Chapter 469
Chapter 469
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 469
Chapter Title: Savior of the Academy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This world's Korea was a unified Korea.
More precisely, Korea had never been divided into South and North in this world. Korea's standing here ranked within the global top ten.
That meant you could travel to China, Europe, and Russia by train in this Korea.
You could even drive to Pyongyang or Baekdu Mountain.
And right now, Sung Ha-rin and I had come to Palssak Amusement Park in Shinheung, Hamgyongnam-do.
September 10, 2006.
I'd been throwing a fit for the past month to come on this exact day. Matching the date had been tricky, but after various excuses and tantrums, I'd finally gotten my way.
"Yu-jin-ah, we're gonna have a blast playing with Mama today!"
"Yeah! I wanna ride the bumper cars!"
Palssak Amusement Park, Korea's premier destination, boasted massive grounds, cutting-edge rides, and throngs of visitors. Especially on a Sunday like today.
"Whew, it's hot. You okay, Yu-jin-ah?"
"Yeah."
Ha-rin and I lined up at the entrance. The blazing sun made it warm, but not unbearable.
My eyes caught the silver bracelet on Ha-rin's wrist. It wasn't ordinary—it subtly altered normal people's perceptions. Without it, SS-rank hero Sung Ha-rin would already be swarmed by fans.
We bought unlimited ride passes and headed inside, where Ha-rin immediately scowled. A middle-aged man in a T-shirt and jeans stood waiting—Sung Han-gu. Of course, we had no idea he'd show up.
"...Stalking at your age? No shame?"
"Just a coincidence running into you here."
"Even a stray dog wouldn't buy that."
He ignored Ha-rin's sharp greeting and turned to me.
"Hi, Yu-jin-ah. Long time no see. You been well?"
"Yes, Grandpa."
Truth be told, I'd subtly leaked today's schedule to him. He'd visited home while Ha-rin was out on work, and the playroom toys had multiplied as a result.
'Good thing he came. This'll make things easier.'
I hadn't come here to enjoy the rides in the first place. What age was I to get thrilled over amusement park attractions?
"Let's go, Yu-jin-ah. Gotta hurry for the bumper cars."
"Mama, I want that."
"Cotton candy? Place is packed. Grandpa'll grab it—you two go ahead."
"No need for that."
"Ha-rin-ah, isn't it more efficient this way?"
As Ha-rin and Grandpa bickered briefly, I gave a mental command to my Thunderbird Owl, Moca.
'Moca, circle the skies and find a girl. Light green hair, pointy ears—a half-elf. Once you spot her, keep her in your sights.'
The Thunderbird Owl took to the air. Only Ha-rin and I could see it. Even if she spotted Moca soaring over the park, she'd just shrug it off.
I had Spirit Eye. One of its effects let me share a spirit's vision. If Moca found the elf girl, I'd know her location no matter the distance.
"Yu-jin-ah, this way. Don't let go of Mama's hand, okay?"
"Okay."
Sorry, Ha-rin, but I planned to slip away at the first chance. Guiding them wasn't bad, but losing me would make her and Grandpa move more aggressively.
Being small limited my rides to kiddie stuff—yawn-worthy all.
"Wheeee! Yu-jin-ah! Yu-jin-ah! Next, that one! That one!"
Ha-rin seemed more excited than me. Despite the park's inflated prices, she splurged on snacks and pointless toys. She spent on whims.
Grandpa trailed quietly behind.
"Grandpa, I want ice cream."
"I'll get it right now. Hang on a sec."
Shook him off easily.
"Ah! Yu-jin-ah! Bear over there! Let's get a pic! ...Yu-jin-ah?"
I bolted at the opening.
No matter SS-rank hero, finding me instantly in this crowded park? At least 30 minutes.
I wove through the masses. Ignored a staff member who called out.
'Spirit Eye activate.'
Shared vision with the Thunderbird Owl. A mystical sensation—not overlaying my sight, but a new viewport in my mind.
'Already spotted and tracking. Location... carousel area. A bit far.'
BOOM!
A massive explosion echoed mid-run. I glanced sideways. The Viking ride's central axle had shattered and crashed down. A dimensional rift tore open where the Viking was. People panicked.
'It's starting.'
I sprinted full tilt.
"Monster! Run!!"
"Call the heroes! Hurry!"
"What are the heroes doing?!"
"Kyaaaaah!"
By arrival, chaos reigned. Dungeon—no, a dungeon-like rift spewed demons from the Fifth Legion, slaughtering indiscriminately.
Parks like this had special barriers for crowds, but it was down. Even if the Association dispatched heroes, it'd take at least five minutes.
Five minutes enough for thousands dead.
"Hahaha! These thrilling screams, this fragrant blood! Delicious! Perfect!"
A chilling laugh boomed from above.
A man in ridiculous pierrot garb. Pale white face, mouth torn to ears, jagged shark teeth.
Viscount of Murder, Handrek of the Fifth Legion.
No human—an actual demon.
"Oh! Unicorn! What a splendid horn! Perfect size to shove up an ass! Hahaha!"
Handrek thrust out his gloved palm. Black light shot from it, striking a unicorn statue.
Neighhh!
The unicorn sprang to life.
Handrek's power: Monster Conversion. Temporarily turned objects into monsters.
I ignored Handrek. Even nerfed, my current strength couldn't handle him.
"Ugh... ah... uuu..."
A girl, maybe five years older, light green hair, trembled before a monster. Pig-faced on a tiny body—Stubborn Orc. Once targeted, it hounded to near-death.
"Eun-bi!"
Elf-looking mom and dad-like man rushed to shield her.
"Heh heh heh."
The Stubborn Orc chuckled. Knowing its advantage, it toyed leisurely.
"Honey! I'll hold it—take Eun-bi and run!"
"You...!"
"Go!"
As prey fled, the orc raised a stubby hand—packed with car-crushing strength.
"Moca! Lightning Tackle!"
"Kweuk!"
Moca, wreathed in lightning, dove. Electricity crackled fiercely. The orc screamed its last.
"Y-you."
"Uncle, just run."
"...Thanks!"
The man fled with family. En route, locked eyes with the green-eyed, light green-haired girl.
'Karma rose, as expected.'
The light green-haired girl, Jeong Eun-bi, was a villain in the original story.
S-rank villain famed for info brokering. Nickname: Sewer Fairy.
Here, she loses both parents to rage into villainy. Her trait, Eye of Pursuit (S), revealed past events or distant happenings—like psychometry.
'Common sense says become hero against Fifth Demon Legion... but learning corrupt heroes' involvement turns her villain.'
This park's barrier failed due to on-site D-rank or lower heroes. Bribed massively by demons to disable it, then flee.
Association couldn't pursue—prioritizing monster cleanup and rescues.
"Oho? Fun kid here!"
Handrek's flippant voice from above. I looked up.
"Wack!"
Handrek exaggerated a grimace—bulging eyes, gaping torn mouth flashing jagged teeth. A normal kid would've bawled in terror, but my gaze stayed ice-cold, unmoved.
"...Not even flinching. Got it. You're no ordinary brat. Fine—I love special kids. Teaching fearlessness terror and despair? My one true calling!"
Handrek spread arms wide. Nails extended to 20cm instantly.
"Moment."
The world slowed.
Pulled the dagger hidden in my back pocket pre-arrival. Motion released Moment. Activated again, slashing pure white dagger at Handrek.
Startled, he jerked back—barely. Aimed at head, blade sank into chest. Like cutting tofu, minimal resistance. Slashed down to gut.
"Gaaaaah! You little shit!!"
Blood sprayed, splattering me.
'Moment.'
Dodged his claw swipe backward via Moment.
"Moca!"
"Kweuk!"
Moca swooped, gripped my shoulder, soared skyward. Distance from Handrek yawned open.
"Aaaah! No healing! It won't heal!!"
Dark red blood oozed relentlessly from Handrek's wound.
"What did you do to me, brat!!"
"What? Just gave you a little stab. Though the knife's kinda special."
I taunted, twirling the small dagger.
In my first run, contracted to Demon King Mekin of Ruin, so couldn't use it—stuck in reality. Demons common in [God's Atlantis], [Reborn as Plum Swordmaster in Count's Family], [Path to Ascension of Light], etc. Figured it'd help someday.
'Originally S-rank, reinforced via Path to Ascension of Light to S+.'
Handrek trembled in agony, face twisting demonic.
"What're you trash doing?! Grab that brat! Kill him! Rip him apart!"
Furious Handrek pointed me out, ordering surrounding monsters.
All aggro shifted to me. But most couldn't fly or ranged attack. A hedgehog monster fired quills—Moca sidestepped easily.
"Y-you useless fucks!"
Grinding teeth, Handrek thrust palms at carousel. Black aura poured out, infusing it.
A dozen carousel horses turned monsters, flying at me.
"Aiming for my grandson? Dream on."
Sung Han-gu arrived on wind gusts, flicking his hand.
A legless giant man—upper wind spirit—unleashed power. Sky-falling gusts smashed horses to ground, shattering them.
"Grrr! Just stepped away briefly—what the hell! Damn it!"
Handrek targeted a medieval castle model structure with Monster Conversion. The 10m+ behemoth castle became a monster and stirred to life.