The Gruesome Delivery
7:00 PM. Yeouido C Hotel Lounge.
To cut to the chase, Jo Deok-bae died. And then he came back to life.
His body exploded, leaving only his core behind, but thanks to my revival spell, he was brought back. Unfortunately, his hair didn't regenerate.
"To think all the mana I'd built up just vanishes when you die and come back... I had no idea."
New knowledge acquired. He'd grown from D-rank to C-rank, but it would take a lot more time to accumulate enough mana to reach B-rank. But after dying once at Cheon Ga-eul's hands, all the mana stored in his body had dissipated.
His realm—or level—remained intact, but his accumulated mana—or experience points—reset to zero. Something like that?
Cheon Ga-eul kept bowing her head in apology to the repeatedly revived Jo Deok-bae.
"Sorry. I didn't think that would actually kill you..."
"........."
Jo Deok-bae closed his eyes. One of her swaying tentacles curved into a C-shape and bowed toward him.
It was none other than Cheon Ga-eul's tentacle that had shredded Jo Deok-bae's body to pieces. The sheer physical difference between an S-rank and a C-rank. His straight punch, powered by pure muscle, was far weaker than a mere brush from her tentacle.
"More importantly..."
My gaze fell on Kim Ji-hwa, who flinched and shrank back. He was one of the only three Kaijin in Seoul. He'd witnessed with his own eyes how subordinate No. 2 had died and been revived right beside him.
"I'll work even harder, my lady."
Kim Ji-hwa touched the back of his hand with a resigned expression. Dusk was beginning to settle over the streets. He still had his mission to monitor the heroes' movements.
"The gift is properly packaged, right?"
"Yes. I included everything you specified. Just need to close the lid now."
The Architect turned his pallid face away as he locked it. He'd already emptied his stomach long ago after seeing what was inside the gift box.
"Is this what civilized people do...?"
"Forgot about the near-massacre in Seoul? And these? They're the ones who tried to pull it off."
I rapped on the marble box, producing a dull yet clear ring.
"Just giving back what they dished out. Got a problem with that?"
"No. Sigh. I shouldn't have said anything."
The Architect waved his hand dismissively.
"Cute face, horrific deeds."
Even he, who'd seen all manner of ugliness in Seoul, was repulsed. Not even the ever-composed Seon Ui-cheol could see this without flinching.
"But you're only sending this much? What if they don't look inside?"
"That's why I'm sending this along too."
I pulled out a USB drive and dangled it.
"Might as well go big with the gift. Figured I'd attach a video message."
* * *
A short while later, the packaging was complete. All that remained was delivery time.
I gathered the Cheonghwa-dan executives, asked their input on timing, and set the execution for 8:00 PM. If there were no hero movements by then, I'd deliver the box to New Seoul myself.
Why 8:00 specifically? That's prime time for broadcast news to blare across the airwaves. A terrorist attack on the government building rooftop—perfect breaking news fodder.
"You sure you're okay with this?"
Cheon Ga-eul asked cautiously. She seemed deeply worried that I was personally handling delivery instead of sending underlings.
Gwanggeom, Heo Yun-hwan, was in New Seoul.
"It's fine. I'll drop it from afar and bounce."
I patted the handle on top of the box. Infused with mana, it was sturdy enough not to shatter even if dropped from the sky.
"Or wanna come? You could hitch a ride on my back or in my arms."
She shook her head firmly at my offer.
"No. Going to New Seoul would just weaken my resolve."
"Even just watching from afar—"
She crossed her tentacles in an X, resolute.
"Got it. I'll be quick then."
"We'll train hard here too, so don't worry."
10 minutes to 8:00 PM.
I silenced the alarm and spread my wings. Blue flames flickered faintly in the darkness, catching the eye.
"I'm off!"
Gripping the box, I shot into the sky. High enough to meet the rooftop of the 63 Building at eye level. Then even higher.
Screeeee!
My body rocketed upward like a missile. Clouds began to part, cold frost nipping at my skin. I brushed past birds flying through the night, piercing clouds and climbing higher still.
Silence. The temperature plummeted, threatening to freeze everything solid. Without mana shielding my smartwatch and gift box, they'd have shattered or malfunctioned by now.
20 km altitude.
"This high enough...?"
I wanted more distance, but no need to overdo caution. This was just a courtesy drop-off. Better if I slipped by unnoticed.
"Alright then..."
I glided leisurely downward. Southward. Minutes of flight through the night sky brought me to my preset target.
New Seoul. Altimeter at 1 km.
"Hoo."
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The analog clock face on my display ticked away. 47, 48, 49.
50. I dove toward the surface.
51. Clouds whipped past. Friction heat melted the frost on the box.
52. Blasted through clouds, closing on the ground in seconds. Target in sight.
53. Slowed, hovering midair. My feet lightly touched the rooftop of the New Seoul Government Building.
54. Shockwave swept outward. I set the box down gently on the rooftop, mana absorbing the impact—only a strong gust resulted.
55. Box placed. Mana fluctuations nearby stirred ominously.
56. Bent my knees. Folded wings slightly, prepped for liftoff.
57. Kicked off hard, blasting vertical mana jets midair while flapping wings to surge upward.
58. Pushed mana harder. Suddenly, golden light flashed afar.
"Tch!"
59. Light bullet rocketed toward my heart. I swatted it aside with my hand.
60. Second hand hit 8. I halted midair.
"Knew you'd spot me."
Enhanced my vision with mana. A man on the balcony of what seemed the Hero Association HQ dorm—beer can in hand—pointed at me.
Thankfully, no further aggression; he just glared intently. Squinting, unable to see clearly.
Our eyes met. Gwanggeom's widened in shock.
"As expected. You knew."
His expression confirmed it—he knew what I was. In the original story, it was circumstantial, but face-to-face now, it was clear.
Gwanggeom knew of the Dark Legion and its seven cadres.
As he panicked, I raised my hand and waved lightly.
"Hi there?"
No way he heard, but I caught him dropping his squid leg snack from his mouth.
Right, he was a drunkard.
"See you soon."
I rocketed upward, evading. Alarms blared across New Seoul.
Weeeeeoooon!
From radar entry to drop-off and escape: about 10 seconds. If Gwanggeom hadn't noticed, no radar ping.
Gwanggeom indeed. Korea's strongest hero—and humanity's greatest unsung achievement: spirit slayer.
I paid respects as I left New Seoul.
* * *
"Your Excellency! Evacuate now!"
The security chief burst into the office. Seon Ui-cheol calmly continued his work.
"Monster alert after so long. Where?"
"Right here, sir!"
"......?"
Seon Ui-cheol adjusted his glasses, baffled.
"The super monster radar pinged right here, at the Government Building!"
"Are you joking with me? In this peaceful place, where would a monster even—"
"President."
A shadow emerged from the darkness. The security chief straightened and saluted.
"Cheongsong."
Black suit, full face mask. Voice modulated beyond gender recognition— the president's confidant. She called herself Cheongsong. Presumed A-rank ability user.
At Seon Ui-cheol's nod, the chief bowed out.
"Something like this on the roof."
Cheongsong manipulated her shadow. The marble box lid bore scratches like claw marks:
Seon Ui-cheol's Dick: 3cm
Seon Ui-cheol confirmed it; Cheongsong turned away, chuckling lowly.
His face soured as he pointed at the box.
"Open it."
"Dangerous. Let the Association inspect first and—"
"Unbearable insult. This is a direct challenge. Slander and deception!"
Cheongsong smashed the lock without reply. It broke easily—barely secured anyway.
Flinch.
A thick bloody stench wafted as the lid cracked. Seon Ui-cheol's brow furrowed.
"Open it."
"......."
Cheongsong lifted the lid. Stacked inside were heads all too familiar to them. Each neck bore the same pine tree emblem.
"......Ugh."
Blood stench filled the office. Cheongsong quickly closed it, but Seon Ui-cheol stopped her.
"Something inside."
"Pardon?"
"Something in Yu I-sin's mouth."
He'd caught it in that instant. Cheongsong reopened, scanning the heads.
"Indeed."
Among charred, distorted faces, one pristine head stood out. Yu I-sin's, neatly severed, had a small USB in his mouth.
Cheongsong extracted it.
"Obviously something on it?"
Seon Ui-cheol took it, heading to the wall TV as Cheongsong shadow-stashed the box.
"I'll investigate in Daejeon."
"Do that."
He plugged the USB in. Two video files:
Simply numbered—clearly meant to be watched in order.
Familiar face waiting to connect on screen.
"What is it?!"
Shadowy Cheongsong tapped his shoulder. Seon Ui-cheol clicked his tongue and ordered:
"Correct it immediately—no public panic. Breaking news on all broadcasts."
"Understood. Executing as ordered."
Call ended. He turned the TV back on, sank into the sofa.
Click.
Cheongsong locked the door and approached, handing him one wireless earbud.
"Just in case. Stay alert."
He inserted it. She adjusted the TV so sound stayed in the earbuds.
Click.
Pressed play. 1.avi.
Monitors everywhere. He recognized it instantly.
"Dongjak Station control room."
CC footage of the station. Pine Tree Unit heroes gunning down and stabbing Seoul refugees—a brutal massacre captured raw.
He fast-forwarded. Barely 10 minutes. Those killers' heads now filled the box.
Simple message: "I know what you did."
He traced the scar under his left eye.
"Play No. 1 again."
Static.
Screen switched to pure darkness. Then light. Gagged, bound heroes glared at the camera, burning with defiance.
Nine missing heroes—alive.
Seon Ui-cheol gripped the armrest hard.
Lights out. Unknown cough echoed. Screen rotated: a man filled the frame—likely holding the camera.
"I-I'm Lee Gi-seong, C-rank hero of the Korean Hero Association. We've learned the truth of the Seoul reclamation op. Countless people still live underground in Seoul. And to kill them all, President Seon Ui-cheol..."
Beep. He shut off the TV. Leaned back, eyes closed.
"Contact Daejeon."
Cheongsong bowed. Shadow swallowed the box.
"Tell Daejeon to ID the bastards who sent this."
She vanished.
"Whoever they are..."
He tapped his smartwatch. Connecting to his top hunting dog on a leash: Gwanggeom.
"Don't think you can touch me and keep breathing on this land."
His serpentine eyes gleamed.
* * *
8:08 PM. 63 Building Rooftop.
The night wind chilled. I folded my wings, stepped onto the railing.
"Hoo, ha."
Deep breath. My left hand, which swatted the light bullet, still burned red.
"Doesn't hurt, but..."
That one second. I'd simulated battle with Gwanggeom in my head. Human form: draw. Kaijin form: narrow win.
Assuming full power—but 1v1, I could take him.
"But still."
Retired by story start, yet aids the protagonist massively from the Association side. Essential gatekeeper for the true ending.
"No need."
With Cheon Ga-eul now Kaijin, Cube cause unknown and collapsed. Too many issues to solo-grind.
She'd said someone would appear to solve problems with me someday.
"The protagonist."
As one of the main heroines, she might instinctively mean the original protag.
March 1, 2025. Eccentric commander wrapping U.S. life, arriving in near-collapse Korea.
He'd help immensely, but too long to wait.
"No need to wait."
She didn't know—but thanks to her, I mapped future plans with conviction.
Someone sharing my view. Unwavering ally upon truth reveal. Not Phoenix of the Azure Flame level, but comparable power.
I needed that help.
Spirits. Obviously, brainwashed Dark Legion cadres' locations unknown. Like me in magma, likely dormant in deserts or jungles.
But one exception. Original story: clear location for one cadre.
Sixth to appear: water spirit killed and sealed by Gwanggeom.
Snow Night Rusalka.
To awaken Korea's spirit, I'll kill Gwanggeom, Heo Yun-hwan.