Chapter 383

〈 Chapter 383 〉 Part 1, Chapter 16, Section 18

August 26th.

We accepted Baek Hee-a’s invitation and flew to an uninhabited island in the Western Sea, driving our personal vehicles. All the officers of the Blue Wind Sect took leave on the same day—even Ryu Cheonseong, the politician did so—and everyone climbed onto the back of the Black Flame Dragon, which was stealthily hidden under the sunlight.

Thus, we arrived at the coordinates given by Baek Hee-a. However, there was no sign of an island; only the vast expanse of the Western Sea stretched before us.

“The coordinates are correct, but why isn’t it here?”

“The Executioner was supposed to arrive first and give us the exact location.”

The officers searched for the island that Baek Hee-a had mentioned, but even Ji Hwa, who used his special ability, couldn’t detect anything.

“Look harder.”

“Director, could it be some kind of barrier?”

“That’s a reasonable assumption, but incorrect. If it were a barrier, some of us would have sensed magical power.”

“Hmph.”

There was no trace of a barrier’s magical energy over the sea. Instead, another reaction was distinctly felt emanating from the seabed. The officers’ eyes lit up with curiosity.

“Could it be…?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Another monster residing in the Western Sea?”

“…It’s not Western Sea Weapon, nor is it a monster. It’s more like the legendary Nessie, but it actually exists.”

I contacted Baek Hee-a. Since both parties were in stealth mode, it was only natural for us to initiate contact first.

[Have you arrived?]

Magical Gear’s screen displayed Baek Hee-a’s face. She looked thinner, having evidently suffered mentally during her vacation.

“Yes, we’ve arrived. Please come up now.”

[Do you have anything to say to me?]

“…”

I remained silent. Regarding the secret of Baek Hee-a’s birth, I had only told Deokbae, and Deokbae hadn’t leaked it externally.

“What’s going on? Did you two make some kind of secret pact again?”

“Did you decide to establish some sort of relationship with the Executioner?”

Thus, the officers misunderstood. I waved my hand to dismiss them, cleared my throat, and shamelessly raised my head.

“At least I confirmed there’s no risk of inheriting baldness genes, so isn’t this a good thing?”

[That’s what you call a conversation, huh? Alright. Please descend to the island.]

“An island? There’s nothing here when we look around—”

Gurgle Gurgle.

The sea began to shake violently. It seemed like an earthquake, but it wasn’t natural.

“The island…is it…?”

“Rising from the sea?”

Shwooshhh—

A giant dome-like glass covering appeared above us as seawater flowed over it. Beneath the glass, a proper island had emerged, with Baek Hee-a standing on a white sandy beach wearing a black beret.

“It’s Baek Hee-a’s special ability. It’s also a hideout for the Baek family.”

“Is that considered a special ability?”

“Yes.”

I pointed to the cannons positioned all over the island. This place was less like an island and more like a fortress.

“It’s been modified into a massive ‘submarine’ for Baek Hee-a.”

In essence, this was a super-large submarine built specifically for Baek Hee-a, existing as a hidden secret island.

White Phoenix Isle.

We were invited to Baek Hee-a’s hideout.

* * *

If one were patriotic, one might say it fits.

Baek Hee-a’s villa, which doubled as her secret hideout, perfectly reflected her tastes. In the heart of the Western Sea, amidst lush natural surroundings, the officers reacted variously upon seeing the villa.

“…Did I accidentally come to a folk village?”

“Unfortunately, this is indeed the villa, Sky Castle.”

Baek Hee-a, who came out to guide us, took on the role of a tour guide. The officers had no choice but to awkwardly follow her around.

“Do you know about this?”

“Of course.”

Descending in sunglasses and a see-through dress, Gaeul seemed ready to cover herself with tentacles. Despite already wearing a swimsuit underneath, Baek Hee-a’s villa didn’t quite fit the vibe of a vacation spot.

“…This is a place where one should wear hanbok!”

“Would you like to borrow some? We have a guest section with hanbok available.”

“This feels like a Joseon Dynasty experience village. Shooting period dramas here would yield stunning visuals.”

“You should soak ramie cloth in the stream while wearing a white mourning robe.”

As the officers commented, Baek Hee-a’s villa resembled a folk village. On either side of the well-trodden dirt path were thatched cottages and tile-roofed houses chosen according to preference.

“It’s amazing the signal works here for Magical Gear.”

“Wow, a thatched cottage from the early Joseon period! It looks so sturdy!”

Among the group following the guide, one foreigner in a modernized hanbok slapped their forehead and couldn’t keep up, but we cheerfully ignored him.

Following Baek Hee-a’s guidance, we entered deeper inside, where a neat and spacious traditional Korean house awaited. It looked like a palace, worth easily tens or even hundreds of thousands per night if advertised as a heritage experience.

“Welcome, Miss, and welcome, esteemed guests.”

A man in a yellow robe greeted us and Baek Hee-a. His face stirred a sense of déjà vu within me.

“Are we acquaintances by any chance?”

“I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere…”

“Hmph hah.”

The man chuckled bitterly. For some reason, I felt guilty for stirring up painful memories.

While I pondered his identity, Baek Hee-a chimed in.

“He was hired when the hot spring was installed inside the island. He’s trustworthy and skilled.”

“If Miss Baek says so… Ah.”

It clicked.

“The hot spring owner?”

“Indeed, you remember. He was the owner of the old Royal Bathhouse. His name is Ha Sun-tae.”

The man, Ha Sun-tae, reached for a business card in his pocket but stopped mid-motion. The gesture reminded me of someone who had long worked in business but switched jobs for some reason, retaining old habits.

“What happened to your original hot spring?”

“…After the guests left, I received a couple of foreign tourists who engaged in indecent acts, leading to the closure of my establishment.”

“I apologize. Let me make amends.”

Right before my eyes stood the perpetrator who had spread his seed across Busan. Despite feeling somewhat apologetic, Ha Sun-tae showed no concern as he gestured towards the interior.

“I’ll guide you this way. The villa has 99 rooms, enough for each guest to have their own with plenty of space remaining. Miss, shall I take over the guiding from here?”

“Yes, please take care of the officers. I’ll personally guide Miss Cheongnyeon.”

Why does the word ‘personally’ sound so ominous? Following Baek Hee-a’s guidance, I moved toward the room assigned to me.

Sure enough, it was right next to hers. Moreover, it was located deep inside the building, resembling the royal quarters of Gyeongbok Palace.

“Isn’t this design too blatant?”

“Ho ho. Isn’t that why it’s called a ‘villa’? It embodies the aspirations of the Baek family… though it’s become ambiguous now.”

“…”

Baek Hee-a chuckled bitterly, leaving me speechless.

“Please let me know when you’re free. With so many people visiting, those with business will likely be resting individually.”

“And you?”

“…You don’t need to allocate time worrying about that incident. I’ve resolved things with Grandfather in my own way.”

Somehow, while I enjoyed my rest, Baek Hee-a seemed to have resolved her issues alone.

“Just a moment.”

Feeling apologetic, I touched her shoulder lightly to offer a gift. My suit glowed blue with magic, transforming her outfit into a hanbok themed in black with accents of blue.

“Sorry, so here’s a present. I’m sorry, Miss Baek Hee-a.”

“…This is truly the best gift for me.”

Blushing, Baek Hee-a placed her hand over her jacket.

“Though I’m no longer a Baek, I’m considering changing my surname. What do you think about ‘Heuk Hee-a’ or ‘Hyun Hee-a’?”

“Just stick with Baek Hee-a. That name suits you best and complements you perfectly.”

Ah.

This line was supposed to come in the bonus chapter. Without looking back, I immediately entered my room.

Morning of August 26th.

I unpacked at Baek Hee-a’s villa. The officers scattered to relax after unpacking their luggage.

Now,

Who should I bother on vacation?

* * *

Afternoon of August 26th.

While the officers rested, key figures began arriving one by one. Attendees included the officers of the Blue Wind Sect, major affiliates, and heroes directly trusted by Baek Hee-a, all invited to White Phoenix Isle.

Undersea Tunnel.

The temporary ice tunnel created by Harang became a tourist attraction for visitors, allowing them to traverse the middle of the Western Sea like an aquarium and enjoy the newly cleaned ocean. After the crowd passed, Harang and I strolled through the Seok Harang Memorial Undersea Tunnel, chatting.

“Was the sea this clean before?”

“Of course not, but it wasn’t entirely trash-free either. Still, it wasn’t this pristine.”

“Mostly because ships would spill oil and wastewater would flow into the ocean.”

“So, you’re saying thanks to the monsters, Earth’s natural environment got cleaner? Sounds like something an environmental activist would say. Tch.”

Harang scowled deeply. Environmental doomsday theorists who claimed that monsters were Earth’s revenge against polluting humans were constant headaches for heroes.

“When those golden horse guys talk, they really piss me off. They claim monsters are less destructive than humans, so humans should naturally go extinct.”

“Don’t stress too much. Anyway, since you sync, technically all water on Earth is under your control.”

You’re practically a water deity from mythology. But my words didn’t seem to impress Harang.

“Pfft. From 99 to 100? You’re exaggerating big time calling that becoming a water god.”

“It’s true. You can create livable environments on the moon or Mars. You could turn the Sahara Desert into a jungle year-round.”

“…If that’s how powerful I am, I guess I should aim for it.”

“Exactly.”

Later, to avoid being absorbed by Yuna, I absolutely had to sync. And to fulfill the last condition tied to Harang, I summoned them.

“Are you prepared? I think I should come along.”

“Nah, stay out of it. Don’t mess things up by interrupting.”

Despite refusing my help, I could feel Harang’s tension and trembling through the magic connection. Even during our battle at Guanak or the Nuclearian raid, Harang hadn’t been this tense.

“Did you shake this much in the future too?”

“In the future, we both died, so there was less pressure.”

“You’re sounding more radical than those environmentalists. Tch. Just relax, alright?”

Slap!

Harang slapped her cheeks with both hands. It was strong enough to leave red handprints, so I infused her with magic. Heat began spreading through her body.

“If you go like this, people will think someone slapped you.”

“Ah, that’s true. But seriously, what should I do?”

Even as Harang converted my magic into her own, she fidgeted nervously. The blood rushing to her face quickly faded the red marks, but her heart continued pounding from the initial tension.

“Should I call her ‘Mom’ or ‘Mother’?”

“Maman?”

“Are you trying to get killed?”

“I don’t think it’s bad. It’s cute, appealing as a daughter.”

“Are you implying I’m cute right now?”

“Since you’re asking, yes. Now stop clinging to my hand, please?”

Harang had been holding my hand from the start. I was embarrassed someone might see us. Her nervousness transmitted through her grip made my chest flutter too.

“Hmph. This is so nerve-wracking…”

“Let go of my hand at least. If someone sees this, Guangjian will have something to say.”

“So what if Dad objects? I want to introduce my favorite older brother by holding hands.”

“Tense much? Seriously, you’re contradicting yourself. You said you’d go alone earlier, but now you want me to come along? You’re confused.”

“…Sorry. I decided to go alone. Ack. Got it.”

Slap.

Harang slapped her cheek again. I once more infused her with soothing warmth. There was barely a minute left until the appointed time.

“Good luck. I hope everything goes well.”

“Hey, can I ask one favor?”

Finally letting go of my hand, Harang leaned in close to make a request.

“Can you record a cheering message for me?”

“…Fine.”

Using Chang-yeom’s body but conveying the intent clearly, I wiped my finger across my lips and then gently pressed it against Harang’s cheek.

“…”

Harang glared at me, dissatisfied. I shrugged and pointed elsewhere, and we exited the undersea tunnel connected to White Phoenix Isle.

Shwoosh.

The waves crashed against the cliffs of D Island in Haeundae. Some remnants of the destruction from my battle with Guangjian still lingered on the island where a foreign couple stood at the edge of the cliff. Harang hesitated briefly before leaping high from the sea toward the cliff.

“Definitely mother and daughter.”

Rusalka’s cheeks were red from her own palm prints. I intended to give them time to talk freely…

“Waaaaahh!!”

Rusalka burst into tears, lunging forward to tightly embrace Harang. Initially awkward, Harang soon started hiccupping as the woman of similar age sobbed loudly.

“Mom, Mom, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Harang, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…”

Rusalka repeatedly apologized without cause, tears streaming down her face. Perhaps due to the direct embrace, Harang clenched her lips tightly, sensing something from Rusalka.

“…”

Harang merely let the tears fall as she hugged Rusalka back. Guangjian bowed his head solemnly, and I hovered above the sea, keeping watch while observing them.

It was a heart-wrenching cry, with magic beginning to radiate outward. Quickly, I erected a barrier centered on D Island.

“Oh dear…”

If water spirits start crying, there’ll be floods. I reinforced the barrier and waited for the two women to stop crying.

“Pointless complications wouldn’t have occurred if Jemma hadn’t held that strange briefing, right, Mom?”

“Exactly. Why did he unnecessarily complicate things and put us in such an awkward situation?”

Having ceased their tears, the two women simultaneously attacked me. While I did bring them together at this spot, I hadn’t anticipated they’d attack me right away.

“Think positively. Thanks to that meeting, you confirmed each other’s survival.”

“Cheeky bastard.”

Guangjian quietly insulted me. But in this situation, while the two Seoyeas could criticize me, Guangjian certainly couldn’t say anything to me.

“That’s none of your business.”

“Yeah, husband.”

“…”

It was Harang’s turn to criticize him, but she remained awkwardly fidgeting. Guangjian was the same. Clearly, there was considerable awkwardness preventing them from conversing freely.

Rather than remaining unaware and reconnecting purely on instinct as Rusalka and Harang had done, Guangjian had spent far longer pretending not to be a father and acting solely as a teacher.

“…I know I don’t deserve to be called ‘Dad.'”

Guangjian spoke first.

“You can hate me forever. I committed unforgivable sins against you.”

“…Is that all you have to say?”

Harang’s voice dropped low. Guangjian closed his eyes like a prisoner awaiting execution.

“Whenever I thought this day might come, I figured I’d just accept your judgment. I wouldn’t beg for forgiveness, simply letting you do as you wished. But…now it’s different.”

Guangjian, or Heo Yoon-hwan, bowed deeply to Harang.

“I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me.”

“…”

A chill emanated from Harang’s body. Rusalka stepped back from her. Rather than siding with either party, she kept her distance from the confrontation between Harang and Heo Yoon-hwan. I merely stood by, prepared to resurrect Guangjian if necessary.

‘Surely she won’t kill him, right?’

Future Seok Harang joked about killing her dad whenever she got the chance. While I knew better than anyone that those weren’t empty words, I couldn’t easily predict how the current Harang felt.

Harang’s magic swirled with a mix of emotions: anger, sadness, irritation, longing, happiness. Her expression remained cold, yet the depth of emotion emanating from her magic was unlike anything I’d ever sensed from her before.

“…Did you think I’d forgive you just because you said sorry, admitted fault, and asked for forgiveness?”

Harang lifted her hand high.

“Brace yourself. I’m launching at full strength.”

A colossal icicle formed above Harang’s hand. Rusalka tried to intervene, startled, but I blocked her path with a magic pulse.

“You!”

“Tch.”

Harang lowered her hand. The icicle, as tall as a spire, shot toward Heo Yoon-hwan’s stomach and sent him plummeting off the cliff.

“Kid!”

Rusalka screamed and rushed down the cliff to retrieve him. Harang had committed patricide. I approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Feel better now?”

“…Honestly, this was pretty lenient.”

Harang grumbled as she adjusted her magic. Having lived nearly twenty years without parents and endured nearly nine years of deceitful master-disciple relations, she had vented her anger with just one throw off the cliff.

Of course, knowing he wouldn’t be harmed, but how would the public react if they learned whose patricide was the greater crime?

“I’m on your side.”

“Well, duh?”

Harang’s ice lance attack was calibrated to ensure Guangjian wouldn’t be injured. She appeared satisfied, and Rusalka returned with Heo Yoon-hwan from the sea back to the cliff top.

“…”

Though soaked like a drowned rat, Heo Yoon-hwan bore not a scratch. As SS-rank individuals, neither could sustain damage from attacks lacking lethal intent.

“For making me live parent-less all these years, and now coming to apologize…Hmph, really.”

Harang scratched her head and waved her hand dismissively. Like many natives of Busan, she had a rather rough edge.

“Don’t waste time hemming and hawing. Let’s call it even with this! Honestly, I’d like to bury you in the middle of the East Sea, but I’m holding back for your sake and Mom’s.”

“…Thank you. Truly.”

Heo Yoon-hwan closed his eyes silently. Watching the regret he had experienced in the Seok Harang route finally resolve brought an unexpected lump to my throat.

“Ah, but I’ll never call you ‘Dad.'”

“What…?”

Heo Yoon-hwan’s eyes twitched. Harang smirked and shrugged.

“No way. After almost twenty years of living alone, you think I’d start calling you ‘Dad’ just because of this? Come on, that’d be too unreasonable. Still, I’m generous enough to treat you like before, as a respected mentor. But do you remember what you said when you came to fetch me?”

“…That I should address you as ‘Teacher’ for the rest of my life.”

Heo Yoon-hwan’s expression paled. Harang grinned triumphantly at his face.

“For the twelve years I spent in the orphanage, you won’t hear ‘Dad’ from me. Teacher Heo Yoon-hwan.”

“…”

Perhaps this was Harang’s ultimate form of revenge.

I simply gave her a thumbs-up.

“Uh, Harang, your mom…”

“Mom’s fine. Don’t worry about her. It’s because of Director Seongju’s Golden Horse that she tried to kill me. Go argue with him about that.”

“…I wish I could turn back time.”

“Now’s your chance to do better. Stop dragging your feet, human. Pick up your sword. I’ll beat you up in place of Seok Harang.”

“Tch.”

“Teacher, I forgave you earlier…but thinking about it, one hit isn’t enough to settle my grudge. Still, officially, I can’t beat my father as it’d make me a disrespectful child. So…”

Harang rested her hand on my shoulder and smiled broadly.

“I hired a fiery masseuse who won’t practice filial piety! I’ll chat with Mom a bit. Teacher, play with her for a while.”

“Wait, I—”

[Just activate your ultimate technique willingly. Did Harang pick this spot randomly?]

“Damn—”

I raised my fist in place of Harang (21) and pounded Guangjian, settling the score for Seok Harang (27).