Chapter 42

〈Chapter 42〉 Part 1-3 (10)

<April 12, 2020, 5:00 AM, Presidential Office at the Government Complex>

Creeeek.

The door to the office, which should’ve been empty of people, opened. Despite the fact that an alarm should’ve gone off for the door opening in the middle of the night, there was no sound. It was as if the person inside had already begun their work.

“You’ve come.”

Inside the office, Sun Icheol gestured for the man to take a seat. The middle-aged man dressed in a suit hesitated awkwardly before plopping down into the chair. A strong smell of alcohol emanated from him.

“What’s all this about summoning me here?”

The man’s tone was brusque, making it hard to believe he was speaking to the President of the nation. He showed no restraint in his hostility towards Sun Icheol.

Sun Icheol calmly accepted the animosity and offered him tea.

“Have some. This is magical herb tea made by Yu Sung. They say it’s perfect for recovering stamina.”

“I’m not tired, so let’s cut to the chase.”

“You might be S-Rank with special abilities and able to zip around effortlessly, but guys like me without any powers need this stuff to function on just two hours of sleep. Since drinking this, I’ve even quit coffee.”

“Enough already, get to the point.”

A golden light flickered in the man’s eyes. As he openly drew upon his magic power, exuding impatience, Sun Icheol calmly set the tea down.

“Seoul, you’re not going.”

“No way.”

Twitch. Sun Icheol’s eyebrows furrowed. Like a rabid dog tied up in the yard who’d bitten through its leash, it lunged at its master.

“Do you understand what you’re saying? Refusing my orders?”

“I know. But even so, I must go.”

“…Fine. There must be a reason you’re being this stubborn.”

Sun Icheol took a sip of tea. The refined magic power in the herbal tea rejuvenated his body.

“Explain then. Why you think risking the safety of five million residents of New Seoul is worth going to Seoul.”

“Is New Seoul really that fragile without just me?”

“How many citizens of this country depend on you alone for their survival, do you even realize?”

The man gritted his teeth.

“A half-paralyzed hero injured in the Pyongyang front line, unable to fight at full strength anymore. So why are you so desperate to hold onto me?”

“But still, you remain the greatest hero of this nation. Nowadays, they say ‘style is temporary, but class is forever’…right? And speaking of…”

Sun Icheol grinned ferociously. Even back during his days as a hidden dragon in Yeouido, his sharp features always brought snakes to mind.

“It’s not that your form has declined, it’s that you’ve been hiding your true strength since joining the Round Table – plenty of magic power and strength to spare.”

“…Let’s leave that as a secret we agreed upon. If I kill you now, it won’t matter anyway. When you die, that information will spread worldwide. Do you think only one person knows about it? Light Blade, remember how you…heh.”

“Surely you haven’t told anyone else?”

“Of course not. Just that when I die, the info will hit the Black Market. I wouldn’t break our agreement. We gave up the title of Hero Nation just to put that collar on you.”

“…Now that Lee Seung-hyeong exists, leave me alone. Isn’t he doing well enough to become the new hero?”

Light Blade shook his head at the words.

“Lee Seung-hyeong isn’t ready yet. He lacks both the experience and accomplishments you have. Do you really think someone like Lee Seung-hyeong can replace the name and legacy of Light Blade, Heo Yoon-hwan?”

“So that’s why you pulled out the Seoul Reclamation Operation card? Not enough with just defeating the Fire Demon Dragon?”

“Listen, Yoon-hwan.”

Sun Icheol removed his glasses. The scar under his left eye twitched slightly.

“Things like demons or whatever don’t resonate deeply with the public. People who haven’t directly experienced them won’t fully grasp the fear. But Seoul is different. Our national DNA already carries the sorrow and anger of losing our land. This time, it’s just happened to be the capital.”

“If that’s the purpose, wouldn’t sending just Lee Seung-hyeong suffice? Why did you call Princess Seul-Hwa to Seoul as well?”

“Hahahahaha!”

Sun Icheol burst into uncharacteristic laughter, slapping his knee as the roar echoed throughout the office.

“So even the mighty Light Blade is human after all! Yes, that’s what’s bothering you, isn’t it? You’re worried about sending Princess Seul-Hwa to Seoul!”

“…I won’t deny it. You know, right? The heart of a father who has a daughter.”

“She’s not actually your daughter, you know. I even checked her genetic tests secretly because I suspected you. Taking care of your disciple like she’s your own child—how admirable. She doesn’t even know who her real parents are, but truly, Princess Seul-Hwa, I envy you.”

“……”

Light Blade took a sip of tea, likely feeling parched. As Sun Icheol said, the herbs infused with core-extracted magic power invigorated the body.

Sun Icheol also sipped his tea, wetting his throat.

“To avoid any misunderstanding, let me clarify something. The government didn’t call Princess Seul-Hwa.”

“…What?”

Light Blade’s eyebrows twisted violently.

“What do you mean? If the government didn’t call her, why is she coming all the way from Busan to here?”

“As expected. I knew you’d react like this. Did you talk to Princess Seul-Hwa yourself? So she lied to her own master, huh? Tsk tsk.”

As Light Blade’s aura grew fiercer, Sun Icheol quickly continued.

“Before officially announcing the Seoul Reclamation Operation, rumors were spread through various channels. Truthfully, Princess Seul-Hwa wasn’t part of my plan. This operation was supposed to be Lee Seung-hyeong’s big stage entirely. However…”

Sun Icheol licked his lips. It looked exactly like a snake preparing to strike.

“She requested to join personally. She even asked you to keep it a secret to this extent.”

“Stone Harang…!”

Light Blade felt betrayed by his disciple Stone Harang, but at the same time, he was impressed that she had reached a level comparable to his own.

Whether she had recently grown rapidly or attained enlightenment to reach a higher realm, he didn’t know. But seeing her willingly confront past traumas, how could he stop her? All he could do was support her as one citizen among the populace. Perhaps this was her chance to finally rid herself of old demons and even clear away the cunning snake at City Hall.

“…Alright. Let’s make a deal.”

Light Blade finished his tea and slammed the cup down.

“Remove Princess Seul-Hwa from the mission. I’ll go instead.”

“No. Absolutely not. Didn’t you hear me? This operation is meant to showcase Lee Seung-hyeong—”

“Then I’ll go too. All three S-Ranks.”

At such an aggressive statement, Sun Icheol’s hand froze mid-lift with his cup. He was surprised to sense anxiety from Light Blade.

“What are you so afraid of? Has the monster at City Hall reached beyond S-Rank? Is it one of those legendary SS-Rank monsters we’ve only heard tales about?”

“That thing is nothing. Hwakwon and Princess Seul-Hwa together should be more than enough to handle it. But…”

Light Blade hesitated, clearly wanting to explain something but unable to bring himself to voice it.

Seeing Light Blade, usually so composed, looking uneasy for the first time ever, Sun Icheol burst out laughing.

“Haha! So even Light Blade gets worried when putting his children in harm’s way, huh? Good thing you didn’t get married and have kids, otherwise we’d have a real crisis on our hands. Heh.”

“……”

Sun Icheol finished every last drop of his herbal tea.

“Don’t worry. It’s not because Lee Seung-hyeong is my nephew—I genuinely believe he possesses strong willpower and ability. And as for Princess Seul-Hwa, you’ve known her longer, so there’s no need to elaborate. These two are destined to lead the new generation as a dynamic duo.”

The changing of the guard among heroes happens faster than expected. While it’s rare for people to awaken as heroes, most don’t survive long enough to reach high levels due to injuries sustained in battles against monsters.

“How long do you intend to keep entrusting national affairs to you, Wind Scholar, Tiger Scholar, Cloud Scholar, and others of your generation? China has already begun their generational shift centered around Unjang. We need to keep pace. What a magnificent word—New Generation.”

“…Understood. Then please allow me to proceed.”

“…When did Light Blade start baring his fangs and clinging to his master like this?”

Sun Icheol’s eyes twitched slightly.

“Is there a monster that requires both you and another S-Rank to barely defeat it? Or has the monster from Pyongyang descended upon Seoul without me knowing? I don’t understand why you’re being so obstinate. Give me a reason to disrupt my entire plan and send you to Seoul. Something the five million residents of New Seoul, besides myself, would agree with.”

“…That’s something I can’t disclose.”

Sun Icheol waved his hand dismissively, issuing an order to leave.

“In that case, it’s absolutely impossible. You must stay in New Seoul. What could possibly frighten you so much?”

Light Blade closed his eyes. The faint energy he continually sensed from Seoul was already an all-too-familiar harbinger of death.

Should he reveal everything? But Light Blade couldn’t trust Sun Icheol standing before him—not yet. It was a secret he hadn’t even divulged to Yu Yinghuo. Quietly stepping out the door, Light Blade spoke.

“Understood. But promise me one thing.”

“Another what?”

“In case anything happens to Lee Seung-hyeong and Stone Harang, immediately send me to Seoul.”

Sun Icheol nearly threw his cup but managed to set it down. Regulating his breathing, he suppressed his anger and responded.

“No.”

* * *

<April 12, 2020, 5:00 AM, Blue Wind Sect Guro Hideout>

“President Sun cannot possibly send Light Blade to Seoul. Not only is New Seoul’s safety at stake, but once Light Blade discovers the origin of this Cube, he’ll rush back to New Seoul and decapitate Sun instantly.”

I pointed at the Cube on the table. The Cube, sealed by my magic power like a capsule, remained untouched by anyone.

“Both Light Blade and Sun hold each other’s weaknesses, but currently, Sun holds the stronger leash. Therefore, consider the heroes ascending to Seoul this time to consist of two S-Ranks—Hwakwon and Princess Seul-Hwa.”

“This Cube seems dangerous, but why does Light Blade want to kill Sun? If New Seoul is endangered and this is important enough, I’d send all three S-Ranks.”

Deokbae picked up the capsule while asking. Only Deokbae and I were present in this room.

“Remember Tentacle Toad? The congressman who slashed Sun’s face and stole the Cube before fleeing.”

“Yeah.”

“He’s Light Blade’s sworn brother. Practically blood brothers.”

“…Light Blade and that Tentacle Toad are blood brothers?”

I chuckled affirmatively.

“They grew up in the same place but ended up living vastly different lives due to their environments and the people they met. You know how drastically people can change based on circumstances, right? Like how Cheon Gaeul isn’t actually Maskerade.”

Guro became a sanctuary where Cheon Gaeul could rest and catch her breath amidst the living hell. Deokbae set the capsule down.

“So, how did the bet end? Cheon Gaeul just went straight to her room after arriving.”

“I let her do as she pleased. Despite being so terrified, she bravely ventured into a den of criminals, impressing me. Most importantly, she reminded me of old times, so I’m grateful.”

“What does that even mean?”

“There are things like that.”

Though her magic power readings are identical, Cheon Gaeul remains uniquely Cheon Gaeul.

“Even if she fails, I wasn’t planning to demand any sort of penalty. After all, I’ll be returning her to New Seoul in three days.”

“…Will taking her to New Seoul eliminate the danger?”

I gestured toward my veil and smiled.

“I intended to give this as a farewell gift. It repels all attacks below S-Rank, cutting them down cleanly.”

“Why not just stick by Cheon Gaeul?”

“There will be a time for that later.”

“…?”

Deokbae’s puzzled expression never fails to amuse me. I enthusiastically narrated future events after Cheon Gaeul woke up, detailing life post-Seoul.

* * *

“Huh? Dad. Yeah. Sorry. Calling me so late at night?”

“Are you alright waking up so early? Does Mom not have to work? What? …No, stop worrying about me. I’ll be heading back soon. Once I return, I’ll jump straight into filming.”

“Yeah. The person who saved me says we might be able to leave Seoul in three days. Due to dimensional gate occurrences, monsters are blocking the roads, so we have to take a detour. Please wait just a little longer.”

“So please don’t bother trying to find me. Once I get back, just make me some soybean paste stew. I haven’t eaten Mom’s soybean stew in ages; I can’t even eat rice properly anymore.”

“Funeral? Insurance? …The death report’s already been filed? Mr. Lee is acting as the chief mourner? Why?”

“What? Really? Wow, didn’t see that coming. That guy completely turned into a gold digger. Pretending to be my sister and fawning over me until his audition flopped, then suddenly adding his picture to his profile? Insane, seriously.”

“Yeah. Got it. I’ll be careful. No, it’s not a guy, it’s a woman who saved me. She’s a super-powered hero…strong…and stylish…though her personality is a bit odd.”

“…Mom, I’m not into that kind of thing. What? In this day and age, where does that even exist? Dad thinks either way is fine? Is that something a parent should say to their only daughter? …Sigh, let’s not talk about this.”

“Got it. Probably won’t be able to call again. This connection is barely holding together…yeah. Definitely see you alive.”

“Sorry. I really need to hang up now. Yeah. Take care.”

“Love you.”

Beep, beep, beep.

– The number you dialed is unavailable. Please check and try again…