The Day of the Decisive Battle Dawns
The day of the decisive battle dawned. Mobilizing a quarter of all heroes in the Republic of Korea, including two S-ranks—this was the largest subjugation force Korea could muster. Shin Jin-gwang, who took command, received the baton directly from President Seon Ui-cheol and declared his resolve to carry out the operation.
"We'll reclaim Seoul."
With those words, the heroes boarded vehicles heading for Shin Seoul. April 13, 2020, 09:00 AM. Operation Seoul Reclamation began.
April 13, 9:20 AM, Gyeongbu Expressway
"Do we really gotta go all the way to Seoul like this?" Ha-rang scowled, her brows furrowing at the jolting seat. She'd thankfully conjured a mana cushion under her butt—if not, she'd have bruised it black and blue before even reaching the city.
"No choice. The roads are a mess." Seung-hyung gripped the handle with a bitter look. The military truck lurched violently as it rolled over a monster corpse abandoned in the lane.
"Ugh! Why's there a monster body every ten minutes?!"
"Hunters killed 'em on their way. No cores left, see?"
"Then clean 'em up, damn it!!"
She was snapping casually on purpose, it seemed. Seung-hyung averted his eyes from Ha-rang, who was starting to throw a hissy fit, and gazed down the road.
"......We can do this."
He clenched and unclenched his fist, checking his mana levels—all clear. He and Ha-rang had slipped out of the briefing hall at the right moment to conserve energy.
"Ugh, this ajusshi's showboating again. Ajusshi, this ain't a film set..."
Ha-rang trailed off. Seung-hyung shook his head with a gentle smile.
"It's fine. Really."
"Sorry. It's just... your vibe right now is..."
Ha-rang struggled to put the feeling into words. Just days ago, this guy had been wandering around like he was half-dead. Now he was channeling tragic hero mode, steeling his resolve like some brooding protagonist.
"I-I mean, everyone copes differently, but you'll be fine, ajusshi. Your future's looking bright... Haah, sorry. I'm new to this kinda thing."
"It's okay. I get it."
She'd grown up sheltered under strict care. A prodigy showing S-rank talent since childhood, she'd lived in a world far removed from death—like a flower in a greenhouse. That's why they called her the Snow Flower Princess. Transparent and pure like an ice blossom, Ha-rang lacked real-world experience.
"Let's talk ops. Command HQ's in Anyang, right?"
"Yeah. The sports complex. Where you took down the Fire Dragon. Room for 152 heroes' gear and billets, and no monsters come near—maybe 'cause of the dragon's lingering aura."
Seung-hyung found it surreal stepping back into the last place he'd been in Seoul. But a little thought made the reason for HQ there obvious: Seon Ui-cheol. By placing command there, he was branding it into people's minds. The hero who beat the Fire Dragon is reclaiming Seoul.
"We'll split into three teams in Anyang. West Team led by Tempest Lady and Unsa. East Team with Poong Baek and Usa. Then support: you and me."
Ha-rang puffed her cheeks in protest.
"This make any sense? Conserving power till we cross the Han? Pfft."
Monster Countermeasures Minister Shin Jin-gwang, the on-site commander, had split forces around A-rank heroes to tackle the City Hall snake. Advance teams would swing left and right around Gwanak Mountain, link up at Yeouido, then cross the Han with the two S-ranks to crush the S-rank boss at Seoul City Hall.
That was Phase 1. Ha-rang hated it.
"We're barely using mana on small fry anyway."
"Still uses some. Gotta understand."
"You bragging 'cause you got tons of mana? Compared to me, it's just a teensy bit more, y'know?"
Ha-rang stuck out her lip.
"What'd you eat growing up to explode with mana right after awakening? Some mana-fed wild ginseng?"
"Nah, just got desperate... How'd you hit S-rank?"
Ha-rang cupped her face like a flower bud and shrugged smugly.
"Born S-rank. Didn't know till Gwanggeom found me—I grew up in an orphanage."
"...Brag or sob story?"
"Both! When I find the parents who ditched me, I'll say: 'Mom, Dad! Your abandoned kid's an S-rank now!' Hehe."
"Uh... yeah. Impressive."
Seung-hyung scratched his cheek and looked skyward. Cloudless and clear.
"So anyway, first I'll flash my fortune at 'em..."
Ha-rang chattered excitedly. Seung-hyung tuned her out like white noise, lost in thought. Somewhere in Seoul was Cheon Ga-eul. Mid-April's spring sky was flawlessly clear, like autumn.
10:00 AM, 63 Building Rooftop
"Perfect weather for some villainy."
I lounged on the 63 Building rooftop, basking in the sun. Solar rays were prime mana recharge for me.
Deok-bae's voice from my smartwatch. I summoned a screen over my eyes.
"Lighthouse?"
Ga-eul, with Lighthouse, stayed silent. I prodded for her reply.
"Miss Ga-eul? Hear me?"
"Obviously. Swear you won't step outta the barrier?"
Ga-eul appeared on screen, lounging on the National Assembly speaker's office sofa. Flames sealed the door against outsiders.
"Watching the whole battlefield but fussing over surveillance? Ga-eul. If Lighthouse tries anything, gouge his eyes. I'll fix 'em later."
Ji-hwa sniffled theatrically, hand to eyes. But he was overseeing the field.
♩♩♬♪
A tiny canary landed on my finger. This mini-Phoenix—modeled after my true form—was one of dozens scattered across the battlefield. They doubled as mana relays boosting Lighthouse's ability.
Lighthouse now shared all their visions. A report came from the mini-nix on Gwanak peak, eyeing south Seoul. Something caught its eye.
"Lighthouse!"
Via mini-nix relay, azure eyes patterned Lighthouse's hand, covering his own eyes. Whoosh. Blue flames in eye shape ignited atop the National Assembly.
Linking mini-nix to Lighthouse elevated his scouting. Far Sight—now grasping all south Seoul at a glance. He was the battlefield's CCTV, its satellite.
"Enemy positions?"
"Why there...? Fine. Where's Fire Fist and Snow Flower Princess?"
Odd. Why bench the top guns?
Enemy commander's ex-military. Assume zero hero-leading skill...
Something schemed. Thousands of possibilities flashed.
Most likely: Keep it simple. No need to overthink. Power conservation.
C~B-ranks handle trash mobs, A+ for named or threats. Only one spot needing S-ranks across Seoul.
Preserving for the City Hall snake assault.
"Lighthouse, enemy movements? Changes?"
"Good."
Assuming Cheonghwa-dan unseen, heroes watch only for monsters/villains. Reclaiming all Seoul means saving power for tougher north-of-Han.
I traced enemy paths on the map.
Even if vet commander...
Skirt Gwanak left/right northbound. Clear monsters, nab villains en route. Split forces reconverge at Yeouido—the sole Han crossing.
"Was worried if they crossed Gwanak. Perfect. Stick to plan. Any notables on our side?"
"Oh? Meaning?"
East heroes headed Seocho as expected. West along Line 1 toward Yeouido. Right on script.
"Time to roll. Jo Deok-bae, you hear?"
Deok-bae grumbled on screen. Hated his Rock Monster codename, but real name embarrassed him too.
"Cheonghwa-dan rewards meritocracy. Below B-rank? Grunts. B-up get nicknames. Hustle, Grunt #1."
Deok-bae nearly chucked his gear, gesturing wildly but holding back. I giggled.
"Don't rage. Nail this, I'll hook you up with cores."
"Different. Last time you went wild."
I drew his route on the map—zigzagging Geumcheon alleys from four-lane to Guro Digital Complex—and sent it.
"Drag all alley monsters to main roads. Got it?"
Deok-bae held a mana-charged spirit stone.
10:10 AM, Anyang Command HQ
Shin Jin-gwang gripped his baton tight to hide trembling hands. Tension? Fear? No.
This is my shot...!
Euphoria. Duty's weight. Sweet dreams of glory and power post-success. Above all, the baton itself thrilled him.
"A-Team, respond."
"B-Team, respond."
Shin cut the mic and chuckled muffled. Weeks ago, he'd idolized these A-ranks. Now they answered like toy soldiers.
He itched to drill them like troops, but lacked pull. After Seoul, then Pyongyang. He tapped the screen map with his baton.
"A-Team, advance along Gyeongsu-daero. B-Team, to Gwacheon as ordered."
Shin frowned at Poong Baek's jab. A-rank senior or not, he commanded.
"Mind your tongue, Agent Poong Baek. Warning."
"Changing B-Team lead! Transfer authority to Usa!"
Irritated, Shin barked. Operators scrambled. Mostly D-ranks handling relays, spotting.
"Do it!"
Swapping field lead for bad mouth? Outrageous. They grimaced unseen but knew Poong Baek's history, Shin's background—obey or else.
"Transferring B-Team field command to Usa."
"Comms! Cut 'em!"
Operators stared, then severed. Shin flushed crimson.
"These bastards...!"
Baton quivered. Operators froze under his glare, eyes glued to screens. Someone break the ice. Salvation: a report.
Good. Shin cleared his throat, tapped map.
"A-Team! Attack on ready heroes!"
"Unsa, ex-military?"
"No. Just playing along."
Unsa tapped her watch. On west route, no hero outranked her tenure.
"Split screams bias. I'm senior here, so I lead."
"You're younger than me but act the big sis."
"Thanks."
Poong Baek, Unsa, Usa—A-rank vets from pre-Pyongyang days. Unsa: prodigy hero as middle-schooler.
Kieeeek!
Monsters on the boulevard spotted A-Team, charging.
"A-Team, intercepting visible monsters."
Unsa gripped her back-mounted spear, dashed front. Melee heroes followed.
"Leave none alive!"
Heroes charged the monsters.