Chapter 397

〈 Chapter 397 〉 Part 1, Chapter 17, Section 5

The key members I summoned totaled three.

Baek Hee-a.

Seok Harang.

And Ji Hwa.

Commander of the Hero Association,

S(S) Class Hero protecting Korea,

And the leader of Korea’s largest hunter guild, Blue Wind Sect.

Though there was one entity among them who wasn’t exactly a heroine, Kim Ji-hwa – Lighthouse – had climbed to quite a high position in various aspects. In Hikari’s lab, I shared data that Hikari had found with them and informed them of my strategy.

And the first question the three asked was this:

[Phoenix Sir, Mexico and Rome are entirely different countries, right?]

“I know. Do you think I’d be unaware?”

Even if I’m not an expert on current events, I clearly understand that these two countries are located in completely different areas. I clarified to those who underestimated my geographical knowledge that I am not an idiot.

“Mexico is below the United States, and Rome is within Italy, right? Who would confuse America and Europe?”

[Then why is Blue Wind Sect heading to Europe?]

[…You’re only sending Blue Wind Sect to Mexico, aren’t you?]

As someone who has observed my actions for quite some time, Lighthouse immediately understood my intentions. And the two who noticed that subtle accent also nodded.

[A decoy.]

[Blue Wind flies to Mexico while stalling for time, and the main team heads to Rome where Hydra is, right?]

“Correct.”

When facing a crafty enemy like Hydra, it’s necessary to move while thoroughly concealing our true identity.

“Hydra will surely pretend to be unaware and keep an eye on Seoul’s situation. They’ll likely be investigating whether Phoenix is truly at odds with Seol Hwaryeong and trapped inside a barrier or if they’re pretending to be trapped while targeting them.”

[We should proceed under the assumption that it’s the latter. If Hydra is as crafty as you, sir…]

“Yes. That’s why we need the decoy. Executioners and Blue Wind Sect head east aboard Baegnaroh. Meanwhile, those going after Hydra will head west, to Europe.”

[I get that, but why go there specifically? Did you put honey somewhere in Mexico? Is there a Cube, or is Azidahaka nearby?]

Or perhaps it’s a region where monsters might be hiding. With drug cartels around, it’s a great place for villains and monsters to hide.”

[Or maybe there’s an unknown S-Rank monster? Since SS-Rank monsters end with Nuclearian, this could be a rare S-Rank monster raid for Blue Wind Sect. Just tell us where it is, and we’ll handle it ourselves.]

“……”

I subtly moved a Margarita filled with strawberries to the side of the screen and nodded at them.

There really is a Cube, monsters, and an S-Rank monster, so it’s not exactly deception. To avoid revealing that I was drinking alcohol during our discussion, I vaporized the alcohol with magic power and continued the conversation.

“The Cube… is held by the drug kingpin. A villain and monster using the Cube to mass-produce drugs, so be careful. It might not be a monster yet, but just the villain alone.”

He was once a regular drug dealer who used the Cube to duplicate and mass-produce drugs and narcotics, amassing vast amounts of money. Though not a superhuman, he bought the strength of his subordinates with money and the power of drug addiction, possessing the intellect and charisma to potentially rise to the top of the cartel if left unchecked.

[Drugs… We should be cautious since they might infiltrate Korea through refugees. If possible, we’ll capture them along the way.]

“Hmm. They might still be small-time criminals, or they might have already become a central figure in the cartel. Be careful either way. Beware, their subordinates lose control around women. You know what happens when drugs and gangs mix.”

[That won’t happen, so don’t worry.]

While Baek Hee-a confidently declared this, well… I trusted they would handle it appropriately, but it still made me uneasy, like leaving everything to children.

“…Be safe, and I’m sorry I can’t come along.”

But given the circumstances, there’s nothing else I can do. For the decoy operation involving Baek Hee-a and Blue Wind Sect, I’ve already provided all the help I can. Though I’m worried, I have no choice but to trust them.

[Executioner, please be careful. Uncle Lighthouse, I leave it to you.]

[Don’t mention it. I’ll take good care of Miss Kim Nuri. Don’t worry.]

[Uncle… Yes, you’re an uncle indeed. Ahem. Understood. Blue Wind Sect will give it our all without losing a single member. Master, I will support Gaeul well too.]

“Yes. Remember, your role in this mission is to create as much chaos as possible.”

East—Mexico—where a big commotion will ensue while I—Phoenix—fly west to capture Hydra.

“If anything happens, contact Karna. I’ll be waiting in Korea ready to fly over on Garura.”

[Understood… But sir, there is something I’ve been curious about.]

Kim Ji-hwa hesitated significantly before asking, fearing to pose the question. Seok Harang and Baek Hee-a remained silent, holding back words, but it seemed they wanted Kim Ji-hwa to ask on their behalf.

[Do you really plan to go alone?]

“Not alone. There are two of us.”

I lifted a marble baseball bat placed in a corner of the lab—a refillable item wherever I go, and now enhanced thanks to Hikari’s research, making it a fine weapon.

[…I merely hope nothing like what happened in China occurs.]

“Tch, it’s not like I’m flying directly on a plane. What are the chances of an air crash?”

[What I mean is, I hope nothing chaotic happens like when you awakened Whanryong. It… was quite chaotic in many ways, wasn’t it?]

It was a valid point. Within two days, a massive incident occurred, and thanks to that, I gained a powerful ally. That ally is currently sweeping across China searching for traces of Azidahaka.

“Don’t worry. This time, it’ll be more refined.”

[Are you planning another terrorist attack or something?]

“Excuse me? Terrorist? What have I done so far that makes you say that?”

[Inciting the Guanak Gate scandal, arson at the National Assembly, interference in the Seoul Recovery Operation, assassination attempts on Light Blade, the Apnok River retreat, Good Morning terrorism, Six Mint terrorism, arson at the Taj Mahal, demands for the return of Daimado… How many more historical events do you plan to create?]

Listing them out like that did make it sound impressive, but still, I haven’t gone as far as the original Phoenix burning all of South America.

“Let me reiterate: all of this is for world peace. Right? We must stop Seongju.”

[It’s such a valid statement that I can’t even argue. …Anyway, work hard. I’ll take care of things here. Please don’t give me the chance to kill you with my own hands.]

“Of course. Puhehe.”

Though I have no intention of dying, I did make one promise.

If Blazing Phoenix becomes brainwashed by Seongju, Stone Seok Harang agreed to personally eliminate Blazing Phoenix, having reached that understanding.

“I have no intention of dying, so stop worrying!”

There’s not even a shred of thought about killing Blazing Phoenix.

***

The Ajidahaka Gates appeared sporadically worldwide. The initial chaos settled somewhat, and people gradually adapted.

The predicted doom from the future arrived sooner than expected.

It wasn’t anyone’s fault.

Certainly not because a national leader made a wrong decision, accidentally tickling the whiskers of a sleeping nuclear cat or pressing the interdimensional escape button too hard, opening a dimensional gate.

Naturally, all grievances and enmity were directed toward the Dark Legion and Ajidahaka.

People were furious as Ajidahaka began rampaging wildly, seemingly synchronized with the approaching collision of Pluto.

To save the world, Ajidahaka must be captured. Earth faces two impending apocalypses, and Ajidahaka needs immediate handling.

Naturally, the Round Table issued a statement regarding Ajidahaka. They announced their all-out war against Ajidahaka and promised to mobilize all forces upon identifying its location.

-So, where is Ajidahaka’s main body?

People’s doubts and anger led to bounty offers for Ajidahaka’s whereabouts. A chairman of a Korean conglomerate even offered 2 trillion won for credible information.

Most of the informants, driven by their last three months of life, turned out to be false reports, but some proved useful.

-So, where is Ajidahaka?!

Approximately 99.99% of people tried every effort to find Ajidahaka’s main body. However, the remaining 0.01% consisted of crazy entities—doomsday theorists, villains—who spread false information, committing random destruction and crimes. These were labeled as “Trollers.”

Ultimately, dealing with Trollers and Ajidahaka required endless vigilance. There was no clear method to predict when and where terror or dimensional gates might occur.

The Oracle prophecy ability.

Simultaneously with Pluto’s movement, the Oracle delivered its final prophecy and lost its supernatural abilities.

***

“The blue flame will cover the world, and the phoenix will fall from the sky to perish. This prophecy gives me a really bad feeling.”

How could the original story’s prophecy align so perfectly without a single word changed? Despite how the future got twisted—thanks to me—into utter chaos, why doesn’t Blazing Phoenix’s prophecy change?

The blue flame covering the world.

This doesn’t mean Blazing Phoenix will destroy the world but rather that the protagonist, empowered by Blazing Phoenix, will save the world with the flames of creation.

The phoenix will fall from the sky and perish.

This means Blazing Phoenix, as a subordinate, disappears and awakens as a spirit. Of course, during this process, the protagonist transfers their power and chooses to vanish.

“In short, subordinate Phoenix will awaken as Spirit Blazing.”

I interpreted the Oracle’s prophecy broadcasted on TV. Deokbae turned into a stone bed, and I lay on it, staring endlessly at the sky, passing time.

“Then, Subordinate #2, will I fully awaken as a spirit in this world?”

Can I synchronize with Blazing?

Before convincing Blazing, I need to convince the world.

Brrrriiiing!

My magical gear rang. It was a message from Seok Harang.

[Heading there now.]

That message was enough. I flicked my finger while lying on Deokbae’s stone bed, transforming into monster form.

“Aaah. Hmm.”

The deep, distinct voice of Baek Cheonghwa, the protagonist, clearly resonated. Except for Blazing, no one has ever heard this voice, which is now about to be widely known. Neither Whanryong nor Karna noticed this voice, but soon the entire world will know it.

“Sorry, Gaeul.”

I inadvertently turned a heterosexual into a bisexual, but truthfully, my sexual orientation has always leaned this way. After spending so much time in Blazing’s body, I can comfortably exist on either side…

‘For so long?’

As I fell into deep thought, strange thoughts arose. I crossed my arms in monster form and waited for the visitor coming to Baekyeong Island.

Shhhhhhhh.

The sea split in half as the ice ship docked on the white sand. Baek Hee-a, Seok Harang, Kim Ji-hwa.

And Baek Se-joon.

The man who became the current President of South Korea visited me, exiled to Baekyeong Island, representing Korea, the world, and humanity.

The sole surviving descendant of the protagonist, both now and in the future.

Knowing Baek Hee-a isn’t his granddaughter but still raising her with love, another victim of the original story due to Seong Icheol’s excessive surveillance, forced into retirement as a sex offender.

“Glad to meet you, Blazing Phoenix.”

Regrettably, I couldn’t feel any emotion towards him. And I reminded myself again.

I am not the protagonist but solely Phoenix.

“…Is there any way you can communicate, Seol Hwaryeong?”

When I said nothing, Baek Se-joon turned to Seok Harang in confusion. He deliberately avoided asking Baek Hee-a and hesitated, pointing to the magical gear.

“Text communication seems possible…”

“Troublesome. The whole world is probably watching right now.”

Indeed.

Currently, through the efforts of Lighthouse, the leader of Blue Wind Sect, our meeting is being broadcast live worldwide. Information transmitted via magical gear is generating immense interest, and simultaneously, everyone is concerned and worried about my seated posture on a prehistoric rock.

[Currently surpassing 100 million viewers >☆<]



A typical Hikari emoticon, but the content was intense. Perhaps an hour ago, the announcement was made, and already over 100 million people are watching our encounter live.



And now, I must greet not just 100 million but nearly 6 billion people, the entire population of the world.



That greeting is naturally one. The sunlight was shining brightly on me. I flicked my fingers, unfurled my wings, and spread my arms wide.



"Eternal blue flames—the servant of Chang-yeom, named Phoenix by my Lord. Nice to meet you, ruler of a nation. I am called Blazing Phoenix."



Ah.



They just announced we surpassed 200 million viewers.