Part 1, Chapter 3 (3)

Beep-beep-beep.

“They’re finally here.”

I checked the alarm on my smartwatch. The sender of the message, delivered via the Black Market, was someone I was acquainted with.

[Incheon Peddler]: I’ve set up the meeting you requested. The Chairman-nim wishes to see you. I’ll send you the coordinates, please come here.

“Oh, personally?”

‘He’s a rather stubborn old man, if not as much as the President.’

I immediately stood up from the railing.

‘Is this the third time already?’

While the previous two weren’t people I intentionally sought out, I decided to approach this person first.

“It’s our first meeting, so I should bring a gift.”

I tapped my smartwatch and called Beacon. The person on the other side of the screen seemed to have been about to sleep, as they were lying in bed and startled, quickly sitting up.

[Yes, yes! Did you call, Commander-nim!]

“Oh. Weren’t you about to rest? Did I wake you?”

[Haha, what are you talking about? I just had a cup of coffee and was about to start working. Is there something you need me to do?]

“I called you because I have some business elsewhere for a moment.”

[Where are you going? How long will you be gone?]

Jihwa’s eyes, with bloodshot veins over the inverted black pupils of a demon’s eye, suddenly seemed to come alive. I brought up another screen to check the coordinates sent by Incheon Peddler, Baek Sang-woo.

“I’m going to Incheon for a bit. They’re a supplier who will provide our organization with goods and funds in the future.”

[Ah! You’re going on a business trip to a client! Understood! I’ll make sure all instructions are handled well so there are no issues while you’re away!]

“…Well, that’s why I feel bad going empty-handed.”

I recalled the report Jihwa had submitted.

“I want to pack some gifts, so put them all in a bag and bring them to the rooftop. All of them.”

[…Now? All of them?]

“Yes.”

The corners of Jihwa’s eyes twitched.

* * *

An S-rank Hero can be said to be the national power of a country.

S-ranks are incredibly strong, to the point where calling them “human nuclear weapons” is no exaggeration. And according to the original story, there were fewer than 200 S-ranks in the entire world, making their numbers scarce.

Surprisingly, Korea had eight S-rank Heroes. With its small landmass and fifty million population, having eight S-rank Heroes placed Korea among the ranks of advanced Hero nations.

Then, in 2012, the downfall began.

The full mobilization of S-ranks due to the Pyongyang incident. Seven S-ranks, excluding Seolhwa Princess who was an elementary school student at the time, crossed the 38th parallel to resolve the situation in Pyongyang.

The result was annihilation. The monster in Pyongyang devoured five of the seven S-ranks it faced.

Gwanggeom, Korea’s greatest Hero, barely escaped Pyongyang with severe injuries and returned to Seoul. Another S-rank disappeared without even leaving a corpse.

Ultimately, the only S-rank Heroes left in Korea were a heavily wounded Hero whose return was uncertain, and a child who wasn’t even a teenager yet.

The prevailing opinion was that it was too pessimistic to stake the nation’s future on those two. With the President at the time resigning due to the Pyongyang incident and the capital moving to New Seoul, Korea’s national fortune greatly declined.

Fortunately, Gwanggeom recovered from his injuries, and Seolhwa Princess grew well, making a name for herself. At this, Seonui Cheol, then the leader of the opposition party, gathered forces in New Seoul and appealed to the public.

– Let’s station Gwanggeom in New Seoul and Seolhwa Princess in Busan, and build up our strength. We will train Heroes based in these two strategic cities.

Monsters feared S-rank Heroes. The mere presence of their mana deterred monsters from attacking cities-territories-where S-ranks resided. Much like hyenas fleeing without touching a lion’s territory.

And so, New Seoul and Busan became safe.

Only New Seoul and Busan became safe.

– If we just go to New Seoul or Busan, we can live without worrying about monsters!

This led to the overpopulation of New Seoul and Busan. Seonui Cheol shouted to the residents of New Seoul and Busan, who were liberated from monster attacks:

– When we have built up our strength, then let’s retake Seoul. Let’s reclaim our past glory.

The moment the glory of the former S-rank powerhouse was reclaimed, Seoul would also be reclaimed. That fervor became a reality with the ‘Seoul Reclamation Operation,’ a plan that had existed only on paper for several years.

* *

April 11, 2020, New Seoul Hero Association Headquarters

“Pleased to meet you. I am Shin Jingwang.”

The short-haired, white-haired man saluted with military precision. Every action exuded a strong military aura.

“Pleased to meet you too, Minister of Monster Countermeasures. I am Praetor, Yoo Young-ho.”

“I’ve heard much about your reputation, sir. That ingenious strategy in Gangwon became an excellent textbook for our military as well.”

“So you were from the military.”

“Indeed. Having been appointed Minister of Monster Countermeasures from the lowest ranks of a military that had become nominal, I must dedicate myself wholeheartedly. I look forward to working with you, sir.”

Yoo Young-ho shook Shin Jingwang’s hand with a sour expression.

“…If I may say so, just to be on the safe side, tactics against monsters are different from general modern warfare tactics. Especially regarding the command of Heroes.”

“Enough. I’ve already received numerous criticisms on that matter during the hearing. I don’t wish to hear any more.”

Shin Jingwang released his grip. Yoo Young-ho sighed inwardly.

‘He’ll be replaced again soon.’

He couldn’t even remember how many ministers of Monster Countermeasures there had been since the one who fled to Japan. Young-ho sat opposite Shin Jingwang.

“So, Minister-nim, what will you do about this Seoul Reclamation Operation?”

“Since His Excellency the President has commanded it, shouldn’t we naturally proceed? We can’t keep Seoul in the hands of monsters and villains forever. Haha. This operation will succeed without any problems. Haha.”

Young-ho’s brow furrowed slightly. Among the many ministers he had seen since becoming the tactical planning team leader of the Association and the representative of Korean commanders, the balding, half-white-haired man in front of him made the worst first impression in many ways.

Young-ho suppressed the urge to bolt from his seat immediately.

“The Association will also cooperate as much as possible. Already, over 80 Heroes have volunteered after hearing rumors of the Seoul Reclamation Operation.”

“Excellent. Isn’t more always better? The more Heroes, the better.”

“Gwanggeom is among those volunteers.”

Shin Jingwang, who had been chuckling, instantly stiffened. A clear discomfort was evident on his face.

“Absolutely not. Gwanggeom must protect New Seoul. If he leaves New Seoul, who will guard it?”

“Isn’t Lee Seung-hyung there?”

Shin Jingwang snorted as if in disbelief.

“Ha! You’re defending that brat who isn’t even thirty too much. It’s not possible, even if he’s the President’s nephew. Do you truly believe that Brown Bear can fill the void if Gwanggeom goes to Seoul?”

“He is Fire Fist. And a Demon Dragon Slayer. Gwanggeom-nim himself has publicly stated that he has reached the S-rank realm.”

“Enough. I’ve heard that Gwanggeom highly values him. But His Excellency does not wish for Gwanggeom to go to New Seoul. He wishes for Lee Seung-hyung to go to Seoul.”

Young-ho gritted his teeth. He had already discussed this issue with Seung-hyung a long time ago.

“Do you know that he doesn’t want to? It’s almost impossible to carry out the Seoul Reclamation Operation without an S-rank, isn’t it? To face that monster in the City Hall, we’ll need at least two S-rank level forces.”

At Young-ho’s point, Shin Jingwang smirked.

“His Excellency will persuade Lee Seung-hyung. His Excellency has guaranteed that. And for the other force… you already have an inkling, don’t you? Ever since the Association announced that you would be sent to Busan.”

Young-ho’s expression hardened with a start.

“…Are you perhaps thinking of bringing that child up? She’s just barely become an adult.”

“Her experience is greater than yours. And…”

Shin Jingwang brought up a screen and swiped. The color drained from Young-ho’s face.

“Seolhwa Princess has already expressed her intention to participate. Filling that void is why you are being deployed to Busan. By this time, it should be… indeed.”

Shin Jingwang smiled and tapped the video call on his smartwatch alarm. The brief news headline, posted just 10 seconds ago, read:

[Breaking News] Seolhwa Princess Seok Harang, arrives in New Seoul.

* * *

At the same time, Incheon Port Container.

Crack, pop.

Electricity sparked, illuminating the darkness inside the container. Baek Sang-woo coughed from the accumulated dust as he entered.

“Oh, Sang-woo, you’re here.”

“I apologize for making you come all this way, Chairman-nim.”

A burly man sitting on a drum barrel greeted Sang-woo. Sang-woo sat opposite the Chairman-nim, receiving glances from the tough guys next to the man he called Chairman-nim.

“The Core you sent last time was put to good use. Its condition was excellent. Have a piece.”

The smell of grilling pork belly on charcoal tickled his nose.

“Is this going to be deducted from my salary?”

“No. From your bonus. Khahaha!”

Sang-woo looked up at the ceiling for a moment, then picked up a pair of wooden chopsticks. The Chairman-nim was still a tightwad.

“Chairman-nim, if you charge me for the expenses of your trip here, I’ll flee overseas.”

“Can’t do that. You can’t leave Incheon until your contract ends. It’s a rare chance to meet a big shot, wouldn’t it be a shame to end it like this?”

Big shot. Sang-woo chewed on the meat, thinking of that problematic Villain. Even though it was clearly top-grade and well-cooked, it felt stuck somehow, not chewing easily.

“I’m sorry I swore at you last time when I heard the report about the three A-rank Cores. You understand, right?”

“I understand.”

Sang-woo himself couldn’t believe it even when he saw it with his own eyes, so how much more unbelievable must it have been for the Chairman-nim who received the report via photos in New Seoul?

“What was the name again…? Phoenix of Rip-off? That epithet sounds petty, but they’re a truly generous client, khuhuhu!”

The Chairman-nim caressed an A-rank Core placed next to him as if it were a treasure.

“To give something like this as a ‘gift’… Sang-woo. What kind of person are they? A man? A real man? Ugh, I almost fell for their fiery personality. Who else would just drop an A-rank Core at the Incheon branch and ask us to handle future transactions well? Khuhuhu.”

“…Their personality is certainly outrageous.”

Sang-woo recalled the actions of that person who had swept through his office. And the near-catastrophe they almost caused on the Black Market three days ago came to mind, making Sang-woo unconsciously gulp down a shot of soju.

“Huh? Don’t you usually not drink?”

“…I don’t think I can face that client sober.”

“Oh, you’re a heavy drinker? You’d have to drink a whole crate to clink glasses with me-“

Thump!

The Chairman-nim suddenly sprang to his feet. The pork belly and charcoal scattered across the floor, but no one pointed it out.

“Did we get tailed?”

“No.”

At the answer from the woman in the suit standing next to him, the Chairman-nim put the Core into his pocket.

Tap, tap, tap.

A knocking sound from the ceiling. It clearly meant someone was on top of the container. The Chairman-nim glared at Sang-woo, his yellow eyes glowing.

“Sang-woo. Did you betray me?”

“…Chairman-nim.”

Sang-woo shook his head and covered his ears.

“It must be that client.”

“What?”

KWAANG!

A part of the ceiling exploded and collapsed. The Chairman-nim’s superpowered subordinates next to him used their abilities and rushed towards the collapsed ceiling.

Sang-woo subtly moved to the container wall and pressed himself against it.

Clap.

With a crisp clap, the subordinates’ bodies exploded and fell.

The Chairman-nim gritted his teeth at the carnage visible through the smoke.

The elite subordinates he brought were taken down in a single blow. A former A-rank Hero, hired at a high price, was writhing on the floor, his entire body charred.

“Ah, shit. Who grills pork belly in a place like this? It’ll give you cancer.”

The Chairman-nim looked at Sang-woo with a wry smile as Phoenix, a woman in a blue priestly robe, walked in, waving away the smoke.

“Is that them?”

“Yes.”

“Looks like a religious nut, no matter how I see it.”

At the Chairman-nim’s remark, Sang-woo scratched his cheek. He wondered where the high school girl uniform he saw last time had gone; the client who broke through the ceiling was now wearing a full priestly robe with a veil over her head.

“……Whether it’s Heroes or Villains, isn’t the trend these days to have a ‘concept’? In China, Guan Yu even resurrected and is slicing up monsters with his Green Dragon Crescent Blade.”

“That’s true.”

“What are you two whispering about?”

Phoenix stomped her foot, and the smoke and dust filling the container escaped through the hole in the ceiling. The Chairman-nim marveled at the delicate mana control that spread with her stomp.

“Her face is pretty.”

“This face is indeed quite pretty.”

Phoenix had two large duffel bags slung over her shoulders. Baek Sang-woo felt a sense of déjà vu from the lumpy protrusions beneath the dark green fabric.

“Here, gifts. I was only going to give you one, but I’m giving you both.”

Phoenix untied the two duffel bags and threw them to the Chairman-nim. The Chairman-nim recoiled dramatically, as if he didn’t even want to touch them, and yelled.

“Ugh! Sweaty trash from somewhere…”

Roll.

Something poked out from the torn fabric and rolled onto the floor. The Chairman-nim, as if enchanted, picked up the translucent orb that had touched his shoe. The orb was covered in a blue film.

“I’ve taken care of everything to prevent the mana smell from leaking out, just as Boss Baek-nim said. Now you just need to take them to the workshop and convert them into Cores.”

“…Both of these?”

Baek Sang-woo pointed alternately at the two duffel bags. Phoenix nodded and smiled.

“Yes. I scraped up everything in Guro, Yeongdeungpo, and Yeouido. Uh… about 200 D-ranks? Something like that.”

The Chairman-nim’s trembling hands tore open the side of one of the duffel bags. Inside, multi-colored glowing monster Cores, encased in a blue film, shone brightly.

Phoenix approached the Chairman-nim and extended her hand.

“Nice to meet you, Chairman-nim.”

“Uh, yes, what?”

The Chairman-nim instinctively shook her hand. His hands, like pot lids, almost swallowed Phoenix’s tiny hands.

The Chairman-nim was surprised by the immense heat emanating from her small hand and almost pulled his hand away. But Phoenix’s hand, like an eagle’s talons seizing its prey, did not let go of the Chairman-nim’s hand.

Smirk.

Phoenix curved the corners of her lips upwards, placed her right hand on her left shoulder, and bowed her head.

“I am the Azure Flame Phoenix.”