Chapter 246

〈 Chapter 246 〉 Part 1, Chapter 11, Section 16

In this world, the only being capable of defeating Blazing Phoenix might just be the one who brainwashed her – Seongju himself.

And it looks like this Seongju is about to make his move earlier than in the original story.

Because of me.

Because I got rid of Mushin’s remains.

So when will Seongju come?

I don’t know.

The prophecy said December 25th, 2025, but that was just the day Seongju arrived at the moon in the original. There was no set departure date.

‘There’s only one thing left for me to do.’

Wishing for Seongju to arrive late is mere luck. For all we know, the Boatman might have already departed, or Seongju might not have noticed Mushin’s disappearance yet.

‘If only I had some way to track Seongju’s movements.’

Unfortunately, Seongju is a real alien coming in a spaceship.

The one bright side is that he’ll be observable at least ‘five months before’ arriving.

There’s no way we can miss the signs of Seongju coming to Earth. So I need to step up my game, thinking we have three months left.

‘Not bad. We can do this. We’ve already awakened Seok Harang and Whanryong since April.’

I cannot die.

I cannot kill the Blazing Phoenix within me. And I cannot let myself be re-brainwashed by Seongju, becoming a monster leading another world to ruin, destined to be defeated by the protagonist and erased from existence.

‘Let’s keep Seongju’s arrival a secret for now.’

Even the Round Table decided to publicly announce the prophecy that the end would come in 2025.

But if I suddenly shouted, “It’s not 2025, it’s 2020!” the world would fall into even greater chaos.

Saying, ‘Earth has five years left!’ feels very different from saying, ‘Earth has five months left!’

As soon as we get any signal that the Boatman has moved, we’ll need help from the entire world.

‘So first, I need to deal with the executives.’

With that thought, I flew to Seoul to prepare to go to India where Karna was waiting.

* * *

After enjoying an unintentional date while watching the sunrise with Chang-yeom, I gathered the Blue Wind Sect executives, having used up all my Cubes.

Even though I called them together so early, before breakfast, all the executives made it to the meeting room. The only one looking disgruntled was Lighthouse, who complained to me.

“Are you stepping down as leader now…?”

…I really wanted to punch him, but showing unnecessary agitation would only confuse the executives. Maintaining my usual demeanor, I flicked his forehead with my magic power.

“So what?”

“I’ll follow your orders…”

Kim Ji Hwa’s coup was quickly suppressed, and based on information from Seok Harang, I argued for going to India.

“Karna the Gaechonkwang is in India. Seok Harang said you gave him a Cube.”

“Why India specifically?”

“Why did you give him the Cube?”

“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask him directly. Seok Harang said you just gave it as a present and disappeared.”

‘We only confirmed he’s in India; we still know nothing else.’

“But we should still go to India to get some leads, right?”

“If you know what he looks like, we can search for him or something.”

“Other executives might also go to India to capture Karna. A full-scale battle could break out.”

Though there were various opinions on the details, none of the Blue Wind Sect executives strongly opposed going to India to capture Karna, whose location was confirmed.

“So who will you take with you? Are you planning to just take Deokbae and Cheon Gaeul like last time?”

“No, it’s different this time.”

Unlike the last time we went after Whanryong, the participants were slightly different. At least I’m not such a fool as to not learn from past failures.

“First, <Sky Castle> and <Architect>…”

When I called their code names, Architect raised his hand first. He was already reading my mind from our eye contact.

“Boss, Architect and Sky Castle will stay in Seoul. We still need to finish building the university you talked about.”

“Yes, that’s right. Please make sure Galaxy University starts operations by September at the latest. The sooner the better.”

“I’ve already built the structures. Sky Castle, all that’s left is your part.”

“That’s right. Leader, don’t worry. I used to teach at a university. I’ll try to start classes in August instead of the usual second semester starting in September. Hehehe.”

“Thank you. Please coordinate well with Yun Yuhwa, and if anything happens, please take care of Seoul.”

Whenever I leave Seoul with combat personnel, these two always stay behind to guard our base.

“Sky Castle, I’m sorry. Always taking away your chances to participate in missions.”

“Ho ho ho. Don’t worry about it. Once the university is built, maybe we can arrange more sparring sessions against heroes. Maybe you’ll reach S-Rank fighting them.”

“I’ll definitely arrange that.”

It’s unfortunate that combat specialist Sky Castle keeps missing field opportunities, but it’s necessary for Seoul’s administration.

“Next.”

My finger pointed at Lighthouse. With great anticipation, Lighthouse swallowed his saliva.

“Lighthouse will also stay behind.”

“Yes.”

Lighthouse expected to stay in Seoul and readily accepted my orders.

“I’m not much of a mover anyway. If Lighthouse leaves the harbor, what would happen? While you’re away, Leader, I’ll stand in for you and guard Seoul.”

“Blue Wind Sect’s leader is you.”

“Hehe, once a leader, always a leader. I’m the head of Hunter Guild Blue Wind Sect, and you’re the leader of Villain Organization Blue Wind Sect, right?”

“Wordplay aside. Alright, Architect and Sky Castle will handle things openly, while Lighthouse will support from behind.”

Though lacking true leadership skills, Kim Ji Hwa’s abilities, enhanced by Lighthouse’s special powers, provide a quasi-commander effect that cannot be ignored.

“With Lighthouse’s special powers, you should be able to monitor all of Seoul lying down.”

Though not truly a commander, Kim Ji Hwa’s ability using Lighthouse’s powers shouldn’t be underestimated.

“…Maybe we can have practice battles with Baek Hee-a later.”

“Am I that good? Hehe, someday I might beat even the administrators, let alone the leader-”

The moment I praised him, Lighthouse started grinning and shrugging. I flicked his forehead again with flames.

“Don’t get arrogant because you’ve reached a new level. There’s always a higher heaven. You’re still far from perfect.”

Of course, compared to heroine Baek Hee-a, he’s still far behind.

“I’ll continue to improve… Still, for the leader to finally entrust me with overseeing the entire Blue Wind Sect is quite moving.”

“Not that moving.”

Though Kim Ji Hwa quickly became deflated, he calmly accepted my assessment of his abilities. Now it was time to give instructions to the other executives.

“The rest.”

I issued orders all at once.

“Gongsung, Phantom, Black Flame Dragon, and Cheongnyeon will participate in the trip to India as members of Hunter Guild Blue Wind Sect.”

“Considering myself and Lady Gaeul, that makes sense, but Black Flame Dragon and Cheongnyeon too?”

Gongsung turned his head toward me, clearly surprised. He seemed shocked both by being deployed as a combatant and by Black Flame Dragon and Cheongnyeon joining the mission.

“So you are indeed planning to go to India yourself.”

“Yes. Since Villain Phoenix will also visit India, we need to pretend to fight each other publicly.”

It’s better to visit India as Cheongnyeon and transform only in emergencies. While I’m transformed, Gaeul will take over Cheongnyeon’s role.

“Publicly, it will appear as if Cheongnyeon and the association’s heroes are going abroad to defeat foreign monsters. Fortunately, India also has many dormant SS-Rank monsters.”

SS-Rank Darkness Attribute Yasha.

SS-Rank Wind Attribute Kinna-ra.

SS-Rank Fire Attribute Garura.

Though unfortunately, unlike in China, there are no monsters with Cubes, this provides a good pretext for Cheongnyeon to enter India.

“The reason for bringing Black Flame Dragon is a secret. Just consider him a secret weapon, a joker card?”

“Couldn’t you just create a Core and bring him along…”

“Wouldn’t it be fun to watch monsters fight each other? I am kind of looking forward to it.”

…Though there was another reason for bringing Black Flame Dragon, it’s not wrong to say he’s suitable for dealing with monsters. After giving Black Flame Dragon his instructions, I turned my gaze to the last person.

“Me?”

“Kimchi jar.”

“No jokes. Am I staying or going?”

Deokbae looked flabbergasted pointing at himself. Smiling broadly, I assigned him his role.

“Do you prefer shoelaces or insoles like last time?”

“Hey!”

“Just kidding.”

Deokbae has reached B-Rank and developed a new fighting style, so he will genuinely perform as a Dark Legion executive.

“You’re also participating. Your position is…”

If you’re asking about combat position, that’s a different story.

“Cargo hold.”

“What? Am I cargo now?”

“Yes. Because there’s no weapon as sturdy as you.”

Strictly speaking, Deokbae belongs more in the <Equipment> category than as a special powers user.

“You’re so smooth-headed your grip is amazing. Stop making your subordinates work hard trying to catch monsters and gain experience points by letting me use you as a weapon.”

“Tch. Can’t argue with that.”

The Deokbate I used so effectively in China was perfect for smashing enemy heads. Someday, I’ll use it to smack Hydra’s butt, I vowed inwardly.

“Now, there’s one last person.”

I scanned the executives with my eyes. Though I told everyone to come, someone arrogantly stayed locked in his room drinking.

“Where’s Light Blade? Trying to die again?”

“Hey, that uncle must have a terrible stomachache right now.”

Deokbae voiced concern for Light Blade. I found his sudden solicitude for Light Blade rather annoying.

“What do you mean? Did he drink again?”

“…No, Light Blade didn’t drink.”

Gaeul covered her mouth while tapping her wrist. For some reason, I could faintly smell alcohol in her breath.

“There was a late-night bulletin yesterday. You missed it because you were out last night.”

“Yesterday? Night?”

“Yeah. When you went to talk to Seok Harang.”

“I figured it was important enough to discuss today without interrupting your crucial meeting. It wasn’t urgent enough to warrant disturbing Light Blade while he was consoling…”

Gaeul pulled out a newspaper article from her magical gear. Immediately upon seeing its contents, I understood why Light Blade had locked himself in his room.

– <Undine> Shockingly Announces Engagement

“…Why didn’t you at least send him a text?”

If I’d known, I could have prepared mentally. It felt like I was lost at sea, overwhelmed by waves of unexpected variables.

“You knowing wouldn’t have changed anything. I was actually planning to bring it up this morning.”

“Good timing. …So what’s the content?”

The article was published less than a day ago.

“Tch. I suspected something was off when Rusalka said she was returning to her home country.”

Was I too focused on the association and executives that I didn’t expect trouble from this direction?

“This was supposed to be discussed at today’s regular meeting…”

“Thus creating a double problem situation. Tsk, this is troublesome.”

Compared to capturing Karna, this was like choosing between main and side quests, but failing the side quest would lead to several problems.

“Boss, isn’t that guy Light Blade someone who can’t live without his wife? If she marries someone else, he might go berserk and lose his mind?”

“That’s a scary possibility.”

An SS-Rank monster might ignore my orders and turn Russia into a wasteland in a rage. I skimmed through the following headlines.

– <Undine>, Marriage to <Rasputin>? S-Rank Couple Expected to Emerge

– Rasputin: “The greatest honor of my life. I will spend my life serving my wife.”

– [Editorial] The union of Russian military and the association: Strategic marriage to strengthen national defense?

“<Rasputin>?”

What is he doing here?

AnaStasha, Rusalka, Vladimir – the partner in the strategic marriage was Russia’s S-Rank special ability user, <Rasputin>.

“A male special ability user comparable to <Undine>. Known for treating women like stones while mercilessly beating snowfield monsters – truly heroic-”

“That guy’s a criminal villain.”

In the future.