Part 1 Chapter 4 (22)

6:00 PM. Yeouido C Hotel Lounge.

– The Seoul reclamation operation has failed. We apologize to the citizens.

“They cut their losses quickly. I was preparing for a second round.”

Phoenix clicked their tongue, as if disappointed. Seonui Cheol in the video kept his head bowed and showed no sign of lifting it.

Jihwa quietly lowered her hand and deactivated her ability. Phoenix subtly gave her a look.

“It’s not over yet. After that, they might say, ‘It was all a ploy to deceive the enemy,’ and launch a night raid.”

“I’m sorry….”

Jihwa put her hand back to her eye.

Her bloodshot demonic eyes were full of fatigue.

Jihwa’s supernatural ability activated again. A map of all of Seoul appeared on the table.

“Indeed. To think she could grow this much.”

Haneulseong stroked his beard and marveled. It was a level entirely different from the Beacon he knew.

“At this rate, I won’t be able to call her Beacon forever.”

“There’s no particular reason to give her a new nickname, though.”

The map wavered. Beacon swallowed tears of blood. Phoenix fiddled with their veil, looking embarrassed.

“When you reach S-rank, I’ll give you a new epithet. A cool one.”

“What’s the difference if Beacon evolves?”

At Architect’s interjection, Phoenix patted Beacon’s back.

“Of course. When Kim Jihwa-ssi becomes S-rank, I’ll give her an epithet right away. So work hard. Until then, subordinate number 3’s epithet is fixed as Beacon. Bang, bang, bang.”

Phoenix, who had hammered Jihwa’s epithet into place as if a judge striking a gavel, turned their eyes to the battlefield. The south side of the Han River was already quiet, like a deserted ruin.

The Villains who were afraid to fight fled, and those who fought to the end entered Yeouido. Wandering monsters roaming the city center were either defeated by Heroes or hunted by low-ranking syndicate members commanded by Jihwa.

Ownerless land.

Except for Yeouido, where the Azure Syndicate had settled, and the Dongjak underground, where refugees gathered, Seoul had literally become an ’empty city’.

“The Heroes retreated to Suwon. The President declared the first operation a failure. There probably won’t be such a large-scale attack until the Heroes recover.”

“There will be some guys coming occasionally. There will be hunters too. What will you do now?”

At Haneulseong’s question, Phoenix moved a small screen. On it was a panelist passionately discussing the cause of the defeat on the news.

– So, Professor Do-nim, your point is that the Seoul reclamation was too hasty. Is that it?

– That’s right! Only a week has passed since the dimensional gate appeared, but the operation was carried out too carelessly. As I said before, we should have at least confirmed what changes had occurred in Seoul.

The professor in the video displayed data. On it was a monster, half of its body burning blue.

– There are no Hellhounds like this anywhere in the world. Setting aside the hypothesis that there’s a higher species commanding these so-called Hellhound zombies, look at this.

The data on the screen changed.

A flame giant in Guro that didn’t lose its form even within Unsa’s Gluttonous Cloud.

A black flame dragon in Gangnam that destroyed Pungbaek and Wusa’s combined technique with an aerial kick.

The Azure Flame Phoenix confronting Seolhwa Princess at the summit of Gwanaksan.

– I don’t think their appearance is a coincidence. How many flame mages are there in the world? But suddenly in South Korea, and in a ruined Seoul at that?

Professor Do tapped the paper in his hand.

– The first demon species to emerge from the dimensional gate was also a Fire Dragon. At this point, can’t anyone see it? Fire! Flames! I believe this is absolutely no coincidence. In a thesis I wrote long ago, ‘The Seven Attribute Theory of Mana,’ the fire attribute, which has been extremely rare until now, has finally erupted in Korea….

– Professor Do-nim, if you’re going to assert your personal theory here….

Beep. The video turned off. Phoenix turned their head to Haneulseong.

“What do you think, Professor Haneulseong-nim?”

Haneulseong furrowed his brows.

“I’m curious why you’re showing me that in this situation.”

“I want to talk as a member of the Azure Syndicate. About our future actions.”

Haneulseong let out a low groan. His appearance, adjusting the fedora he hadn’t taken off even indoors, suggested he was mentally uncomfortable.

Phoenix quickly noticed the reason.

“Indeed. Are you still reluctant to join the Azure Syndicate?”

“…Yes.”

Haneulseong adjusted his posture.

“I am grateful for your help in Gangnam when I was almost arrested. I don’t know if there’s an unintroduced necromancer, but resurrecting Hellhounds and utilizing them as a fighting force was admirable. The way you overwhelmed Seolhwa Princess was even astonishing. However….”

Haneulseong barely continued speaking. He clearly seemed reluctant to mention it.

“Gwanggeom and Seonui Cheol. You’ve made enemies of two people in South Korea whom you absolutely shouldn’t have. Can you handle it?”

“I’m doing it because I can handle it. Should I go take Gwanggeom’s head while Haneulseong-nim is sleeping?”

“…Excuse me.”

Jihwa cautiously interjected into the conversation. The spark of the escalating argument between Phoenix and Haneulseong died down.

“Even if we set Gwanggeom aside, it seems the President will immediately try something. Since Phoenix-nim killed some of the Heroes, the government won’t stand by idly.”

At Jihwa’s words, Haneulseong nodded.

“Yes. They will definitely deploy their full force to silence us. Frankly, aren’t we witnesses to civilian massacres? That person will come to kill us to prevent the truth about the Pine Tree Unit from being exposed. That person.”

“Silencing us, huh….”

Phoenix twisted their veil, then suddenly stood up from the chair.

“Then we’ll silence them from this side. Architect!”

Architect, who had been silently listening to the conversation, raised his hand. He didn’t even have the energy to reply.

“Please make a box out of marble. Make it a generous 100 liters.”

Architect replied by lowering his hand. Phoenix’s gaze fell on Jihwa.

“Beacon. Did you finish everything I ordered earlier?”

“Yes. I found what you mentioned, and I gathered everything else without leaving anything behind, but….”

Beacon looked disgusted. Haneulseong didn’t seem very comfortable either.

Clap. Phoenix clapped their hands.

“Alright. Then Beacon, bring all of that here. Once Architect makes the gift box, put everything in it. I’ll take care of the finishing touches and locking it.”

“Gift box…?”

Haneulseong’s face contorted. Phoenix shrugged their shoulders.

“A surprise present that will shock whoever opens it?”

6:30 PM, Yeouido C Hotel Lounge

Architect moved busily. Beside him, members of the Azure Syndicate were on standby, ready to pick him up whenever he collapsed.

“Wait, just a moment to rest.”

Architect raised his hand. The precisely assembled marble box now only needed its lid.

“Do you need this?”

A syndicate member handed him a glass bottle of Bacchus O. The contents weren’t Bacchus O, but what was inside had an effect far exceeding commercially available tonics.

Architect looked disgusted at the item. The number of bottles he had drunk until today was enough to fill the entire box.

“Wait a minute. I’m human. A person. No matter how much of a black company this is, they should at least guarantee rest time….”

“That person said it’s a potion that brings the human body to its peak condition at any moment. Aren’t you already seeing the effects?”

A drink made by grinding monster Cores directly into it. Even without special processing, this stamina recovery potion, containing 100% Core, was a magical item that not only relieved physical fatigue but also invigorated the mind and body.

However, Architect drank it without rest, to the point of forgetting how much of the item he had consumed.

– If I just supply Cores infinitely, he’ll definitely work himself to death, right?

The boss with a sly smile came to Architect’s mind. Claiming to be for employee welfare, he literally supplied Architect with ‘infinite’ mana, working Architect to the bone.

If there was a budget shortage, construction would stop, allowing for rest, but the budget poured in endlessly like a magic purse.

In the end, all that remained was an engineer being ground down without rest.

“Seriously, shouldn’t I get a smoke break? I was mentally exhausted from restoring this hotel.”

Architect grumbled.

Due to the standoff between Heroes and monsters centered around Mapo Bridge over the past few years, most of Yeouido had become ruins. Only large buildings remained in their intact form.

– Let’s set up our base in the center of Yeouido!

The Azure Syndicate, which was trying to move its base from the National Assembly Building, requested Architect’s support.

To restore the ruined hotel from the basement to the top floor.

Architecture. A rare supernatural ability that, with enough mana, allows for everything from design to completion, and even restoration.

Architect assessed the hotel’s condition and gave an estimate. Saying that at least 10 A-grade Cores were needed.

“But how did they scrape together 20 in just 30 minutes?!”

Architect, lying on the sofa, flopped like a fish. The syndicate members’ expressions soured at the tantrum of the man in modernized hanbok, whose chin was covered by a thick beard.

“What? You went for a quick drink in Gaeseong? Aaaargh!!”

As soon as Seonui Cheol announced the operation’s failure, Phoenix immediately commissioned Architect to restore the hotel.

He truly brought the Cores, and Architect poured his soul into restoring the hotel to its original form. His unnecessary craftsmanship was once again fully displayed.

He needed peace of mind and body.

A syndicate member recited a magical phrase to the dying Architect.

“That person said again.”

“What!”

“If you just finish making the gift box, you can go home-“

“Uratcha!”

Architect rushed towards the box.

The syndicate member nodded and picked up the radio.

“This is G12. Packaging seems to be almost complete.”

– This is G3. I brought the gift, ugh.

The sound of someone trying to suppress vomit was heard over the radio. The G12 team leader felt a great sense of relief that he was assigned the task of managing Architect.

– Phew. I’ve brought all the gifts. Should I bring them inside?

“No. Package them outside. Once the gift box is complete, I’ll move it out.”

– Yes, uweeegh!

G12 turned off the radio. It would take some time until Architect finished his work.

Clack, clack.

The sound of high heels echoed from the lobby. G12 fiddled with the plastic model gun in his pocket at the sound that shouldn’t have been heard, and headed towards the lobby.

“……Wow.”

A goddess descended the spiral staircase. A blue and white dress that revealed her shoulders. The mask she wore like an ornament on her head hinted at her identity.

“Team Leader-nim. What’s wrong?”

A team member subtly approached and checked the lobby. He, too, was breathless.

An actress walking the red carpet at a film festival came to mind. No, of course, the person was an actress. But her silver-gray eyes and lifeless skin gave off a decadent beauty.

Clack, clack.

White shoes pressed against the marble floor through the ankle-length dress. Only the sound of high heels echoed throughout the lobby as the woman entered the lounge.

“Phoenix, where are you now?”

Her half-closed eyes were unusual. The G12 team leader recalled the last whereabouts of the commander he had heard from their leader.

“They finished their meeting with Haneulseong-nim and went up to the penthouse.”

“Oh, really?”

Gaeul swept her gaze across the lounge and headed for the elevator.

Click, click.

Naturally, the elevator wasn’t working yet.

“…….”

There was a hint of anger in her brisk steps as she walked towards the stairs. Only the sound of Architect busily working on the box echoed in the lounge.