Part 1 Chapter 5 (22)

In the end, I came to Busan.

Seoul had already stabilized to some extent, and there was no longer any reason to visit New Seoul. Gwanggeom had made a contract with Eun Yuha, effectively becoming Eun Yuha’s person.

“Hoo.”

Originally, there was no particular reason to meet. But if she had awakened as a Spirit, there was too much I needed to tell her.

Clack. Clack.

From the entrance, the familiar sound of high heels echoed. A white-haired woman wearing glass slippers like ice. Seok Harang’s height was surprisingly tall, unbelievable for someone born from Rusalka.

“…….”

Seok Harang found me. As a child with excellent mana sensitivity, she must have sensed my identity through the mana I emitted.

“Sit down.”

At my gesture, Seok Harang sat opposite me, not lowering her guard. I had deliberately chosen a spot out of sight of others, so there was no need to worry about anyone’s gaze.

“Your order?”

“No need.”

As Seok Harang gestured, the glass in front of her filled with water. I picked up the cup and drank the water. It was as cold as ice.

“How does it feel, now that you’ve awakened as a Spirit?”

“Did you come all the way here just to say such nonsense?”

An ice knife formed in Seok Harang’s hand. Its blade was sharp, as if ready to stab my neck at any moment. I pointed to the bread that had been served first as an appetizer.

“There’s a separate knife.”

“Does this look like something to cut bread with?”

The blade shimmered with sharpness, and its tip was as pointed as an awl. I pointed to my neck and smiled.

“Do you want to stab me?”

“If you’re the one who killed my Master-nim.”

“Even though we’re both Spirits?”

“Don’t get it twisted. I’m a Hero. I’m a person, not a monster like you.”

I was speechless. Her words weren’t wrong. She was merely born human and became a being with the power of a Spirit. I tried my best to swallow the anger boiling within me.

“…Alright. So, do you truly want to fight me? Even though you can’t even properly control your power yet?”

Seok Harang frowned. After Gwanggeom’s death and the state funeral, she had somehow awakened her Spirit power, and the sudden surge in her realm created a presence that reached from Busan all the way to Seoul.

“You were the one who called me out first. Coming all the way down to Busan.”

Seok Harang herself must have felt it. My presence in Seoul. She felt the moment I came down to Busan, and even though I hadn’t made a separate appointment, she appeared before me on her own accord.

I picked up the water glass. The cold water had warmed to a pleasantly comfortable temperature.

“I didn’t come here to kill you. I came to ask for help.”

“What? Do you think a Hero would accept help from a Villain whose identity is unknown and who only causes trouble?”

Seok Harang scoffed, shaking the knife. I flicked my finger and melted the knife.

“This…!”

“Calm down. People are coming.”

A waiter, carrying food from the kitchen, flinched and placed the dishes on the table.

Rose pasta. Gorgonzola pizza. Ricotta cheese salad mixed with steak pieces.

As each pre-ordered dish arrived, Seok Harang’s stiff expression softened slightly. When the mushroom cream risotto finally arrived, the waiter smiled awkwardly, holding the drinks on a tray.

“Strawberry ade for…?”

“That’s mine.”

The waiter placed the strawberry ade in front of me and another drink in front of Harang. Blueberry ade. Seok Harang’s expression became subtle.

“Did I really meet you before?”

Seok Harang flinched in surprise. Considering Seok Harang’s characteristic of her dialect slipping out unconsciously when she’s with someone she’s close to or comfortable with, this was not surprising.

“Well, I met you for the first time in Gwanak, didn’t I?”

“Ahem, but how do you know so much? Are you a stalker?”

“Just think of it as me having good intuition. I’m too lazy to explain.”

When I picked up my cutlery, Seok Harang hesitated and picked up hers.

“Listen while you eat.”

I placed a slice of pizza, cut with a pizza cutter, onto Seok Harang’s plate. The way she looked down at the pizza was like a wary stray cat.

“Are you still suspicious?”

“Isn’t it obvious? A Villain who messed up the Seoul recovery operation suddenly appears and buys me food.”

I took a slice of pizza for my own plate. I lit a blue flame on the wick the waiter had forgotten to light. A tiny candle glowed in the ceramic dish beneath the pizza.

“If I wanted to fight, I would have flipped Busan upside down already. I came here to talk to you not as Hero versus Villain, but as Spirit versus Spirit.”

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Seok Harang slammed her knife onto the table.

“That damn Spirit, Spirit. Is this fantasy? Can’t you explain it in a way I can understand?”

“That’s what I’m trying to explain.”

I quenched my thirst with the ade. Anyway, besides this ade, all the other food was ordered specifically to Seok Harang’s taste.

“Your mother is a Spirit.”

“What are you talking about? How do you know my mother-wait. Then do you know who my father is?”

“Of course.”

I put down my cup. Seok Harang also swallowed her blueberry ade nervously.

“Your father is Gwanggeom Heo Yun-hwan.”

“……Pfft.”

Seok Harang barely managed to cover her mouth. Fortunately, a disaster like me having to clean coffee stains off her clothes, as happened with Eun Yuha, did not occur.

“Wha, wha-wha-what?!”

Seok Harang began to panic with a greatly surprised expression.

“What are you talking about? Ssaem is my father? Is that true?”

“It’s a fact everyone knows except you right now….”

I tapped the table with my finger, and a thought suddenly struck me. Unless Eun Yuha had deliberately kept it from her, Seok Harang was still an innocent child who knew nothing.

A blank canvas, unaware of the secret of her birth or the truth of the world.

“Alright. Then I’ll explain it to you. From beginning to end.”

I ordered three more ades. It seemed the story would be quite long.

One glass. I told her the secret of her birth. Seok Harang, the daughter of Gwanggeom and Rusalka, sobbed uncontrollably. The risotto disappeared.

Two glasses. I told her the secret of the world. Seok Harang, the Hero, burned with a sense of mission. Only sauce remained in the pasta dish.

Three glasses. I told her the inside story of Gwanggeom’s death. Seok Harang bowed her head and tore at her hair. The waiter cleared all the empty dishes.

Naturally, during that process, my deal with Eun Yuha was kept secret. Eun Yuha wanted to thoroughly hide her existence in exchange for helping me protect Seok Harang.

Only after the last ade arrived did a finally composed Seok Harang raise her head.

“…So, you ultimately killed Ssaem, …my father, to save the world?”

“Yes.”

Seok Harang lifted her bowed head. Her eyes were filled with tears as if she was about to cry again, but that was a trace of water-attribute mana seeping from around her eyes.

“You could make me your enemy, don’t you regret it? I could follow you around and try to kill you for the rest of my life.”

“I don’t care. Just help me kill Seongju and stop the Otherworld God one last time.”

“What if I act crazy and don’t help you?”

“Then this Earth will be destroyed. I’ll be brainwashed by Seongju again, and you’ll be subdued by brainwashed executives and become a new invasion weapon.”

Seok Harang covered her face with both hands. Like it or not, Seok Harang had to participate in the decisive battle with Seongju just to survive.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“Then let’s go smash that bastard Seongju, or whatever he is, right now. You said he’s injured and recovering, right? Let’s both go destroy him, and then I’ll kill you too.”

Seok Harang glared at me, burning with fighting spirit. Her stomach was full from emptying the dishes, and her enthusiasm seemed to have risen as well.

“It’s impossible.”

“Why? Are you scared of being brainwashed? I’m S-class. If I ask the Round Table, no matter how strong they are-“

“He’s not here right now.”

I pointed to the floor with my finger. Harang slammed her hands on the table and stood up.

“Th-then let’s take a plane overseas! Why?! Are you scared?! Are you afraid I’ll actually kill you?!”

“Calm down. People are watching.”

Ever since S-class Hero Seok Harang arrived here, the outside had been buzzing. Although I had put up a Barrier to block their gazes, if Seok Harang caused a noisy ruckus, it would all be for naught.

Seok Harang laughed with a triumphant expression.

“Wow! Are you scared?! You’re terribly strong, but you’re terribly scared like a petty person!”

“Hey, wanna die?”

…My true nature slipped out without me realizing it. Seok Harang flinched and sat down. I barely managed to calm the mana that had surged up momentarily.

“Even if I wanted to kill Seongju right now, I can’t. I have to wait until Seongju comes here. …Ha, damn it.”

“Can’t you just speak casually like in Gwanak?”

When I sighed and spoke, Seok Harang began to look around nervously. When talking to humans, I had to act like Phoenix, but since Seok Harang was also a Spirit, my heart wavered without me realizing it.

Was it because of the Spirit’s power? It was hard to maintain my composure.

“…….”

Wouldn’t it be alright to be comfortable with just one person? Since we were both Spirits, perhaps she would understand me, at least to some extent, from a slightly different perspective than humans, until other Spirits awakened.

“Ugh.”

I decided to speak casually to Seok Harang. I let go of the thread of consciousness and relaxed the corners of my mouth that I had painstakingly kept upturned.

“Seongju isn’t on Earth right now.”

“…Earth?”

I nodded and pointed to the sky with my finger.

“He’s recovering his injuries on Pluto, his own territory. That’s why we can’t go.”

According to the original story, the day the world ends is December 25, 2025.

“Seongju will fully recover his injuries on that day and fly to Earth. He’ll arrive on Christmas 2025.”

“Are you crazy? He’s flying from space? What is he?”

“As a Spirit, I cannot speak that name, but….”

Just as the Heroes and Villains of this world have epithets, fortunately, Seongju also has another epithet.

“in Darkness.”

Seok Harang’s expression hardened.

“What’s that? Is that some kind of chuunibyou thing?”

“…….”

It was a moment where I seriously considered just going to find the protagonist instead.
* * *
, Palomar Observatory

“Still haven’t found him, Oracle?”

The blonde man urged for an answer with an anxious face. The pink-haired boy, , who had just taken his eyes off the telescope, frowned.

“Shut up, Sir Gawain, you smell like fish and chips.”

As Oracle covered his nose, the blonde man-Gawain, a member of the British Round Table-asked the man next to him with a shocked expression.

“This is an insult to the nation. Isn’t it?”

“It’s true that British cuisine is a mess.”

The black-haired man with a ponytail slapped Gawain’s hand away as he tried to grab his arm.

“You probably ate fish and chips today too, old man. Didn’t you?”

“Jilpungek, that’s not true! Get rid of the prejudice that British people only eat fish and chips! Thanks to you, I got rid of the prejudice that Japanese people only eat sushi, didn’t I?!”

The black-haired man, Jilpungek, put down his coffee and nodded.

“Right. So what did you eat today?”

Gawain thumped his chest and boasted proudly.

“Mashed potatoes and smoked salmon crackers garnished with truffles!”

“…….”

Jilpungek’s expression twisted. Oracle shrugged with both hands.

“Not all British people are like that. Right?”

“…If this man inherits the throne, I’m never going to England again. Sardine pie will definitely be served at state banquets.”

“It tastes good, isn’t that okay?”

Oracle’s and Jilpungek’s expressions twisted simultaneously. Gawain, true to his epithet, was the world’s strongest Hero from Britain, but he possessed a simple mind similar to his innocent face.

“Who made the tongue of Sir Gawain, the number one Hero in the rankings, like this?”

“He’s not number one in power rankings anymore, though.”

As Oracle teased Gawain jokingly, Jilpungek added a footnote. Jilpungek chuckled slyly, clearly trying to change the subject.

“Why? Am I wrong? Gwanggeom of Korea crossed the wall first. Is there anyone among the Round Table who crossed that wall?”

Jilpungek pointed to the three of them, including himself, and scoffed.

“If S-class has levels, we’ve all grown to our limits. Who among us crossed that wall? No one. And even he died.”

“There is one.”

Gawain said calmly. Oracle retorted with a sour face.

“That unidentified Villain? Sir Gawain, even so, you’re suggesting we make a Villain the first SS-rank?”

“I don’t think that’s right either. What would that make the Heroes, then?”

Gawain looked between the two of them with a bewildered expression.

“What does it matter whether they’re a Hero or a Villain? In a battle for the fate of humanity, should humanity be divided and fight each other? What was my reason for creating the Round Table?”

“…I wasn’t an original member, so I don’t know. Do you?”

“I don’t know either.”

Gawain was speechless. Seeing his greatly shocked expression, Jilpungek put an arm around Gawain’s shoulder and shook him.

“Hey, don’t be too disappointed. Still, we’re following you and moving like this, aren’t we?”

“What are you talking about? You just go wherever you want. Okinawa is in chaos right now because an S-class monster appeared.”

When Oracle pointed this out, Jilpungek whistled.

“A whale? They’ll catch it themselves. Isn’t Japan the world’s number one whaling nation?”

“He doesn’t even realize that’s spitting in his own face.”

“What? My country, you mean.”

Jilpungek flicked the hand he had around Gawain’s shoulder and winked at Oracle.

“It’s the country of the wife I’m going to marry.”

“…….”

Oracle pushed up his slipping glasses with his middle finger, then,

“Ptooey.”

He spat at Jilpungek.

“No!”

Gawain swung his sword like light, incinerating Oracle’s spit. Oracle let out a bewildered chuckle, then shook his head.

“This is why S-class swordsmen are useless. Damn bastards. Hey, you, go back to your home country right now. Go deal with the S-class. Because of you, my dad keeps calling me too.”

“Is it that bad?”

Jilpungek’s expression hardened. His sharp eyes looked as if he would draw the sword from his waist at any moment. Oracle brought up a screen.

“Japan requested support from Korea. They want both S-class individuals there to come.”

Gawain’s face stiffened.

“……No. Jilpungek, let’s go to your home country immediately. Oracle, please arrange a private jet. I’m going too.”

“Why?”

Jilpungek’s eyes were full of questions.

“Isn’t it just an S-class monster?”

“Live a little and watch the news, you damn murderer.”

Oracle pounded his chest as if frustrated.

“Gwanggeom is dead. So Japan is in chaos because of the monster, right? Do you think China will just sit still?!”

“Unjang is there, isn’t he?”

“FUCK!”

Oracle rushed at Jilpungek and shook him by the collar. He looked a little ridiculous, standing on his tiptoes to grab the much taller man.

“Do you think Unjang has more loyalty to the Round Table, full of men, or to his own country where his father is the second-in-command?!”

“Loyalty… what’s that?!”

“Aaaaargh!!!!”

Oracle pulled at his hair and collapsed. Gawain pondered for a moment, then spoke to Jilpungek.

“It means that while the south is in chaos, China might kill the S-class monster in Pyongyang.”

At Gawain’s explanation, Jilpungek’s eyes widened.

“Huh?! No way! I’ve already called dibs on that one! Hey, Oracle! Call your dad right now! Get a plane ready!”

“…….”

Oracle, with unfocused eyes, stumbled out of the room. Jilpungek was excitedly making a fuss.

“Kuh, that Pyongyang monster. What do you think of it, old man? Is it stronger than that ‘monster’ you talk about?”

“No. The monster is much stronger. It’s not something a human can handle. Fortunately, we managed to injure it somehow and it fled, so that was a relief. If we had kept fighting…. Hoo.”

Gawain sighed and removed his arm from Jilpungek’s shoulder.

“Anyway, let’s go to Korea. I’ll deal with the monster in Japan and then meet the S-class in Korea directly to make a judgment. …And while we’re at it, indirectly keep China in check.”

“You’re going to put that rookie in the 13th spot?”

“We can’t leave it empty forever.”

Gawain, guided by Oracle who had returned after finishing his phone call, boarded the limousine heading to the airport.

‘This neighborhood never runs out of incidents.’

Watching the setting sun, Gawain fell into thought.

* * *

My explanation to Seok Harang was over.

Now, Seok Harang would burn with a desire for revenge against me, but she would ultimately cooperate in defeating Seongju, the master of Pluto.

“So, control that Spirit power properly. It’s starting to sting.”

“I want to too….”

Seok Harang scratched the table with her hand. I openly sighed and pulled Seok Harang’s hand towards me.

“?!”

Seok Harang was startled and tried to pull her hand away. I snatched her hand and held it tightly with both of mine, then poured mana into her.

Thump, thump.

I could feel Seok Harang’s pounding heart. I frowned and calmed the overflowing mana from Seok Harang.

“…Huh?”

Seok Harang placed her other hand on her chest, surprised. Sensing her confusion, I let go of her hand.

“You’ll be fine for a while now. No matter who you’ve fallen for, don’t have sex. If you do that, you’ll never be able to escape from that person. Understand?”

“…….”

Seok Harang froze. I scratched the back of my neck and added an explanation.

“Spirits tend to fall in love with just anyone. They fall in love just by holding hands and imagine grandchildren in their heads. Manage your emotions well.”

“What does that mean?”

“…Listen carefully.”

I tapped the table. Seok Harang’s ears perked up.

“All Spirits are Someone who falls in love easily who fall for anyone. They don’t discriminate by gender, age, or even species. You’re especially young, so you need to be careful.”

“Then this feeling I have for Yuha unnie….”

I was speechless. Yuha? The only Yuha I knew was Eun Yuha. But the lingering mana from Seok Harang clearly showed what her feelings for Eun Yuha were.

Seok Harang was in love. Of all people, with Eun Yuha.

“…That’s definitely love.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Damn it, this is driving me crazy.”

Now I was tearing at my own hair. I never imagined that putting her there to watch over and be nice to her would backfire. I couldn’t have imagined that the main heroine (Spirit) would fall in love with the main heroine.

Should I quickly put the protagonist next to Seok Harang? No. If I did that, the protagonist would be sliced by Gwanggeom.

“Ughhhhh.”

“You.”

Seok Harang asked, her lips trembling.

“You, who do you love?”

“Me?”

I raised my head, smiled at Seok Harang, and raised a finger.

“Naturally, Phoenix.”

My finger was pointing at myself, Azure Flame Phoenix.