Part 1, Chapter 10, 12

The morning after Phoenix finished filming the advertisement.

Baek Hee-ah received an interview request from Hwawon Lee Seunghyung through an undisclosed channel.

As an executive who succeeded the Praetor, it was natural for her to meet with a Hero, but she didn’t understand why he used the classic method of writing a ‘letter’ to say, ‘let’s meet separately on the rooftop.’

Baek Hee-ah was also curious.

The answer to what was discussed with Cheonghwa that made Cheonghwa flee the Association building, even jumping off the rooftop while being held by Xiaolin, lay with Lee Seunghyung.

Baek Hee-ah completed her thorough preparations and met Lee Seunghyung alone. She resolved to politely refuse with logical rhetoric, no matter what confession Lee Seunghyung made.

“The Azure Syndicate tried to recruit me. The monstrous human Phoenix himself.”

“You too?”

A small common ground formed between them. Both Baek Hee-ah and Lee Seunghyung had received an offer from Phoenix to ‘join hands,’ and both had firmly rejected the offer.

“As expected of Hwawon. You’re overflowing with a sense of justice.”

“As expected of an executive. To firmly reject the temptation of evil.”

Both lamented being targeted by Phoenix. Although he was a Villain who killed Gwanggeom and massacred the Pine Tree Unit, it was also true that their hearts wavered slightly at the fact that such a powerful individual wanted them.

“…But I will never compromise.”

“Yes. The same goes for me.”

They shook hands and became comrades. Baek Hee-ah, who prided herself on her keen judgment of people, felt trust in Lee Seunghyung’s heroic aspect and skill, and Lee Seunghyung was convinced by the sincere conviction emanating from Baek Hee-ah’s mana.

In New Seoul, where it was hard to trust anyone, the two became the only reliable colleagues for each other within the Hero Association.

“I understand developing Seoul in many ways, but…”

“I don’t think it’s right to do it to the point of killing people.”

“I misunderstood because you were Seonui Cheol’s nephew…”

“I misunderstood because you were Prime Minister Baek’s granddaughter…”

“”As expected, we connect when we talk!!””

The two, overflowing with a sense of justice, shook hands again and smiled brightly. The two, who bought drinks from the vending machine, began a long discussion on how to deal with Phoenix.

That it would cause another scandal was a story for later.

“Should we use a honey trap, after all? Lee Seunghyung-ssi, I’m sorry, but how about you sacrifice yourself?”

“Phoenix is someone who despises me. What about you, Baek Hee-ah-ssi? That ring… it has a blue flame inside. Didn’t Phoenix-nim give it to you? Perhaps? Saying there’s no relation is trying to deceive me-“

“R-Right, but don’t misunderstand! They just forcibly put it on me and left!”

It seemed it would take a long time for them to build complete trust.

* * *

We returned to Seoul safely. Intoxicated by the Core and Cube obtained from the Black Scorpion incident, we didn’t know what kind of situation was unfolding on the other side of New Seoul.

Let’s gather information for a day and then discuss countermeasures. The executives sought out information in their respective fields, and I had to compose my mind alone in a quiet place, comparing the original work with the current situation.

‘The migration to Seoul just sped up a bit. Nothing has particularly changed.’

As the protagonist’s party restored Seoul, people naturally began to move to Seoul one by one. Although Architect hadn’t restored the original forms of the buildings as they are now, it became a big issue in the background of the original work as well.

‘At times like this, it’s truly realistic.’

It wasn’t a world inside a game, but a world where every single person was alive and breathing. A world that moved not by commands given in 0s and 1s, but by each individual’s own thoughts and reasoning.

‘I miss when I was a commander.’

“Back then, I only had to think about combat.”

Without needing to worry about complex politics, economy, or social issues, everything was resolved if I only focused on combat, killing or capturing monsters. There was no need for bloody love quarrels with heroines, and everything was okay if I only focused on beating monsters and monstrous humans.

‘That’s why I gathered executives from various fields.’

Beacon Kim Ji-hwa for the operation of the Azure Syndicate.

Haneulseong Ryu Cheon-seong to handle political and administrative issues.

Architect James Lee for urban reconstruction and infrastructure development.

The three were key talents I had my eyes on since I came up from Incheon. They would find solutions in their own ways for aspects I couldn’t think of.

But I also had to consider that.

That the executives of the Azure Syndicate were people who had lived in this world for decades, and their interests were more complex than I could imagine.

***

The next day, June 27th, 4 PM. Yeouido Azure Syndicate Hideout Lounge.

The meeting, which began at 2 PM, showed no signs of ending. There was only one topic for discussion, but that single topic alone led the executives to argue to the point where emotional rifts were about to form.

The topic:

Should the population flowing into Seoul be restricted as it is now, or should the restrictions be lifted?

“There’s no middle ground. Once we start accepting them, they’ll pour in endlessly. We have to make a choice.”

I couldn’t unilaterally conclude on this issue. So, I gathered the executives for a meeting and asked for each person’s opinion before taking a break.

Phantom was the first to speak.

“The flow of people coming to Seoul cannot be stopped. Just as people gathered in New Seoul where Gwanggeom was, and Busan where Seok Harang was, it’s inevitable that they gather in Seoul where Cheonghwa and the War God are. No matter how much agitators like provocateurs hide among the protesters and incite them, most of the protesters are people who want to see their families in Seoul.”

“Isn’t that just because you want to bring your parents to Seoul?”

“I won’t deny it. There’s nothing bad about it, is there? Honestly, it’s a bit like that, isn’t it? Imagine you worked your fingers to the bone to get a house in Seoul, and now you have a chance to get it back. Wouldn’t you be greedy?”

Cheon Gaeul wanted the restrictions on those entering Seoul to be lifted.

“No. What about the people who were already in Seoul then?”

Architect expressed the strongest opposition.

“You might have gone down to New Seoul and lived safely, but we truly survived with great difficulty. Originally, there were 100,000 people in the Dongjak underground. Over six years, 40,000 people starved to death or were eaten by monsters. So, isn’t it okay to enjoy this much luxury now? Bluntly speaking, who restored all the buildings in Seoul? The Azure Syndicate restored them, didn’t they? Why should we hand them over to those who claim to be the original owners? I’m against it. We can’t just select people and send them to Seoul as if reuniting separated families, can we?”

Architect utterly detested the people from New Seoul coming up to Seoul. Rationally, he understood that the buildings should be given up, but emotionally, he still couldn’t accept it.

“I agree.”

Beacon also supported Architect’s opinion.

“Even if the issue of real estate ownership is resolved gradually later, won’t some Villains mix in among those entering Seoul? Like those scum who fled during the Seoul Reclamation Operation. They are desperately trying to enter Seoul through truly bizarre routes. If such scum mix into the crowds and enter Seoul, a big problem could arise. Heroes will intervene. The Azure Syndicate’s sphere of activity will gradually narrow. After all, aren’t we a Villain organization with bounties on our heads?”

“Are you worried because you have a bounty on your head?”

“Of course. Haneulseong, you didn’t get a bounty because you became the Mayor of Seoul, but you would have been number one.”

Beacon was wary of malicious groups mixing in with the visitors. The Azure Syndicate had no way to deal with those who entered through the front gate, not the back.

“Ahem. My current opinion is as an executive of the Azure Syndicate and as the Mayor.”

Haneulseong put forward his opinion.

“Anyway, for a city to develop, its population must increase. Was Seoul some provincial city? It was a city of ten million people. At least a million must settle for Seoul to regain its former functions. Isn’t the plan the leader envisions for Seoul also a new city based on cutting-edge Core industries? Sixty thousand is far too few. Even among the current 60,000, there are many who are dissatisfied. We can’t completely exclude them.”

“Protesters with red headbands will gather in front of City Hall and demonstrate day in and day out, won’t they?”

“It’s a world where people live, so that much is unavoidable. There’s no choice but to exercise public authority.”

As he was outwardly an administrator, even though he was an executive of the Azure Syndicate, Haneulseong put forward an opinion leaning towards the politician side, rather than the Villain side. His words were also a correct and sound argument.

Pro-side: Cheon Gaeul and Ryu Cheon-seong.

Cheon Gaeul argued that separated individuals should be reunited from a humanitarian perspective, and Ryu Cheon-seong argued for urban regeneration through population influx from an administrator’s standpoint.

Anti-side: Kim Ji-hwa and James Lee.

Kim Ji-hwa pointed out that Villains could mix into Seoul, and James Lee strongly asserted that the ownership of the buildings he rebuilt belonged to the residents of Seoul.

“Don’t ask me for my opinion?”

“I didn’t expect you to, anyway.”

The Odd Man Out, Jo Deokbae. Although he had gained the right to speak by rising to B-rank, he didn’t take anyone’s side.

Since everyone was speaking correctly, the differences in opinion were rarely narrowed, and we waited for the other executive, Yooishin, to arrive.

“Sorry I’m late.”

Yooishin, who arrived at the meeting, immediately played a video recorded on his watch. In the video, the Black Dragon was expressing its will by breathing out small flames from its mouth.

[New followers are always welcome.]

Black Dragon Kwak Yong-woo welcomed the increase in Seoul’s residents. As a combatant, he didn’t seem to have particularly deep thoughts.

“……I am against it.”

Finally, Yooishin stated his opinion.

“The Hero Association will definitely establish a branch in Seoul. That branch will be here in Yeouido. No matter that we are the Azure Syndicate, we cannot just stand by and watch Heroes come and go in our hideout’s front yard. Ultimately, our sphere of activity will also be greatly restricted.”

Yooishin expressed his opposition as an executive of an evil organization. It seemed he was more wary of the Heroes coming to Seoul than the residents who would flow into Seoul.

“It’s split exactly in half.”

Ultimately, the meeting reached a stalemate. The executives’ opinions were tightly split 3:3, and it reached a deadlock where no one could easily concede.

“So, I have to decide, don’t I?”

I sighed involuntarily, but my mind was at ease. Rather than emotional rifts forming among the executives, it was much better for me to take all the blame. Whichever side I chose, I would become trash that couldn’t even be recycled, a mere waste product.

So, I brought out a third option.

From the perspective of a Spirit, something impossible with human thought.

“Alright. Then let’s do this.”

I decided to follow the original work.

“Ultimately, the fundamental issue of this problem is the situation regarding real estate ownership. It’s obvious that the Azure Syndicate or the current Seoul residents would lose if it went to legal dispute, but we will push this issue to a legal battle to the very end.”

“Are you thinking of asking Chairman Eun for help? Are you trying to form a defense team?”

“No. The trial is bound to be lost unconditionally. Seonui Cheol would have meticulously arranged things on that front. What’s important is the ‘time’ it takes during the trial.”

I had to reveal a plan that I had almost told Architect but didn’t, a plan that was currently impossible but could be executed anytime if there were people and resources.

“Architect, what’s your attribute?”

“Naturally, it’s the endurance attribute.”

“…Does the scope of land in real estate exceed 1km below ground and 1km above ground based on the horizon?”

“…I don’t think so?”

Everyone’s gaze turned to Haneulseong.

“It’s not a matter of distance. Land is a type of zone. It’s a comprehensive concept that includes everything above and below.”

“Then, should we just buy all the necessary zones through Eun Yuha?”

I brought up a solution that could resolve Seoul’s real estate problem at once, and at the same time, the next agenda item for the meeting.

“……Which do you think is better, a sky garden or an underground kingdom?”

The meeting became even more heated.