Chapter 384

〈 Chapter 384: Episode 1, Part 16, Chapter 19 〉

After using my fists as Harang’s proxy in a sparring match against Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan…

The Seok Harang family faces an unprecedented conflict.

“Bring me some Western food.”

“And some rice soup.”

The former was Rusalka, the latter Harang. Unable to properly eat anything before their upcoming family reunion, they awkwardly attempted small talk over an uneasy meal.

The problem? Their wildly different tastes in cuisine.

Light Blade Heo Yoon-hwan was a devoted Korean food enthusiast.

Rusalka had adopted her husband’s preference for Korean cuisine.

And Harang, having all meals catered at Yu-Sung Hotel, preferred Western dishes.

Just as it seemed like this culinary clash would tear them apart, I called upon Yun Yuhwa for assistance.

– I’ll clear out the hotel buffet. Since Xroids are staff members, you won’t have to worry about other people’s opinions.

Thanks to Eun Yuha’s thoughtful arrangement, the family could enjoy their respective favorite foods without restraint. Having delivered them to the hotel, I prepared to return to White Phoenix Isle.

“I’d like to spend one day talking with… Mom and Dad before heading back.”

Harang only called Heo Yoon-hwan “Dad” when he wasn’t around. In his presence, she playfully addressed him as “Teacher” or “Sir,” much to his amusement.

“You could stay longer.”

“One day will be enough. Not just for me, but Mom and Dad need to return to Russia soon too. You both deserve some personal time.”

“…Ah, so you’ve figured it out.”

Harang scratched her cheek sheepishly, likely having sensed the deeper intentions emanating from Rusalka’s magical aura.

– If we reconcile with Harang and return to Russia…

Unaware that her true feelings had been detected by her daughter, Rusalka quietly served herself kimchi fried rice.

“Dear, besides mine, what does Harang like?”

“…Should I pack her a pizza?”

“Does that even make sense? Hurry up and pack your own food already.”

The bickering couple filled their plates, while Harang found herself in the peculiar position of being offered too much attention – including unwanted rice cakes she disliked.

“They get along well. At this rate, little brother Harang might arrive.”

“…Can Sa do have children?”

“I’m not sure. Should we ask directly? We could check if she has her period-”

“Do what? How dare you insult my mother!”

“…”

I chose to remain silent about how such displays of affection had become commonplace in front of me, prioritizing their dignity – and my own reputation.

“Well then, Seok Harang, I shall take my leave.”

“Eh? Why? Don’t you want to eat together?”

“I’m exhausted. Besides, this place holds unpleasant memories for me.”

I glanced at the food spread, noticing the overwhelming red hues had diminished significantly. This must be the original taste of the hotel buffet.

“I’ll head over to Baek Hee-a’s place for dinner instead.”

“…Understood. Tomorrow, I’ll create a private pool for you there. Oh, by the way, can I ask one thing? Am I capable of synchronization now?”

“…”

Since this world doesn’t operate on specific flags triggering changes, how could I possibly know? But my hesitant response triggered Harang’s temper.

“You! Didn’t you say meeting my parents would enable synchronization?”

“He said it was possible, not guaranteed. Probably.”

“Damn, I’ve been scammed.”

“Still, didn’t you enjoy meeting your parents? Take advantage of this rare family bonding time. Who knows? Maybe it’ll lead to another opportunity? Hehe.”

Evading a direct answer, I quickly excused myself. Though Harang summoned ice walls across the windows using her magic, it wasn’t enough to stop my escape. Throwing myself through both ice wall and glass alike…

BANG!

I entered the underwater tunnel connecting Busan to White Phoenix Isle.

* * *

“Is Master developing a condition where he can’t resist breaking glass?”

“…Harang.”

Rusalka quietly took her seat with a bowl in hand. Heo Yoon-hwan took extra time preparing various dishes according to Rusalka’s hysterical requests.

“Do you love him?”

Rusalka asked straightforwardly. Harang fidgeted with the water glass in front of her, lowering her head.

“It’s less about love and more about concern…”

Harang absentmindedly twirled her flowing white hair near her collarbone.

“Just being around him feels comfortable. His absence leaves an emptiness. When I’m struggling, he’s always there to help. While he complains endlessly about housework, his criticisms are usually valid…”

“…”

Witnessing this tender side of her daughter, Rusalka felt conflicted emotions. What should she say about Blazing Phoenix within Chang-yeom? Or rather, the separate entity residing inside her?

‘Should I venture a guess…?’

Rusalka deliberated. After discussing with Black Flame Dragon, they believed they’d come close to understanding the relationship between Blazing Phoenix and Chang-yeom.

“Harang.”

“Yes, Mom.”

“If after saving the world, you couldn’t find the person you love, would you give up everything you’ve built now – and in the future – to travel back in time and start anew?”

“The Gold Horseman story? It’s obvious.”

“No, no, what I mean is…”

“I get it. I understand why he keeps pushing me away despite my advances. Whoever this mystery man or woman is, I’ll keep trying until I can’t anymore.”

With calm determination, Harang continued.

“But Mom, I live in the present. I’ll do my best with what I have now. Can’t he transform into a male body anyway? Hmph.”

“What?”

“During Pyongyang raids, he fights using a male voice. That guy, the monster hunter type? He’s completely male. So I jokingly call him ‘brother’ sometimes…”

“…”

This revelation solidified Rusalka’s suspicions. Simultaneously…

“Harang. Win at all costs. I’ll support you with everything I have.”

“Huh? Mom? That sounded like permission…”

“Permission?”

Rusalka firmly grasped Harang’s hand.

“This isn’t permission. This is fate. Harang, make him absolutely unable to live without you. Do you understand? This concerns Seoyea’s pride.”

“Eh… Is it really necessary to go this far?”

“Of course! You see, I lured your father by…”

Rusalka dedicated herself entirely to teaching all her techniques and secrets to her successor, leaving no room for distractions. Meanwhile, Heo Yoon-hwan remained standing until placing numerous dishes on the table.

As they ate…

Their conversation centered around strategies to conquer Blazing Phoenix. Heo approached it tactically, while Rusalka favored romantic tactics.

“So what exactly is this ‘synchronization’ thing anyway?!”

Unfortunately, it was something only the parties involved could truly understand, beyond the comprehension of mere parents.

* * *

‘I shouldn’t let Seok Harang fight anymore.’

Reconciliation and forgiveness with her parents – especially Heo Yoon-hwan. Whether Harang genuinely forgave Heo or merely pretended due to consideration for Rusalka and me remains to be seen through future interactions.

But Seok Harang didn’t kill Heo Yoon-hwan.

That alone was sufficient. After spending time with family, her mindset during battle would shift, leading to mythic awakening.

‘That’s how it happened in the original story.’

Upon meeting synchronization conditions and engaging a foe stronger than her current level, an awakening event would trigger, granting mythic status. Currently, those stronger than Seok Harang include Heo Yoon-hwan, Black Flame Dragon-hosting Xiao Lin, Karna, and myself.

No matter who among the four she battles, Seok Harang will awaken.

‘Really though, will it happen?’

Perhaps mythic status won’t manifest. The best way to confirm would be for me to duel her since I’ve already fulfilled her synchronization requirements. However, the thought of Seok Harang reaching mythic status terrified me.

‘What if she tries to rape me?’

Already disadvantaged by elemental weaknesses, achieving individual synchronization first would leave me overwhelmingly defeated. Mythic power transcends elemental relationships, making even a spirit like myself struggle against it.

If Seok Harang truly defeats me and attempts to violate me right then and there, what should I do? Perhaps I should’ve established ground rules beforehand? You’ve achieved synchronization. Winning will make you stronger than me, so let’s make a pact. Promise not to assault me after winning, alright?

‘Fat chance she’d listen.’

She’d probably enthusiastically try to devour me. Harang appears ready to resort to any means necessary, naturally leaving me feeling extremely uneasy.

“Ugh, this is maddening. Really.”

Returning to White Phoenix Isle, I found quite a crowd gathered, exchanging stories and getting acquainted.

“Gentlemen and ladies, witness the spectacular fire show of the peerless Black Flame Dragon!”

“Why am I stuck here… sigh.”

Black Flame Dragon in human form as Cheongnyeon breathes flames into the sky or…

“AHAHA! You’re truly remarkable! I planned to broadcast it live right there!”

“But there was no other way to protect Garura, right? Sister, would you really do that?”

“Forget it! Damn, we almost broadcast S-rank hero pornography nationwide.”

“…It’s already illegally circulating worldwide, sister.”

“What happened to the leaker? Heard they suddenly disappeared.”

“See for yourself? I have recordings.”

While someone joked about Lee Seung-hyung’s sex scandal, others debated whether the punishment for the video leak was appropriate.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Thanks to you all, I’ve acquired North Korean territory! Thank you!! I’ll be constructing the Yuha Tower in Pyongyang! Those interested, please invest!”

“Who invited this reckless one?”

“Representing Yu-Sung Group.”

“Ladies and gentlemen! Invest in North Korea! Your capital today will multiply at least threefold in the future! Railways to China and Russia! Untapped underground resources! Invest immediately in Yu-Sung Group’s Northern Development Stocks!”

The wild recruitment of investors by the reckless entrepreneur or…

“So where should we go hunting monsters?”

“We need to patrol along the Taebaek Mountain Range line. Dozens appear daily. We haven’t fully secured the areas around Mount Baekdu and Gaema Plateau yet. We’ve just planted flags.”

“It would be nice if the roads were better maintained. The dirt paths make regular vehicles unusable. We really need tanks.”

With core supply sources dwindling, hunters and heroes search for alternative locations or…

“Hey, adults! No fishing next to the swimming area! Go to the island if you want to fish!”

“Excuse me, excuse me, this inexperienced kid telling us seasoned anglers what to do…”

“If you bleed, you die! Just because you’re a hero doesn’t mean you’re exempt! Don’t you know police officers arrest swimmers at beaches?!”

“What?! This brat! Can’t you see it says ‘Fishing Area’?! You can’t swim here because the water’s too deep!”

“Where does it say that?! Fish picture? That means fishing is possible, not exclusively fishing! And you can’t swim because you’re hydrophobic! If you’re at the beach, you should be swimming, not fishing!”

“Can I just let a place where 30cm+ fish are regularly caught go unattended?!”

Amidst these disputes between the swimwear-clad vanguard led by New Seoul cafeteria captain and the sunglasses-wearing, vest-clad angler patriarch…

“Are you planning to intervene, Miss Baek Hee-a?”

“There’s another group on the opposite side. They’re just worse off than this lot.”

Searching for the island owner amidst the chaos since my trip to Busan, I found they’d fled to the annex, abandoning management.

“Haha, hahaha…”

Only Ha Sun-tae, representing the staff, wiped his nose while fluttering his yellow robe, moving through problems like the wind. Though I wanted to console him, there was no time.

“…I should sleep.”

Hurrying back to my room, I quickly prepared for bed. Despite it being fairly early, I felt inexplicably sleepy.

* * *

“Familiar scenery.”

I awoke at the White Phoenix Isle beach and fishing spot. The moon hung high in the sky, and waves gently lapped the shore.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

A familiar voice called from behind. I immediately turned.

“Shall we take a walk?”

There stood Blazing Phoenix, wrapped only in a green veil, poking my back.