episode_0114

Grandiose – Too grandiose, grandiose without substance.

“Kooooh…kuul…koooh…umnya…“

The sound of a young girl sleeping, resounding softly.

Beep…Beep…Beep…

The sound of a mechanical device flickering with a green light.

Jap…Jjaejaejack…

Even the sound of birds chirping peacefully.

‘Ugh…how long have you been fainting…’

I carefully got up and opened my eyes.

“Koooo…cool…um…commander…“

“…Sleep well.“

Next to the pure white bed, Lapis was sleeping, leaning against me.

This place has a peaceful atmosphere with refreshing morning sunlight.

In addition, the familiar ceiling and pure white furniture make you feel calm.

It seemed to be a hospital room at Chung-Ang University Hospital, which I had been in many times before.

“Umm… Commander…?“

“Did you sleep well?“

“Commander…Commander…!“

The pink-haired girl woke up and rubbed her eyes,

Soon he hugged me tightly and rubbed his head on my shoulder.

“Thank goodness…I’m glad…I thought you wouldn’t wake up like this…!“

“Have you been passed out for that long…?“

“Ugh…Ugh…I thought…just like back then…I knew what was going to happen to the commander…“

I smiled and patted Lapis’ head as she was hugged.

In the past, I have ended up in the hospital half-dead like this several times.

Every time that happened, Lapis would stay by my side and protect me all night.

Are the memories of the past painful?

Lapis, who always protected me while hiding her distress,

Now, she was just crying sadly and shedding tears as she was held in my arms.

“It’s okay. Even if they say it’s really okay. look. You’re fine.“

“The healer and doctors said there were signs of a puncture in the heart…“

“Oh, that? Well… it hurt. There was a lot of harvest.”

“That’s not important…! I was really…really scared…I was afraid of losing the commander…I…”

“Don’t worry, I actually had a good dream while I was passed out. It’s been a while since I met my father in a dream.“

“Really…?“

I continued talking, wiping her puffy eyes with my sleeve.

“My memories of when I was young were blurry, so my face was also blurry… but somehow, that warm feeling inside me was exactly like my father’s.“

“And…he said he was sorry. I’m so sorry for leaving you alone in this world. “

“…Commander…“

“Still…it was nice because it was so warm. Is it because it’s been a while since I slept well? It seems a little refreshing.“

I slowly rotated my arms and reassured her.

“It’s not like we’ve been brain dead for over a month like back then…and the cultists aren’t chasing us right now, right? So it’s okay. You can rest assured.“

“Ugh…Ugh…Commander…“

She hugged me close again and whispered in my ear.

“You can never…die…if the commander leaves…I…“

“Hey, don’t say such sad things. Scary…I wonder, who’s going to die? I have to live too. It would be unfair to die after suffering like this, wouldn’t it?“

“…Yes…! Is it a promise…? Really…really…?“

“Yeah… Um… Every time before I go to sleep, I hallucinate… If people like me die, this world will be much more beautiful. “

“So, I will survive tenaciously. And I have to prove that the world will not change even if at least one person like me is alive.”

“Ugh…hey…is it a promise? Is it true?”

“Yes, promise.”

She walked with me, her little fingers crossed, covered in tears.

Although we both wondered what grown adults were doing,

In my eyes, Lapis just looked like a child who needed to be pure.

Grumbling…

“Miss Lapis…I brought flowers for Seojin today…“

“Oh, you’re here? It’s been a while, Xiao.“

“Seo Jin-gun…?“

She paused for a moment, holding a green hydrangea in her arms.

He immediately jumped towards me and hugged me tightly.

“Seojin…! Is it really…is it really okay…? The body…the state of the body…“

“Aww…I can’t breathe…Xiao…“

“I’m sorry…I should have kept protecting you…but when I let my guard down, they caught you…“

“Well…I expected it…but it was a little faster than I thought. It’s okay though. I didn’t die.“

“Could it be…the high priest…attacked you…?“

Xiao looked at me with disbelief,

I smiled and held her hand.

“They attacked me with that muscle pig… But don’t worry, Mari was rescued safely. I definitely killed Taebum. That year of high priest…I thought it would be more worth it than I thought.“

” Seojin… Are you really… a human being… no… are you even a human being…? It’s really unbelievable that she and Taebeom fought at the same time…killing one and surviving…“

She blushed and stroked my cheek.

“Well.. I was lucky. I have a feeling it went well as planned. Lapis?“

“Yes, Commander?“

“Slowly…we have entered the final stage. I think we should move forward a little earlier than planned.“

“…That means…“

“Yes, that’s right. First… pierce the acupuncture point like last time.“

I smiled and looked at them.

“Now I have awakened to level 5.“

“…Commander…!“

“Haha…you really…can’t survive…“

“Okay…then let’s get started…“

I got up and started stretching my stiff body.

After checking the presents that were wrapped next to the bed, I put them into the subspace.

I smiled as I gently stroked the blue sword that pierced my heart.

“I must get back the things that were originally mine…“

“…Okay. I’ll gather people right away.“

“I will also guard your side…so that something like this never happens again.“

“Yes, please take care of me. Well then, let’s take off…“

I walked briskly with them towards the outside of the single room.

“To put an end to all this.“

———

A pitch-black coat and a golden badge on the uniform’s chest.

And the elegant hat and black gloves that symbolize the commander.

Lastly, pitch black sunglasses and a neat tie.

“How about it? Does it suit you well?“

“… Ugh… Just looking at something… I think I’m getting PTSD… “

Surtur looked around me while holding Levatein.

“Hey, come here for a moment.“

She carefully adjusted my tie,

He soon smiled and patted my chest.

“Ai…I’m going crazy…You keep bewitching people. If a guy like you was an officer above me, I would have applied for commission right away.“

“Are you good enough to be a non-commissioned officer? Is it that hard? Hmm… I think it suits you quite well? “

“…I have to admit it honestly. It suits you really well. Commander’s uniform. It’s like…well, he was originally handsome…but it feels like he’s become much taller.“

I chuckled and placed my hat on her red head.

“I have high expectations from you. So let’s join together and sweep the battlefield. How about whatever the owner wants?“

“What…what is that tone of voice all of a sudden? A way of speaking that I don’t use…“

“I was wondering if a commander-like, firm tone would suit you, but looking at your expression, I guess it’s not true.“

“Ah…well…that’s not bad either. But…“

She smiled and started wrapping her arms around me.

“I’m so happy just because you came back alive. So…don’t do anything stupid in the future.“

“What if I act like a fool? Won’t you stop it?“

“Well, there has to be at least one person who can go along with your foolish actions…and if you just tell me…I think I will follow you even to the end of hell. It just feels like that.“

“Queuhmmm..! Hmm…!“

Just as the two were joking around, Lapis cleared her throat and called us over.

“It’s nice to see you two…but I guess I have no choice but to disturb you now.“

Lapis walked towards us wearing a magic attire full of magical power, clearly ready for battle.

“Commander. All preparations are complete. All key personnel were summoned, and key figures and even the President visited.“

“I understand. What’s the situation inside? I think the backlash will be a bit strong.“

“…As you said before, I handled it well. The people who protested loudly were dealt with well with Natsuki, and most people are impressed by the commander’s abilities.“

She chuckled and handed me a silver wand.

Mind control, hallucinations, and even hypnosis.

If the choice to resolve the matter as peacefully as possible didn’t work, they had to do it quietly at least like this.

“I’m glad the commander eradicated the cult in advance. I don’t think it will lead to a sudden dismissal and political fight like before. Even if that happens, I won’t have anything to do with it.“

“Haha…Lapis, it’s in full swing today, huh? What do you think? It’s been a while since I wore the commander’s uniform. Doesn’t it look good?“

“Keu… When the commander was wearing those clothes… he always had a hard time… Sigh… That’s it. Let’s go in first.”

We followed her into the huge operations room.

Inside, hundreds of monitors displayed the current situation and the locations of the heroes.

All the operators were wearing headsets and were busily executing operations through microphones.

“Wow…this…“

“How are you? How does it feel to be back in the command and operation room after a long time?“

“It’s amazing…I feel like I’m back home. It even…looks like a new house. All the equipment is new…there is no shortage of equipment…even the personnel and equipment…everything is great.“

“Hehe…I tried to pay a little attention. This time, since Catherine and the government provided all resources without restrictions… I was planning to make the most of it.“

“What do you two keep whispering about? Aren’t you fascinated by old stories again?“

“Ahaha… sorry, ah… I feel like crying.“

“Here.“

Lapis immediately took out a handkerchief and handed it to me.

“Ah…and…commander.“

“Huh?“

She looked at me with a complex expression that was half sad and half happy.

“The shirt and eye color… match very well. Welcome back. Commander.“

“…Thank you…this time…I won’t take it lightly like before.“

“Now, let’s stop chatting here. Let’s get moving, huh? Commander Nari. And the secretary?“

Surtur held our shoulders tightly and walked forward with a smile.

As we came down the stairs, the agents who were hard at work saluted us.

As we got closer and closer, we saw numerous people gathered in front of a huge hologram table.

Lauren, Alice, and many other heroes level 4 or higher who volunteered.

In addition, Beatrice, the head of the family, and even the President whom we had not seen in a long time were all gathered here.

Everyone came together with one goal and looked determined.

“Ah~ I found a poor oppa♥ Wow~ I stretched myself out because I’m a weakling~ It’s pathetic~♥“

“Thank you for your concern. Mr. President. I recovered safely, and there was no problem with the operation.“

“Seojin, are you feeling okay? I was so surprised when I saw you in the hospital…“

“Ahaha…it’s okay. I recovered enough to return to operations. It hurt to the point of death, but I’m used to this kind of pain now.“

“Hmm…are you Han Seo-jin? Nice to meet you.“

Officers who held high positions like me took off their hats one by one and shook my hand.

They looked at me with half curiosity and half deep admiration.

“You must be busy, but thank you so much for your time. Even though I didn’t go through the formal procedures like you all…thanks to the President’s permission, I was able to be with you all for a little while.“

“No, no. We know very well what kind of person you are. Moreover, just because you can interpret the President’s speech… you are a talent that we are extremely coveted. “

“Haha…that’s too much praise. If this operation is successful…I plan to take off my uniform again and put it all back to its original state. Please understand if this is a little inconvenient.“

Crack…!

I skillfully knocked on the hologram table,

Then, a 3D map with the blue background of Seoul was quickly created.

“In the future, unprecedented gate surges of level 5 or higher are expected to occur one after another in Korea. And to prevent that from happening… we need everyone’s help.“

“So, not only the leaders of various hunter associations, but also heroes. And I hope that the President and all of you will work together with one mind and one mind.“

“Commander? What should the name of the operation be?“

“The name of this operation is…“

I thought about it carefully, then nodded and said.

“Twilight Struggle.“

“Good. Just like that day…”

Lapis and I smiled at each other and lightly bumped our fists.

For the first time in my life, I am in a situation where information, manpower, and even resources are advantageous.

This is my first time conducting an operation under such favorable circumstances.

My heart was pounding like crazy and I felt adrenaline rush through me.