〈Chapter 707〉 Part 2, Chapter 5, Section 01
“Anything else fun around?”
The young man pushed up his glasses and scoured the community forums. He searched everywhere—places known as “Changben” and “GG.GG”—hunting for information.
“Phoenix Route… dammit…”
While smoking, the young man desperately tried to piece together clues for the Phoenix Route. To all the die-hard fans of the game, it was like chasing the mythical treasure of Eldorado—always just out of reach.
Among these efforts, he was particularly searching for the elusive “Pure” Phoenix Route.
People referred to routes lost after DLC updates as “Lost Routes,” and they tirelessly pursued the path where Phoenix could become the heroine.
Is this how treasure hunters feel when seeking something that might not even exist? The young man aimlessly clicked his mouse, wandering through threads in search of Phoenix Route info.
“…Huh?”
An unusual post caught his eye.
[Guys, do you think ‘that couple’ will succeed in the Phoenix Route?]
“A couple playing the game? What the heck, teaching their kids bad habits?”
Shaking his head, the young man clicked on the thread. Though its view count wasn’t exceptional, the number of comments made it look like a heated discussion.
– They’ve already cleared Su Ri’s route by April; what’s impossible about it? 
– Honestly, I hope they manage to clear all 16 characters’ routes.
– 17P! 17P! 17P!
“…A couple streaming together? Insane.”
He sighed deeply. He thought it was some foreign trend but apparently, it was happening right here in Korea.
“Is this really okay for our country’s future?”
It seemed the in-game Korea was already in bad shape, but reality could be even worse. Without much thought, the young man clicked the link to the stream.
[Early Four-Person Raid]
The viewership was barely over a hundred. Curious about what kind of raid the early four-person team could pull off, he clicked the video.
KYYYYAAHHH—!!
Boss, I’m dying, HAAANG!!
“…This is what a raid looks like?”
Yuna, Raon, Nuri, and Su Ri.
The four women were battling a single monster. With his stereotypical blonde-Western-guy vibe, he fought ferociously against them as a beast.
“…Whoa.”
The young man became viewer number 101.
* * *
<March 26th, New Seoul, Oracle Studio Office.>
“It feels like I’ve been asleep for ages.”
“That’s because you kept sleeping during the day, didn’t you?”
“Hmm?”
I woke from a long slumber. Despite having indulged in a 5P session with four women last night, I still took a nap in the game world.
‘Truthfully, doing it with four was less tiring than with Gran.’
What I do in the game is purely for enjoyment.
But what happens in real life is more about fulfilling mutual desires.
Once the fire starts, it’s hard to extinguish, so I spent the whole night and then logged into the game after catching a quick nap.
Ah, the frailty of human bodies!
‘At times like this, I wish I were a spirit.’
Though collapsing together in exhaustion has its own charm, I sometimes miss those moments in the spiritual realm where we could indulge without physical fatigue.
If I can harness the power of spirits in this world—specifically, if Blazing Phoenix dies and passes her core to me—I might obtain powers akin to a spirit.
Or perhaps another spirit…
“Mew?”
Unconsciously, I grabbed Kim Penril’s tail as she slept on my lap. Still half-asleep, she glared at me before nudging her head toward me.
– Boss, let’s do it, nyaa~
“…Hold on, I’ll take Kim Penril for a walk first.”
“But she’s a cat?”
“She’s half-dog, so walking her is fine.”
I placed Kim Penril on my shoulder and stepped outside. In New Seoul, there are too many people, and any movement draws attention—but ignoring others’ gazes is part of being the protagonist.
And honestly, I enjoy being stared at. It’s a way of showing off: “This face, this body, this guy is mine.” Ah, though maybe not the face?
Jingle jingle.
Reaching my destination, I boldly opened the shop door and walked inside. The tired-looking clerk blushed upon seeing me.
‘Protagonist face effect.’
Even if it’s just default good looks, the stereotypical handsome blonde Westerner archetype has its impact. Just as the part-timer blushed at my sight, I licked my lips looking at her.
‘C-Rank Villain Park A-Yeong.’
The woman before me is quite infamous in villain circles. According to her database entry in the Phoenix Wiki, she could be considered my true nemesis.
‘A part-time worker who steals a scoop of strawberry ice cream every shift!’
She’s both a real-life villain and an ice cream store menace.
“Uh… would you like to order something? And, uh, pets aren’t allowed inside…”
“One of these, and one of those, please.”
“Yes… one each?”
“Exactly.”
One strawberry, one mint chocolate.
“Fill two half-gallon containers nice and full.”
A true protagonist must have the determination to finish an entire half-gallon container of one flavor.
* * *
The Hero Association, government, Hunter Guild, and various other organizations were carefully monitoring the movements of one individual in Korea.
Xian.w.Hibiscus.
– My Korean name is Baek Cheonghwa.
The one who named himself Baek Cheonghwa was known for eccentric behavior—not occasionally, but frequently—and operated the foreign-funded Oracle Studio, a facility for training individuals with special abilities.
However, very few knew his true identity.
Commander!
The only person among those with special abilities who could enhance the magical power of others.
A top-priority target for elimination by the Dark Legion, humanity believed they must protect him at all costs. However, not everyone necessarily agreed.
How can we exploit Baek Cheonghwa?
Since Baek Cheonghwa exists within the confines of Korea, how can we make use of him?
These thoughts filled the minds of the associations, government, Hunter Guild, etc., making them potential competitors for leveraging Baek Cheonghwa’s abilities.
But sometimes they do unite.
When a “common enemy” appears.
Currently, the association was troubled by the presence of foreign entities seeking Baek Cheonghwa.
* * *
“Requesting Mr. Baek Cheonghwa’s visit to the UK. La….”
Sighing, I received the news from the association. While the higher-ups were surely stressed about this request, I had my own headaches.
‘Overseas deployment request.’
Both Korea’s leadership and foreign key figures know that Baek Cheonghwa is the Commander.
Most notably, “The Round Table” is behind this invitation to the UK.
‘A golden opportunity to recruit foreign heroines or allies.’
From the protagonist’s perspective, free overseas travel is always a win. Monthly overseas deployments were also great chances for players to experience the thrill of international travel.
‘It’s like going on a date abroad with your favorite girl.’
Only one companion can join me on this trip.
With only one companion allowed, the risks are minimal. This trip is more like a trial run to see how foreign B~A-Rank heroes perform, which could inform how to grow our allies back home.
– Aren’t you worried about staying in the UK permanently?
Some worry I might settle in the UK, but I’ll definitely return to Korea.
My dilemma is deciding “who” to bring along.
Choosing is always difficult, especially since this trip as “Commander” requires careful consideration.
After all, I’ll be spending the entire trip continuously engaging in relations with one woman!
“Whatcha thinking so hard about, nya?”
Kim Penril finally finished her entire half-gallon of mint chocolate before addressing me. Spoon in mouth, she watched me intently.
“Why? Not enough?”
“Can I try yours, nya?”
Kim Penril, the mint chocolate ghost, was now eyeing my barely touched strawberry container. Though I couldn’t understand why someone obsessed with mint would suddenly crave strawberry—
“Every time I watch you enjoy it so much, I get curious, nya.”
“If that’s the case, sure.”
A new (strawberry) companion is always welcome. I shared my half-gallon with Kim Penril.
‘Because it’s a game.’
In reality, I’d never do this, but spreading the joy of strawberries is important. Kim Penril’s newfound interest in strawberries was definitely a positive sign.
“Hmm….”
It means she’s gradually being influenced by the protagonist—by me.
The more she assimilates, the less likely the spirit ‘Jeolpung’ inside her will emerge.
“Kim Penril.”
“Nya?”
“Will you come with me to the UK?”
“…The UK?”
Kim Penril covered her face with her hands.
“Mint chocolate’s holy land! That’s basically a marriage proposal, nya!”
“…”
Suddenly, I remembered something terrible.
The Big Ben Mint Chocolate Terror Attack.
Though executed by Phoenix, it was masterminded by Chang-yeom.
