Chapter 63

〈 Episode 63 〉 Part 1 Chapter 4 (20)

Yeouido.

Flames surge wildly. Ji Hwa trembles despite being unable to deactivate his special ability.

“Hiiik!”

The barrier surely blocks the enemy’s intrusion completely. Cheolpyo and the Pine Tree Unit desperately pound on the barrier from outside, but Chaeng-yeom’s barrier spreads not only across the door of the chamber but also over the walls, ceiling, and even the floor.

“Captain! There must be something here, right?!”

“One hundred percent!”

Cheolpyo strikes the barrier with a confident voice. His steel fists churn through the flames, melting away, yet Cheolpyo continues pounding as if high on drugs, his face brimming with ecstasy.

“If we find it, we’re outta here for sure, dammit!”

It’s unclear what they’re searching for, but there’s a guess.

The Cube.

The mysterious magical artifact Phoenix discovered after slaying the monster in the main hall. They’ve come here to retrieve that object capable of creating and reviving monsters.

‘It’s not here!’

Would Phoenix have left such an item here? Even if he shouted ‘There’s nothing here!’ outside, it would only further provoke the enemy.

At that moment, Ji Hwa spots a savior.

“AH!”

In the distance down the corridor, Phoenix, resembling a monster, approaches the chamber, cradling the corpse of Gaeul. It seems she has already visited the main hall.

Ji Hwa instinctively realizes that Gaeul’s corpse has transformed into the same kind of monster.

“Who are you?!”

Cheolpyo bursts into laughter upon seeing Phoenix and Gaeul who appeared behind him. The one whose entire body burns with the same color as the barrier is either related to this barrier or the one who erected it.

“Hand over the item!!”

Cheolpyo charges forward. His subordinates, their eyes wide with madness, also rush toward Phoenix.

Pssshh.

Phoenix slightly clenches and then opens the hand holding Gaeul.

BOOM!

The faces of the approaching Pine Tree Unit’s special ability users explode.

Their faces burn green as the special ability users collapse onto the corridor.

Thud, thud.

In the blink of an eye, Phoenix, having turned several bodies into flaming corpses, calmly enters the barrier. Ji Hwa deactivates his ability and quickly kneels.

“I’m sorry!”

[Why did you let Cheon Gaeul leave the barrier?]

The voice inside his head was undoubtedly filled with anger. Instead of giving a long-winded explanation that might further irritate the other party, Ji Hwa decides to start with the conclusion.

“Miss Cheon Gaeul awakened as a special ability user, attacked me, and then fled beyond the barrier!”

[Huh?]

Phoenix’s body, which had seated Gaeul on the sofa, burst into flames. A transformation from monster form to human form. Phoenix mulled over Ji Hwa’s words.

“Cheon Gaeul awakened as a special ability user, you say? Mask… Ah, that explains it.”

Phoenix brushes the mask on Gaeul’s head with her hand.

The special ability of Masquerade, which copies the appearance and abilities of others through the image of a ‘mask,’ manifested in this altered state. Although the transformation during monsterification distorted its form, it made sense when considering the transition from human to special ability user.

Masquerade’s ability enveloped the tentacle toad. The mask consumed all the magic power of the tentacle toad, leaving behind nine tail-like tentacles as the final proof of its existence to Gaeul.

“Mask monster…? Tentacle monster…? Either way, it’s not bad.”

Phoenix mutters to himself and seems to reach a conclusion, while Ji Hwa attempts to lighten his responsibility by summarizing the situation moments ago.

“Then, Hero Dongjak carried out a massacre. It seemed like the Pine Tree Unit, but Miss Gaeul tried to stop it, and I ended up arguing with her.”

“And then she awakened?”

“Yes.”

“My goodness. What timing!”

Phoenix bursts into laughter, collapsing into a chair. At Phoenix’s gesture to stand, Ji Hwa hesitantly gets up.

“Mr. Ji Hwa, aren’t you B-rank? And you lost to a newly awakened special ability user?”

“…After the awakening shockwave, I was thrown out. Her initial awakening was A-rank.”

“Wow.”

Phoenix is amazed.

“I thought awakening would only make her C-rank at most.”

Awakening much earlier than expected, achieving near the maximum limit of initial awakening—efforts like playing with the core daily and eventually sleeping with it paid off.

But ultimately, Cheon Gaeul managed to escape the barrier, surpassing Ji Hwa. With Ji Hwa’s combat skills, stopping an A-rank special ability user was impossible.

“Still, it’s all Cheon Gaeul’s fault, huh. Phew.”

To the extent that Ji Hwa gave orders, he must have worked hard to stop Gaeul. Ji Hwa sighs deeply in relief.

“Hoo. …Um, Master Phoenix.”

“What is it?”

“Can I report on the current battle situation? Since I followed your orders to continue command, things seem to have… somewhat…”

“Uh, really?”

At Phoenix’s words, Ji Hwa nods.

“How did you relay the orders?”

“I passed them on like a relay, team by team. For instance, sending one member from the nearby Guro team to another outer team…”

“Good. Let’s take a look.”

Ji Hwa activates his special ability again, illuminating the battlefield map. Phoenix swiftly scans Seoul’s entirety and bites his lip.

“Princess Seolhwagong can’t stop the Flame Sphere, and Gangnam has failed. All the Hellhounds are dead. In Guro, everyone escaped long ago. Dongjak… uh, there’s a battle going on?”

“Huh?”

“Ah. Hold on, microphone.”

Phoenix taps his smartwatch, bringing up the screen. Connected via video call are Architect and Sky Castle. The two, having escaped underground from Gangnam, are currently battling fiercely in Dongjak.

Architect responds.

– What now?! You disappeared and suddenly contact us again!

“Sorry. But I didn’t contact you when I was busy, right?”

– Well, could you at least help us somehow?!

“Hehe. Of course, that’s why I’m contacting you. How would you like me to help?”

– There’s some crazy hero types here! Do something about it!

What do we do?!

Sky Castle exchanges blows with a rampaging hero. Several heroes already subdued by them lie bound with bruises all over. Armed with Core weapons, members of the Blue Wind Sect from Guro and Gangnam are restraining the heroes.

Phoenix looks at Ji Hwa. Feeling somewhat guilty, Ji Hwa starts making excuses.

“W, well, before you left, you told me to issue commands… trying to stop the murderers in Dongjak with Architect… and there was the issue with Miss Gaeul and the deal with Architect…”

“You did well. I hope you’ll continue helping like this, Mr. Kim Ji Hwa.”

“G, thank you. Kuh…”

Tears well up in Ji Hwa’s demon eyes. The battlefield map momentarily blurs as Ji Hwa hastily wipes his tears with his sleeve.

Phoenix turns his gaze back to the screen.

“So, what are those guys?”

– Don’t know! Nearly a hundred refugees from Dongjak were killed by these bastards!

Phoenix clicks his tongue at Architect’s angry shout.

Even if he was the king of the underground, there were people who didn’t trust Architect or felt uneasy and escaped from their tunnels. Their reasons for leaving may differ, but just like how Gaeul stepped out of the barrier, they too must face the consequences of their actions.

They would have survived if they had stayed hidden.

Phoenix cautiously speaks.

“Architect? Our deal…”

– I get it! It was our mistake here. We should have blocked the exits and prevented anyone from leaving. …Fine! But can I ask for one favor?

Architect’s eyes flicker with anger.

– These hero bastards, beat them up until they’re almost dead. After all, we lived together digging the ground for years. They’re not monsters but fellow humans—heroes, nonetheless—and it’s unfair they died unjustly. We need to console their spirits.

“Neck.”

Phoenix points to his neck.

“Are there any with pine tree emblems on their necks? Check, please. If so…”

– Emblems? Pine trees?

Architect flips over the restrained individuals’ necks to check. On each of them, there’s a mark proving they belong to the Pine Tree Unit.

– They’re all here!

KAANG!!

Sky Castle pins down a red-haired man. He too has the pine tree emblem on his neck.

– P, please spare me! I haven’t killed anyone!

– That’s what he says.

Sky Castle grunts, his muscular body still charged with the excitement of battle, ready to crush the red-haired man underfoot at any moment.

“Alright. This side was planning to send a gift anyway, so this works out perfectly. Architect!”

Phoenix makes a cutting motion across his throat.

“You can decapitate or kill them however you want. Just cut off their heads carefully. Make sure the emblem part stays attached to the head. Got it?”

– …Pardon?

Architect is taken aback. Phoenix taps the armrest of his chair and continues explaining.

“In short, you’re allowed to kill them. Kill them all. OK?”

– Wait, you said not to kill heroes before!

Phoenix taps his collarbone, looking annoyed.

“That was about regular heroes. These Pine Tree Unit guys are trash who will keep killing people if released. So, do as you wish somewhere out of sight. Got it?”

– Hahahaha! Understood, Boss!

Architect playfully kneels on one knee in acknowledgment. Sky Castle tips his fedora to his chest and bows his head.

Behind him stand the subordinates who fled with him to survive.

– Thanks so far. Anyway, since you helped us escape from the heroes, but what now? Those two S-ranks are still around.

“What are you talking about? Both are coming back shattered.”

Phoenix sneers curtly. Staring blankly in confusion, Sky Castle receives a message from Phoenix.

[Breaking News] Martial Artist Lee Seung-hyung suffers blood loss, evacuated to Guro

“Got it?”

– What trickery… Never mind, fine. Then, Princess Seolhwagong?

“Princess Seolhwagong? Hehe. Right about now…”

Phoenix licks his lips and laughs.

“She’s probably working hard to stop the rolling bombs, isn’t she?”

* * *

A massive ball of fire rolls down.

Like a dragon of fire destroying mountain paths, the sphere of blue flames races down without any sign of stopping, gaining speed.

“Eeek!”

Harang grits his teeth and squeezes out his magic power. He erects a thick wall of ice in the path of the fireball. The wall is nearly three meters thick, seemingly impregnable.

Suddenly, Harang recalls a voice from earlier.

Flashy but lacking substance.

BOOM!

The fireball shatters the ice wall and continues rolling down the slope. Harang’s butterfly wings flutter again as he chases after the fireball.

“Headquarters! Respond immediately!”

Although the magic power reaction is unstable, he manages to connect with headquarters. However, instead of Shin Jin-gwang, only an operator dispatched by the association remains at his post.

“Where are the others?!”

– E, everyone evacuated!

They had already sensed the destructive power of the fireball. Shin Jin-gwang ordered the evacuation of all personnel from the command center, and they hastily fled the stadium.

The operator connected with Harang chose to stay voluntarily.

“What are you doing?! Evacuate immediately!”

Despite Harang’s urging, the man firmly shakes his head.

– I cannot! The new pattern of the special ability user’s magic power and the data from this battle! The transmission to headquarters isn’t complete yet!

And…

The man resolutely continues.

– If any surviving heroes contact us here, someone needs to answer, doesn’t he?

“Hey, you frozen idiot! If you don’t write and evacuate, what will you do?”

Harang shouts. The man smiles faintly in response.

– Princess Seolhwagong!

He cries out with determination.

– Princess Seolhwagong, please stop it!

Clunk. Harang bites his lower lip.

The person opposite clearly won’t listen to reason. Thus, there’s only one way to save this fool.

Harang must stop it.

Dozens of ice walls are erected in the path of the fireball.

BOOM BOOM!

But the fireball continues smashing through the ice walls without stopping. Though slightly diminished in size due to the cold from the ice walls, Harang’s magic power is insufficient to fully dissipate the fireball’s energy.

Having expended too much magic power in the previous fight against the unknown fire mage, Harang vents his frustration at his inability to stop such a large fireball on his own.

“Aaaaah!!”

Heat rises. Irritation builds. He’s furious with himself for being unable to stop just a big ball of fire.

KWAANG!

The fireball breaches the botanical garden. Judging by its current speed, it will reach the command center in mere seconds.

At that moment, the operator shouts.

– Princess Seolhwagong!

The operator maintains his smile until the end, giving a thumbs-up.

– Data preservation completed! Transmission successful!

Confident in completing his mission, his smile is almost cheerful. But Harang knows that with the operator’s level of special ability, there’s no way to escape the explosion radius in the remaining time.

Blood boils. Powerlessness shakes him to the core.

Suddenly, he remembers what the fire mage said earlier.

Concentrate the essence of magic power within the image.

“!!”

A grand image flashes through Harang’s mind.

A giant butterfly unfurling icy wings deep in the ocean.

Crackle.

The icy butterfly wings disintegrate into snowflakes. Harang propels himself forward with magic power emitted from his back, overtaking the fireball.

Squeeeeek—!

Harang skids to a stop, creating friction on the icy path.

– Princess Seolhwagong?! It’s dangerous!

Harang lands directly in the path of the rolling fireball. The mountain trail ends here, where the fiery dragon would break through buildings, starting on the asphalt road.

Princess Seolhwagong stands face-to-face with the fireball.

GOOOOOO!

Harang’s hair flutters wildly. Simultaneously, a massive snowstorm whirls behind him, forming a giant figure.

The torso and two arms. Not even the lower half or head is necessary to block the fireball.

The frost giant crouches low, extending its arms forward.

The fireball enters the frost giant’s hands.

Creeeeak!!

The frost giant is pushed back. Despite breaking the frost giant’s hand and shattering the wrist, the fireball continues spinning without stopping.

“Pht!”

Magic power reverses its flow. Harang coughs up blood mixed with saliva in an instant.

Yet, amidst the excruciating pain, he doesn’t cease the flow of magic power to the frost giant.

– Speed is decreasing!

The operator’s report goes unheard. Harang simply pours all his remaining magic power into maintaining the frost giant’s form.

The Old Sword technique says: always hold back thirty percent of your strength, no matter the situation. But Harang defies this teaching for the first time. He unleashes his full strength, draining his magic power tank, never emptied before, completely.

The fire mage criticized: flashy but lacking substance. Harang partially accepts this critique. If he can’t immediately change his flashy style, he’ll add substance within that flashiness.

“I’ll…”

The frost giant’s arm disappears.

“Not let…”

The frost giant lays down, blocking the fireball with its body.

“Anyone die…”

in front of me!

GROOOOOOOOOM!

Harang’s white pupils become transparent.

“Absolutely… won’t allow it!!!”

Crackle!

The frost giant’s body collapses. Simultaneously, Harang extends both arms forward.

Massive butterfly wings of ice unfold in front of Harang’s hands.

Ice wings that encase the entire fireball. Though paper-thin, the tightly woven ice crystals are as sturdy as a fortress.

Clearly different from the earlier ice constructs.

KABOOM!

The fireball collides with the ice wings. But the wings don’t break, maintaining their shape while devouring the fireball.

Crackle crackle.

The fireball trembles. Instability reaches its peak, cracks appear on the outermost layer of the fireball,

KAAAAAAAAAAANG!!!

and it explodes magnificently. The massive magic power explosion presses down on Harang along with his wings.

Clang clang clang!

Snowflakes scatter from the wings like feces flying, precariously close to shattering like glass. Yet Harang clings to consciousness, pouring magic power into the shield until the last moment.

“Aa aaa aa aaa aaaaaaaagh!!!!”

Every last drop of magic power flows into the wings. Like an upside-down umbrella catching the blast, the top of the wing tilts, directing the flames upward.

GOOOOOOOO!

The explosive pillar of fire ascends skyward like a dragon ascending to heaven.

“Haha, ha.”

Harang collapses in relief. Simultaneously, the ice butterfly wings dissolve into snowflakes.

KAAAAAAAANG———————-

The fireball, which nearly obliterated Anyang, explodes mid-air. Harang falls backward with a satisfied smile, watching the blue light fill his vision.

Though his body feels like a rag doll, he’s content with having stopped it for now.

Harang’s consciousness fades.

* * *

“It’s over.”

Sun Icheol watches the blue fire column on TV and chuckles bitterly.

The protagonist role that should have been Lee Seung-hyung resulted in blood loss, the supporting actor Seok Harang suffered defeat, and the command center was annihilated.

“But more importantly…”

All the Pine Tree Unit heroes deployed to Yeouido are dead. While the exact location is uncertain, their last signal came from Yeouido, the National Assembly.

“The Cube. It was indeed in the National Assembly.”

Sun Icheol swipes his finger across the scar on his left eye.

He never cared much about the success of this operation. Simply determining the whereabouts of the monster hiding in Yeouido constituted success. The charred National Assembly still harbors the monster with the Cube.

Everyone will question the failure, but ultimately, Sun Icheol confirmed the location of the Cube. All that remains is retrieving it unnoticed.

“My victory.”

Shortly after, Sun Icheol announces to the nation.

The Seoul Reclamation Operation has failed.

Using this failure of the hasty operation as a stepping stone, he vows to ensure such incidents never happen again, bowing his head to the citizens.

No one notices the slight curve in Sun Icheol’s eyelids.