Chapter 998

EP.998 Part 2 Chapter 10 Section 11: The Victim of Trolling, The Prepared Woman

A magical girl has been chosen!

The world was turned upside down.

It all started in a cafe in New Seoul, where a woman who looked every bit the commander’s magical girl unleashed spoilers that shook the world.

-“Who do you think ‘Black Tea’ might be?”

Black Tea.

This new figure ordering black tea became infamous. Though not officially named, “Black Tea” stuck as her de facto title.

“Isn’t it kind of funny that they call it black tea when it’s just tea? Green tea makes sense because it’s green, but this is just…black tea?”

“Are you saying we should call it Red Tea instead?”

“Nah, I was just wondering if you knew anything about English. You don’t seem interested.”

Hmph.

I took a sip of my strawberry ade.

The woman sitting across from me shot me an annoyed glance.

“In Korea, anyone with higher education receives basic foreign language training.”

“I know that. Haven’t you forgotten there’s a perfect scorer on our team?”

“Actually, it’s a near-perfect score, isn’t it?”

“What unit is that even measured in? Are you seriously mad at Yuna for missing one question on a rigged test?”

“As someone who actually scored perfectly on the national exam, let me tell you- if you’re upset, go retake it until you get full marks.”

She picked up her teacup.

Sipping delicately, she made no sound at all.

“Reminds me of Japanese tea ceremonies…”

“What?”

“…But your grace surpasses theirs by far.”

“Hmph.”

She bristled instantly at any comparison to foreign countries–a common trait among Koreans, especially when compared to Japan. What had seemed strange at first was explained to me through a simple analogy:

-Jeolpum beneath Changyeom.

…Jeolpum under Changyeom. Even though I’ve since surpassed Changyeom to become Shin-ra, seeing Jeolpum likened to Yamato and our land to this country made their feelings clear to me. And to her too.

“…Enough small talk. Ahem.”

She loves her country as much as I love myself.

“Ms. Baek Heea.”

“Yes?”

The woman in black hanbok sitting across from me stared calmly.

Since meeting her once at the association during Seok Harang’s recruitment, we’ve kept in touch secretly through magical gear. Now she’s here visiting me.

She participated in the “Aspiring Magical Girl” program, and I immediately passed her in the first round.

That’s right.

Xiao Lin wasn’t the only one hoping to become a magical girl. Baek Heea was there too, blending into the crowd in casual clothes rather than traditional dress. When asked if she was Baek Heea, she simply confirmed it.

Shao Lin likely thought she was just an A-rank ability user.

In truth, she’s the heroine, and now I’ve invited her separately to a hotel.

“Commander, didn’t you have something to say to me?”

“Nice to meet you?”

“Stop fooling around. You were passable when you were a man…”

Baek Heea openly showed her irritation.

“But now as a woman, you’re completely unimpressive. Why would one woman act coy toward another?”

“I’m technically still a man…”

“You look like a woman right now.”

“…”

Perhaps Baek Heea is the hardest woman to romance, even though we share no blood relation. Despite mistakenly believing we’re siblings, her dedication as a heroine shines through.

“If only you were my sister instead of my brother, this would be easier.”

Thinking of dressing her in silk robes and…

“Hmph.”

“Don’t laugh weirdly. Answer me.”

“Sorry about that. Ahem. Well…”

I cleared my throat and sat up straight.

“To cut to the chase, this month’s magical girl is you.”

“I see.”

Baek Heea silently sipped her tea.

Her eyes met mine over the rim of her cup, searching.

“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

“Yes.”

“I had high expectations for you when we first met. And you’ve proven yourself worthy. While I won’t go into details, I’ve helped you extensively behind the scenes.”

“I’m aware.”

The background machinations against Sun Icheol involved Baek Heea’s influence.

“I’ve kept you hidden from Sun Icheol’s reach. Both from the Blue House and the National Assembly in New Seoul.”

“I’m truly grateful.”

“Sheilding you from foreign capital guilds’ raids, surprise inspections, and even stopping them from retroactively applying academy rules during the Jung Su Ri incident.”

“I owe you much.”

Creating public opinion against Sun Icheol, organizing protests, and sparking citizen uprisings – all were orchestrated by Baek Heea.

“And I personally destroyed the tanks deployed under martial law.”

“That wasn’t actually destruction…”

“Commander?”

“…Let’s just say it was.”

After all, the high school girl who physically demolished those tanks during Sun Icheol’s martial law was her.

“Everyone thinks it was Cheon Gaeul.”

Even our team believed it was Cheon Gaeul, but it was really Baek Heea.

-What did Baek Heea actually do? What were her accomplishments?

-Go read up on Heea’s route achievements.

I could write thousands of words on Baek Heea’s deeds, but it’d be tedious and exhausting.

-She did everything!

-Really?

-You’ve played her route ten times and didn’t know this?

-I was busy fusing with my sister at the entrance.

-If Heea’s undressing at the door, that’s king-level service.

Even those who’ve played Heea’s route might not realize how much she worked behind the scenes for the commander, like how dark-skinned people disappear in photos leaving only white teeth visible. Some players only notice her dramatic appearances late-game and assume she’s just annoying…

‘All the in-game political issues are blocked by Heea, which is convenient.’

Though this game claims to be a game, it’s its own world.

Of course, the commander faces countless political lobbies and meeting requests. Phones in various legislative offices ring off the hook trying to invite you to events or take photos.

-Is this guy supporting K-1 Korean politics?

-I don’t support these guys in real life, so why am I dealing with them in a game?

-I’m a proponent of the Pop Party, but I’m starting to dislike them in this game.

-Politics infiltrates the game too. That’s Hyper Realistic Simulation of Dating Beautiful Girls!

Amidst all the trolling, since this world reflects reality, players inevitably encounter dark political forces.

Until the mid-game, Baek Heea quietly countered these political threats, known only to her.

Unlike Yun Yuhwa who shows his emotions openly, she sees serving her country as her duty and simply does her job.

However…

“Commander, please answer seriously.”

“Hmm.”

“I’ve done so much for you in the shadows. Now I’ve mustered the courage to ask for my reward.”

“Yes.”

Baek Heea directly approaches me with her request.

“Do you understand how important my current situation is?”

“I do.”

“Then you understand how significant the ‘Magical Girl’ title is for me.”

“I do.”

Baek Heea needs the magical girl title.

“The commander established the rules: select one through testing and choose another wildcard periodically.”

“Yes.”

“I need a domestic wildcard selection.”

“…Yes.”

Baek Heea sets down her teacup and smiles faintly.

“Why must I be chosen midway when some unknown woman is already pre-selected?”

“…”

This is due to Penril’s trolling.

“Who is this Black Tea person that pushes me aside to become a magical girl?”

“A noble spirit.”

“…”

Baek Heea closes her eyes and sips her tea.

She’s likely calculating the political advantages between becoming a magical girl and aligning with this noble spirit.

“Even if it’s a noble spirit…without control over our nation’s political sphere, it holds no meaning.”

Her conclusion.

Being an S-rank magical girl like Xiao Lin seems less important than her becoming a magical girl.

“…You may not be fully aware, Commander, but constitutionally, a new president must be elected within sixty days of the previous one stepping down.”

“…”

I know.

In the year 20 of Earth, after Sun Icheol resigned, a new president was elected to continue leading.

“I need to become a magical girl to assist my political partner.”

“You want to use the commander’s influence to elect a president?”

“Yes. Of course, he’ll only serve out Sun Icheol’s remaining term – perhaps just twenty-four months, maybe even less.”

Baek Heea looks beyond that presidency.

“I will become the leader of this country.”

“A president who was once a magical girl?”

“Yes. Please give me the wildcard spot. For the sake of becoming president.”

For the first time, Baek Heea bares her teeth and directs her anger at me.

“I don’t wish to compete against others in the magical girl audition.”

“…”

She seeks special consideration.

“I am a prepared magical girl…”

“Enough.”

“…A prepared female president…”

“Enough.”

I decide to grant Baek Heea’s request.