〈 Chapter 39 〉 Part 1, Chapter 3 (8)
<April 20, 2020, 10 PM, Blue Wind Sect Guro Base.>
“So, in that sense, I’m looking for good ideas to crash the villain alliance meeting.”
At my words, Deokbae frowned.
“Why? You’re asking for opinions.”
“Tch.”
Deokbae picked up a ball he was about to hit in billiards and threw it at Ji Hwa. Ji Hwa, holding a C-Rank Core, grinned.
“Hahaha! See? I told you the Sect Leader is someone reasonable.”
“…I didn’t think of using cores as billiard balls. But… did you bet on me without telling me? Right now?”
“Is there a problem? This was compensation anyway.”
“There’s no problem.”
Right then, Cheon Gaeul was lying down hugging a bunch of cores.
“Mmmmm. If I do this, I can awaken…”
The monster core wrapped in my magic power is safe unlike in Incheon where monsters went berserk. I placed a round table in the middle of the lounge and brought a chair to sit down. The others also brought chairs and sat around.
“So, if anyone has any good ideas, please speak up. Think carefully about what we discussed earlier.”
“Make the Villain Alliance a subordinate organization of the Blue Wind Sect while simultaneously having them clash with heroes in the Seoul Reclamation Operation… That’s what you said, right?”
Cheon Gaeul stood up with a somewhat uneasy expression.
“Yes. Let the Villain Alliance and Heroes mutually weaken each other. Then, with the weakened Villain Alliance under us, the Blue Wind Sect will stand atop them and seize Seoul.”
I already had a plan in mind and had explained it to my subordinates.
“We must announce the Blue Wind Sect’s existence at today’s meeting and participate in the alliance. Then, we need to guide the villains to fight instead of running away.”
“How are you going to do that?”
I raised my fist.
“Intimidation?”
“Suppressing them by force isn’t good. Even if they’re villains, they’re still people. If Phoenix doesn’t turn everyone into monsters, they’ll betray you eventually. Fear is only temporary.”
“It works short-term. But wasn’t your goal to occupy all of southern Seoul? They’ll run away from you because they’re scared.”
“I agree. Not wrong.”
“Then should we persuade them? Join under us and fight, and we’ll give you cores. Something like that?”
“Villains aren’t mercenaries or hunters. If you offer them cores, they’ll just try to stab you and take them.”
“Um….”
Ji Hwa raised his hand, so I gestured for him to speak.
“I think showing them the whip first and then giving them the carrot isn’t bad. Display Sect Leader’s overwhelming power and inform them of the benefits of joining the Blue Wind Sect.”
“Not bad. Hey, what can you offer the villains?”
I thought about the carrot Ji Hwa mentioned.
“At least immortality when they become monsters? Ah, not immortality. Since they die eventually.”
“Will they die if the heroes kill them?”
Ji Hwa seemed slightly frightened, but I shook my head.
“No. If I recover your core, I can revive you. When I die, all the monsters I created will die too.”
“I will protect you for the rest of my life! Sect Leader!”
Ji Hwa’s almost excessive loyalty made Deokbae scoff.
“Rejected. Why would anyone want to become a monster risking their life?”
“Hmm, how about safety from monsters?”
Gaeul pointed at me.
“Phoenix directly goes out and defeats monsters. And then distribute the monster remains to the organizations.”
“Aren’t you just becoming heroes instead of villains?”
“Do we have to act exactly like villains? We’re ultimately rebuilding Seoul as a livable city, not creating a paradise for villains, right?”
“That’s true even though we used the word ‘occupation.'”
It’s regrettable that we lack deployable forces despite needing villains as a necessary evil. Ideally, I’d mass-produce monsters to confront the association, but that would attract global attention and spark a war.
Seoul suddenly appearing with monsters and evil organizations—it’s the perfect provocation to draw the world’s heroes’ aggro.
“It’s hard. Having the villains disrupt the association’s operations while the Blue Wind Sect appears as a simple villain group… Honestly, if I got a script like this, I’d immediately criticize the writer.”
“Who chooses the difficult path when an easy one exists?”
“…Are you talking to me?”
Deokbae and Gaeul avoided my gaze. Ji Hwa seemed lost in thought.
“Huh? Mr. Ji Hwa. Did you think of anything?”
“No. I just remembered a movie where someone suddenly crashes and makes nearby organizations their subordinates.”
“Oh, I feel like I know that one too. It’s an American movie, right? One of those hero movies that came out towards the end.”
Gaeul lifted her index finger and pulled up the corners of her mouth. I clapped and praised Ji Hwa.
“Does something like that exist here too? Wow, it’s surprisingly well-implemented.”
“…What are you guys talking about?”
Deokbae could only roll his eyes, clearly not understanding.
“Subordinate 2, I order you to watch it later. Since it contains exemplary content for any villain, take good notes.”
“As an actor, I respect that person greatly, but using them as a reference for becoming a villain… sigh. How ironic that it becomes a villain’s textbook.”
“In the current situation, I think it provides a great impact for reference.”
Afterward, Ji Hwa, Gaeul, and I finalized the plot. From entrances, lines, actions, to costumes. For about ten minutes, Deokbae didn’t say a single word. What a useless guy.
“Alright. Let’s go with that concept. Hmm… What kind of magic should I show? Pencil magic? Incineration magic?”
“…Phoenix, you’re not trying to kill someone again, are you?”
Oops. Gaeul’s comment made my heart sink.
“Eh, eh. A strong first impression is better, right? Just swing the whip once.”
“You’re going to wipe out everyone in the conference room, not just some low-level members.”
Gaeul placed her hand on her chest.
“Alright. I’ll go. Pretend to be the representative of the Blue Wind Sect. I’ll create the situation Phoenix wants without killing anyone.”
“Gaeul seems reliable given her intelligence…”
I alternated my gaze between Deokbae and Ji Hwa. A sigh escaped involuntarily.
“It feels unsafe sending Gaeul alone. I’ll just go myself.”
“I agree with Cheon Gaeul. I don’t know what it is, but Cheon Gaeul will probably do better than you.”
Deokbae opposed me. I glared at Ji Hwa.
“Mr. Ji Hwa?”
“……”
Ji Hwa couldn’t decide which side to take and didn’t voice his opinion. He suggested the idea earlier, but now he seemed conflicted between his superiors. Like someone pondering which faction to join in office politics.
Just as I was about to prompt Ji Hwa, Deokbae interrupted.
“Two votes in favor, one against, one abstention. That’s settled.”
“Mr. Jo Deokbae? The Blue Wind Sect isn’t a democracy, you know? It’s a dictatorship under Blazing Phoenix.”
“Phoenix.”
Gaeul suddenly grabbed my hand.
“Let’s make a bet.”
“What kind of bet?”
Suddenly, my ears perked up.
“If I successfully convince the Villain Alliance to fight the association, I win. If I succeed, let me contact my parents after the mission ends. I assume you won’t bring me to New Seoul even if I ask.”
“That’s fair.”
“But if I fail, you can do whatever you want to me. Even if you kill all the villains and make them subordinate to the Blue Wind Sect, I won’t say a word.”
“…Isn’t that too big a gamble for just one phone call?”
Gaeul gripped my hand tightly. That alone showed her determination clearly. I avoided her gaze.
“Gaeul, I understand you’re worried about people dying, but this bet seems too one-sided in my favor.”
“If I fail, I’ll give up returning to New Seoul.”
“What?”
Even Deokbae was surprised. I felt a faint trace of magic through Gaeul’s hand—proof of her sincerity.
“You can even turn me into a monster. I won’t step foot in New Seoul ever again. Please let me go.”
“What gives you such confidence, exactly?”
Gaeul smirked. That smile reminded me of Masquerade’s face—always brimming with confidence and self-esteem.
“I trust my acting skills and intellect. I’ve acted as secondary-level villains before.”
“Morning dramas though.”
Deokbae nitpicked. Gaeul immediately shot him a venomous glare.
“Shut your dirty mouth! Before I sew it shut with a needle!”
“……Why did you have to demonstrate that to me personally?”
Deokbae chuckled awkwardly at how absurd it was. Gaeul relaxed her expression.
“Anyway, no issues. Ji Hwa, is there a DVD player in the building lounge? There should be one somewhere. That movie is pretty common.”
“Yes, yes! It’s on the 16th floor. It’s saved as a file, so you can watch it right away.”
“Got it? I’ll review it one more time before I go, even though I haven’t awakened my special ability yet.”
Gaeul took a deep breath.
“When it comes to acting, I’m the best here. Trust me. Fourteen years of an actress’s career.”
“…Sigh, fine. I get it.”
I raised both hands in surrender.
Considering Gaeul succeeding benefits me and failing also benefits me, there’s no reason not to let her try.
“But it’s not allowed.”
“What?! Why?!”
Gaeul shouted loudly. I pointed at Deokbae and Ji Hwa while miming cutting my neck with my hand.
“I can’t send these two with Gaeul. Sending non-combat B-Rank or C-Rank monsters might as well be me going myself.”
“That seems inconvenient.”
Ji Hwa unusually spoke with certainty.
“I know someone who attended the Villain Alliance meeting. I even visited once. They treat special abilities like a Joseon Dynasty class system. The higher the special ability, the higher the human hierarchy. Non-special ability users are treated worse than humans. Essentially slaves, especially women who are treated as sexual objects…”
Gaeul scrunched up her face.
“You’re saying that? You, Lighthouse?!”
“Wha- No! I’ve never done anything like that! What power do I have to do such things?”
Ji Hwa vigorously denied while standing up, causing Gaeul to look at me questioningly.
“…So, you were the trigger?”
“Hah. Really. Do you expect me to believe that?”
I questioned Ji Hwa. It was an order.
“Ji Hwa, answer my questions.”
“Yes, yes! Ask anything!”
“How old are you, Ji Hwa?”
“Thirty-two!”
“How many girlfriends have you dated so far?”
“Uh… None.”
“Have you ever had sex?”
“…..No.”
I shrugged indifferently at Gaeul, who looked pityingly at Ji Hwa. His trembling devil eyes were bloodshot. Gaeul bowed her head apologetically.
“I’m sorry, Ji Hwa. It was a misunderstanding on my part.”
“It’s alright. Huff. I’ve been married to overtime work, after all.”
Seeing Ji Hwa shaking his hands and holding his breath made me feel sorry for him. I should probably give him an A-Rank Core as compensation later to soothe his feelings.
A little while later.
Ji Hwa somehow calmed down. Though his insides must have been flipped upside down.
“…Therefore, I don’t think it’s a good idea for Sect Leader and Cheon Gaeul to go together. While Cheon Gaeul is obviously capable, Sect Leader also has an appearance that will surely be disrespected at first sight. Without exception, they’ll likely attempt to overpower you with force.”
“Which will make her angry and try to kill everyone.”
Deokbae pointed at me. I didn’t deny it.
“Then what should we do? I don’t want a fight to break out. Phoenix, don’t you have any methods?”
“That method you’re asking me for now… sigh. …Really. There is one way.”
I tore off the veil.
Honestly, I don’t want to do this. Gaehul’s hopeful gaze eagerly waiting for me was incredibly hard to ignore.
I asked Ji Hwa while pointing at Deokbae.
“Ji Hwa. Would it be effective if a monster about two meters tall, like Subordinate 2, accompanied Gaeul as a bodyguard? Skill level S-Rank… No, even higher?”
“…It would definitely be threatening. Actually, it might be excessive. Sky Castle’s organization, while large in size, doesn’t have multiple S-Rank individuals under them.”
Deokbae tilted his head.
“Are you making a new monster? That S-Rank core from the tentacle thing?”
“No. We need to use existing resources.”
I stood up and glared at Gaeul. Seeing my gaze, she flinched and stepped back.
“Cheon Gaeul. I’ll ask you one last time. Are you really confident you’ll succeed? Do you trust your acting skills enough to stake your life and future?”
“…Of course.”
Her resolve was already evident enough. I threw the veil to Deokbae and walked towards the window.
“I’m really taking a big risk trusting Gaeul.”
My magic power began to stir. Blue flames erupted from my human form, transforming into magic energy.
“I really didn’t want to change into this form.”
Chang-yeom burned the priest’s robes and enveloped my body.
