Chapter 135
I rubbed my throbbing head as I listened to Lee Haryeong's story.
"The 1st Army raiding Gangnam Abyss lost contact, and the remaining 1st Army is just Taehyun and Park Choa?"
"Yeah. Technically there's the brain-dead Tak Byeongjin mage and Yoo Yeon who's out cold from serious injuries, but."
"......"
That was as good as nothing. So really, just the two of them left.
'If those 7 get listed as missing, Korea's down to 2 1st Army mages...'
As I clenched my fist, Lee Haryeong said indifferently.
"Abyss is still unstable. So Choa and Taehyun are taking turns managing it."
"......"
Feeling my aching arm, I sat up.
"No time to celebrate getting past Code Black."
"Right. Crisis starts now. Beijing failed to stop theirs, Pyongyang's still fighting. Tokyo took massive damage but barely held."
"Tch..."
I clicked my tongue and massaged my sore arm.
"They want you and the Magic Tower Union to attend."
"...Something happen?"
As I looked at her anxiously, Lee Haryeong chuckled.
"You're a tower lord. They're asking why you haven't shown up."
"Ah."
'Right. I'm a tower lord too.'
I swept back my hair, feeling my hot body—immune reaction or ether, who knows.
"With all this, no way I can live quietly."
"Ha! Saying that to my face? Cheeky brat."
Her words reminded me she'd liberated her heart core.
"...You okay?"
"Worried? I'm a 7th-level mage. That's nothing."
"Forty's past unyielding age. Nothing my ass."
Lee Haryeong approached and smacked my back.
Smack—
"Ow!"
"You punk, don't bring up a lady's age! I saved your life and this is how you repay me?"
Seeing her fired up eased my mind, so I asked about preservation.
"Heard you're a Preservation Mage. Like I think?"
"......"
She shrugged.
"Close enough. 7th-level mages 'preserved' for the direst moments."
Her words carried the weight of years; I nodded.
"Makes sense. You're from that miracle generation too."
"Damn right. Show some respect."
I pouted and grumbled.
"How do I respect someone flashing panties everywhere?"
"......"
"The one who even did a national apology for it."
"Hey! How could I forget that!"
As Lee Haryeong fumed, my phone rang.
Ring ring—
"Don't kids your age change ringtones to cute ones?"
"......"
"Oh right, not from a filial piety phone user."
I picked up the flip phone.
"Ah~ You're awake. Thank goodness."
"Who..."
The voice laughed brightly.
"Nam Taehong, the one who owes you his life."
"President?"
I looked at Lee Haryeong in surprise; she nodded.
"Yeah. Your exploits. Probably tossing you something."
"Many sacrifices this time, but Taeguk Military Merit Medal for the key players who stopped the disaster."
"Taeguk Military Merit Medal...?"
I recalled mages wearing them on robes. Even Lee Han had several last time.
'Me getting that?'
Goosebumps rose.
'I've killed over ten recipients.'
Guilt stabbed.
As a Mage Hunter, I wasn't worthy.
"No thanks."
"Huh?"
Lee Haryeong's eyes widened.
"Brat, that's super rare. Not just a plaque."
"I know, but..."
"Why not take it? People need hope now."
"......"
Flustered, Lee Haryeong eyed me and waved it off.
"Fine~ If you don't want, forcing it is weird."
"Better if I don't..."
Nam Taehong paused, then nodded.
"Understood. How about a national contribution plaque for Iolde Tower? If you refuse that, we'll have to think more..."
He wasn't giving up, so I relented.
"Fine. If it's for the tower."
After some scheduling and hanging up, Lee Haryeong eyed me slyly.
"Didn't know you were weak to that stuff."
"Not weak."
"Hmm~ Some folks get airsick bad."
"Not that."
"Sure sure. Next time a medal comes up, take it?"
"No! Just... embarrassed! What's wrong with that!"
Lee Haryeong laughed childishly.
"Ahaha, cute side's good. You're 8."
"......"
She grinned.
"People'll love you more."
"?"
I gave a hollow laugh watching Lee Haryeong receive the Taeguk medal on TV.
"Heh."
"Guide! Shasha's comms."
"Ah."
I shot up and took the ether comms.
⊳ ...Here... 36th floor safe zone... Situation's worst...
"Ah?"
"Worst" made my heart sink.