Part 1, Chapter 5 (5)

Eun Jaemin-Eun Yuha and I shook hands. Perhaps thinking too much time had passed, Eun Yuha spoke through Eun Jaemin’s doll.

“With this, our contract continues. Please don’t forget to supply the promised quantity by the deadline.”

With a bright smile. True to his nickname of ‘noble young master,’ Eun Jaemin was gentlemanly. I don’t know what his original personality was like, but at least the Eun Jaemin controlled by Eun Yuha was like that.

“100 Cores by the end of May. All C-grade or higher. At least 10 A-grade. Right?”

“Yes. If you clear the snake in the City Hall, you should be able to secure that much quantity.”

Even collecting 100 C-grade Cores would be a transaction worth over 5 billion won. If 100 A-grade Cores were collected, the transaction would easily inflate to hundreds of billions.

Core transactions through the black market alone generate tens to hundreds of billions in profit. If Seoul regains its functions in the future, monster byproducts can also be processed.

Eun Yuha’s Yuseong will try to take over Seoul’s economy through the deal with me. If negotiations proceed as planned, Haneulseong will swallow Seoul’s administration.

Collusion between politics and business. And the Azure Syndicate will become Seoul’s backer, gaining immense financial power.

As if something had just occurred to him, Eun Jaemin clapped his hands awkwardly.

“Speaking of which, Phoenix-nim, aren’t you investing your funds anywhere? Although most of it was given in kind, I remember sending at least several billion to your account.”

“Where is there anything to spend money on in Seoul….”

At most, the only reason to spend money would be a brief trip to Incheon. It would take at least two years for Seoul to regain its former functions.

“Still….”

However, as Eun Yuha said, it would be a waste to just let the money sit there. I readily decided to follow Eun Yuha’s implied purpose.

“Are you going to assign me a financial planner now?”

“How could I just stand by and watch your money rot away? Haha. I will manage it directly for you. Trust me and leave it to me. I’ll make sure it’s well laundered so you can use it even in New Seoul, not just as black money.”

“Then I’ll invest in Yuseong.”

“An excellent choice.”

Was it my imagination that a ₩ mark flashed across Eun Jaemin’s mechanical eyes? Eun Jaemin immediately brought up a screen and displayed various investment products. I quickly grabbed Eun Jaemin’s wrist and lowered the screen.

“It’s fine. I already know where I’m investing anyway.”

“…Oh? Are you saying you have a confident investment destination, customer-nim?”

“Because I don’t intend to make any financial profit.”

Eun Jaemin’s eyes twitched slightly. Saying he had no intention of making money was akin to saying Eun Yuha had no intention of breathing.

Except for her one hobby, Eun Yuha reinvests every penny she earns.

“Then where?”

“Miss Eun Yuha. You like looking at stars, don’t you?”

“…Of course.”

Like the name of the Yuseong Group (流星, meaning ‘shooting star’), and like the Big Dipper, an image revealed by the Doll Master’s ability, Eun Yuha is a person with a significant connection to stars.

Her field of interest is stars, astronomical science.

“And how do you know my hobby? Customer-nim, I might have to report you as a stalker soon?”

She must be thinking all sorts of things. How does he know my hobby? Is he trying to win my favor with this? Just how much does he know?

[…Haa.]

The girl’s sigh came out of Eun Jaemin’s mouth.

[Where are you planning to invest, exactly? Optical telescopes? Lens manufacturing? Or perhaps a scholarship donation to New Seoul University’s astronomy department? Research funding?]

Perhaps quite flustered, Eun Yuha asked, conveying her voice directly instead of through Eun Jaemin’s mouth. I pointed to the ceiling with my finger.

“I’m going to go see the stars directly. Will you build me a spaceship to the moon?”

[A spaceship?]

I got up from my chair.

“Yes. When we have time, let’s go see the moon rabbit, you and I.”

[Space travel costs a fortune. Isn’t that too wasteful for just one date?]

“Don’t you know that you shouldn’t be stingy with money when it comes to hobbies and picking up girls?”

Eun Yuha’s cackling laughter could be heard. If I had been showing her the screen, I would have seen her rolling on the bed, holding her stomach.

[Ah, haha. Alright. Let’s do it. But I’ll spend your money recklessly, okay? I’m a person who follows through on what I say!]

“As much as you want. But….”

I conjured a flame in my hand and formed a shape. Eun Yuha gasped in admiration at the flickering, materialized form of the flame.

[The moon.]

“Within the next 5 years, at the very least, a rocket capable of going to the moon must be built in Korea. Right here in Seoul.”

* * *

The transaction was over.

As soon as Eun Jaemin and Phantom’s secretary returned to the meeting room, the special delegation quickly exited the National Assembly building.

The Villain Alliance had offered the delegation lunch, but Jang Hujung cleanly refused, and the delegation immediately took custody of 10 Heroes and left Yeouido.

Jang Hujung scratched his head.

“What a headache.”

All the special delegation had gained was 10 Heroes and a single temporary agreement that hadn’t even been signed yet.

They had concluded the meeting by making maximum concessions under the Villain Alliance’s veiled threats, but the thought of the upcoming debate over the agreement’s contents in New Seoul already gave him a headache.

“Still, it’s a relief that we were able to rescue the Heroes safely.”

The Praetor smiled in relief, watching the Heroes following behind them.

The government would be troubled, but from the Association’s perspective, it wasn’t a bad deal at all.

The only thing that bothered them was having to temporarily entrust Seoul to the villains.

However, the villains only made threats; they didn’t seem to actually intend to massacre the refugees in Seoul. Haneulseong and Beacon were considered moderates who could be reasoned with, compared to extreme levels like Ttangkae or Heukyeomryong.

Jang Hujung countered.

“Praetor-nim, are you going to stand by and watch those ruffians detain the citizens of Seoul? I believe we should immediately nullify this agreement and plan a second Seoul Reclamation Operation.”

At Jang Hujung’s heated words, the Praetor did not deny them, but rather agreed.

“Of course. The Association has not given up on Seoul. It’s just….”

The Praetor trailed off, as if reluctant to speak further. He glanced around cautiously, then whispered very softly.

“I don’t think it’s bad to temporarily join hands with those who fight against monsters and protect people. After all, they are also citizens of South Korea, and furthermore, human.”

Yoo Young-ho held his breath for a moment.

“This is the personal opinion of Yoo Young-ho, the human, not the Praetor, so just disregard it.”

At Yoo Young-ho’s words, the Heroes following behind flinched. They exchanged glances, seemingly lost in thought.

“Um, Praetor-nim.”

C-grade Hero Lee Giseong called out to the Praetor, looking completely dejected. At the same time, the leader among the Azure Syndicate members who had been following them cleared his throat.

“…Ahem.”

Lee Giseong startled. The other Heroes behind him gave Lee Giseong a warning look. The Praetor stopped walking and turned around.

“What’s wrong? Agent Lee Giseong. Are you not feeling well? Those guys didn’t torture you or anything, did they? Let’s get you checked as soon as we get back to New Seoul.”

The Praetor’s eyes, glaring at the Azure Syndicate members, were unusual. Lee Giseong looked around nervously, then waved his hands.

“Oh, no! Not at all. I just thought we were going back to New Seoul now….”

If they climbed a little further up the mountainside, they would reach the summit of Gwanaksan Mountain, the Dimensional Gate’s origin point. Beyond that, the Azure Syndicate members, who had been following them like monitors, would return to Yeouido, marking the boundary.

Just beyond, those who had come to escort the special delegation were waiting for their safe return.

“What? Are you still not feeling it?”

Lee Giseong’s behavior was extremely awkward, but the Praetor burst into hearty laughter and patted Lee Giseong’s shoulder.

“Oh, I see. Well, it’s natural to feel different after almost dying and surviving. But you’re in big trouble now, you know? Your girlfriend threw monster garbage at the minister, saying you were dead. You’re completely trapped now. As soon as you get back to New Seoul, you’ll have to find a wedding hall right away. But don’t ask me to officiate.”

“……Yes.”

The Praetor was slightly puzzled by Lee Giseong’s slumped shoulders. His state seemed odd for someone who had been kidnapped by monsters and rescued by villains.

It was as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t. The Praetor’s expression hardened.

“Are you perhaps-“

“Ah! We’ve arrived! Here! We’re here!”

Jang Hujung waved his hand and shouted. Heroes who had been waiting in the distance appeared.

Pungbaek, Unsa, Wusa. The Three Sages, and other Heroes who had participated in the Seoul Reclamation Operation. They stepped on Seoul soil again for the sake of Lee Giseong and the 10 other Heroes who had returned alive.

“……!”

And among them were the Heroes of the Pine Tree Unit, Team B, who had entered Gangnam. Lee Giseong’s expression immediately stiffened. A Hero behind him whispered to Lee Giseong.

“……Hey, relax. If we get caught, we’re all fucked. Did you forget what we heard?”

“…No.”

Lee Giseong forced a smile as Unsa rushed towards him.

Though his entire body was wrapped in bandages, the team leader who had led his team bowed to Lee Giseong, who had returned alive.

“I am truly, truly sorry! My inadequacy led you all into a death trap!”

“It’s not just you. It’s because we old folks are lacking in ability.”

The Heroes blamed themselves. Lee Giseong quickly brightened the mood with a cheerful smile.

“No! It was because I was weak. But thanks to the efforts of all the senior Heroes, I’ve returned alive, haven’t I! So it’s alright!”

Lee Giseong thumped his chest. Unsa raised his head, but his face was filled with guilt and sorrow for them.

At this, the Praetor stepped forward and admonished Unsa.

“It’s a good day, Unsa Park Raon. Not a single person died, and you’ve all returned alive. It’s fine for now, but when you enter Anyang, reporters will be swarming. …Smile even if you don’t want to. That’s what a Hero does.”

“…Yes, Praetor-nim.”

Unsa forced a twisted smile. It was so grotesque that the Heroes burst into boisterous chatter.

“Haha, ha, ha.”

Lee Giseong also forced a laugh. He subtly glanced around, and the Pine Tree Unit Heroes were subtly glaring at them.

“Haha, ha. …Haa.”

Lee Giseong shifted his body, trying to prevent others from noticing the small object tucked into his inner pocket.

“……Right. This is all for justice.”

♩♪♬

From the inner pocket of Lee Giseong’s coat, a blue canary peeked out and chirped as if in agreement.

That afternoon, Seonui Cheol announced the safe return of the 10 missing Heroes through a public address.

* * *

“Oh, I can see them well.”

Through the Mini Phoenix I had placed in Hero Lee Giseong’s possession, I could observe the faces of the Hero party heading to Seoul.

Transmitters, trackers, and other such items would naturally be discovered through a search, but the ultra-small Mini Phoenix, which was no different from natural mana, would never be detected.

‘There’s no way it’ll be detected since I carefully selected and created exactly 10 of them.’

“If it gets detected, we’ll just have to make a new plan.”

I disconnected from the Mini Phoenix and lay down on the bed.

“I hope it succeeds, somehow.”

The operation was based on the assumption that Seonui Cheol and the leader of the Pine Tree Unit, whom I knew from before, hadn’t changed much from five years ago. At the same time, it was an operation built on trust in the Heroes who had learned the truth about Seoul.

“If they betray us, it’ll be a bang!”

Lee Giseong. And a total of 10 people, including other individuals.

I operated the Hellhounds, kidnapping only promising individuals with high potential, and implanted a bomb called Mini Phoenix in their bodies, just like Lee Seung-hyung.

Since they were individuals full of a sense of justice, I expected them to handle themselves well now that they knew the truth about the Pine Tree Unit.

If not, and they sided with Seonui Cheol or Cheongsong-

‘I’d be incredibly disappointed in Heroes.’

“So please, Heroes, don’t disappoint me.”

I stood on top of the 63 Building, looking down at Seoul, and spread my arms towards the sun.

“Because I’m always watching.”