Chapter 25

〈 Chapter 25 〉 Part 1, Chapter 2 (11)

“Whoa. It’s a knockoff.”

While climbing halfway up the trail, I gazed in awe at the purple monster bird—Shadow Phoenix—hovering in the sky.

Seongju had brainwashed spirits from Tera to extract their magic power and create fiery monsters. In the original story, these were minor enemies appearing on individual routes when certain comrades joined as officers.

Though each one ranked B~S Class, by the late game when those routes were entered, they were mere EXP fodder for our protagonist crew.

“Huh, there’s even a Phoenix knockoff?”

I never imagined encountering something new like this that wasn’t part of the original storyline. Watching Shadow Phoenix spread its wings proudly made me feel oddly sheepish.

“Isn’t this exactly what I used to do over at West Sea?”

The shadow’s proud display of wings reminded me of how I’d done the same thing in front of Yunjang and Xiao Lin. Suddenly feeling embarrassed, I cupped my hands around my mouth and channeled magic power into them.

“Mr. Jo Deokbae? Can you hear me?”

– Wh-what?!

His startled response confirmed the connection worked. After pinpointing the location of Deokbae—who was currently transformed into a Flame Giant—I waved him over.

“Do you know where I am? Head this way quickly.”

– There’s something weird here. Just looking at it makes it seem super strong.

“Yeah, it’s nothing much. Just some knockoff version of me. You don’t need to be scared.”

– …If it’s your knockoff, isn’t it supposed to be ridiculously strong?

Swallowing hard at Deokbae’s comment, I hesitated. Based on the oppressive heat radiating through the air, the estimated magic power level was top-tier S Class.

“…Hmm, probably about Penril-level strength. But compared to me, it’s not THAT overpowering. We could probably play around with it for five minutes and win?”

– I still don’t get what you’re saying, but I can sense it. Clearly, it’s far stronger than me.

“Not really, but yeah…it is kind of strong.”

It felt a bit unsettling knowing this knockoff possessed powers akin to other high-ranking officers while still being based off me. Where exactly did the source material for Shadow Phoenix come from?

‘Wait…is it me again?’

Shadows are drawn to the original spirit’s magic power through dimensional gates.

Driven by an instinct to surpass their originals, these copies break through dimensions after detecting traces left behind by their originals. The Shadow Phoenix must have detected the marks left by my repeated use of Chang-yeom’s flames and forced its way through.

‘This fight feels too bothersome.’

Although victory was possible, now wasn’t the time for combat. I needed quiet solitude to reflect on future plans without drawing attention or exposing myself unnecessarily.

‘The dimensional gate just collapsed.’

Not only the initial gate but also the one the shadow came through couldn’t withstand its power and shattered. Now, aside from leftover lesser monsters, Seoul’s only remaining threat was the Shadow itself.

Carefully concealing my magic power, I hid behind a tree near the mountaintop. Below, someone brimming with fire attribute magic stood frozen, mentally broken as they stared helplessly at the Shadow.

“What is this? This isn’t right.”

– What? Not right? Stronger than you?

“That’s not what I meant. Don’t worry, just come over here.”

At Doksan Station, I spotted Deokbae—the Flame Giant—hesitating. As he cautiously moved to avoid buildings, I observed the man who seemed on the verge of tears.

‘He’s definitely not the protagonist.’

Even assuming the story has twisted, the basic premise remains incorrect. The protagonist currently lacks all special abilities, making him a powerless commander relying on others to defeat monsters.

Still, I checked just in case. Thankfully, it wasn’t him.

‘So, just an unfeatured character then?’

An A-Rank male hero specializing in fire attributes. Among over a thousand allies recruited, none matched his description. He likely passed away or retired before the start of the original story set five years later.

‘Wasted effort coming here.’

Having confirmed everything, there was no longer any reason to stay. Descending swiftly down the western slope, I met Deokbae running towards me.

“Stop now.”

□□□□?!

Just as Deokbae was about to step forward, he noticed me directly beneath him and jumped in surprise. Trying to halt abruptly caused him to stumble, falling onto the mountain slope.

BOOM!

A massive human-shaped imprint was left on Gwanaksan Mountain. However, unlike Shadow Phoenix’s flames, Chang-yeom’s didn’t ignite surrounding trees.

SNAP.

Clapping my hands together extinguished the blue flames rapidly spreading across the Flame Giant. Within seconds, only a gray boulder rolling down the hill remained where the giant once stood.

WHOOSH.

Invisible residual magic energies drifted toward my palms. The pure spirit stone infused with Deokbae’s forcibly extracted power solidified into an empty crystal.

‘It’s completely drained.’

Fiddling with the hardened crystal between my palms, I descended the mountain. Beneath, a large pine tree held the gray boulder caught in its branches.

THUD, THUD.

“Too slow! If you don’t pop out within three seconds, I’ll smash it like a watermelon—”

“AAAAH!!”

A fist burst forth from the gray rocks as Deokbae shot upward. His previously gray skin had lightened significantly.

“Oh? About C-Rank now? You’ve evolved?”

“Rather than that, isn’t that thing watching us?”

Pointing in the direction Deokbae indicated, I saw the Shadow Phoenix circling above, glaring at the area where the Flame Giant disappeared.

“Aha. It’s tracking my traces.”

“So, does that mean we’re exposed?”

“More or less, yes.”

I sighed deeply, clenching my fists. Concealing my presence wouldn’t help; leaving S University might endanger the mini phoenix and Cheon Gaeul (presumed) stationed there.

“It’s fine. Let’s finish this quickly.”

“Didn’t Blue Wind Sect say we should lay low for a while?”

“Yes, but we won’t fight.”

“…??”

Tutting, I pointed toward the mountaintop.

“Generally speaking, Shadows have simple brain structures. They mistake the strongest trace of magic for the original.”

“And?”

Deokbae responded.

Looks like he’s finally giving up on arguing.

“I’m suppressing my magic power to the limit, so it won’t detect me. Instead, it thinks the Flame Giant that exploded earlier was me.”

The Shadow flapped its wings aggressively, searching for its prey—me. Its gaze slowly shifted toward the lower slopes.

“So, we need a target to draw its aggression. We’re going to grab someone and head to Gangwon-do. Make a quick stop at Yeouido first.”

“To Gangwon-do? Isn’t that dangerous… No, wait, aren’t YOU more dangerous? And who’s this person?”

“Heheh. Yes, a woman I know—or rather, knew. Anyway, we need her along, which is why we’re not fighting this thing.”

Grabbing Deokbae’s hood, I sprinted toward the summit. Entering the Shadow’s line of sight, it immediately recognized me.

■■■■■■!!

With a shriek, the Shadow dove straight at me.

“Hey! You said we weren’t fighting!”

“Yes!”

“But why is it charging at us?!”

“The Shadow is trying to strike first, and I’m not about to take that hit!”

The Shadow aimed directly at me, releasing bursts of purple flames. That distinct color marked it as a corrupted copy influenced by the Otherworldly God. Though weaker, it was unmistakably mine.

“Gulp!”

I hurled Deokbae forward. As he flailed mid-air, I tightly gripped both his ankles and channeled magic power into him.

WHOOSH!

Activated by my power, Deokbae’s rocky skin lit up with vivid blue flames. The magic flowed smoothly since he was already augmented by my power. Stiffening like a statue, Deokbae assumed a ready stance.

■■■■■■■■■■!!

Impressed by the brilliant blue flames, the Shadow increased its wing beats and plummeted from the sky.

“Sorry about this!”

Poor artificial spirit driven mad by Seongju. Even if it dared to consume phoenixes to become one itself, such arrogance couldn’t be forgiven.

Lifting Deokbae over my shoulder like a baseball bat, I leaped high into the air.

■■■■■!

The monster bird opened its sharp beak wide. Sticky saliva dripped menacingly from its jaws.

“I’m kind of busy right now!”

“AAAAH?!”

Covering his face with both arms, Deokbae screamed as I sidestepped slightly, unfurling my wings.

CRUNCH!

The Shadow bit into empty air. In that fleeting moment as we passed each other, our eyes met.

“Huh?”

Through translucent pupils, violet flames raged fiercely. Facing such blatant hostility, I grinned widely in response.

“How dare you!”

I swung Deokbae diagonally downward onto the Shadow’s back. His shoulder grazed the creature’s wing joint, scratching it.

KWA—ANG!

A resonant impact echoed as the Shadow crashed into the mountainside, tumbling uncontrollably. The blue flames trailing from the point of contact ignited its wing, setting it ablaze.

“Rolling nicely.”

Watching the Shadow roll downhill uncontrollably due to inertia, I smirked and gently placed the “bat”—Deokbae—onto the ground.

“Huff, huff, huff!”

Regaining control over his body as the magic dissipated, Deokbae panted heavily. Shrugging nonchalantly, I explained.

“You alright? This is called ‘Monster Weaponization’…”

“YOU SON OF A □□□□!! How can you treat people like a bat?! At least warn me next time!”

Overcoming his urge to curse further—even though filtered—he yelled in frustration. Surprised by his outburst, I clapped my hands gleefully.

“Does that mean I can keep experimenting if I warn you first? I still have thirteen tests left to try.”

” ”

Deokbae’s jaw dropped, rendered speechless. Chuckling, I patted his shoulder.

But he flinched again.

“Don’t worry. One of them doesn’t involve you.”

Pointing at the unconscious man lying nearby,

“I’ll leave this guy to distract it while we escape. Relax.”

That should buy us enough time for Light Blade to handle things. Smiling brightly, I infused the empty spirit stone with fresh magic power.

“Mr. Jo Deokbae, do you like acting?”

* * *

– My son, one day you will grow up to become the pillar of this nation.

In a haze of consciousness, Seung-hyeong saw his father’s face appear. The man who used to cradle him in hands as big as woks was killed during the Pyongyang incident by a monster.

– Young master resembles his elder brother well. With such talent, he’d make a fine figurehead for the party.

The face resembling his father reappeared. Though his status had fallen, he was still the untouchable king of New Seoul. While seemingly caring for Seung-hyeong, he treated him merely as a tool for his own purposes.

– Is that kid related to you? Hmph.

Teacher and mentor Yu Yeong-ho showed amusement mixed with disbelief at Seung-hyeong’s background but regarded him as a hero worthy of respect regardless of presidential lineage.

To Seung-hyeong, Yeong-ho was like the father he lost in childhood. Under his guidance, he began transforming into a true hero by saving lives.

– Nice to meet you. I’m Cheon Gaeul.

And then Seung-hyeong discovered love. Somewhere along the line, the man staring into the mirror realized he shared the same starry-eyed look as women who fell for him instantly.

– Are you listening? Do you realize how dangerous your position is in the acting industry? Being handsome AND a hero AND having solid acting skills means senior actors think you’re gunning for their roles…

Working on the same drama as Cheon Gaeul brought joy despite grumbles from seniors worried about his ambitions,

– Is your leg okay? Let me know if filming gets tough.

Knowing she cared made him want to preserve that concerned gaze forever,

– I love you, Min-su.

When Gaeul confessed her love, Seung-hyeong wanted to become “Min-su”—the man she loved.

Had the dimensional gate been sealed, he would have confessed upon returning, perhaps even considering marriage if she accepted.

■■■■!

But all those dreams vanished in a blaze of violet flames. Seung-hyeong cowered in fear atop the dimensional gate as a new monster emerged.

‘Because I hesitated…’

Weighing duty against love, his hesitation cost precious time, allowing monsters to block his path.

‘Because I lacked strength…’

Praised and revered as an A-Rank hero, he believed himself formidable. Yet every appearance of higher-tier threats pushed him to his limits.

‘Because I was…weak…’

From the torn dimensional gate emerged a colossal monster bird cloaked in violet flames. Known worldwide as a Dangerous Species, specifically S-Rank or higher Demon Species, it wreaked havoc wherever dimensional gates appeared.

‘I’m sorry…’

The Demon Species paid him no mind. Despite the humiliation of being ignored, Seung-hyeong found relief in surviving, which infuriated him further.

‘Because I lacked strength…’

– Do you desire power?

A deep masculine voice drew Seung-hyeong’s gaze upward.

Underneath a gray hoodie and jeans stood a towering figure. Yet blazing blue flames obscured his face.

– The power to defeat that demon. If you wish, I can grant it to you.

‘Who are you?’

Dropping to one knee, the giant locked eyes with Seung-hyeong.

– …The Apostle of the Sun. The Knight of Dawn’s Blaze. The world knows me as ‘Giant Cheongnyeon.’

“Ah.”

Mesmerized by the azure flames, Seung-hyeong lost himself. Beside the giant stood a woman bowed respectfully, wearing a white-and-blue priestess robe with her face concealed by a veil.

– …

Without a word, the giant took the spirit stone held in the woman’s hands and offered it to Seung-hyeong. Drawn unconsciously to the radiant blue flame within the transparent gemstone, Seung-hyeong reached out.

– Do you desire this power?

“If this power can slay that demon…”

The giant glanced briefly at the woman. Straightening up, she smiled faintly.

– Of course. The Blaze will reside in your heart, burning through your body. It shall purify the tainted magic exhaled by that demon, becoming a flame of cleansing.

“What is the price…?”

Clenching the spirit stone tightly in both hands, Seung-hyeong asked. The giant looked at the woman again. Her smile widened.

– World peace.

Rising to his feet, the giant turned as tremors shook the mountain slope beyond.

■■■■■■!!

A one-winged monster bird ascended the mountain, running like an ostrich. Its dangling wing joint continued to burn with relentless blue flames.

At the giant’s nod, the woman bowed deeply before disappearing.

■■■!!

Chasing after her scent, the monster bird began tearing apart the mountain. Pausing momentarily in thought, the giant addressed Seung-hyeong.

– If you refuse this power, I recommend dying here instead. Seriously.

“Excuse me?”

Beyond the azure flames veiling his face, Seung-hyeong glimpsed what seemed like a sympathetic glance. Shaking his head, the giant began walking down the slope.

“Wait! Master Giant Cheongnyeon!”

The giant halted mid-step. Rising from the ground, Seung-hyeong bowed deeply.

“Thank you! I’ll never forget this kindness!”

– …Hmph.

Leaving those words behind, the giant—Master Cheongnyeon—vanished down the mountain slope, erasing his presence so thoroughly that even the sensitive Seung-hyeong couldn’t detect him.

“…Alright.”

Though doubts lingered, Seung-hyeong chose to trust the man who called himself Giant Cheongnyeon—for the sake of world peace.

‘For the sake of world peace.’

Seung-hyeong swallowed the mysterious gemstone in his hands.

“!!!!!”

As the gemstone descended his throat, fiery explosions erupted inside. The azure flames contained within ignited violently, consuming him from within.

“Ugh!”

Biting his teeth, Seung-hyeong summoned all his magical energy. Behind him, the flaming bear grew larger, fueled by the Blaze, expanding dramatically.

ROAROOOOO!!

On the summit of Gwanaksan Mountain, the Flame Bear roared ferociously, its turquoise eyes glowing with hostility directed at the approaching monster bird.

■■■■■!

Emitting shrill cries, the monster bird reached the summit, lunging to devour Seung-hyeong.

Suddenly, Seung-hyeong’s eyes glowed bright blue.

The Flame Bear, which had grown uncontrollably large, was swiftly absorbed back into his body. This marked the breaking of his previous limitation—no longer constrained to wrapping the flames externally like a cloak.

Awakening. The long-stagnant special ability advancing to the next stage.

“Hoooowww…”

Standing precariously on the rocky path, Seung-hyeong steadied himself. The monster bird charged up the trail, igniting it with flames.

“Just hold on a little longer, Miss Gaeul!”

No longer afraid, Seung-hyeong’s fiery fist clashed with the monster bird’s beak.

KWA-A-ANG!!

A pillar of red flames surged skyward from the summit of Gwanaksan Mountain.