Ch.261Chapter 10. Will Carries On (2)

The method of using abilities is an asset for ability users.

Though the comparison is a bit strange, it’s like a restaurant’s recipe.

Even if you know the recipe, it’s not easy to replicate it, and knowing the recipe alone doesn’t guarantee business success, but just knowing the recipe opens up various paths.

That’s how important ability usage know-how is for ability users.

Just as ice-type ability users sit in the front row with burning enthusiasm during Baek Seol-hee’s ability lectures, learning methods and know-how from other ability users is the secret to rapidly becoming stronger in this world.

Offering to teach everything about an ability is like handing over everything you’ve built up.

It may not be a tangible asset, but he’s offering to give me an intangible asset that’s incomparable to anything else.

“You are a hero.”

That was my first response to Lord of Radiant Wings’ punch—no, to Lord of Radiant Wings’ proposal to become him.

“You’d hand over everything to a villain just to preserve the name and protect the world?”

“It doesn’t have to be the name Kim Jin-ho. If the name Lord of Radiant Wings alone can deter villains and keep the world peaceful, that would be fine too.”

There isn’t a trace of pretense in this man’s words.

“Even cosplaying as Lord of Radiant Wings would be fine. Even just once. Regardless of whether people ask where Lord of Radiant Wings is during these crucial times, I want you to succeed me.”

“Why me?”

“Because no one can demonstrate Lord of Radiant Wings’ power more convincingly than you.”

There’s no hypocrisy, no pretense of righteousness for the sake of appearances.

“The S-ranks currently in Korea are lacking in many ways. Only Lord of Radiant Wings can be the symbol of world peace in place of Lord of Radiant Wings. Just as the dark world has the Goblin, the world of light has Lord of Radiant Wings.”

“Do you think flattering me like that will make me accept?”

“I’m not flattering you, I’m stating facts. Brother.”

“……”

If I were to think negatively, I could see this as buttering me up for personal gain.

“No one in this world can recreate Lord of Radiant Wings’ abilities as convincingly as you. No, you’d probably show it even more spectacularly and definitively than I could. Like when you summoned that giant warrior who struck Susanoo’s crown.”

“What do you think about that giant warrior?”

“I think it showed overwhelming power. The embodiment of an invincible strength that no one could oppose. People would feel reassured knowing such a being exists. …If I have a personal wish, it’s just that Lord of Radiant Wings would continue his name as one of those figures.”

But after conversing with this man a few times, such suspicions quickly prove to be misunderstandings, and I end up feeling ashamed for having such base thoughts.

“I thought about the other S-ranks. But none of them could replicate Lord of Radiant Wings’—my fighting style.”

“Your fighting style is hardly ordinary.”

“Exactly. I must have been too flashy. If I had a successor, I could pass it on, but that seems difficult now. You’re my only option. Without you, Lord of Radiant Wings ends.”

And soon, the typical progression of people dealing with Lord of Radiant Wings is to become envious of him.

“I appreciate your words. To receive such praise from the universally acknowledged perfect superhuman.”

“You’ve already proven yourself.”

“All I’ve done is beat up demons and execute villains.”

“But you’re changing. Gradually. Whether it’s because you met Baek Seol-hee or that friend Ymir. There might be various reasons for your change of heart, but you’ve changed a lot.”

“…From an indiscriminate killer to someone who at least offers a chance?”

“In that you show mercy one more time. That’s very important.”

Lord of Radiant Wings pushed the tablet toward me again.

“You chose the path of a villain for convenience, but you’re closer to being a hero than anyone. Just not the absolute good that the world desires.”

“That’s absurd. You want someone like me to inherit the position of absolute good?”

“Even cosplaying would be fine. You could pass on Lord of Radiant Wings’ position to someone else. Just show your power as Lord of Radiant Wings once when I’m gone.”

“As absolute good?”

“Even if not. In your own way, even if it’s when executing demons.”

What an extreme person.

“I trust you. Even if The Syndicate uses Lord of Radiant Wings’ image, they’ll use it to maintain world peace and order. At least they won’t use it for evil.”

“You trust me? When I haven’t even made any promises yet?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I trust you.”

He’s a true hero who wouldn’t hesitate to hand everything over to a villain for the sake of justice.

“…It’s a shame. Really. That you died last year.”

That makes it even more regrettable.

“If you had lived and cooperated with The Syndicate while being the face of the Hero Association, this country would be in The Syndicate’s hands by now.”

“…I’m grateful that The Syndicate preserved my soul, but I have no intention of joining The Syndicate. I can form a united front with The Syndicate, but I’m a hero of this country.”

That makes it even more regrettable.

“I understand The Syndicate’s ideology and path. But if The Syndicate ever takes a wrong turn, wouldn’t we need someone who can stand against them?”

“The Syndicate is not wrong.”

“I know. That’s why I’m saying this. For those who think The Syndicate is wrong, the idea that Lord of Radiant Wings might appear and take action if The Syndicate makes a grave mistake could be planted.”

“…You’re really setting the table for The Syndicate to easily use Lord of Radiant Wings.”

“If people can feel reassured and comforted just by Lord of Radiant Wings’ existence, then this is the only path left for me.”

To think such a patriot, such a righteous being, has limited time.

“…Truly, it’s a shame.”

Before being a villain or The Syndicate’s Goblin, as a citizen of this country, I can only feel regret.

“Hye-ra.”

“Yes, oppa.”

“Can I talk about that?”

“…Well, I can guess what you want to discuss based on the flow. It’s not particularly confidential, so there’s no problem mentioning it.”

“Then, ahem.”

I pushed the tablet toward Lord of Radiant Wings.

“In the age of abilities, many things are possible. Resurrecting the dead is impossible, but binding a dead soul to the earth is possible.”

I extended my magical power forward, creating a form.

“The Syndicate is currently researching. Experiments to breathe human souls into new vessels.”

“Possession…?”

“Similar. And that body will both hold the soul and provide a method to supply magical power.”

“…Android, humanoid, cyborg, homunculus. Whatever name you give it, I’m not sure how to express it, but I hope it succeeds. Even if there’s no chance for me.”

Lord of Radiant Wings glanced at Yoon Hye-ra and smiled bitterly.

“After all that thought, this is what you tell me.”

“Is it technology that can be used right away? At least… within half a year.”

“……”

“If not, I probably won’t experience it firsthand.”

Lord of Radiant Wings calculates his remaining magical power at about half a year.

Since he died last Christmas, he’s lasted over a year.

By then, he’ll truly be unable to maintain his self with magical power, and perhaps he’ll need to be exorcised before becoming a specter-demon.

Will the technology be developed before then?

The budget is sufficient, but time is the issue.

“…Well, I don’t know if it’s possible, but having hope isn’t bad.”

“Really?”

“Someone once said that disappointment comes from having expectations in the first place. But if you’re going to die anyway, it might be good to hold onto hope, waiting for a cure to be developed, even at the risk of disappointment later.”

“…It would be nice if I could live again. Even if not as an ability user, at least appearing and acting as Lord of Radiant Wings would be enough.”

“Good thinking.”

Even without abilities, just appearing as a figurehead Lord of Radiant Wings at political events would greatly reduce the burden on Baek Seol-hee.

“But, you might be able to live a bit longer than half a year.”

“…?”

“I discovered a new ability. More precisely, I learned the technique from someone who had been hiding it all this time, and if we use it, you might be able to maintain your life a bit longer. Congratulations. Secretary Kim might be able to extend your life.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I discovered a magical power supply technique. A completely different method from mine or Qiongqi’s.”

It’s Ymir’s method.

“If you want to know that method, I’ll ask for your help while we’re here. It’s a deal. If you provide an appropriate answer to my question, I’ll tell you how to extend your life.”

“So it’s a question important enough to trade for that method?”

“Yes.”

I tapped my Taegeuk Watch to display a screen.

“Hyangdan. Laplace’s Demon. What would be a good way to draw this woman out?”

“Pandemonium’s executive, one of the New Seven Deadly Sins. Any other clues?”

“None. Except thinking that even bad history is Korean history. And that she uses doppelgangers.”

“…Hmm. Few clues, and what’s there is sensitive. If you knew the main body’s location, you’d have gone to take her out by now. So we need to do something to draw out the main body.”

As expected of Lord of Radiant Wings.

“…How about trying to bait her with her name?”

“Name?”

“Yes. For ability users, names are important. Try baiting her with the name Hyangdan.”

Lord of Radiant Wings lowered his voice.

“…If someone insulted your nickname and you did nothing, you’d have to change it.”

“Specifically?”

“Well…. if Hyangdan is that name from the Chunhyang story.”

Lord of Radiant Wings crossed his arms and tilted his head.

“Somehow, should she betray Chunhyang…?”

“…Exacta.”

“Huh?”

“It’s worth trying. Yes.”

If it attracts attention, good; if not, so be it.

“Before becoming Lord of Radiant Wings, there’s something else you need to become.”

“…I appreciate the listening, but what am I becoming?”

“Nothing special.”

I put my hand on Yoon Hye-ra’s shoulder and pulled her closer.

“Bangja.”