Chapter 469

〈 Chapter 469 〉 Part 1, Chapter 20, Scene 1

Peebik, Peebik.

The blue nutrient solution gently wrapped around me like a warm hug. Was this the amniotic fluid of Blazing Phoenix, or was it Hikari liquefying her Core to create the most comfortable cradle for analyzing my magical patterns?

While the former sounded pleasant enough, unfortunately reality leaned more towards the latter. I opened my eyes in the warm embrace of Chang-yeom’s body.

“Director, it’s done. You can come out now.”

“Five more minutes…”

“Isn’t this the guy who usually demands we finish early? Something seems off here.”

“…I just need a moment to clear my head. It’s so warm and cozy.”

It felt like being wrapped in blankets with the boiler on full blast and a heated mattress beneath me. I wanted to linger in this warmth just a little longer. Once I finished ‘calibration,’ I’d be able to return to normal.

“Seems like you really were dozing off while holding Kim Penril. They said your speech pattern was off when you asked the sisters for help?”

“That was due to a nightmare.”

“Do spirits even dream? Oh, should I call you Commander now?”

“…Explaining would complicate things, so let’s just say I’m Phoenix.”

Hiryu had spread an understanding of my true nature that was sufficient for everyone involved, and Hikari’s magical engineering expertise could corroborate it. Thus, I continued to exist as Phoenix.

“By the way, did anyone say they’d be coming?”

“Nope. Everyone’s been waiting though. Xiao Lin and Karna seem especially eager to finally go all-out against you.”

“I won’t be fighting directly.”

“Hmm, living vicariously through others?”

Hikari chuckled as she ran simulations. I popped a strawberry-flavored jelly from the table into my mouth and chewed thoughtfully.

“I applied the conditions you mentioned, Director. Against Karna, against Nuclearian… Summarizing everything you’ve said…”

If my ultimate attack were unleashed again, could six synchronized companions erect barriers strong enough to protect Earth? While I was being calibrated, Hikari had been calculating this.

“Earth will split into three pieces.”

“Why specifically three?”

“When the six spirits raise their shields, the shockwaves will extend sideways.”

“Ah, I see.”

The defensive barriers erected by the spirits would cause my destructive beams to veer off to the sides. Such accidents mustn’t happen. All our efforts to fight within barriers or transport battles to other dimensions to minimize Earth’s damage would be meaningless if I ended up destroying everything now.

We needed another plan.

“So, Hikari, any good ideas?”

“…Do the opponents have to be spirits?”

“Not necessarily.”

Just because I summoned the strongest beings in this world doesn’t mean they’re the only ones capable of matching six synchronized goddesses without causing collateral damage…

“Ah.”

“You found one?”

“Yes.”

I immediately flew to Russia.

—

“So, you’re saying we’ll fight inside our Lord’s barrier?”

“Yes. With Light Blade’s ultimate technique, we can battle safely.”

“What about our Lord then?”

“…If he can’t withstand the backlash, he’ll die. But he’ll resurrect since Light Blade will transfer to Seok Harang when I perish.”

Light Blade – Veloborg – Heo Yoon-hwan. The SS-ranked special ability user and husband of Rusalka possesses the ultimate skill to create an interdimensional arena. Though originally limited to an island-sized space, expanding it further was possible.

“The battlefield needs to be at least Seoul-wide for Light Blade not to die. We’re dealing with monsters worse than Newclerian and Dark Legion after all.”

“You’re awfully confident in yourself, aren’t you?”

“Fearless opponents are scarier. Especially since I can’t control them directly.”

Having experienced失控 firsthand, Rusalka quickly understood what I meant.

“That’s true. That’s why I’m worried… What if something goes wrong?”

“There’s always someone worrying too much here. Don’t worry, we’ll win.”

“While I say this out of concern, I truly am worried about you.”

Rusalka stood up and hugged me. Despite my fire attribute and her water attribute, there was an inexplicable warmth in her embrace.

“You can’t die now. Not only would our daughter be heartbroken, but so would we.”

“As much as you claim that, what about Light Blade?”

“Even someone who talks trash can develop feelings over time. Thanks to you, he resolved his biggest regrets before dying and has been getting along better. At least regarding Harang’s issues, I’m on your side over Lord.”

“…Thank you for saying that.”

Surprisingly, while Rusalka seemed blinded by love, she remained firm about Light Blade’s unpleasantness. This made our conversation much smoother.

“Please inform Suborof then. The stage is…the old place.”

I sent the coordinates to Rusalka.

“White Phoenix Isle.”

—

“This is quite the complex feeling. To think the final battle determining human history will take place where I was born and raised.”

Baek Hee-a gave a bitter smile while adjusting my attire.

“In such important moments, dress code matters too. There, all done.”

Though it may not matter anymore, Baek Hee-a wanted to neatly arrange me according to her preferences in case this was the last moment. I checked my reflection in the mirror.

“It’s a suit?”

“TPO is important.”

In the mirror, I was wearing a completely black men’s suit and pants. Beneath was a white shirt, with the tie still undone.

“I was worried you’d try to put me in hanbok.”

“Would someone willingly wear hanbok to a wedding these days? It’s similar. Not everyone coming to this island is Korean, and this is a global era after all.”

“…Is it because Angga joined that you sound so strangely modern? Saying ‘global’ sounds awkward coming from the designer of Infinite Challenge’s boy band concept.”

“…That was Sun Icheol stealing my elementary school homework. Sun Icheol is bad.”

Baek Hee-a pouted cutely showing her dissatisfaction. I couldn’t help but pat her back finding it amusing. In her hand was a blue tie.

“Your role is crucial. If you can’t hold up, the battlefield will immediately turn into a watery field. And…do you often give commands like this?”

“Thank you for entrusting me with the spearhead.”

“Given my situation, I wouldn’t be able to command anyway.”

Strictly speaking, I’m not in a position to command but rather the ‘enemy’ that needs to be defeated. Slowly, Baek Hee-a began tying the tie around my neck.

“Don’t you have anything to say to Sister Gaeul?”

“I’ve already been saying it regularly. Nothing’s omitted; it’s just business as usual.”

“I’ll be back.”

Right now, Cheon Gaeul is guarding Yeouido. After all human battles end, it’s the home we must all return to alive.

“Ultimately, this battle is about removing the shackles binding me. All you need to do is endure. If there’s more time, I’d give you more practice, but we’re already running late, aren’t we?”

“…That’s true.”

Gack. Baek Hee-a tightly gripped the tie and lowered her head.

“…Big Brother.”

“But I’m not your real big brother, right?”

“Well, there’s always the sworn siblings option, isn’t there?”

“Why Big Brother? Shouldn’t it be Sister if we’re nitpicking?”

“I just want to call you that. Does the title really matter?”

Baek Hee-a smiled brightly and spoke confidently.

“Exactly. Titles don’t matter. What matters is…the heart, yes. So…after this battle, I’ll confess my feelings.”

“Why does everyone keep planting their own death flags?”

“It’s because I’m confident I won’t die…Won’t you agree, Big Brother?”

“…Of course.”

If confidence alone could kill Seongju, I would have done it hundreds of times over.

—

A short while later.

At the ‘battlefield’ of White Phoenix Isle, familiar faces gathered in small groups.

Seoyea.

Princess, Kim Penril.

Yuinah, Hydra.

Yun Yuhwa, Karna.

Baek Hee-a, Angga.

Xiao Lin, Hiryu.

And specially invited Rusalka, Light Blade, Round Table member Gawein, and Gale Guest.

Essentially, all the renowned powers on Earth were assembled. Just looking at the lineup, they could fly beyond Earth to the moon and sever Seongju’s head. Though robes might prevent death.

“Truly…a beautiful day.”

Facing the tense crowd, I delivered the ‘decisive battle speech’ that I had grown to loathe from hearing it too many times.

“Phoenixes soar in the sky, and the world burns with flames.”

Flap flap.

The mini phoenixes gathered from Apnok River’s nest perched on my back wings. Each having grown to A-rank monster level, they returned to my feathers, making me stronger.

“The weather is nice…perfect weather to die.”

At my words, everyone’s expressions hardened. Who dies remains uncertain.

It might end surprisingly quickly, or it could become a happy ending where no one dies.

“Shall we begin?”

I took out the TAT from my coat. The magic bullets were already loaded, and the spirits were synchronizing one by one, preparing for ‘the battle against Phoenix.’

“Our target is the berserk Phoenix…me, trapped in the corrupted mana of another dimension.”

Light Blade slowly began gathering mana. As instructed, Light Blade’s arena will activate simultaneously with my trigger pull.

“Well, think of it as the Fire Dragon. Being berserk makes it easier to handle, right? Then…”

Click.

I placed the gun to my temple. Everyone gasped in shock, but before anyone could react, I pulled the trigger.

“Blazing Phoenix Revival!”

□□□□□□!!

Thunderous cheers echoed as my consciousness faded.

Simultaneously,

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!

An indescribable, monstrous bird’s scream reverberated. Just hearing it sent shivers down the spine, but as always, I had to trust my comrades.

Clunk.

I entered the spiritual realm and opened the door to the entrance of the Blazing Phoenix Temple. Chang-yeom was already waiting with guns in both hands.

“Figures. I knew you’d do something like this once your memories returned.”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

My body had already transformed into Baek Cheonghwa, the form most accustomed to combat. Chang-yeom looked down coldly at me with disdain.

“You suppress me to prevent interference and devour the berserk Phoenix completely? Do you actually think that’s possible?”

“Of course.”

“Then you’ll become a permanent resident of this world?”

“Exactly.”

“How selfish.”

“Yeah, I’m selfish.”

I clenched my fists.

“Even if I fall to Baek Cheonghua, you’ll remember me, right?”

“…No, you should either return to your original world or live happily with someone else.”

Chang-yeom pointed her gun at me.

“…Do you think you can persuade me?”

“If words don’t work…”

I vigorously shook my hand.

“Then I’ll have to convince you physically?”

“Idiot.”

With a click, Chang-yeom lowered her gun and tossed her weapon to me.

“…Let’s go. But you absolutely must survive and come back.”

“Surprising.”

“…Because I believe in you.”

It was the best encouragement possible. I moved toward the underground passage opened by Chang-yeom. Descending countless stairs into the infernal depths, there stood a woman identical to Chang-yeom, glaring coldly at me.

“Planning to abandon sixteen reincarnations? Are you serious?”

“Absolutely.”

“And Unnah is included in that? Crazy bastard.”

“We’re both crazy.”

I aimed my gun at him, at ‘me’.

“What’s with all the talk? If you’re annoyed, just attack already. Clear data fragment, sure talks a lot.”

“…You’re utterly insane.”

Snap.

As he flicked his finger, fiery puppets appeared around him, guarding like when I cleared the Phoenix route during the true ending, bringing seven synchronized companions to the final battlefield.

“Do you actually think you can defeat this alone?”

“Of course!”

I waved the gun in my hand and grinned widely.

“I have divine protection! Victory assured!”

I aimed at the first two charging figures – Park Ra-on synchronized with Kim Penril and Kim Nuri synchronized with Angga. Sorry, but it’s retirement time for you two.

“Blazing Phoenix Suppression Technique!!”

Their faces distorted as my gun spewed blue flames.

“…What a genuine idiot.”

The blue-haired woman sat alone on her throne, blankly staring at the ceiling.