Sun Eternal! The Miracle of Awakening
"The government officially declared they'll reclaim Seoul. Straight from President Seon Ui-cheol himself."
As Cheon Ga-eul spoke, the villains perked up and listened intently. Whether it was the mysterious aura she exuded or their hunger for a beautiful woman, they were utterly captivated by her voice.
"Over a hundred heroes have expressed their intent to join, officially or otherwise. That means pretty much all the heroes from Gyeonggi and Incheon are marching into Seoul right now. And not half-assed C- or B-ranks like you lot—they're battle-hardened A-rank veterans with tons of experience fighting monsters."
"You calling us weak right n—"
"I'm talking."
One villain shot to his feet in rage, but when Ga-eul pointed a finger at him, he slunk back into his seat.
"And get this—two S-ranks are coming with them. Any of you got an S-rank? Speak up if you do."
The villains all fell silent. Only Haneulseong opened his mouth with confidence.
"If the whole organization piles on, we can handle it. But can your group take down two S-ranks?"
"Of course. Both of them."
Ga-eul's bold declaration made Earth Dog—who'd just healed his wounds with mana—leap up and shout.
"Bullshit! No ability user in Korea can beat that ice bitch! Not even that Fire Fist wannabe!"
"That's why they sent us. Fight under Cheonghwadan, and we beat the heroes. The Association. All of them. Simple, right?"
Earth Dog pointed at his own neck in disbelief. The branded pine tree pattern was etched into his flayed skin like a slave mark.
"Know what this is? It's the slave brand for villains 'resocialized' by those government bastards. The bitch who caught me and threw me in prison? Snow Flower Princess!"
"You got caught 'cause you're weak. We're different."
"Ha! If you can win, handle it yourself. Why come here bitching?"
Ga-eul crossed her legs. As her priestess robe slipped, revealing the curve of her jeans-clad thigh, Earth Dog gulped.
"We're offering you a chance. Join Cheonghwadan. Anyone who signs up now, I'll recommend for lieutenant. What do you say?"
The villains burst into laughter. Ga-eul's smile didn't waver.
"A chance? Kahaha! Who do you think we are, street rats?"
"Think you're hot shit 'cause you got telekinesis, granny? Older and weaker than Snow Flower Princess? Shut it if you're jealous."
Ga-eul's lips twitched. A rough surge of mana trembled in her shoulders. She placed a hand there lightly.
"No need to drag this out. Hands up if you wanna join Cheonghwadan."
Of course, no one raised a hand. Ga-eul shrugged as if she'd expected it.
"Fine. Can't blame you for hesitating to suddenly swear loyalty. You've got your own crews, your pride. So here's the deal—I'll give one person, just one, a shot."
Ga-eul's eyes scanned the villains. Her index and middle fingers walked across the table like spider legs, stopping to point at the man opposite her. His seat had papers labeled Songpa and Black Goat.
"You. B-rank, right?"
"Nope. A-rank."
Ga-eul chuckled at Black Goat's calm demeanor.
"B-rank tail-end ain't A-rank. It's like scoring 79 on an 80-cut exam—they don't pass you."
"Yeah, I'm still a B-rank scrub. So what's your point?"
Black Goat stood. Dark red flames erupted from his hands.
"Say the word if you wanna burn. I'll ash you without a bone left—"
"We'll upgrade your ability. To A-rank. Right now."
Black Goat's flames snuffed out. His eyes shook as he glanced around in shock. The others gaped, speechless.
"Th-this crazy bitch... Haneulseong! How long you gonna let this slide? Kick her out and start the real meeting!"
"...Hold on."
Haneulseong raised a hand to silence the others and pointed at the standing Black Goat. His slit eyes under white brows glared at Ga-eul—and behind her.
"Cheonghwadan from Guro, right?"
"Guro and Yeongdeungpo, yeah. Cheonghwadan."
"If you really want a voice here, prove your power."
"How?"
Haneulseong steadied his trembling mana and jabbed at Black Goat.
"Like you said. Make that guy A-rank. Right now."
"Sure? Easy."
Ga-eul hopped onto the table. Her high heels clicked across it, men's eyes glued to her legs flashing through the robe slits as they swallowed hard.
"Head."
Standing before Black Goat, she extended her right hand like giving a blessing. Black Goat shot Haneulseong a look.
"Haneulseong, we really doing this?"
"Do it. I'll move the second anything fishy happens."
"If you insist, boss."
Shaking off unease, Black Goat clasped his hands mockingly.
"So, which god now? Jesus? Buddha? Allah? Or you starting a new cult?"
Ga-eul scowled briefly.
"...The sun."
"Huh?"
Ga-eul lifted her veil higher with her left hand, her neck flushing faintly beneath.
"Say 'Sun eternal' once."
"Puhahaha!"
Black Goat doubled over laughing. The other villains weren't much better.
"Kuh, Pine Tree Unit rampaging in the provinces, and now a cult in Seoul! Fine, like this?"
Dead serious now, Black Goat knelt on one knee like being knighted, arms outstretched to Ga-eul, face full of mockery.
"Sun eternal! K-kahaha... ha?"
Mana boiled inside Black Goat. His skin cracked, flakes crumbling away. Dark red flames ignited across his body.
"She's nuts—"
"Stand down!!"
Haneulseong's roar unleashed mana, freezing the men mid-rise with weapons drawn.
"No way!"
Earth Dog gawked at Ga-eul and Black Goat, eyes full of doubt. His glance met Haneulseong's—they shared the same thought.
"Real awakening?"
The growth from one ability rank to the next. Earth Dog, who'd clawed his way from B to A, couldn't believe his eyes.
"O-ooh! Hiyaah! Grroooaaarrrgh!!"
Black Goat bellowed inhumanly, tears streaming. The dark red flames blazing brighter, purer than before.
Crackle.
His shed dead skin and waste burned away, leaving baby-smooth flesh. And the villains sensed it.
"Evolved... to A-rank...?"
B-ranks felt him surpass them; A-ranks felt a lesser leap to their level in an instant.
"S-sun eternal!"
A villain from Gangdong bolted up, eyes desperate. The others looked much the same.
"Hmph. Train left the station."
Ga-eul ignored their stares, stepping down and reclaiming her seat.
"Meeting resume? This should be proof enough."
All nodded, glancing at Haneulseong—who wasn't stopping her. He looked antsy, like the rest. As the one closest to the next rank yet stuck, he burned most.
Haneulseong pressed.
"How'd you force an ability awakening?"
"Can't tell you that. Wanna know?"
Ga-eul pointed downward with her index finger.
"Join Cheonghwadan. We'll reward based on power and contributions. Awakenings included—don't forget."
"Then why awaken him for free?!"
Earth Dog fumed jealously. Ga-eul smirked silently.
"Promo ended, dummy. They know better than anyone how hard awakening is. You're lucky—you had the guts to guinea pig."
Black Goat dropped to his knees in gratitude.
"T-take me with you! I'll join your group!"
His eyes had been glued to Ga-eul since the flames died. The other villains glared bitterly.
"No shame..."
"Shut it! She made me A-rank! She's a saint sent by God! No—the god!"
His fanaticism even creeped out Ga-eul, dredging up old research from a cult drama shoot.
She cleared her throat to refocus.
"Ahem. Want in? Yeouido, noon tomorrow."
"Yeouido? That demon realm?"
Earth Dog sneered.
"Listen. Island crawling with S-rank monsters. Only path over Hangang. Even suicides avoid it now."
"Don't wanna come? Don't. No cowards needed."
Ga-eul rose.
"No need to rebel against the country. Run if you want. But..."
Fwoosh.
Her hand on the table ignited it in azure flames. Villains scrambled back; she smirked and pointed elegantly, one by one.
"Songpa, Gangnam, Seocho, Dongjak, Geumcheon, Yangcheon, Gangseo... Gwanak wiped by last dimension gate? Hmm."
Ga-eul locked eyes with each district rep, memorizing faces.
"When Cheonghwadan takes Seoul, runaways won't set foot here again."
Silence met her ultimatum. As she turned to leave, Earth Dog blocked her.
"Where you going! Y-yeah! You're an Association spy, right?! Luring us to Yeouido for arrest! Then Pine Tree brands!"
"Your delusions going overboard, buddy?"
"Quiet! Saint? God? Bull! She's a witch! Dragging us to death!"
Spewing spit, swinging a concrete sword, Earth Dog looked unhinged. Ga-eul shook her head pityingly.
"I don't wanna kill you. I wanna save you."
"Shut your trap!"
Earth Dog charged, concrete sword raised. Haneulseong and Black Goat lunged—but he was faster.
"Die!!"
Ga-eul just lifted her robe slightly.
[.......]
Earth Dog froze, sword clattering down. His eyes shook wildly, fixated on the orbs dangling inside her robe like grapes.
"If I wanted you dead, I'd have unleashed these already. Right?"
Ga-eul shrugged off her robe; dozens of orbs tumbled across the floor. The villains gasped at the sight.
C- to B-rank cores. All of them.
"Why so shocked?"
Ga-eul scooped one and tossed it to Earth Dog. He dove, catching it midair—then gaped at the blue membrane encasing it.
"This a... core?"
"Won't trip detectors unless you rip it. Plenty here—grab what you want on your way out. Your Yeouido invites."
Ga-eul waved and strode out. With the inviter gone and cores rolling, villains eyed each other.
"...M-mine first!"
"Fuck off, that's mine!!"
They scrambled, snatching cores. Only Haneulseong sat eyes closed, brooding.
* * *
A bit later, over Gangnam skies.
"Ga-eul-ssi, be honest. Lots of experience, but no lead actress awards, right?"
"You dissing my acting now?"
Ga-eul pouted; Phoenix chuckled heartily. Back to humanoid form after leaving S Hospital, she cradled Ga-eul, flying leisurely to Guro. Azure flame wings flapped against the night sky.
"Not dissing—just saying I'd be better at threats."
"...Not acting?"
"Nope. For real."
Phoenix grinned, twirling her veil. Ga-eul yelped at the wingbeats, clinging tighter to her neck.
"B-but flying with wings at night... won't we get spotted?"
Phoenix's humanoid wings were smaller than her monster form's.
"Nah. Perception block magic's up—no satellites, high enough for eyes. Safe."
"Magic...? Phoenix-ssi, where's the limit on your abilities?"
"Mana's mana—ability or magic, same thing. Hmm, everything but healing. That's water-exclusive, my opposite."
"...Rambling again?"
Phoenix winked playfully, hunting a new topic.
"Insulation magic on you now—feel it? We're high up; it'd be freezing."
"...How high?"
"Airplane altitude?"
Eek! Ga-eul pressed closer. Princess-carried midair, but Phoenix's arms felt feather-light. Sadly for Ga-eul, Phoenix was much smaller-framed.
"Can't you hold me in monster form?!"
"No. 'Kaijin' form changes mindset—inhuman thoughts. Like I'm not me."
"Yeah, speech changes too. Oh."
Ga-eul gasped in realization.
"The bet! What about it? I did everything you said—just invited to Yeouido and done."
Script prepped, but Phoenix puppeteered every line via improv. Even awakening Gangdong's villain? Phoenix, invisible behind Ga-eul.
"Failed to recruit, so bet on hold. Showed Cheonghwadan's might, but didn't snag minions. Your villain act sucked, so I'll accept later—"
"Hey!"
Ga-eul bellowed, cutting her off. Phoenix halted midair, hovering.
"You're messing with me! I followed orders exact—and this is the result! You own the outcome... uh... ssi..."
Ga-eul's voice trailed. Phoenix stared silently, then lifted her torso closer.
Thump.
Ga-eul swallowed at the near face.
"Cheon Ga-eul."
Phoenix whispered in her ear.
"Casual speech when alone. Okay?"
"Huh?"
Phoenix flared wings, accelerating.
"Back to base for next prep? Ga-eul, like rollercoasters?"
"Eek! Stop, stop! Why so fast?!"
"Bet results after Guro! Gotta hurry, right?"
"What?! Hey, hey! Kyaaaaah!!"
Swerving side-to-side, looping, barrel rolls—Phoenix's aerobatics made Ga-eul scream, hugging tighter. Mischief danced on Phoenix's lips.