Global Gambit: Eyes on Phantom
A massive screen dominated the wall of the conference room.
"Please direct your attention to the screen. This is footage from the recent Catastrophe-grade ghost story incident in Yongsan-gu."
A blood-red eclipse and a torn sky. Then, the overwhelming terror that seized the city heart—the Eclipse. The video played in sequence: from the moment the solar eclipse began, to Tsuki's lie, and Phantom's appearance.
Finally, as the footage ended with the Eclipse's annihilation and the screen faded to black-and-white, some of the agents exhaled the breaths they'd been holding.
"Phew... It's hard to believe we're alive to see this."
"Agreed. The terror of facing a Catastrophe-grade in person is just..."
"And we encountered a Mengmang-grade existence that far surpasses it. Surviving and returning is a miracle."
Even Leon shuddered involuntarily at the memory.
'Even watching it again, I can only say we were incredibly lucky. Surviving that place...'
"Ahem. Director Seo Ji-hoon, please wrap up this incident."
"Understood. In the name of the Monster Countermeasure Headquarters director, I declare the Eclipse officially resolved. Detection team, report on any aftermath."
Seo Ji-hoon, director of the Monster Countermeasure Headquarters, closed his documents and delivered the conclusion.
"No additional casualties have been reported so far, and no residual Netherworld energy has been detected."
"Director, the Eclipse appears to have been completely eradicated."
"That's a relief. Please continue with the cleanup."
To the casual listener, it sounded like a cleanly resolved case. But everyone in the room knew better. This incident couldn't be summed up as just another ghost story outbreak and resolution.
"And... as you all know, the one who resolved—no, more accurately, annihilated—this Catastrophe-grade was none other than Phantom."
"Phantom... the entity presumed to be a Mengmang-grade ghost story?"
"It's no longer a presumption—it's all but confirmed."
Phantom had never deployed the Netherworld even once. Because of that, they had no grasp on his rank, abilities, or rules. Yet the Countermeasure Headquarters and all guilds unanimously classified him as 'Mengmang-grade.'
"Focus on the scene playing on the screen now."
Amid Eclipse's barrage of blood-red spears and blades, Phantom stood motionless, blocking every attack. Behind him lay the fallen guild members.
"Leon, this scene makes it look like Phantom was protecting people..."
"Spot on. We hadn't decided if Phantom was humanity's enemy or not. But—"
Phantom shielding people with his own body against every incoming strike.
"As of this moment, I define Phantom not as humanity's sole enemy, but as a ghost story that protects us."
"Is that... your personal opinion, or the official stance of Eternal Guardians Guild?"
"I haven't heard back from the master on this yet, so it's my personal view for now. But Elissa, you know as well as I do—whether Phantom is our enemy or not."
"True, Phantom himself said, 'I am not your enemy.' But this time, he also said 'Don't get the wrong idea'..."
"I'm curious. Why do you think Phantom said that?"
Elissa had briefly returned to the UK when the Eclipse occurred, so she hadn't experienced Phantom firsthand.
'Leon, who analyzes ghost stories so dispassionately, speaking with such conviction...'
"To me, it sounded like Phantom warning humanity not to cross a certain line."
"Not to cross a line? Does that mean there's a problem with our approach?"
"No. It's hard to say for sure, but... it felt like he was telling us not to get any closer. Like a god blocking humans from a truth they shouldn't know..."
"That's a pretty grand scale for a comparison... but given your 'ability,' I can't dismiss it outright."
Elissa's sea-blue eyes gleamed as she stared piercingly at the screen showing Phantom.
'Phantom... Phantom... What exactly are you...? I want to know... about you.'
Ssssh—whoosh. An ominous aura began to creep up around her.
"Calm down, Elissa. That damn 'instinct' of yours is surfacing again."
Leon soothed her with practiced familiarity.
"...Oh my, look at me. Thanks for the heads-up, Leon. Hehe."
For a moment, her eyes darkened to abyssal depths before returning to their ocean hue.
"Ahem... For now, regarding this incident, I plan to lodge a strong protest with the Japanese guild and government."
Ji-hoon cleared his throat, flipped through his papers, and eyed the Japanese guild reps.
"We've been prepared... No room for excuses, is there? The cause of this incident was our representative, Takahashi Ren."
One Japanese guild member stood as spokesperson and bowed.
"We deeply apologize for this incident. Japan will not shirk responsibility. Ren has already been officially expunged from guild records, and our master is discussing compensation."
"Hmph..."
Only then did Ji-hoon nod and close his documents.
"Very well. Moving forward, cooperation with Japan to prevent further damage is the priority."
"Yes. We will actively accommodate Korea's demands."
"Back to the main point: It's clear Phantom didn't attack us, and I have no intention of denying that."
He glanced sequentially at the American and Japanese sides.
"However... defining what he is isn't something we can decide here on the spot."
"What do you mean?"
"The guild masters of each country have already received reports. We must consider their opinions as well."
In the heart of New York, a high-rise conference room. City lights pierced the night sky, faintly filtering through the massive windows.
Three masters sat across from each other at this unofficial international meeting site: America—Chris Evans; UK—Victoria Crawford; Japan—Takahashi Rin.
At the center of their table lay a single photo. Black wave-like hair, porcelain skin. Eyes holding endless darkness like a black hole. And the sinister aura swirling around it.
"This is the unidentified ghost story first discovered in Korea—Phantom."
Chris broke the brief silence with a leisurely smile.
"Oh, and as you all know, Korea hasn't issued an official stance yet. They seem to plan on aggregating our opinions before announcing."
"Phantom hasn't done anything bad, sure, but it's still a ghost story. Can't we just neatly classify it as an enemy?"
Victoria leaned back in her chair, stating her position. True to her knightly nation of England, she preferred clean conclusions.
"Master Victoria isn't wrong. But before jumping to conclusions, I'd like to ask you both something."
He brought up footage of the Collector and Eclipse incidents on the screen. Phantom pacifying a Mengmang-grade in an instant and erasing a Catastrophe-grade with a mere gesture.
"Aren't you curious? Whether we could obtain this power of Phantom's."
"Sigh... So that's America's ultimate goal."
Rin sighed as if she'd expected it. Her burning red eyes had grown weary of such talk.
"Meetings with America always veer this way."
"My apologies. The United States tends to be sensitive about these matters."
"Ghost stories upended the international order overnight. Even America thought it might collapse at first."
"Haha, true. But now we're back to our unshakeable position as the top nation."
The advent of ghost stories drastically altered global politics. The biggest factor: the emergence of Awakeners.
"Awakener abilities are straight out of comics or novels—superpowers or magic."
Even Illusion- and Disaster-grades were like that, but the rare Catastrophe- and Apocalypse-grades were on another level entirely.
A nation's military power no longer hinged on aircraft carriers or nukes. The key was the presence of Catastrophe- and Apocalypse-grade Awakeners.
A prime example: Seo Ji-hoon of the Countermeasure Headquarters, deemed capable of defending half of Korea alone.
"With just Seo Ji-hoon, Korea rocketed into the world's top five military powers."
"I remember that old man. Met him when he visited Japan once. Just standing there, his presence was overwhelming."
"But get this: That powerhouse knelt to the Mengmang-grade Collector."
"...We heard in the UK, but I didn't believe it at first."
"And the one who subdued that Collector with one hand? Today's star, Phantom."
Chris's voice brimmed with desire, belying his gentlemanly demeanor.
"Even Catastrophe-grade powers are immense, but a pitch-black entity wielding Mengmang-grade strength. And this ghost story is even friendly toward humans."
"So what's your conclusion? Befriend a Mengmang-grade ghost story?"
"Friend... I'd prefer something deeper. If we could harness Mengmang-grade power, we'd reach an unrivaled position."
Chris boldly declared his intent. Rin had always found him slimy like a snake.
'This sly bastard speaking so directly... He must crave that power badly.'
People could read intentions through eyes to some degree. But Chris's perpetual half-smile made him inscrutable.
'He wants it at any cost. And if Victoria and I agree... he'll act immediately.'
But Rin had no intention of playing along.
"Japan cannot actively engage in this matter. You know why."
"Fair enough. Your master's own brother caused the issue in Korea. I understand."
"...No need to mention my brother."
"My bad."
Clap.
"Okay, the mood's getting heated. Let's wrap this up sensibly."
Victoria clapped to refresh the atmosphere.
"Heh... Got a bit excited there. My apologies, Master Rin."
"It's fine. My brother did cause the mess."
"We strayed a bit, but my point stands: With powerful ghost stories popping up in Korea lately, we need to strip that power—or if not, check Korea internationally."
"The UK agrees. World balance can't tilt to one side."
"Japan... regarding Korea, we'll consider more carefully."
"Two yeses and one neutral, then."
Chris smiled, satisfied with the outcome.
"That concludes the meeting. Next time, probably in Korea."
Amid the world's burning interest in Phantom, the man himself—Si-hyun—was struggling today to restore Luna's emotions.
"Lu... Luna, one more round?"
"Si-hyun... I... I'm not good at games...?"
"Arghhh...! Our Luna dishes out damage so casually...? True talent."
"...?"
Si-hyun had hoped gaming might elicit some reaction from Luna.
'No way... I've played this game for years, and she utterly crushes me!'
His insides were burning up.
"Si-hyun... It's okay if you're bad..."
"Haha... Luna, no need to console me..."
"Si-hyun's... just starting out... so it's okay to suck...?"
"Ugh...! My heart...!"
You're total trash at this lol.
—Beeeep.
Si-hyun collapsed from Luna's innocently devastating words, devoid of any malice.
'Hehe... Luna meant well for me, but to my ears, it hits like that...?'