Chapter 37: 23:59:47 (1)
Chapter 37: 23:59:47 (1)
“The surgery is over.”
“Took a bit longer than expected.”
“Your Mana Paths were incredibly thick. It was quite a challenge to stitch them back together.”
Restoring a missing part using Cultivation Technology. I had heard stories, but this was the first time I’d actually experienced it on my own body.
I hopped off the Operating Table and examined my left shoulder. Aside from the suture marks, there were no glaring issues.
“Usually, isn't there a difference in skin tone?”
“Maybe it’s because Crimson★Hammer is an eternal Magical Girl, so your skin stays as fresh as a newborn’s. Let’s just call it a win-win.”
She probably thought she was being funny. Oxymoron cracked a joke that wasn't even amusing and then burst into laughter herself.
“Haha. Come to think of it, your appearance hasn't changed once since the Management Bureau was founded.”
“Yeah. I can’t transform, I don’t grow taller, and I don’t gain weight. I sometimes doubt if this is even a human body.”
“I checked while we were doing the cultivation; genetically, you are definitely human.”
“Is that so?”
To be honest, my appearance is a prickly subject for me. I’ve been a Hero for thirty years, and my looks have been frozen for nearly fifteen of them, yet I still haven't gotten used to it.
It felt like the conversation would keep circling back to my looks if I let it, so I moved on to something else to cut her off.
I pulled the sleeve back down over my left shoulder, shifted my hammer to my left hand, and gave it a light swing.
It was a display of pure technique without any power behind it, just to check if the nerves were properly connected.
The Hammer cut through the air, tracing a perfect circle.
I kept the rotation going.
With a light flick of my fingers, I reversed the rotation of The Hammer’s head.
Exactly half a rotation. Now, a form change.
Clank. Clank.
Mana seeped into The Hammer, and it shifted its shape mid-spin.
Ignite.
Whoosh!
Short bursts of flame erupted from the Afterburner at the back of The Hammer, and it spun rapidly around my left hand, which acted as a fixed axis.
Now, let’s try whatever comes to mind.
A great rotation, a short grip, an uppercut, a weapon hook.
A continuous chain of derivative techniques flowed from my hand.
I had started this just to see if there were any problems with my left hand, but doing it after so long was surprisingly fun.
“You’re as skilled as ever. Even among Martial Artists, it’s rare to see someone become one with their weapon like that.”
“Back in the day, I didn't have anything else to do. I had no choice if I wanted to survive.”
Back when I was judged an F-Rank Awakened because I had no abilities. My only lifeline was this strangely sturdy and multi-functional hammer. That was why I did nothing but hone the way I swung it.
To save the people within my reach.
“I remember hearing about that. That’s why the Heavenly Demon Sword God Old Man mistook you for a Martial Artist.”
“I’m only here because of that misunderstanding. Thanks to him, I learned how to train the excess mana I had.”
Even Un-ho probably didn't realize I was such a bottom-tier Magical Girl that I had to manually perform my own physical reinforcement.
To think that only my basic physique would be enhanced and I’d have to do everything else myself. I was the only Hero like that.
Well, enough about the past.
The condition of my left hand wasn't bad.
Even though it was a new hand that hadn't been broken in, it moved as if it had been with me from the start. Mana flowed through it well, and fine adjustments were accurate without any margin of error.
Still, perhaps because it was a new hand, there was a slight sense of dissonance, but not enough to be a problem.
It was a level of dissonance where I couldn't tell if it was from not using my left hand for a while or from having a new arm attached.
“I should be able to fight right away.”
“Still, please try to use your right hand as much as possible for the time being. If you take in a massive amount of mana, the sutures might snap under the strain.”
“Got it.”
Just as I was about to put The Hammer away and finish the check-up—
Click.
“Is Hero Lee Ha-ram here?”
The door to the Operating Room opened, and Park Hyun-seok walked in.
“What brings a busy man like you looking for me?”
“I’ve finished all my work, so don't worry.”
A friend who still couldn't take a joke.
Seeing him look exactly the same as usual despite being in a state of war almost made me hallucinate that we were in a time of peace.
“Oxymoron is here too. Good. I have a message from Macbeth.”
A message from the Commander. It must be about deployment.
“Read it to me.”
“Very well. I shall read it.”
『Lee Ha-ram is to be stationed at the barrier installed in front of Japan; Oxymoron is to remain on standby in the rear. Civilian evacuation is expected to be completed within 48 hours, and the second barrier will be installed along the Tsushima line.』
At least 48 hours at the first line of defense. The final defense line for East Asia would be the Tsushima line.
『We expect the Leader Entity to head toward Lee Ha-ram’s position, so give it your all. In the worst-case scenario, you may evacuate all remaining personnel and face it alone. I have already notified the commander of the relevant unit, so hold the line for 48 hours by any means necessary.』
He really intends to work me to the bone. I have no complaints, though. He’s simply assigned me the duty I ought to perform.
“And below that, there is a prophecy regarding this war. Do you wish to hear it?”
A prophecy from Uncle Macbeth.
Hearing those always gives me a headache.
Prophecies consisting of three short sentences connecting the past, present, and future.
They have no effect on their own, but the moment the subject hears them, they become a magic that binds them.
There’s usually nothing to gain from hearing one, but if Uncle Macbeth asked, it probably wasn't something that would be harmful to hear.
“Tell me.”
“Then I shall read.”
『The Gray Host has turned the clock hands.』
『He who has no name has taken a new step.』
『What is needed is a single strike at the needed time; if you wish to reach it, do not miss the timing of the two.』
As expected, I have no idea.
The only part I can understand is the past.
Once it gets to the present, it becomes a bizarre sentence I can't decipher. Even if I asked Macbeth, he’d probably just say he doesn't know either.
A single strike. Is he talking about my hammer?
Roughly speaking, it probably means a timing will come where I can definitely finish The Enemy.
The problem is what "the timing of the two" means…
“Hyun-seok. Do you have any idea what that means?”
“It would be best to conserve your strength. Since we don't know when the opportunity will come, leave enough power for a final, ultimate blow. Ha-ram.”
That’s such a textbook answer I can’t even argue with it. But at least our interpretation of the "strike" matches.
“Is that all for the briefing?”
“Yes.”
Park Hyun-seok said that and looked at me, his back straight.
Even though he had delivered everything he needed to, his eyes scanned me from head to toe.
I could see exactly what he was thinking as his gaze lingered on my left arm and right eye.
“Do you have something else to say?”
“No.”
So dishonest.
“Just say you’re worried because your friend got hurt. Is it really that hard to say?”
“Hahat.”
Oxymoron burst out laughing, finding our conversation amusing.
Perhaps because of that laughter, a small smile played on Park Hyun-seok’s blunt face. A very slight change.
“Are your injuries alright? If it’s too much, I can submit a request to headquarters to delay your departure by about six hours.”
“If you want to see the barrier collapse within two hours, go ahead.”
Assuming the worst-case scenario, the front lines could be breached all over as soon as the battle starts, and I might have to hold out for 48 hours alone. And he wants me to sit out the first six hours?
He might as well be asking me to ruin all of East Asia.
“I figured you would say that.”
Hyun-seok turned away from me, his business concluded.
Click.
The back of the retired Hero, grasping the doorknob of the Operating Room just as he had when he entered, trying to fulfill his role.
“Come back alive. Ha-ram.”
The final message from my friend as he left the room.
“You think I’m gonna die?”
* * *
Zap. Zzzap.
The sound of sparks flying in the air.
At the same time my sense of balance warped, the four of us crossed through space.
“The static made a mess of my fur! Poyo.”
The first thing I felt was the sticky, salty sea air.
When I opened my eyes, a vast, wide ocean filled my vision.
The place we were standing was a towering barrier built over The Sea.
The first line of defense prepared by the Management Bureau and the Lord of Infinite Castles to stop this crisis.
A massive wall completed in a form that surrounded the Pacific. However, this wall wasn't meant to keep external enemies from invading.
It was a siege net to prevent the internal enemies from getting out past The Wall.
“Ugh… I’m dizzy.”
“Dizzy? I don’t feel… Whoa!”
The two disciples, experiencing teleportation magic for the first time, were making a scene.
Han A-bin’s face was turning pale as she clutched her mouth.
Baek Si-hyun, who seemed fine at first, let out a scream and tumbled to the floor the moment she tried to move her legs.
It looked like they both had motion sickness… Was Baek Si-hyun reinforcing her five senses? Her sense of balance is completely shot.
“I told you to block your senses beforehand because the motion sickness would be bad, didn't I?”
“It’s because their training is lacking. Poyo.”
Right. Even Un-ho is fine.
“This is beyond the level of motion sickness… urgh.”
“A-bin, help me up…”
Thud.
While trying to stand up by grabbing The Wall, Baek Si-hyun’s feet got tangled again, and she rolled across the floor.
To think those are my disciples. I’m just glad no one I know is watching.
“Recover on your own, and you two, make sure you fight well together. Don't die.”
“See you later!”
“Senior, please help us…”
“Master, save me!”
Leaving my disciples sprawling across the hallway, I climbed the stairs in front of me.
“They’ll recover in a few minutes. It’s just simple motion sickness.”
“How can a person become like this from simple motion sick— urgh.”
I hope they don't vomit in the hallway.
With every step up the stairs, the voices of my disciples grew distant.
Soldiers in unified uniforms ran through the corridors.
Management Bureau staff with standardized equipment dashed down the stairs.
Heroes, each flaunting their own individuality, brushed past me, laughing and chatting about how they were going to achieve great feats.
Passing all of them, I stepped out onto the open top of The Wall.
A wide horizon where the blue sky met the Blue Sea.
It could be called a beautiful sight, but to my extremely enhanced eyes, something alien was visible.
A gray line cutting between The Sea and the sky.
The Enemy of my story, approaching to devour the world.
I pulled out my hammer and the metal rod and sat on the edge of The Wall.
Snap.
I bit down on the white metal rod.
Thump.
As I leaned The Hammer against my shoulder, Un-ho saw my actions and slowly climbed onto my head.
Did he really gain weight? He felt light ten years ago, but now it feels like something quite plump has settled on top of my head.
“Is it the usual?”
“Yeah.”
“Don't worry too much. The ones invading are the bad guys.”
“If only I could think that simply.”
I closed my eyes and quietly organized my emotions.
The voices of countless people reached my ears.
“What a way to spend my final days of service.”
“Isn't it better than me? I just enlisted and this happens. Sergeant.”
“We can't lose to the Japanese or Chinese guys, okay? Got it?”
“The Chinese side is asking why they can't send more soldiers. How should we respond?”
“Tell them to send heavy weaponry instead. Why push in more soldiers?”
“Still no word from the Americans? What about air support?”
“The Americans say they’re too busy protecting themselves…”
“What happened to the reinforcements the Management Bureau promised?”
“They say they’ve already arrived.”
“I looked up that Public Enemy thing, and it’s no big deal. In the end, humanity won everything, and that’s why we’re standing here.”
“Isn't it just like when the Mobilization Order was issued? We just have to keep firing magic, right?”
“Must be nice for you guys. You have long-range attacks. I’m a melee type.”
“Still, it’s a large-scale battle after a long time. If we win, our recognition will skyrocket, right?”
“What kind of luck do I have to still be in the Bureau? I should have retired long ago.”
“It’s no big deal, right? The instructors said it’ll be over if we just close our eyes and keep shooting.”
“Yeah. Your life will be over.”
“Is it that bad? I’ve been on a few extermination operations, but this is my first large-scale battle.”
“When it’s over, you’ll probably see a year’s worth of salary in hazard pay.”
“That’s serious.”
Each conversation, each personality, each voice gathered in my ears.
I scraped them together inside my dark vision.
Even if they came here knowing nothing, even if they were mere clowns unsuited to be Heroes, at this moment, they were all comrades fighting for humanity.
I want to remember every person within my reach. That is why I focus my mind like this every time. An act to remember, even if just a little, the people who are about to disappear.
How many will die, and how many will return alive?
“Si-hyun, eat something. You’ll get hungry once the battle starts.”
“Don't you think I can go wilder if my stomach is a bit empty?”
“Senior said we might have to fight for 48 hours.”
“Then I definitely have to eat!”
The conversation of my disciples also caught my ear.
Bright voices that didn't yet know the misery of war.
A smile formed on my lips.
Tap. Tap.
Feeling the change in my expression, Un-ho tapped my head.
“Did something good happen?”
“Just… I felt like I should try a bit harder.”
“I’m glad you’ve cheered up.”
I opened my eyes and looked out at The Sea.
The gray line had grown thicker.
The wind blew.
My clothes fluttered.
“Un-ho.”
“Yes.”
“It’s been ten years; you can do this, right?”
“I am Lee Ha-ram’s mascot, after all. Don't worry.”
If that’s the case, you should lose some weight.