Chapter 84

〈 Chapter 84 〉 Part 1, Chapter 5 (17)

<May 9th, 8:30 AM, Blue Wind Sect Hideout.>

Cheon Gaeul nervously chewed her fingernails while constantly checking her smartwatch. Deokbae tried to calm her down as her tentacles shook anxiously.

“Hey! Enough already! Light Blade’s dead, alright?”

But Deokbae’s words only deepened Gaeul’s worries.

“What if they made some kind of pact where they’d die together?!”

“That won’t happen. If our leader dies, we all die anyway.”

Ji Hwa’s comment implied that Phoenix was still alive since the monsters hadn’t disappeared yet.

Still, the hour-long silence after Light Blade’s death announcement had Gaeul on edge.

“What if she passed out somewhere? Maybe she sank into the East Sea and washed up in Japan? What if she got sold to the Yakuza and ended up drugged-”

“Ugh, seriously?! Enough!”

Deokbae snapped, cutting Gaeul off mid-rant. But Gaeul turned on him instead.

“Aren’t YOU worried at all?!”

“Why should I be?” Deokbae shot back with a snort. “Worry about yourself.”

“Me? Why would I worry?”

Deokbae leaned in, crossing his arms.

“I’ve been thinking… We’re really short on fighters here, right?”

“Yeah…”

Excluding Phoenix, they didn’t have any S-Rank fighters. Though created with an S-Rank Core, Gaeul’s actual combat power hovered between B and A Ranks due to lack of experience.

“You know what I think? They’re making up for that by creating more monsters. Starting with Light Blade and Princess Snowflower.”

“Light Blade makes sense, but Princess Snowflower?”

Ji Hwa questioned. Deokbae nodded confidently.

“That Yu Sung’s troublemaker agreed to back us up, remember? That princess will just cut off Snowflower’s head and hand it over to Phoenix. Instant S-Rank monster creation. What do you think?”

Ji Hwa recalled some circulating rumors.

“Light Blade’s body was moved to New Seoul, and Snowflower apparently fainted suddenly.”

“Huh… So maybe not.”

Deokbae cleared his throat awkwardly, looking away as Cheon Gaeul continued tearing her hair out.

“So… What’s the deal between that troublemaker princess and Phoenix?”

“How would we know? What do YOU think?”

Deokbae countered. Gaeul paused before answering.

“An assistant?”

“I’ll bet my core they were comrades in a past life.”

“Then I’ll say they were lovers before the regression!”

“What the heck?!”

Gaeul suddenly turned smug. Ji Hwa shivered despite himself but pressed on.

“It makes sense! Our fearless leader who never listens to anyone suddenly started coordinating plans! And even accepted 200% of her suggestions!”

“Cheon Gaeul too… Clearly approached knowing something about her. Hmm? Seems like there’s someone else special besides you, Cheon Gaeul.”

“You bastards…!”

As Gaeul raised her tentacles, Ji Hwa cringed.

“G-Gaeul wasn’t part of Leader’s original plan!”

Gaeul laughed, though her mask twisted into a demonic grin.

“Oh my. Are you calling me a criminal who almost raped you? Don’t forget, if Phoenix hadn’t saved me, YOU’D be the rapist now. Ji Hwa, what’s your core rank?”

“Are you serious? Stop fighting over something so trivial.”

Deokbae interrupted their bickering.

“Shouldn’t D-Rank be disqualified?”

“You weren’t part of the original plan either!”

“Is that supposed to be an achievement now? This is a crime syndicate, idiot.”

Ji Hwa clenched his fists but stayed silent.

“And you…”

Before Deokbae could continue his verbal assault, Gaeul changed the subject.

“Where did Sky Castle and Architect go?”

Ji Hwa gratefully seized the opportunity.

“Citizens heard about Light Blade’s death. Hundreds are panicking, saying they need to leave Korea immediately. They went to handle it.”

“Figures.”

Deokbae sneered. If Seoul was this chaotic, New Seoul must be worse. Especially considering Light Blade fought unknown enemies in Daejeon and was found dead in Busan – quite the national shock.

[Meanwhile…]

The association investigator sent to Busan’s D Island assessed the dome-shaped destruction left behind, analyzing the magical residue.

“Even if Round Table fought full strength 3-on-3, this much devastation would be impossible… Incredible…”

Ji Hwa trembled in awe. He’d only heard tales, but seeing evidence of such power…

“Our leader truly is remarkable…”

“You didn’t believe it until now, huh?”

“Yeah…”

Dukbae chuckled knowingly. Even he had doubted whether Phoenix could defeat Durahan, let alone kill Light Blade. Ji Hwa read the Association’s interim report again.

“Based on battle remnants and magical traces, both Light Blade and the unknown enemy surpass Round Table level… Wow, our leader really IS amazing.”

“Now you understand why we’ll have more headaches coming.”

Gaeul twirled two tentacles nervously.

“There were TWO SS-Rankers involved. One’s a villain, one’s dead… including Light Blade. The Association won’t sit idly by.”

“At least one Round Table member will come for sure.”

Dukbae rubbed his lips thoughtfully. Ji Hwa tapped on the screen.

“Worldwide mages will gather too. There were already many interested in studying Seoul due to the Fire Demon Dragon incident. Now they’ll all converge on Busan to analyze the battle data.”

“That’s not the problem.”

Gaeul slammed her tentacles on the table to grab everyone’s attention.

“What about China and Japan? With Light Blade gone, war might break out soon.”

“Isn’t that worst-case scenario?”

“Even without war, there are countless ways they’ll try to exert influence, Ji Hwa.”

Sky Castle returned to the hideout, removing his fedora to reveal an exhausted face.

“They might station their own heroes here or aggressively promote immigration. Unless that SS-Rank ally Leader mentioned appears soon…”

“Speaking of which, we don’t even know who that is?”

Ryu Cheonseong admitted after a pause. Then he smiled.

“He might know.”

“He?”

“Yun Yuhwa. The master of Yu Sung Manor.”

Gaeul puffed her cheeks indignantly.

“Why tell that troublemaker and not us?”

“If Yun Yuhwa can control Black Market Chairman and other influential figures simultaneously as Leader claimed, then I believe Leader has secured him as an ally at minimum.”

“And maximum?”

“As a new senior member of the Blue Wind Sect.”

Ryu Cheonseong grinned calmly. Ji Hwa paled.

“T-Then what happens to the second-in-command position?”

“What’re you talking about? There’s no such thing here. We’re all equal officers.”

“Not me. Count me out.”

Deokbae waved his hands emphatically, taking a step back. The others couldn’t argue – despite his low cultivation level and poor-quality cores, Phoenix always treated him specially.

“Test subject.”

“Very special indeed.”

“Damn…”

Sky Castle stroked his beard amusedly.

“If it bothers you so much, why not ask directly?”

“…Sky Castle? We’re pacing around here worried because Phoenix hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

Sky Castle looked genuinely confused.

“Leader returned over an hour ago. She flew onto the penthouse roof – didn’t you hear the window breaking?”

* * *

I’m exhausted.

Never fought humans for this long in another world.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

My smartwatch alarm keeps going off. Right now, I don’t want to hear any news. I just want to lie here mindlessly.

BEEP. BEEP.

“…Sigh.”

I lift my arm to check the screen. As expected, it’s Yun Yuhwa.

“Why are you answering so late? Do you know New Seoul is in chaos because of you, dear customer?”

“Shut up. Where’s Seok Harang?”

My tired voice startles Yuhwa. Clearing my throat, I repeat:

“Hmm, how’s Seok Harang doing?”

“Just slept through the night, ate breakfast, then passed out again upon hearing the news?”

“Good then.”

She took her death calmly in the original story too. Younger now, but still capable of enduring silently.

“How about the funeral arrangements?”

“Excuse me? It’s been less than two hours since you killed Light Blade! The president is losing it. Swearing from the office, causing quite the commotion.”

“Like losing a limb.”

We secured Cheongsong here and eliminated Light Blade. Having removed the ‘power’ core from Sun Icheol’s authority, he’s likely plotting survival strategies instinctively.

I lower the screen, lacking the energy to lift my head.

“Handle the aftermath for me. I’ll move accordingly. Let’s proceed as originally planned by Miss. No changes needed.”

“If I take care of things in New Seoul… Will you be okay?”

“What do you mean?”

I cough slightly before continuing.

“Uh…”

Yun Yuhwa looks concerned, scratching her cheek.

“Customer, are you extremely tired? Should we reschedule our call?”

Lowering my face into the pillow briefly before lifting it again. For others, it’d be genuine concern, but from Yuhwa, it’s subtle pressure telling me to rest.

Propping myself up slightly, Yuhwa’s expression brightens.

“Because of Seok Harang, right?”

“If she comes for revenge later, we’ll settle it properly… Just kidding. Stop looking so scared. We knew what we were getting into, remember? I take all the blame while you take care of Harang.”

“…”

Yun Yuhwa closes her eyes, accepting reluctantly. That’s her tell when she agrees despite disapproval.

“Eventually, when facing Seongju in the final battle, cooperation will suffice. Once the spirit awakens its mission, everything will become clear.”

“Wow, you really put yourself through unnecessary suffering. Even if not sworn enemies, wouldn’t it be better to maintain some friendly relations with Harang? As long as it stays hidden…”

“Nice try.”

Tiredness brings out my true nature. Closing my eyes tightly before reopening them.

Whoosh. I momentarily ignite flames around the screen to refresh myself.

“I like Seok Harang too. In various ways. But in this life, it’s impossible to stay close. I’ve already killed Light Blade with my own hands. No reason to pretend friendship now. She’s a hero, I’m a villain.”

“Seok Harang becomes the world’s first SS-Rank hero, pillar of Korea. You dominate the underworld as SS-Rank villain. And I act as the bridge between.”

Nodding at Yuhwa’s summary. She starts speaking again but winces.

“…Sorry.”

Her eyes sparkle with stars – time to focus on controlling another puppet. Time to end this conversation.

Tapping the screen while waving goodbye.

“You’ve worked hard too. See you next time.”

“Wait a moment! Since BH isn’t important anyway, right now you should…”

BEEP. I hang up. Collapsing face-first onto the bed.

Yun Yuhwa calls again, but I ignore it, burying myself deeper under the covers.

‘I need to rest now.’

Having overcome a major obstacle with Light Blade’s death, my energy feels completely drained. Using the persistent alarm as lullaby music, I let go of all consciousness.

* * *

“Seriously ridiculous.”

Cheon Gaeul burst out laughing at the sight of Phoenix face-down on the bed.

Her clothes are covered in dirt, torn in places revealing white skin beneath. She looks exactly like an overworked adult who collapsed onto the bed after working overtime.

“…She does work harder than all of us.”

The operation in Gwanak District was suppressed within an hour.

The Durahans were stopped from advancing beyond Anyang through coordinated efforts, then incinerated by Hwakwon practitioner Lee Seung-hyeong.

Glug, Glug.

Gaeul placed all the cores collected in her tentacle storage onto the table.

During the operation, she used Architect’s ability to burrow underground and stealthily recovered cores whenever a monster fell.

Waiting up all night to report the results, Phoenix never showed up. They learned of Light Blade’s death through morning news alerts.

“Not even a single call. Really.”

Gaeul used her tentacle to turn Phoenix’s head.

“……”

Completely unconscious, Phoenix sleeps soundly.

Poke. Poke.

Her cheeks feel like sticky rice cakes under the tentacle prods. Normally uneasy about physical contact, Phoenix remains motionless atop the blanket.

‘Hmm?’

All Gaeul’s tentacles wiggled excitedly. Always ready to follow her commands, they remained fully prepared.

Her tentacles wrapped around Phoenix’s limbs.

And then,

“Phew. At least change into clean clothes before resting.”

Lifting Phoenix with her tentacles, Gaeul dusted off the blanket. Carefully removing the tattered suit and replacing it with comfortable clothing, she positioned Phoenix comfortably on the bed.

“……”

“Sleep well. You won’t notice if someone kidnaps you like this.”

Gaeul pulled the blanket up to Phoenix’s shoulders using her tentacles. Cozy in warm sunlight and soft blankets, Phoenix sleeps peacefully like a baby bird.

“Much to say… Much to do ahead…”

Gaeul stroked Phoenix’s hair gently.

“Great job today.”

A small smile appeared on Phoenix’s face.

Ping.

[YU★HA] : Dear beloved customer. Rest well and return to us healthy. Great work! Looking forward to working with you more^^7

“Who’s this?”