Veiled Alliances

A short while later.

"Then let's settle on that contract. We'll supply you with cores and monster byproducts, and in return, you'll ship us supplies at those prices. Deal?"

Phoenix hopped up onto a drum barrel. The chairman scrutinized the contract with a serious gaze.

"Something feels off."

The contract on the screen was a standard template prepared directly by the Milky Way side. Even so, the chairman meticulously checked it over multiple times for any flaws. It was only natural, given the hundreds of billions—trillions—of won at stake, but Phoenix just went ahead and signed her name in the signature field without a second thought. The chairman even had to explain it from the top, step by step.

The chairman whispered to Sang-woo, who stood behind him.

"Sang-woo, you think there's some kind of trap? What's your take?"

"They couldn't make a deal like this without absolute confidence in their core supply. ...I think it's fine. It means we won't have to keep getting screwed over by the Association and hunters, paying premium prices just to secure stock."

"Right? That's why I'm even more suspicious."

Turning his gaze, the chairman tapped the screen and addressed Phoenix.

"Hey. You really confident you can deliver this many cores in three months? This quantity would last the whole country a year."

"Plenty. And if we can't, I'll throw in an S-rank core, remember?"

"That's what bugs me—it's too good a deal for you. Food, clothes, relief supplies... how much could that even cost? You planning to set up a refugee camp in Seoul or something?"

The chairman pointed out the payment method Phoenix had proposed: massive sums of cash swapped for regular shipments of food and relief goods to Seoul.

"Refugee camp? Seoul's going to be our forward operating base."

"If you're picking a fight with the Korean government, I can just rip this contract up, right?"

Phoenix shook her head with a laugh.

"Not fighting the Korean government. I'm Korean—why would I?"

"...You are?"

Doubt filled the chairman's eyes. There were Koreans with the surname 'Phee,' sure, but the girl in front of him, named 'Nix,' didn't look the least bit East Asian.

"Yeah. Think of me as... someone who needed a clean slate on her past. Heh."

Phoenix brushed it off vaguely. The chairman's expression grew grave.

"You don't have some grudge against the president or anything dramatic like that, do you? Tragic backstory, but came back to Korea for her homeland?"

"Not me. Believe what you want. Point is, we're partners now."

Phoenix approached the chairman and extended her hand. He shook it reluctantly.

"Looking forward to doing business. Miss Chairman of Yuseong."

"...?!"

Shock rippled across the chairman's face. At the same time, the female secretary beside him whipped out a gun and aimed it at Phoenix.

Bang!

The trigger pulled without warning. The mana-infused bullet streaked toward Phoenix's forehead like a beam of light.

Swish.

The edge of the veil hanging over Phoenix's head wrapped around the bullet. The 9mm round was snatched up and crumpled harmlessly.

"Quick on the draw. Brought two just in case?"

Whoosh.

Flames erupted from Phoenix's hand, engulfing the chairman. He panicked and tried to pull away, but the azure flames swallowed him whole even faster.

Sizzle. Crackle.

The stench of burning oil filled the air as the chairman collapsed, revealing his skeletal mechanical frame.

Phoenix tossed aside the mechanical arm that had been shaking her hand.

Clunk.

The crumpled metal arm grazed the secretary's high heel beside the chairman. Her eyes gleamed with golden starlight as she kept her gun trained on Phoenix.

"......Who the hell are you."

"Told you. Phoenix of the Azure Flame."

Phoenix leaped from the barrel and shot out through the hole in the ceiling. The secretary pursued with lightning-fast movements, bursting out of the container.

"...."

Phoenix savored the cool sea breeze as she greeted the secretary. Small flaming wings adorned her back.

"Our Black Market handles match, so hit me up whenever. Next time, I'd like to chat with you directly, not the puppet."

With that, Phoenix rocketed into the sky. The secretary lowered her gun, unable to track the speed with the naked eye.

* * *

"......What the hell was that?"

The girl yanked off her VR headset and sat up. The line connecting to the hulking male 'Automaton-Xroid' linked via mana brainwaves was severed.

"Baek Sang-woo. You knew?"

The girl rubbed the sheets on her bed, lost in thought.

"So she knows my identity to some extent...."

"No. Just clean up the traces and recover the puppet. The chairman's out cold and useless, so dock half the fee."

The girl cut the comms and flopped back onto the bed. Her molten-gold hair splayed out like a mess.

"Head already hurts from company crap...."

She'd just muttered in surprise, and the other side had gleefully spilled all sorts of backstory. Playing along had netted her some wild info—stuff that could backfire big time if she ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠poked too hard.

"Sigh."

She'd dug through the Black Market and found her mark: Phoenix of the Azure Flame. The Black Market SNS was already flooded with curses and backlash.

Her finger hovered over the 'add friend' tab before stopping short.

"...Yeah. No need to stir the pot."

What mattered was the massive core supply headed her way. No point digging up dirt and starting trouble. If she needed intel later, she'd meet in person and pry it out. The girl might even blab high-value secrets in excitement. Truth meant profit; lies were just gossip.

Knock knock.

"Miss. Call from BH."

"What? Damn it. For what?"

"They've invited Yuseong, KS, UJ, and other industry leaders. Probably soliciting investments for the Seoul reclamation op."

"...Ugh. Fine. Gimme a sec to prep."

The girl rose from bed. With all puppet links severed, starlight swirled in her right eye.

"Next time we meet, she's paying for the puppet."

* * *

The sun sets.

Overlooking Seoul from the rooftop of the 63 Building felt fresh in a whole new way. Having just met the chairman of what would later become the Yuseong Republic—and one of the heroines—no wonder my emotions were all jumbled.

Bzzz.

So I'd headed straight to a high spot upon arriving in Seoul to catch the breeze ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and the view.

'Southward, it still feels somewhat livable.'

But turning north? Pure war-torn ruins. The divide across the Han River stemmed from one monster nesting in Seoul City Hall.

'The owner of Seoul.'

An ultra-monster incomparable to the West Sea weapons. This S-rank behemoth claimed City Hall and the entire north side as its turf. Other monsters steered clear of its territory, slinking south via alternate routes—over the bridges.

Dozens of bridges spanned the Han. All but the Mapo Bridge linking Yeouido to Seoul were destroyed. Some fell to hero-monster clashes, others were demolished by engineers to stem monster waves.

Once those grand bridges became land invasion paths, the president made a radical call alongside abandoning Shin Seoul.

- Demolish all bridges crossing Seoul before the Shin Seoul withdrawal.

The shocking order sparked outrage amid the capital shift, but the monster hordes forced it through. Seon Ui-cheol argued for sparing at least one, and with no engineers available for Yeouido's Mapo Bridge, the rest sank to the riverbed.

You're abandoning citizens who haven't crossed yet?!

"I take full responsibility and will step down."

Facing backlash for dooming north-of-Han residents, the president abdicated in Shin Seoul. Seon Ui-cheol's faction filled the void, and he seized the presidency through sheer grit.

"More like lifelong dictator now, though."

Constitutional limits like single terms held no sway against his prowess and charisma. His congressional allies rammed through amendments lifting term limits, backed by Shin Seoul masses. He's cruising his second term.

'Lame duck hits hard in five years.'

Pyongyang Incident '12, capital shift '14. By the original 2025—13 years in—Seoul's unrestalled, Shin Seoul's shaky, presidency wobbles.

But it's 2020 now.

'Their power's still ironclad.'

Not for nothing is he Shin Seoul's king. And that king will pour everything into reclaiming Seoul.

"Snow Flower Princess and Fire Fist."

Snow Flower Princess, Seok Ha-rang. S-rank female hero, one of the main heroines. Like Unjang, S-rank from recruitment—pain to fight, but enemies now, so deal with it.

And Fire Fist. Hero Lee Seung-hyung.

"...The guy who was flirting with Cheon Ga-eul."

I pulled out my smartphone and reviewed search history.

The hero I'd planted a bomb in had been filming a melodrama with Cheon Ga-eul right up to the gates opening—even gearing for a kiss scene.

Crack.

Perched on the railing, my left hand shattered the rooftop barrier. I set down the phone and slapped my cheek.

"Snap out of it."

'She's not even my ex.'

Obsessing over every heroine's past would explode my brain. Game encounters are just the game. No petty jealousy. None.

Beep beep.

My smartwatch chimed. Deok-bae's face appeared on the screen.

"What's up? I thought you finished contacting everyone."

"For real?"

I vaulted the railing. Wings unfurled mid-leap as I soared to the Guro hideout.

About ten seconds, cloaked in lingering sunset glow, before landing. Deok-bae, spotting me through the broken window, hung up.

"Where you been? Just got ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠here?"

"Was sightseeing Seoul from on high. Where's Kim Ji-hwa?"

No sign of Beacon anywhere in the chairman's office. Deok-bae pointed downstairs.

"Collapsed from overwork. Shoulda eased up—goblin or not."

"Too much for one guy, huh?"

"Ex-manager, remember? Handed him a whole org's workload. Not collapsing would've been weird."

Overloaded relative to ability, sure—but his obsession to impress me probably pushed him too far.

"Gotta give him an A-rank core later. So you know the spot?"

Deok-bae nodded, tapping his smartwatch. A map of Seoul from above popped up on mine.

"Scanned around Gangnam like you said. This spot's the prime suspect."

Gangnam—still with some heroes and hunters stationed, tiny population clinging on. Beacon's mark sat smack in the center: a familiar building.

"Oh."

Matched the original game's intel. So-called 'Villain Alliance' loved discreet spots with foot traffic for meets. Beacon's find fit perfectly.

"And the guy matching your description."

A black-suited gentleman, funeral-attire vibe, entered from the parking lot.

"That's him."

Villain Alliance member, Gangnam faction boss: Haneulseong. The building? A hospital.

I checked the time. 6:30 PM.

"Summit at midnight, then."

Villain meets always happen deep night.

* * *

Same time, New Seoul Government Building conference room.

Yuseong Group Chairman Eun Jae-min nodded with a friendly smile.

"...Thus, for this Seoul reclamation, we ask the support of business, politics, and the Association...."

President Seon Ui-cheol's long speech from the head seat wrapped up. Break time before specifics; Eun Jae-min rose casually.

"Hm? Jae-min, heading out?"

KS Chairman beside him asked. Wheelchair-bound for photos earlier, now vibrant in his seat—thanks to core-energy tonics from KS Pharma. He was living proof.

"...Bathroom break."

"Ah, right. Heh."

To the curt reply, KS Chairman pivoted to another attendee. Eun Jae-min slipped out, dodging stares.

"......."

En route to the restroom, Eun Jae-min halted. A white-haired girl blocked the path.

"Going somewhere?"

"...Can't even hit the john?"

Seok Ha-rang chewed bubblegum loudly, pointing at the men's room.

"Sis, step in there and it's misdemeanor territory, yeah?"

Eun Jae-min scanned: just them. He sighed.

"...Ha-rang. Pretty sure I asked you to play along when I'm using my ability."

"Just us."

Light gleamed from Eun Jae-min's eyes. A screen from his mechanical irises showed a weary blonde girl.

"Let's find somewhere quiet first. Awkward here."

Eun Yu-ha, puppeteering the Eun Jae-min doll remotely, pointed down the hall to a lounge.

Ha-rang grinned mischievously, flashing her smartwatch.

"Sis wants another scandal with me?"

"Shut it. No patience for games today—follow."

Ha-rang trailed the stomping doll to the empty lounge.

Whirr.

Fresh coffee aroma wafted from the premium machine.

Ha-rang spat her gum into tissue, tossed it, sipped her cup.

"Ugh, bitter."

"Just drink. Know how rare beans are these days?"

"Coffee? Canned's fine. Mix is tasty enough."

Yu-ha's hand trembled onscreen, lifting her cup. Ha-rang coughed, dialect slipping, cleared her throat.

"Listen. You don't get coffee...."

"Yeah, yeah. Hillbilly like me wouldn't. Fine."

"Become S-rank and you're dead. Mana-force coffee three meals a day."

"Pfft. You? ...Nah, sorry."

Ha-rang's clasped hands and bow softened Yu-ha. Playful, but she knew limits.

"How'd a kid like you uncover me...."

"Not just me. Gwanggeom knows. Any S-rank you meet senses it."

Ha-rang clenched fists, mana bursting.

"S-ranks read mana naturally. Your puppets have it, but no... life. Even perfect dolls fool up to A; S-ranks clock it. 'Something off.' Touch? Busted. You shook my hand."

"Ah."

Yu-ha set down her cup, realization dawning. The blue tyrant had demanded a handshake immediately.

"...For real?"

As Yu-ha pondered gravely, Ha-rang mana-purified air moisture into her cup. Espresso diluted to scented drink.

The Eun Jae-min doll mirrored the worry when the lounge door opened.

"Ah, here you are. As expected... Chairman Yuseong?"

Lee Seung-hyung entered. Ha-rang yelped loudly.

"Wait, just so you know! Me and Chairman Eun Jae-min are noooothing!"

"No, that's not—"

Seung-hyung's eyes half-lidded. White flames flickered; Ha-rang jolted up, spilling coffee.

Crash.

Cup shattered, coffee splashing. Ha-rang froze. Splatter hit Eun Jae-min's white slacks hem.

"......Huh?"

Golden starlight flashed in Eun Jae-min's eyes. Gaze shifting between Ha-rang, floor, Seung-hyung—expression hardened.

Lee Seung-hyung. S-rank.

"Hold on."

Seung-hyung ignited mana-flames in his palm. Yu-ha stared, entranced, at the white blaze that'd one-shotted a fire dragon. It incinerated floor coffee and shards—utterly, no ash or scorch.

"Pardon."

White flames licked Eun Jae-min's hem, burning only the stain flawlessly.

"Whoa, legit. Epic."

Ha-rang clapped in awe. Yu-ha, watching via doll, inwardly marveled.

"Real inner flames, huh? Pretty."

"Right? You see it too."

"...Pardon?"

To Yu-ha's question, Seung-hyung smiled, reigniting on his finger. Pure white through the doll's eyes.

"Seems S-ranks see it. Haha. Oh, Ha-rang—VP's looking for you, urgent."

"For real? Time's... crap, screwed."

Ha-rang straightened clothes, headed for door—grabbed Seung-hyung's, mana-yanking him along.

"Wha—hey, the chairman—"

"Chairman needs solo biz thinking! Uncle, help me out! They'll suspect if I go alone!"

The two S-rank heroes hustled back to the conference.

Alone, Eun Jae-min—Yu-ha—frowned in thought. Phoenix's words echoed.

"Playing those two with one hand?"

The villain's arrogant confidence against untouchable prodigies unnerved her. What if she botched the reclamation and planted her flag in Seoul?

Visions of the trio clashing downtown plagued her. Yu-ha nodded, raising the doll.

'Side with the money.'