar to mine. Like this guy. His detailed record is embarrassing to share, but understand that he’s quite a violent offender.”

“…I see.”

Baek Hee-a immediately nodded. Deokbate’s appearance was indeed extraordinary.

“Now, we just need to confirm the last officer’s intentions.”

“Last… Oh, there’s him.”

A pitiable individual who hasn’t returned to human form yet.

We left the hotel and headed to Han River Park.

“Wow.”

Baek Hee-a marveled at the 40-meter dragon hovering midstream in the Han River. With Gaeul returning to her original form outside, the Black Flame Dragon turned toward me, standing bipedally and raising its wings high.

“What’s it doing? Some ritual of submission?”

“He’s human.”

“……Excuse me?”

“Black Flame Dragon Guksu-yongwoo. Ah, is he still listed as Black Flame Fox on the villain bounty list? How do they expect to handle him if they don’t even organize his profile properly?”

Baek Hee-a alternated between looking at Guksu-yongwoo’s profile and the giant dragon before her, amazed.

“The potential of monster humans truly knows no bounds. Can become weapons, monsters…”

“And the dragon we captured in China that combined with the Fire Giant was actually the Fire Giant wearing the weaponized armor of the Black Flame Dragon. Precisely speaking, the Fire Giant covered with the Black Flame Dragon’s armor.”

The Black Flame Dragon lowered its head toward us. I explained the situation to the Black Flame Dragon.

[I shall follow the will of the Spirit.]

The Black Flame Dragon expressed its intention by spitting fiery words through its nostrils. Now aware of the Black Flame Dragon’s full capabilities, Baek Hee-a questioned me.

“So, does the monster operator count as fake?”

“No. Real monsters are controlled too. If desired, reviving creatures like Water Monkey or Earth Dragon into either monster humans or monsters is possible.”

“Then…”

Baek Hee-a seemed hesitant to ask, swallowing hard before inquiring,

“Can deceased individuals be revived?”

“…If the body remains intact?”

In reality, inserting a core into the mummy of Emperor Shi from thousands of years ago revived him as the Black Scorpion monster human, though his original form was almost unrecognizable, turning him into a humanoid scorpion.

“…Understood. Phoenix Sir, may I personally request something later?”

“Ah.”

“Hmm.”

“……Um, well, you know.”

Everyone guessed what Baek Hee-a was thinking. And I formed a different guess among the officers.

“You want me to revive a dead person?”

“Yes. …If we find the remains.”

“Eh?”

The officers were confused by Baek Hee-a’s words.

“Weren’t you trying to revive Light Blade?”

“……Wha, damn it, cough!”

Baek Hee-a nearly cursed at Kim Ji-hwa with disdain but managed to suppress it with a dry cough. Her expression alone showed she strongly disliked Ji-hwa.

“Not! That!”

Ji-hwa’s gaze shifted toward a silent platinum-blond young man standing nearby. Despite removing his mask somewhere, he confidently revealed his face, believing no one would recognize him.

“Director of the Blue Wind Sect. Even villains must uphold certain principles. Although Light Blade Sir was a remarkable person, isn’t it time for him to rest peacefully? Surely you aren’t considering dishonoring the deceased?”

“No, absolutely not.”

Ji-hwa shot me a wronged glance, but I simply shrugged. After all, the idea of turning Light Blade into a monster human was Yun Yuhwa’s, and I merely executed it.

“…Even if the end of the world approaches, there may come a time to seek the aid of the departed, but now is the time to let him rest peacefully. No matter how urgent the nation’s crisis, resurrecting someone akin to Admiral Yi Sun-sin from his grave would be an unforgivable act.”

“Admiral Yi Sun-sin…”

Everyone’s expressions darkened. Before laughter burst out, I briefly transformed into monster form to compose myself.

“…”

The platinum-blond youth’s expression was priceless. Baek Hee-a scanned the surroundings skeptically before stepping in front of the platinum-blond youth and delivering a lengthy speech honoring the deceased’s achievements.

“Do you think the legacy of Light Blade Sir has faded compared to Admiral Yi Sun-sin? That would be mistaken. Judging by your hair color, you seem foreign, but listen well. Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan, as an S-rank special ability user, dedicated over 20 years to this country. Since the Pyongyang incident in 2012, he single-handedly protected New Seoul and South Korea as a hero…”

The platinum-blond youth dropped dead on the spot.

“…the backbone of this nation. Ah, would you care to visit the place where the deceased rests sometime? Though it feels a bit self-congratulatory to say this, I wrote the eulogy for him.”

We couldn’t bring ourselves to reveal the identity of the platinum-blond youth to Baek Hee-a.

Thus, the reorganization of the Blue Wind Sect was complete.

<Blazing Phoenix>, <Rock Monster>, and <Light Blade> have left the Blue Wind Sect.

<Blue Youth> and the rest remain within the Blue Wind Sect, continuing as special ability users of the Hunter Guild, contributing to world peace during their probation period.