Chapter 325

〈Chapter 325〉 Book 1 Part 14 Chapter 16

<Gaechonkwang> awakened Karura.

I had to dissolve the barrier now and recalled the situation before Karura entered it.

“So you came in wearing a golden armor?”

“That’s right.”

Unfortunately, Karura had already turned their disciples into weapons before entering the barrier.

That was surely broadcasted live worldwide by now, and there was no way we could ignore this variable.

“Ugh, but it’s fine. We just need to stage a more ‘dramatic’ scene. Hwakwon!”

“Yes, yes!”

Hwakwon, who had their joints dislocated, hobbled towards us on one leg, ambiguously bowing to Karura, who in turn guiltily lowered their head.

“Understand me. I was so eager to fight Phoenix.”

“Yes, yes. I understand… So you blew us away with one hit, didn’t you.”

Hwakwon calmly revealed their current state.

No matter how much Karura strained for their battle against me, they both fell with a single blow before I could even adjust my schedule.

“Me, me…”

Garura was hiding behind Hwakwon, only peeking out her head. Whether she was wary of my previous kick to Hwakwon’s shin or just dislikes humans yet hides behind them, it was quite amusing.

“I won’t hit you.”

“…”

“Why would I hit you?”

“…”

Garura wasn’t letting down her guard easily. Being wary of me meant she was clearly afraid of something.

“Ah.”

I clapped my hands. My white hand transformed into a monster’s gauntlet.

“Is it because of this?”

“Hiiik.”

Garura screamed and shrank back. The black armor was like an identity as a “commander,” so it was understandable for Garura to feel fear. Not to mention, she had already seen my monster form.

“Understand this. I’m living as a monster now due to certain restrictions.”

“…Can’t you reveal your ‘true form’?”

At Karna’s question, I bitterly smiled and nodded.

“Yeah. If I could bring out my main body, I’d definitely cause chaos—not as a monster of Phoenix.”

I tapped my temple with the index finger of my monster hand. Just that gesture made Karna nod in understanding.

“I see what you mean. You’ve been through a lot too, huh.”

“Right? I want to wrap this up quickly, but the situation isn’t ideal.”

Out of the six spirits, we’re halfway there.

It will take time to track down the remaining three commanders, but having Karna join us as an ally is extremely hopeful.

Including Garura too.

“Garura.”

“…Yes.”

Garura looked up cautiously and bowed her head.

“I don’t want to appear in my monster form either. But what can I do? There’s nothing I can do immediately. I understand that you have trauma about this appearance.”

“…”

From Penril to Rusalka, all six commanders Garura faced alternated between beast forms and humanoid forms, wreaking havoc.

“This is also clear evidence of Tera’s defeat.”

The fall of Chang-yeom and the constraint of Phoenix were represented by this black armor. A shackle that could be shaken off at the level of myth—a symbol of defeat.

“…Sorry.”

Garura sincerely apologized.

“…My Lord probably hates using this form the most, but I acted foolishly. Please forgive me.”

“Of course, I forgive you. Come here.”

Garura trotted over to me, and I patted her back, infusing my magic power into her.

“How does it feel? Can you sense their magic power?”

“…No.”

As beings rooted in magic power, Garura felt reassured by the magic inside me. Even though this body is a monster’s, its origin is magic, so Garura can rest easy.

“I understand why Garura is scared. This thing is a symbol of fear outside too, isn’t it? Right, disciple?”

“…Yes. SS-Rank villain.”

“Ho ho.”

A commander of the Dark Legion and the villain Phoenix. I informed them that I’ve been deceiving the public with this dualistic image of human and monster forms.

“Indeed, Master! A high-level strategy to deceive humans! I admire you!”

Garura’s eyes sparkled as she vigorously nodded. With her fear gone, she was once again showering me with excessive respect.

“…Indeed. It’s because they don’t trust the Hero Association, which seeks to exploit Tera.”

“…Eh? Didn’t I say that yet?”

My heart sank when Karna mentioned something I hadn’t said yet.

“Huh?”

Seung-hyung was understandably shocked. Karna scratched his head, realizing his slip of tongue.

“That is…”

“I’ll explain later. Seung-hyung, calm down first.”

“Master, wait, what do you mean—”

“Do you want a quick explanation or a detailed one?”

At my words, Seung-hyung closed his mouth. After blinking for a while, he sighed.

“…Explain it in one sentence now, and I’ll listen properly later.”

“Hmm. Got it.”

How should I explain the ‘high-ups’ of the Hero Association? I carefully chose my words to make sure Seung-hyung could understand.

“The high-ups are trying to deliver democracy to Tera.”

“…Excuse me? I don’t—”

“They have the Cube and are cultivating superhuman powers to eventually open the Dimensional Gate and invade Tera from the other side. Okay?”

Seung-hyung froze. That’s why I didn’t want to explain it in the first place. Now that he knows the dark side of the association, how will Seung-hyung react?

“…Does the Chief Administrator know about this?”

An unexpected question. I nodded. Seung-hyung bit his lip and clenched his fists.

“Don’t misunderstand. He didn’t know until I told him, and he joined willingly.”

“Ah?”

“Originally, he was supposed to be on their team in the future, but I told him everything, so don’t worry… Ah, geez, the story keeps going off-topic. I’ll explain everything on the ferry back to Korea. We’re running out of time now.”

It’s almost time for the barrier to collapse, and the sun will set behind the mountains.

“When the sunlight disappears, the barrier will become visible. We’re holding it with a temporary sun right now, but if the barrier becomes visible, people will see the Blue Flame. Then conspiracy theorists will start theorizing again, saying maybe Cheongnyeon and Phoenix are the same being.”

“Isn’t that the truth?”

“It’s different. This is important, so remember it well. Cheongnyeon is not Phoenix, got it?”

“…Got it.”

Relenting to my stubbornness, Seung-hyung raised both hands and nodded. Having silenced Seung-hyung, I gathered the three to proceed with the original plan.

“Listen carefully. What we need to do now is…”

Revealing Beast Tamer Cheongnyeon’s special ability.

Heroizing Hwakwon Seung-hyung.

Fellowshipping S-Rank Monster Garura.

And the newly added variable, the awakening of <Karura>, known as <Lakshasa>.

The first step to achieve all of this—

“Full-scale bombardment fortress, remobilize!”

“Kyaaaah!!”

Garura transformed into Karura.

* * *

“…Heroes always prepare for the worst. Don’t forget, Karura might break free again.”

Following the instructions of Executioner Baek Hee-a, heroes, despite their trembling legs, stood firm on the wall of the Taj Mahal.

“This is insane! Everyone’s out of magic power! We should retreat now!”

Mahatma spat blood while demanding a retreat.

“Are you crazy?! Nine out of ten people here have had their magic drained by that crazy tank! We’re all weaker than E-Rank right now! And you’re telling us to block it here? It’s suicide!”

“…But hasn’t <Lakshasa> gone in? We should be able to handle it.”

“Hah, someone not even registered with the association! Barely A-Rank, practically a villain!”

“…Do you really think they’re just A-Rank? Haven’t you seen that?”

The Executioner reminded everyone of the sight of the shabbily dressed woman clad in resplendent golden armor entering the invisible barrier. Mahatma became speechless.

No one else could enter the invisible barrier, except Lakshasa.

“…Perhaps they’re S-Rank, maybe even higher. There must have been a reason they weren’t registered with the association.”

“Grrr…”

Mahatma groaned. Not only the expedition heroes but also the Indian association heroes were losing trust in Mahatma.

All heroes followed the Executioner’s command, not Mahatma’s. Mahatma’s pride hit rock bottom.

“I, I…”

Just as Mahatma’s eyes filled with ominous energy,

Ziiiiing!!

A golden and sky-blue light erupted from the center of the Taj Mahal.

“Alert!”

With the Executioner’s sharp cry, the heroes gulped. The towering beams of light piercing the heavens were undoubtedly the residual magic power of the two survivors.

“Thirty minutes and still took so long! Did they succeed?!”

“I was counting on it, damn it!”

Ssss.

The barrier began to disappear. The light gradually dimmed, revealing the devastated interior garden of the Taj Mahal.

“Did…did the core explode?”

A circular crater. At its center knelt a crimson bird-man towering over 30 meters, clearly exhausted.

“What…is that?!”

Like a legendary phoenix grown giant, the heroes realized the identity of the towering bird-man exuding menacing killing intent.

“Garura’s magic power!!”

“Is that…her true form?”

The heroes gaped. Compared to CARula, the monstrous and imposing figure left no doubt that CARula had been weakened by Cheongnyeon.

“Where are the others?”

“There!!”

In front of the kneeling Garula.

On the right was <Hwakwon>, limping slightly with a tilted body.

On the left was <Lakshasa>, with dented golden armor, leaning on their halberd.

And between them…

Step, step.

A blue-haired woman walked forward and raised her hand.

“Cheongnyeon humbly requests. In the name of Blazing Phoenix, I humbly beseech thee.”

Cheongnyeon’s voice resonated throughout the Taj Mahal as if imbued with magic power. Streams of blue flames emanated from her entire body, gradually encircling Garula.

“To the baby bird who lost its mother, I humbly request a new resting place. For the wounded soul, a new sanctuary to rest.”

Garula’s killing intent gradually subsided. The blue flames enveloping Garula’s massive body transformed into an egg-like shape, and for a fleeting moment, the heroes felt it was sacred.

“May the land blessed by the sun grant the wings to spread anew.”

Clap.

Cheongnyeon clasped her hands in prayer. The Indian heroes flinched but none dared to stop her.

“Blazing Phoenix Revival.”

At the low chant of Cheongnyeon, the blue flame egg began to shrink.

“Huff…”

Cheongnyeon exhaled deeply, her face pale, then collapsed backward.

“Phoenix!”

“Got it!”

At Lakshasa’s call, Hwakwon leapt high into the sky. Simultaneously, Lakshasa supported Cheongnyeon from behind.

While flying down in a trail of azure flames, Hwakwon cradled Garula princess-style and gently landed.

“Mission complete.”

Hwakwon nodded grandly and grinned broadly. Though somewhat foolish-looking, no one found his smile ridiculous.

Rather, it was admirable.

“……Phew.”

The Executioner sighed in relief and removed her beret.

“Operation concluded. Everyone did great work. …Sincerely.”

Amid thunderous cheers, the heroes blessed the newly born girl.

* * *

Meanwhile, somewhere.

“Hmph.”

Chief Administrator Yu Yeong-ho crushed his cigarette butt into the ashtray and let out a sigh of relief. The ‘plan’ proceeded without a hitch, and Yu Yeong-ho relaxed and stood up from his seat.

– Hey, rookie.

He was about to stand up. Yu Yeong-ho sat back down and curtly replied to the old man who had called him.

“…I was about to use the restroom.”

– Wait a minute. We’ve encountered a very serious issue.

“…Serious issue?”

Impossible. It can’t be. Yu Yeong-ho clenched his fist under the desk. Surely it couldn’t be exposed—

– <Lakshasa> isn’t A-Rank. They’re S-Rank, possibly even SS-Rank! Damn it, what was the Indian association doing?! Now we have to assign a title without any preparation!

“Ah, serious indeed.”

Yu Yeong-ho extinguished his cigarette butt. Although he wanted to turn off the old man’s screen, he endured with great patience.

“Title, huh…”

Bip.

A text message arrived on Yu Yeong-ho’s magical device. There was no sound, no interception, a direct signal. Lowering his head slightly, Yu Yeong-ho checked the message.

“…Lakshasa’s light split the heavens, although Hwakwon was involved too.”

[Oh, great! Rookie, as expected! Ideas are flowing, aren’t they?! So what?!]

Yu Yeong-ho tightly shut his eyes and shrugged.

“Light splitting the new world’s heavens. How about <Kaitae Kwang (開天光)>?”

[…….]

The old man fell silent. After pondering for a while, he quietly spoke.

[You.]

“Yes.”

[If I had to pick the best thing I did this year, it would be accepting you into our ‘circle,’ hahaha!]

“…An honor.”

[Open Heaven Light! Open Heaven Light! Haha, I love it! Without you, we’d have spent another week deciding on a title! Incredible, rookie!]

Click. The old man disappeared after saying his piece. Yu Yeong-ho lit another cigarette and flipped his middle finger at the now blank screen.

“You dried fish bastard… …ugh, even I think this is bad.”

Yu Yeong-ho thanked that no one was in his room and turned off his computer.