Chapter 68

〈 Episode 68 〉 Chapter 1, Part 5

May 1st, 2020.

Approximately three weeks had passed since the failure of the Seoul Reclamation Operation. The Republic of Korea was quietly undergoing significant changes.

The suicide of the Minister of Anti-Monster Countermeasures, who took responsibility for the operation’s failure; the government’s request for and rejection of international support; the recovery of injured Heroes like Hwakwon and responses to the power gap during their absence…

People who whispered “Isn’t something wrong with this?” were quietly disappearing one by one. Meanwhile, New Seoul continued its peaceful days as if nothing had changed.

In contrast, Seoul was rapidly transforming. Unlike New Seoul, which remained peaceful under the protection of the Hero Light Blade, Seoul was being restored centered around Yeouido and Dongjak under the leadership of the Blue Wind Sect.

“Shouldn’t we be able to return to Seoul and live there again?”

While many were calculating the cost of moving back to Seoul, others were being expelled from the city.

Villains.

The Heroes of New Seoul abandoned fighting against them, and when the Blue Wind Sect emerged victorious, these individuals attempted to return to their old ways. They wanted to go back to Seoul.

***

KABOOM!

An enormous explosion shattered a wall made of earth. A middle-aged man covered in dirt flinched in surprise, rolling away.

BANG! BANG!

Magic bullets pierced through the wall toward the man. Though he hastily surrounded himself with earth for protection, one bullet grazed his forearm.

“AAAAAAHHH!”

The man screamed. The magic bullet broke through the earthen barrier, embedding itself into his arm. Though the wound wasn’t deep, it deeply wounded his pride.

“You fools!!”

The man, Gangseo’s <Land Dog>, slapped the ground with his palm. The park’s soil surged like waves. Waves of muddy water rose about three meters into the air, covering the members of the Blue Wind Sect.

– G7. Initiating warning shots. The opponent’s technique is….

A familiar male voice came through the radio. Land Dog strained to remember whose voice it was before shouting,

“Lighthouse, you bastard!”

– [Phantom] will block it.

Among the sect members, a woman with her face hidden behind a mask stepped forward. Phantom rolled her foot toward the incoming wave of mud.

BOOM!

The ground shook violently.

The magical energy-infused cloud of her kick effortlessly demolished Land Dog’s mud wave. Realizing who his opponent was, Land Dog stepped back.

“A ghost?!”

“…….”

Phantom tapped her smartwatch without saying a word, seemingly unwilling to speak. Soon, Lighthouse’s communication returned.

– Gangseo’s <Land Dog>. Rank A. According to the Chief….

Static. Lighthouse’s transmission briefly cut out before continuing.

– Not a candidate for recruitment. Eliminating him would be acceptable.

“…Is that so?”

Phantom muttered softly. To Land Dog, her voice sounded familiar, though he couldn’t quite place it. Static. Lighthouse’s wireless communication resumed.

– His ability isn’t particularly remarkable. We already have two people with durability.

“In that case, no need.”

Phantom turned around. Land Dog recalled where he’d heard her voice before.

“You! That crazy bitch?!”

Clench. Phantom gritted her teeth. When had she met this rude individual known as Land Dog? After pondering for a moment, Phantom, or Gaeul, remembered an event from three weeks ago.

Before the Seoul Reclamation Operation, at a Villain Coalition meeting held in Gangnam. During that meeting, attended by Gaeul accompanied by Phoenix, Land Dog had grumbled incessantly and even attacked Gaeul, swinging a concrete sword.

Gaeul frowned visibly, despite her face being hidden behind a mask.

“Hmph. What audacity brought you crawling back here? I thought I made it clear back then—those who abandon the fight and flee…”

Gaeul pointed downward with her finger.

“…will not be allowed entry into Seoul.”

“Bullshit!”

Land Dog roared, striking the ground with his hand. The earth transformed into a spear imbued with magical energy, ready to launch at any moment.

“If words don’t work…”

Gaeul slightly lifted the back of her long coat. Something pale gray stirred within. Upon seeing it, Land Dog hesitated, overwhelmed by an inexplicable sense of revulsion.

“…then you’ll need a beating, won’t you?”

Gaeul raised her hand.

Just as she was about to use her special ability, an arrow of wind flew past her side and embedded itself in Land Dog’s shoulder.

“UAAAAAH!”

Land Dog cried out in pain, pulling the arrow out. Blood gushed from the hole in his shoulder like a fountain. He quickly erected a wall of dirt in front of him, shielding himself from another flying wind arrow.

SWISH! The dirt wall crumbled. Land Dog had already vanished. Communication from Lighthouse arrived.

– He dug a tunnel and escaped.

“Got it. Thanks. By the way…”

Gaeul placed her mask on top of her head.

The surging magical energy settled, and her eyes lost their vitality. Despite resembling a corpse after dying and resurrecting, she looked far more alive than whatever lay before her.

A rider suit adorned with blue flame patterns. Made of latex-like material, it accentuated every curve of the figure standing before her—a veritable woman.

The only issue was the helmet covering her head, from which blue flames danced like hair. As the rider-suited woman slung a bow over her back, Gaeul complained.

“Overprotection. I could’ve blocked that with my eyes closed.”

[The Lord has instructed us to protect Miss Cheon Gaeul under all circumstances.]

The flames inside the helmet flickered. Although no sound emerged, Gaeul received the female’s intent via magical energy. She adjusted her clothing with a disgruntled expression. Her heart throbbed painfully.

“…So why did you entrust me to the person who killed me?”

[I merely follow the Lord’s instructions.]

The heroes of the Decapitated Pine Unit, who had their necks severed, were revived as monsters by Phoenix after having cores implanted in their corpses. They were treated worse than slaves, used and discarded like rags. The most intact monster among them was assigned as Gaeul’s bodyguard.

It just happened to be the hero <Robin>, Yu I-shin, who had once killed Gaeul.

[The Lord granted me a second life. Though He took away my freedom and mind, He allowed me to live a more meaningful life than during my human days. Although some among our ‘Blue Feathers’ still deny the Lord’s grace…]

“That name! Why such a bizarre one?!”

[The Commander decided it, so I cannot object. It seems fine to me.]

Gaeul pulled her hair in frustration.

Every member of this organization either lacked naming sense entirely or possessed explosively heightened sensitivity, falling into extreme opposites. Even her relatively tame alias <Phantom> stood out as normal compared to others within the Blue Wind Sect.

Especially the commander of the ‘Blue Feathers’ slave combat unit, who was unmatched in this aspect. Even Phoenix slightly avoided her.

“Haaah. Anyway, I can handle this much. Got it? I’ll call you if I need help later.”

[Understood. However, please remember this: If I fail to protect Miss Cheon Gaeul, I will die again. I will be scrapped.]

Yu I-shin threatened her with her life. Over the nearly three weeks spent guarding Gaeul, she hadn’t changed her nature even after becoming a monster.

“Ugh. Got it. I’ll be careful… Lighthouse? There doesn’t seem to be anyone else here, right? Can I return now?”

– Yes. None detected. But why do you speak casually to me, Miss Gaeul?

“What? Do you have a problem with it?”

– No, ma’am…

She seemed slightly more aggressive lately.

* * *

“Ah, finally done!”

Architect collapsed onto the ground. Before him stood a fully restored 20-story apartment building.

“Haaah, haaah.”

If his memory served correctly, each unit was worth about 1.5 billion won, making it a fairly high-end apartment complex. Except for one completely collapsed building, he had managed to restore all the structures with remaining foundations—thirteen buildings in total.

For three whole weeks, Architect worked tirelessly, reconstructing buildings.

Apart from a few key buildings designated as Blue Wind Sect headquarters in Yeouido, he primarily focused on restoring numerous residential houses and apartments. Naturally, the intended residents were the refugees hiding underground in Dongjak.

“Good job, Architect.”

The team leader of G12 handed Architect a potion.

After learning how to properly manage and negotiate with Architect, Ji Hwa assigned his entire team solely to Architect’s tasks.

“Owwww! My leg’s sprained!”

As expected, Architect began throwing a tantrum.

“Oh no, my back! I’m dying!”

“We’ve repeatedly explained that the potion restores physical abilities too. Here. You’ve rested enough, right?”

G12 handed Architect a map. About 30% of the Dongjak district administrative map, retrieved from ruined real estate offices, was marked in red.

These areas represented what Architect had already reconstructed in Dongjak. Excluding certain parks and national cemeteries, countless buildings still awaited reconstruction.

“Ahhh, come on! Let me rest as a human being! You know, I’ve already rebuilt all of Yeouido!”

For two weeks, Architect poured his soul into restoring every building in the Yeouido area. Whenever he felt tired, a potion was forced into his mouth; whenever he tried to nap, a potion syringe jabbed his buttocks.

At some point, they even brought in an IV stand loaded with potions, injecting them directly into his arms. This kept Architect in peak condition 24/7, eliminating the need for food or sleep.

By the time he finished rebuilding every structure within the island of Yeouido, it felt like pushing beyond human limits.

Despite the endless tide of cores, Architect single-handedly returned the devastated Yeouido to civilization. Standing proudly in front of the newly restored National Assembly building, he boasted until a devilish whisper reached his ears.

– We might not be able to accommodate everyone from the Dongjak underground shelters in Yeouido. Perhaps it’s time to start working on Dongjak?

He cried.

That day, Architect openly sobbed in front of others for the first time.

And he confronted his superiors. Whether in his right mind or not, he grabbed their collars, demanding a break.

Then it happened.

“They said they’d turn me into a monster if I complain one more time. Monsters don’t need meals or sleep, right? That monstrous woman who lost her humanity. She eats and sleeps while telling us otherwise.”

“You mean…”

“You haven’t experienced corporate life yet, have you? Evil companies are like that. They preach about leaders setting examples, leading by example, and how upper management must remain pure for the lower ranks to follow. They dazzle new employees with such rhetoric, but presidents and chairmen never practice what they preach. What do you call those guys? Korean terms… ‘kon-dae,’ right?”

G12 debated whether to reveal the truth but ultimately chose to share the harsh reality while watching Architect subtly try to slack off.

“According to Lighthouse, Phoenix hasn’t slept for more than ten minutes and has been awake continuously today.”

Architect’s face went pale.

* * *

WHOOSH.

Blue flames enveloped Phoenix’s body. Already the 324th time. The frequency was increasing.

“Are you alright?”

Deokbae offered Phoenix a piece of paper with concern. With a vacant gaze, Phoenix accepted it and skimmed through it from top to bottom.

“Residents want to move into the Yeouido housing first? No way. These people didn’t even officially join the Blue Wind Sect yet. Rejected. Denied.”

Phoenix crumpled the paper and threw it upwards. With a light flick of her fingers, it turned to ashes and disappeared.

“Let’s see. ‘The smell of feces and trash is unbearable. Please do something.’ …After enduring life underground for so long, you’re complaining now?”

Phoenix tapped her smartwatch. The clock indicated it was already 3 AM.

“…I’ll take care of it on my way to Dongjak. Make sure it’s recorded. Incinerating with flames ensures no odor remains. Next. Restore the university? This isn’t urgent, right? Send it to Architect. Let him handle it.”

“Are you okay?”

Phoenix swayed her body left and right while reading the next paper. Not actual official documents, but complaints written in elementary school diaries by residents.

“Yes. Just let me use magic, and it’ll be fine. Oh, there are three more issues to handle underground. I should deal with them all at once in the morning. Note that down.”

“No, seriously, are you alright?”

Phoenix blinked. WHOOSH. Blue flames engulfed her body again. Already the 325th time.

“You haven’t slept since that night you spent with Gaeul.”

“Oh, I just wanted to hold hands and sleep together? That plan got ruined thanks to Underling Number Two.”

“…That’s true.”

That day, Deokbae experienced resurrection as a monster for the first time.

Crime: Nonsensical reasons. Perpetrator: Cheon Gaeul. Accomplice: Phoenix.

“Come to think of it, Gaeul started speaking casually to everyone after that night.”

Phoenix placed the papers on the table and stretched her arms. Deokbae discreetly hid the notebooks stashed behind his back.

“It feels more familiar to me, but something feels lacking.”

“Are you talking about Future Gaeul?”

Phoenix nodded. With a flick of her magical energy, the notebook Deokbae had hidden behind his back flew into her hands.

“Yes. Maskerade was an unbridled villain. Phantom may be a villain now, but she’s fundamentally different.”

Just as the difference between the Yellow Turbans and the Red Eyebrows reflects different types of bandits.

“Are you trying to discuss the distinction between thieves and righteous bandits?”

Phoenix gave a wry smile while scratching her head.

“Thanks to Phantom, I ended up doing righteous deeds unintentionally.”

“So did you plan to plunder all 60,000 refugees in Dongjak?”

“No. I intended to bury them underground instead. To avoid all this hassle.”

Deokbae dismissed it with a shrug.

“Well, quite a number of those 60,000 joined the Blue Wind Sect, and those who moved to Yeouido are working diligently.”

“We don’t pay salaries anyway. People wouldn’t work that hard without expecting something in return. Humans won’t exert themselves without reciprocation.”

Phoenix tore pages from the notebook.

“Some seek power like Ji Hwa, others take pride in their work like Architect. Most who joined the Blue Wind Sect bowed their heads simply to survive. Look. As soon as things become slightly comfortable, all sorts of desires emerge, don’t they?”

Phoenix shook the pile of papers.

Most contained complaints reflecting the desires of people longing to return to modern civilized life after years of cave living.

“Just to clarify, I’m not saying this is bad. We aren’t primitive people; we live in the 21st century. Of course, people should enjoy the conveniences they deserve. Even you, Deokbae, feel uneasy when your smartphone data connection drops, right? These people have endured years of Stone Age living.”

“So are you going to fulfill all their requests?”

“As much as possible, yes. What can we do? It’s already come to this. If we picked them up along the way, we have to take full responsibility.”

“Are the Seoul refugees strays?”

Phoenix shrugged indifferently, not denying it.

“Stray cats. Huh. That’s not an inaccurate description. Providing shelter and feeding them… Oh, by the way, how’s the supply of materials coming through Milky Way?”

“They’ll load everything onto trailers heading to Seongnam. We’ll stage attacks and steal them, maintaining appearances.”

“We should reimburse the trailer costs too.”

Phoenix stood up from her chair. Burning unnecessary papers with fire, she walked to the window and stretched.

WHOOSH.

Flames consumed Phoenix again. The 326th time.

Just as Architect was forcibly maintained at peak condition through continuous potion administration, Phoenix herself circulated magical energy throughout her body to maintain optimal performance.

From April 14th to May 1st, approximately 18 days. Phoenix hadn’t slept a wink.

“Don’t worry. I feel incredibly civilized right now, so it’s still manageable.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Listen closely, Underling Number Two. Monstrous beings don’t inherently require food or sleep. It’s merely a lingering habit from our human days, seeking mental satisfaction…”

“Your increasingly lengthy speech suggests you’re regaining sanity.”

Deokbae interrupted, pointing at his smartwatch. An alarm had arrived.

“Check it. I’ll finish processing the rest and return.”

“Understood.”

Deokbae left. Phoenix checked the incoming message.

[Milky Way]: The items you requested will arrive early this morning. Expect high-quality cores again! By the way, prepare yourself for a surprising visitor from New Seoul today! Love always, our dear sucker♡

“Has this person gone mad?”

Phoenix prepared to reply immediately via keyboard but chuckled and closed the screen instead.

“Fine. We’ll see when they arrive. Definitely not the person themselves, though.”

Phoenix called out to Lighthouse.

That morning, a special envoy from New Seoul arrived in Seoul.