Chapter 88

〈 Chapter 88 〉 Part 1, Chapter 5 (21)

<Seoul, Blue Wind Sect Hideout>

[It seems Lord Phantom has the qualities of a true villain.]

“Are you seriously enjoying this?”

Phantom and Gaeul were exasperated by Yu I-shin’s overly enthusiastic behavior. Despite lacking a neck, Yu I-shin was fully expressing her joy through body language.

Yu I-shin typed furiously on the virtual keyboard.

[There isn’t a single former Pine Unit member who wouldn’t want to kill Cheongsong.]

“It’s not like you’re any different now.”

Gaeul pointed at Yu I-shin’s lower abdomen, where the same tattoo copied from her had been etched as the Blue Wind Sect symbol.

[That’s not true…this is…]

Yu I-shin affectionately stroked the mark on her lower abdomen.

[A scar of sanctity. A symbol of grace bestowed upon me by the Spirit.]

“……”

Gaeul forcibly swallowed the words rising to her chin.

The former Pine Unit heroes, officially renamed “Dullahan” by the Association, continued to serve Phoenix even after their deaths.

[The Spirit saved us from Cheongsong and Sun Icheol’s prison. We longed for death but couldn’t commit suicide – what a blessing that our wish was granted! And then we were resurrected.]

“Is that something to be happy about?”

[Of course. And frankly speaking…]

Yu I-shin placed a finger on Gaeul’s back. When they wanted to have off-the-record conversations, this was how they communicated.

– Initially, we were villains anyway. Survival of the fittest. This suits our nature better.

“……I just can’t comprehend it.”

For Gaeul, who originally was a virtuous citizen, this mindset was incomprehensible.

“You mean you’d follow someone just because they’re strong, no matter how rotten their character is?”

[Are you mocking the Spirit right now?]

“I didn’t specify anyone in particular.”

Yu I-shin paused momentarily before clinging to Phantom and putting on an adorable act.

– I’ll work even harder. Please don’t cut me off! Sob sob…

“I won’t cut you off. You’re the only female among them; how could I possibly manage without you? So stop already.”

Having a headless woman constantly cling to him was troublesome on many levels. Gaeul pushed Yu I-shin away and tapped on her smartwatch.

“Uncles, if you’re done fooling around, come back to the hideout quickly.”

Simultaneously, signals came in from various locations.

[He thinks he did everything alone and is relaxing…what audacity!]

[Gaeul, could you please provide some support here? I’ll give you a core later if you help…]

[We’re almost done here.]

Mapo, Jongno, Seongdong.

With signals coming in from three places, Gaeul smirked and wiped the screen clean.

“Did you forget that we agreed to each take down one?”

It had been a week since the snake at the city hall was cleared.

The Blue Wind Sect had begun the full-scale recapture of north of the Han River.

* * *

<Seoul, Namsan Tower>

“Everyone’s doing well.”

Standing at the tip of the tower, I looked around to check the battlefield situation.

Though the SS-Rank Monster raid was successful, Seoul’s northern areas were still overrun with monsters hiding in buildings and underground spaces.

All the officers except Architect had been tirelessly patrolling every corner of Yongsan and Jongno over the past week, gradually expanding their territory.

‘People really do work harder when there’s a reward.’

I gave command of separate units to Deokbae, Lighthouse, Sky Castle, and Phantom, assigning each to conquer a district.

In return, they were allowed to use the monster cores they obtained at their discretion.

Deokbae and Sky Castle worked hardest, while Lighthouse stayed behind the scenes, using subordinates to clear out monsters.

Phantom sought quick rest and chose relatively less infested Yongsan.

Yongsan was already reduced to rubble by the Blue Wind Sect.

Beep. The alarm sounded. The caller was Yun Yuhwa.

[YU☆HA★ : V]

“Seriously?”

Could it be that Light Blade actually accepted Yun Yuhwa’s contract? I quickly called Yun Yuhwa, whose smug face appeared on the screen.

“Was it successful?”

[Of course. Now Light Blade follows my commands. Oh, Light Blade wants his new name to be <Dark Lord>.]

“What kind of alias is that?”

[It’s Light Blade’s preferred title. He says he must now live hidden in darkness. What could that mean?]

Yun Yuhwa subtly asked me for the reason.

After the rumors about me impregnating Seok Harang surfaced, Yun Yuhwa had almost concluded that I was the infinite reincarnator.

Considering I’ve cleared seventeen rounds and experienced countless game overs, it wasn’t entirely wrong, so I just let her figure it out herself.

Thinking about Light Blade’s age range, preferences, and era background, I derived the most reasonable answer.

“Inspector Eether?”

[Huh?]

“No, never mind. It’s also the first time I’ve heard such a title. For Light Blade’s honor, I’ll keep quiet.”

Whatever.

[Got it. But…]

Yun Yuhwa smiled cunningly.

[Can you just leave your wife alone? After getting her pregnant? Such a terrible scumbag, huh, Mr. Sucker.]

“It’s not like that.”

[Are you moving on from your past connection and looking for someone new? Hey, but wasn’t Mr. Sucker supposed to be sold out?]

“Shut up. Just switch me to Light Blade.”

[Hehehe, got it. Then I’ll save that for another day.]

Yun Yuhwa turned the screen satisfied. Soon, a blond man with golden eyes appeared with a bored expression.

[What is it, trash?]

“Why did you accept the deal? Given Yu Yuhwa’s personality, she probably explained everything and made the deal. Didn’t you have another chance to die?”

[I don’t talk to sister types who go around impregnating other people’s daughters.]

“Ahh…ugh! No, I didn’t impregnate her…”

Light Blade’s eyes sharpened.

[Someone else then. Who?]

“Not exactly…you know, when two people share love, children can happen! You were eaten by Rusalka too! You pedophile! Lolicon!”

[…Cough! Cough!]

He must not have expected me to know everything. Light Blade, whose face briefly reddened, tilted his head.

[How do you know all this?]

“…Didn’t I explain? I found out chasing Rusalka’s death traces. I thought I was just bringing up a random grave story, but I saw everything there.”

Actually, I got lost and ended up in Korea, but fortunately, everyone interpreted it correctly.

“With Rusalka already dead, the only way to fully awaken Seok Harang as a spirit is to eliminate the Rusalka power within you.”

[Then obviously, I would die too. Though I’m annoyed that you didn’t look for other options, I guess I understand.]

Fortunately, Light Blade understood my excuse-filled explanation.

“Right? If not, either you’d be consumed by Rusalka’s power and go berserk, or Seok Harang might go berserk if you committed suicide…”

[Seok Harang?]

“Isn’t she practically your niece? Shouldn’t that be fine?”

[…Alright. This could go on forever. But what are you planning to do now? Seok Harang will see you as the enemy who killed me…]

Light Blade hadn’t yet revealed the truth to Seok Harang. Naturally, Seok Harang would suspect the monster of Gwanak, my monster form, as the primary culprit for Light Blade’s death.

“It’s fine for now since I win. The problem will arise after she fully awakens as a spirit…”

[Just asking hypothetically.]

Light Blade’s voice was filled with concern.

[Will there be any possibility of Rusalka awakening from Seok Harang’s body?]

“Are you worried about Seok Harang, or hoping for Rusalka’s awakening?”

[Obviously Seok Harang. …Though I wouldn’t mind seeing Rusalka again, it’s clear we can’t meet anymore, right?]

“That’s true. But don’t worry. It’s just the sealed spirit power awakening. Think of it as reaching a higher level.”

[That’s fortunate, but…]

Light Blade hesitated, swallowing the rest of his words.

[Why hasn’t she awakened yet?]

“……Good question. I don’t know either.”

[What am I supposed to do if you don’t know?]

“What am I supposed to do? I really don’t know either.”

Two weeks had passed since Light Blade’s death.

Seok Harang still hasn’t awakened her spirit powers.

[Why did you kill me if this is going to happen?]

“Well, I assumed she would naturally awaken once you died.”

[…….]

The video call disconnected abruptly. Soon, Yuhwa reconnected, having clearly eavesdropped on the entire conversation with Light Blade. While Light Blade fetched more alcohol, Yuhwa whispered quietly enough that he wouldn’t hear.

[Dear Mr. Sucker. You’re lying, aren’t you?]

“Huh?”

[When you lie, it’s so obvious, Customer. So which is it? Do you know how to awaken her, or has she already awakened somehow?]

“Ah, crap! Is Ga-eul contacting me?!”

I panicked and waved at Yuhwa.

“Ms. Yuhwa, I apologize, but next time! An A-Rank monster seems to have appeared!”

[…Hmph, got it. If you don’t want to talk, just say so. I’ll find out eventually.]

An irritated Yuhwa ended the call. I sighed in relief and looked up at the sky.

“If I explain this, I might get beaten to death…”

This world’s foundation is a dating sim.

The only way to awaken brainwashed officers is one:

Love.

Only true love can free officers from brainwashing. This applies to all Dark Legion’s seven officers, including the berserk Seok Harang.

‘Rusalka’s brainwashing status is known only to herself, so it’s uncertain.’

The theory that she shared love but failed to awaken as a spirit due to Hyun-hwan’s lack of protagonist-level leadership skills.

The theory that she awakened as a spirit but sacrificed herself for Hyun-hwan and their child.

The theory that it wasn’t love but a joke, and she died as a mother after feeling maternal love for her child.

The theory that she bore the child as Hyun-hwan wished but, shocked by his monster form trying to save their child, chose to end her life.

Numerous theories exist, but nothing definitive has been revealed. The production team deliberately avoided discussing this topic.

‘Anyway, awakening as a spirit requires love.’

That’s right. Hence the problem. I swallowed deeply sensing the massive water-elemental magic emanating from Busan.

So powerful that its effects reached Seoul from Busan, Seok Harang’s magic was covering the entire Korean Peninsula.

“How could she awaken alone?”

Seok Harang had already realized her power as a spirit.

The question was: Whom did she love to awaken as a spirit?

“Who is it really?”

A past lover, or current connection? Or maybe she’s a narcissist?

Anyone who guesses wrong might end up being sliced into three by Light Blade.

“……Eh, I don’t know. Guess I’ll ask her directly.”

Spreading my wings, I flew off from Namsan Tower.

* * *

<Busan, Seok Harang's Residence>

“Phew.”

Seok Harang was playing with an ice figurine on her desk.

Her white index finger gently swayed the human-shaped ice sculpture left and right. More precise than any 3D printer, the ice figurine resembled a woman.

[…Haha, then when was Mr. Lee Seung-hyeong’s last experience of love?]

While sculpting, Seok Harang had absentmindedly turned on the TV, where Lee Seung-hyeong was appearing. In a special celebrating the conclusion of <Last Love>, he awkwardly answered the reporter’s question.

[Hmm…]

Lee Seung-hyeong’s wistful gaze made the audience sigh. It contained both anger towards the thoughtless reporter and sympathy for Lee Seung-hyeong.

[The person who supported me when I was most struggling. That was my last love.]

“Hmm?”

Seok Harang smirked and rested her head on the desk. Her thumb caressed the figurine’s face.

“……But this is a forbidden love, kiddo.”

Magic flowed from Seok Harang’s eyes.

[Ha ha ha, then regarding the public declaration of love from group NTL’s leader Na Baek-hap during the finale -]

[WAAAAAAHHHHHH—]

The audience booed the reporter’s question. Someone shouted an insult and was restrained.

It’s fine,” Seung-hyeong raised his hand to calm the crowd and took the microphone.

[People can’t control whom they fall in love with. However, if the object of their affection refuses their love and they continue to force it, I consider that violence.]

“Hmph.”

Seok Harang turned off the TV and drifted off to sleep, still resting her head on the desk. The ice figurine tightly clasped in her hand remained intact despite her body heat.

The ice figurine closely resembled Yuhwa.

* * *

“Pwehtchii!”

Yuhwa suddenly coughed. Guangjian, who had been drinking wine at the desk, put down his glass.

“Cold? Be careful. You’re human after all.”

“Isn’t Master adapting to his monster form too quickly?”

“Feels alright. No matter how much I drink, I don’t get drunk. Thanks to you, I can enjoy this expensive wine freely.”

Hyun-hwan raised his wine glass to savor the taste. Even as Korea’s top hero, his spending habits were extremely frugal.

“Still, drink moderately. Harang worries a lot about you.”

“Now you’re worrying too? Feels like gaining another daughter… Hmm.”

Hyun-hwan lazily eyed Yuhwa.

The actual owner of Yu-Sung Group. Possessing A-Rank abilities. Flawless appearance. Practically holding the highest financial power in Korea.

And most importantly, the audacity to stake her entire body and life to file a marriage registration with Guangjian for Harang.

“I approve of this marriage.”

“……Excuse me?”

Guangjian stood up with the wine bottle in hand, leaving Yuhwa alone in the office, who dropped her fountain pen in astonishment.