Chapter 34

〈 Chapter 34 〉 Part 1, Chapter 3 (3)

Beeeeep.

“Finally here.”

I checked the alarm on my smartwatch. The person behind the message delivered through the Black Market was someone I knew.

[Incheon Parcel] : As you requested, the meeting is set. The chairman wishes to see you. I’ll send you the coordinates; come here.

“Oh, in person?”

‘Not as heavy-hitting as the president, but this guy doesn’t move his butt easily.’

I immediately stood up from the railing.

‘Third time already?’

The first two weren’t intentional meetings, but this time, we decided to approach him first.

“Should bring a gift for the first meeting.”

I tapped my smartwatch to call the Lighthouse. The figure on the screen seemed like he was about to sleep, lying in bed until startled awake and adjusting his posture.

[Yes, yes! Called me, sir?]

“Hmm. Were you just resting? Did I wake you?”

[Haha, what are you talking about? I was just having a cup of coffee and getting ready to work. Is there anything you need?]

“I have somewhere else to go for a bit.”

[Where are you going? How long will you be gone?]

The bloodshot black sclera of Jihwa’s inverted devil eyes suddenly lit up with energy. I opened another screen to check the coordinates sent by Incheon Parcel, Baek Sang-woo.

“To Incheon briefly. He’ll be our new supplier for materials and funds for our organization.”

[Ah! So you’re on an outing to a new client! Understood! I’ll make sure everything runs smoothly while you’re away!]

“…Well, it feels weird to go empty-handed, so…”

I recalled the report submitted by Jihwa.

“Let’s pack some gifts. Put them all in a bag and bring them to the roof.”

[…Now? All of them?]

“Yes.”

Jihwa’s eyelids trembled.

* * *

S-Rank Heroes are the national power of that country.

S-Rank heroes are incredibly strong, almost nuclear weapons in human form. Surprisingly, globally, there are fewer than 200 S-Ranks based on the original story.

South Korea, surprisingly, had eight S-Rank Heroes. For such a small landmass with fifty million people to have eight S-Rank Heroes placed South Korea among the advanced Hero nations.

And then, in 2012, the decline began.

The Pyongyang incident led to the mobilization of all S-Rank heroes. Seven out of eight S-Rank heroes, excluding Seol Hwa Princess who was still an elementary school student at the time, crossed the 38th parallel to handle the situation in Pyongyang.

The result was total annihilation. The monster in Pyongyang devoured five out of the seven S-Rank heroes it faced.

Gwang Geom, Korea’s top hero, suffered severe injuries and barely escaped Pyongyang, returning to Seoul. Another S-Rank disappeared without a trace, leaving no body behind.

Ultimately, only two S-Rank heroes remained in Korea: the severely injured Gwang Geom whose recovery was uncertain and a teenage girl not even fully grown.

With doubts growing about relying on these two for the nation’s future, the then-president resigned following the Pyongyang incident, and the capital moved to New Seoul, causing Korea’s prestige to significantly decline.

Fortunately, Gwang Geom recovered his wounds, and Seol Hwa Princess grew up well and became famous. At that time, Sun Icheol, leader of the opposition party, gathered strength in New Seoul and appealed to the citizens:

– Let Gwang Geom stay in New Seoul and Seol Hwa Princess in Busan to regain their strength. We’ll cultivate heroes based on these two key cities.

Monsters feared S-Rank heroes. Their mere presence and magical aura were enough to deter monsters from attacking cities inhabited by S-Rank heroes. Like hyenas avoiding lions’ territory.

Thus, New Seoul and Busan became safe.

Only New Seoul and Busan became safe.

– If we just move to New Seoul or Busan, we can live without worrying about monsters!

This was the trigger for overpopulation in New Seoul and Busan. Sun Icheol shouted to the residents liberated from monster attacks in New Seoul and Busan:

– When we’ve regained enough strength, let’s reclaim Seoul. Let’s restore our past glory!

Restoring the former glory of the S-Rank powerhouse would mean reclaiming Seoul too. That passion turned into the “Seoul Reclamation Operation,” which existed only as a plan for years but finally became reality.

*

<April 11, 2020, New Seoul Hero Association Headquarters>

“Glad to meet you. I am Shin Jin-gwang.”

The man with short white hair saluted formally. Every gesture reeked of military discipline.

“Glad to meet you, Minister of Monster Countermeasures. I am Director Yu Yeong-ho.”

“I’ve heard much about your reputation. Your ingenious tactics in Gangwon Province serve as excellent manuals even in our military.”

“So you’re also from the military.”

“That’s right. Though now relegated to the bottom of the defunct army, being appointed as the Minister of Monster Countermeasures requires my utmost dedication. I look forward to working with you, sir.”

Yu Yeong-ho shook hands awkwardly with Shin Jin-gwang.

“…Just a reminder, tactics against monsters differ greatly from modern warfare tactics, especially concerning hero command.”

“Enough. I’ve already endured countless criticisms regarding that during the confirmation hearing. I don’t want to hear it anymore.”

Shin Jin-gwang relaxed his grip. Yeong-ho sighed inwardly.

‘Soon, this one will change too.’

After the previous Minister of Monster Countermeasures who fled to Japan, this man was the umpteenth minister, whose number Yeong-ho couldn’t even remember. Yeong-ho sat across from Shin Jin-gwang.

“So, Minister, what do you intend to do about the Seoul Reclamation Operation?”

“Since His Excellency the President ordered it, it must naturally proceed, right? We can’t keep handing Seoul over to monsters and villains forever. Haha. This operation will succeed without any problems. Haha.”

Yeong-ho’s eyebrows slightly furrowed. Among the many ministers he’d seen since becoming the head of the Association’s Tactical Planning Team and representing Korean commanders, the balding middle-aged man before him left the worst first impression.

Yeong-ho barely resisted the urge to leave the seat immediately.

“The association is also planning to cooperate fully. Already, more than 80 heroes have volunteered upon hearing rumors of the Seoul Reclamation Operation.”

“Good. More is better, isn’t it? The more heroes, the better.”

“One of those volunteers is Gwang Geom.”

The jovial grin on Shin Jin-gwang’s face instantly froze, revealing obvious discomfort.

“Absolutely unacceptable. Gwang Geom must protect New Seoul. Who will guard New Seoul if he leaves?”

“Don’t we have Lee Seung-hyeong?”

Shin Jin-gwang snorted disdainfully.

“Hah! You’re overly protective of a brat not yet thirty. No matter how he’s related to the president, it won’t work. Do you truly believe a bear could fill the gap if Gwang Geom goes to Seoul?”

“Hwakwon. The Dragon Slayer. It’s publicly acknowledged by Gwang Geom himself that he has reached the S-Rank level.”

“Enough. I’m well aware that Gwang Geom highly regards him. But His Excellency does not wish for Gwang Geom to leave New Seoul. He wants Lee Seung-hyeong to go to Seoul. That’s His Excellency’s decision.”

Yeong-ho gritted his teeth. He’d already discussed this issue with Seung-hyeong long ago.

“You know he doesn’t want to go, right? Attempting the Seoul Reclamation Operation without an S-Rank is practically impossible. To defeat the monster at City Hall, we need at least the equivalent of two S-Rank heroes.”

At Yeong-ho’s remark, Shin Jin-gwang smirked.

“His Excellency will persuade him. That’s His Excellency’s assurance. And another source of power…you probably already guessed, didn’t you? Since the Association announced your deployment to Busan.”

Yeong-ho stiffened.

“Surely you’re not thinking of bringing her? She’s just turned adult.”

“Experience-wise, she surpasses you. And…”

Shin Jin-gwang scrolled through the screen.

“Seol Hwa Princess has already expressed her willingness to participate. Filling her absence is why you’re being deployed to Busan. About this moment…”

Shin Jin-gwang laughed while checking the alarm on his smartwatch and initiating a video call. The breaking news flashed just ten seconds ago.

[Breaking News] Seol Hwa Princess, Seok Ha-rang, arrives in New Seoul.

* * *

<Meanwhile, Incheon Port Container Dock>

Tat-tat-tat, Tok.

Electric sparks illuminated the darkness inside the container. Baek Sang-woo coughed while entering, brushing off accumulated dust.

“Hey, Sang-woo’s here.”

“Sorry for making you travel such a long way, Chairman.”

The burly man sitting on a drum greeted Sang-woo. Sang-woo took a seat opposite the man referred to as Chairman, amidst glances from the others.

“Last time, the core you sent was used well. Everything’s perfect. Have a taste.”

The smell of grilled pork belly teased the nose.

“Is this coming out of my salary?”

“Nope. Out of your bonus. Hahaha!”

Sang-woo glanced at the ceiling for a moment before picking up the chopsticks. The Chairman was still a cheapskate.

“If you tack the cost of your trip here onto my bill, I might just leave for overseas.”

“Not happening. You can’t leave Incheon until your contract ends. It’s disappointing to part ways after finding such a big client.”

Big client. Recalling the villain in question made Sang-woo chew slowly. Even the finest quality meat, perfectly cooked, felt stuck in his throat somehow.

“Sorry about criticizing the A-Rank reports last time. You understand, right?”

“I do.”

Even Sang-woo himself struggled to believe what he saw firsthand, let alone someone reviewing photos in New Seoul.

“Her name…what was it? Blazing Phoenix? Man, despite the modest moniker, she’s quite generous, huh, haha!”

The Chairman affectionately stroked the A-Rank core beside him.

“This is what she calls a ‘gift.’ Sang-woo, what kind of person is she? A man? A real tough guy? Ha, I almost fell for her fiery spirit. Who throws around A-Rank cores like they’re nothing just to say hello to the Incheon branch? Hahaha.”

“…She’s got a temper like Patchwork Emperor.”

Recalling the storm that swept through his office, Sang-woo unconsciously raised his glass of soju, remembering the near-disaster three days ago when the Black Market almost went up in flames.

“Huh? Don’t you not drink?”

“…I don’t think I can greet that guest sober.”

“Ah, a drunkard, eh? You should at least finish a barrel before clinking glasses with me—”

Clang!

The Chairman abruptly leapt to his feet. The pork belly and charcoal scattered across the floor, but no one dared comment.

“Trouble?”

“No.”

The reply from the suited woman standing nearby prompted the Chairman to clutch the core tightly to his chest.

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of knocking on the ceiling indicated someone was definitely on top of the container. The Chairman glared fiercely at Sang-woo.

“Sang-woo, did you betray me?”

“…Chairman.”

Sang-woo shook his head and covered his ears.

“It’s that customer.”

“What?”

Kaboom!

Part of the ceiling exploded and collapsed. The Chairman’s bodyguards, using their abilities, rushed toward the falling debris.

Sang-woo swiftly darted to the side of the container wall and pressed against it.

Snap.

A crisp clap echoed, and the bodies of the guards exploded and fell.

The Chairman ground his teeth at the gruesome sight through the smoke.

His carefully selected elite guards had been defeated in a single blow. The expensive former A-Rank hero hired lay writhing on the floor, badly charred.

“Tch. Who grills pork belly in a place like this? You’ll get cancer.”

Pushing aside the smoke with a wave, a woman in a blue cassock approached. Phoenix smirked at the Chairman as he looked askance at Sang-woo.

“Is that her?”

“Yeah.”

“But she looks like a religious fanatic?”

The Chairman’s observation prompted Sang-woo to scratch his cheek. Last time, the high school uniform was nowhere to be seen; instead, the customer who broke through the ceiling wore a proper cassock complete with a veil.

“…Whether hero or villain, aren’t concept costumes trendy these days? China even has a resurrected Guan Yu wielding a Crescent Blade slicing through monsters.”

“That’s true.”

“What are you whispering about?”

Phoenix stomped her foot, dispersing the smoke and dust within the container through the hole in the ceiling. The Chairman marveled at the delicate control of magic power emitted by her foot stomp.

“She’s kinda cute.”

“This face is somewhat pretty, yeah.”

Phoenix carried two large duffel bags slung over each shoulder. Through the green fabric, bulging shapes caught Baek Sang-woo’s attention.

“Here you go, gifts. I intended to give you one, but I’ll give both.”

Phoenix untied the two duffel bags and tossed them to the Chairman. With a cry of alarm, the Chairman stepped back far, refusing to touch them.

“Eek! Where’s the sweaty trash coming from….”

Thud-thud.

From the torn fabric, something rolled out and bounced across the floor. The Chairman, transfixed, picked up the translucent orb that landed near his shoe. A blue film covered the sphere.

“Following Mr. Baek’s advice, I’ve ensured the magic scent doesn’t leak. Now you can just take them to the workshop and exchange them for cores.”

“…Both of these?”

Baek Sang-woo pointed alternately at the two duffel bags. Phoenix nodded with a smile.

“Yes. I collected everything from Guro, Yeongdeungpo, and Yeouido. Hmm…about 200 D-Rank cores? Probably around that.”

The Chairman tremblingly tore open the side of one duffel bag. Inside, various glowing monster cores shone through their blue-coated surfaces.

Phoenix extended her hand toward the Chairman.

“Pleased to meet you, Chairman.”

“Uh, uh, yes?”

Caught off guard, the Chairman shook her hand. His pot-sized hand nearly engulfed Phoenix’s tiny one.

The Chairman was startled by the immense heat radiating from that small hand and instinctively tried to pull away. However, Phoenix’s grip held firm like a hawk’s talons clutching its prey.

Grinning, Phoenix rested her right hand on her left shoulder and bowed slightly.

“I’m known as <Blazing Phoenix>.”