Ch.2323. The Time of Resurrection

“I’ll become the new leader of Dragon King Sentai.”

Kang Yerin declared confidently.

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Ji Se-hwa spat out blood-tinged saliva in protest. She stood up and wiped her mouth.

“Right now, we don’t have a central figure. There’s no suitable person for that role. But if we continue like this, we’ll collapse.”

“So you’re saying you’ll do it? Ha. First you throw punches, and now you’re crawling back obediently?”

“I won, didn’t I?”

Ji Se-hwa gritted her teeth.

“You’ve gotten dull from not using your body. Yukyong, Minseo, the same goes for you. We need to get stronger to face Galaxy Empire. Trust me. I’ve thought of ways to improve our individual abilities and strategies to bring in outside help.”

Kang Yerin bowed her head.

“Please. I know you don’t like me. But just for now, think of me as your leader and follow me…!”

A moment of silence.

Shin Yukyong was the first to speak.

“I agree.”

“Shin Yukyong.”

Ji Se-hwa frowned.

“It’s true that Yerin is the only one who continued training after the Dark Kingdom battle ended. She can see strategies best in the current situation. We need a central figure. Minseo?”

Choi Minseo, who had been listening, slowly nodded.

Seeing this, Ji Se-hwa clicked her tongue. She scratched the back of her head and finally conceded.

“Damn, there’s no other way. Fine, whatever. Let’s see what kind of orders you give.”

“…Thank you.”

Kang Yerin bowed her head.

“Do you have any good ideas? The prototypes of the new Switches I’m investing in will be completed in a month or two. Not sure if they’ll be useful though.”

“We need to use every resource available. I’ll use the new Switches too, Yukyong. I’m currently working on an agreement with a certain organization.”

“Which one?”

“Se-hwa, do you know about the two heroes known as the legendary duo?”

“Huh? Who doesn’t know them? They’re legends from 50 years ago. Number One in technology, Number Two in power.”

“Yes. If our power is lacking…”

“Then we should reinforce our technology.”

“So the organization you’re making an agreement with is…”

Kang Yerin nodded.

“An organization that has advanced combat technology and is at odds with the Washington Hero Association—the US military.”

◈ ◈ ◈

Time flew by quickly.

Although it had only been about a month, Lee Lu-a had already adapted quite well to life at Vengeance.

But for her, this month had been the period when she felt most alive in her 19 years of existence.

Her life had been terrible.

Escaping from that place, rummaging through garbage cans, sleeping in dark alleys.

Stealing anything to survive with other homeless teenagers like herself.

Rolling from here to there, and after enduring for a year, being unfortunately kidnapped and thrown into an arena as a sacrifice.

A desperate and terrible life of just running away.

A life where she couldn’t understand why she was born or why she lived.

Wanting revenge on them but not even sure if she’d be alive tomorrow.

Just… rock bottom.

Now she could see possibilities.

She had gained power.

There were many people who recognized her abilities. Everyone in the world knew the four letters: Dark Matter.

Lu-a knew well that the beginning of this change was all due to one man’s capricious goodwill.

‘Believe in yourself. If you can’t believe, abandon reason and believe in me.’

Looking back, Lu-a thought she might have been captivated at that moment.

He recognized and wanted me, not someone else, just me.

With such intense sentences.

With such powerful words.

She had an intuition that there was no poison in them, unlike usual.

He, Jung Ui-seok, didn’t appear there because he needed Lu-a.

He just happened to discover her while saving children.

She still feels sorry for peeking at part of his memories.

But that’s how Lu-a knows.

That’s just who Jung Ui-seok is.

No matter how much he was betrayed, how much he despaired of heroes, how much his justice was denied.

He unconsciously ends up protecting.

He’s someone who can’t erase goodness.

Lu-a guessed that the reason he created a villain organization and needed her now was to bring down Galaxy Empire.

That makes sense.

Where in the world is there a villain organization that only attacks evil people?

Jung Ui-seok never touches children even while carrying out terrorism.

Rather, when he has the chance, he rescues them and sends them to his former orphanage.

He saved her, gave her power, and while claiming to be evil, never crosses the line.

—He’s cool.

But at the same time.

So very sad.

The emotions Lu-a tasted from Jung Ui-seok were terrible.

She couldn’t bear them herself. She would commit suicide immediately.

Yet he doesn’t show any sign of it.

He doesn’t complain that it hurts or that it’s hard.

To anyone.

Not to herself, of course, and not even to Emma, who has been loyal to him for a long time.

The person who has supported everyone all this time, who could support him?

If there’s no one.

Could I do it?

Such feelings were slowly blooming in Lu-a’s heart.

That’s why she got angry then.

‘Lu-a. Don’t feel guilty toward me.’

She hated being treated like a newly awakened baby. Far from supporting him, she wasn’t even in that category.

“…I was really fine.”

She tries to put on a brave face with words.

That was her life. Naturally, she had no time for romance and no knowledge about men.

It was obvious she would panic when faced with the real thing.

How could she change Jung Ui-seok’s view of her?

She consulted Emma about such concerns.

“Oh my. What a cute worry.”

Emma smiled sweetly.

“But the master is someone who doesn’t lean on or depend on anyone. He’s always been that way.”

“For his whole life? Not on anyone?”

“Well…”

Emma showed a bitter smile.

“There was just one person.”

That means they’re not around anymore. Lu-a felt more confident.

“Shall we start by building everyday trust first?”

“Trust? I’m Geo’s subordinate and second-in-command. Doesn’t Geo trust me?”

“As an organization member, he would trust you. But there are different types of trust.”

“There are types?”

“Yes. The support Lu-a mentioned requires a trust relationship like family or friends. There’s no shortcut except spending everyday time together.”

“What would be good?”

“Since Christmas is in three days, shall we go shopping for gifts together?”

“What’s Christmas?”

“It’s a day when families or lovers exchange gifts, have meals together, and spend time together.”

“Huh. There’s such a thing. Emma, it must be nice to know so much.”

“You flatter me.”

Lu-a went out with Emma. Following Emma’s advice, she bought a gift, wrapped it nicely, and decided to hide it well until the day.

Emma said she wouldn’t buy a gift. Jung Ui-seok had told her not to buy such inefficient things, and she also said it would be presumptuous as an employee.

And December 24th.

Christmas Eve.

In the morning, Jung Ui-seok gathered all organization members and announced:

“Good morning, everyone. I understand you’re all excited about tomorrow being a holiday, but you also understand that this season is peak terrorism time for villains.”

The members responded vigorously.

“Take today off. Use it as you wish. Just avoid excessive drinking. From midnight on the 25th, Vengeance should be ready to deploy at any time. Understood?”

Followed by their response.

“Dismissed.”

The members dispersed. Lu-a became anxious as things were going differently than planned.

“Um, Geo. Isn’t Christmas a day to spend with family or lovers?”

“That’s why it’s the best day for villains to be active.”

“Did you have terrorism planned?”

“No. Most subordinates will rest. However, you and I will go monster hunting. A good event is starting. But since I don’t know the exact start time, I’m just telling you to be on standby.”

“I see…”

“Hmm? Didn’t you know?”

“Know what?”

“Tomorrow. It’s the 30th day since the Emperor’s declaration.”

“Ah.”

Lu-a realized it then.

“Scenario bonus experience chunks will fall from the sky. It’s an excellent opportunity for stat growth.”

“R-right…”

“I don’t plan to take down Pegasus. That would be too conspicuous. Galaxy Empire’s aggro should be directed at Dragon King Sentai for the organization’s safety.”

“Y-yeah. Then…”

“Hmm?”

“Today you’re resting too, right? So later tonight…”

“Today I plan to manage ‘that side.’ I’ll be back at night.”

“…I understand.”

Lu-a dropped her head.

◈ ◈ ◈

Lu-a originally liked sleeping.

Suffering from nightmares on the cold floor was just for a short time after her escape.

She liked being able to dream while sleeping.

Because in dreams, she didn’t have to be in pain.

Didn’t have to be sad.

Or.

Could pretend it was all over.

But lately, sleeping time felt wasteful.

She resented the brain’s power switch that prevented her from fully experiencing life.

“Lu-a.”

When Lu-a woke up to Jung Ui-seok’s voice, joy came before the annoyance of having her sweet sleep disturbed.

Because she had returned to a time when she could fully enjoy life again.

“Mmm. What time is it?”

“Almost midnight. Are you tired?”

“No. I’ll wash up and come.”

Though his tone was blunt, Jung Ui-seok always showed consideration for her. It was something he didn’t show to other subordinates.

Was it because he thought of her as a child?

She falls into the contradiction of wanting him to stop seeing her that way while still wanting his consideration.

After quickly washing her face, Lu-a took the well-wrapped gift from under her pillow. She shyly hid it behind her back and went to the hideout’s lobby.

The organization members, including Jung Ui-seok, were focused on the central monitor.

“This is Suwon Station! The sky! A huge spaceship can be seen in the sky! Ah, something is— M-monsters!!”

Shaky footage. The reporter starting to flee. People’s screams could be heard.

“They’re punctual. Lu-a, are you ready?”

“Ah, yes…”

Lu-a hid the object behind her back even deeper into her hair, afraid that even the tip might be seen.

“It’s not exactly above the station. Deep Dive, coordinates?”

“Umm… 1 kilometer east of S University…”

“…Wait. Is there a lake nearby?”

“Y-yes. Why? Water damage.”

Jung Ui-seok frowned.

“Damn. A mistake.”

“Geo, what’s wrong?”

“That orphanage is nearby.”

“Orphanage? You don’t mean the one where you sent the children before?”

Lu-a also understood the seriousness of the situation. It was the orphanage where they sent the children Lu-a had protected at the arena and others they had rescued.

“If we go quickly and eliminate them…”

“No. If all organization members go out, it’ll be too conspicuous. There’s also a possibility of war breaking out with heroes.”

“Then…”

Jung Ui-seok quickly made a decision.

“We’ll move the plan forward.”

Lu-a understood what he meant.

“Geo, are you going to step up?”

“Yes.”

Jung Ui-seok nodded.

“It’s time to resurrect.”