The Time of Resurrection
"I will be the new leader of the Dragon King Squadron." Kang Yerin declared with confidence.
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?" Ji Sehwa spat out blood-mixed saliva, pushing back. She stood up and wiped the corner of her mouth.
"Right now, we have no center of gravity. We don't have anyone suitable for it, either. But if we go on like this, we're going to collapse."
"So you're saying you'll do it? Ha. You throw the first punch and now you want us to crawl quietly?"
"I won, didn't I?" Ji Sehwa ground her teeth.
"You've become dull because you haven't been using your body. That goes for you too, Yookyung unni, and you, Minseo. To stand against the Galaxy Empire, we have to become stronger. Please, trust me. I've thought of ways to improve our individual abilities and strategies to draw in external power." Kang Yerin bowed her head.
"I'm begging you. I know you don't like me. But for now, please think of me as your leader and follow me...!"
A moment of silence. Shin Yookyung was the first to speak.
"I'm in favor."
"Shin Yookyung." Ji Sehwa furrowed her brows.
"It's true that Yerin is the only one who kept training as soon as the Dark Kingdom War ended. She sees the strategy best in the current situation. We need a focal point. Minseo?"
Choi Minseo, who had been listening, nodded slowly. Seeing that, Ji Sehwa clicked her tongue. She scratched the back of her head and finally gave in.
"Damn it, there's no other way, is there? Fine, whatever. Spit it out, this 'command' thing."
"...Thank you." Kang Yerin bowed her head.
"Do you have a sharp plan? The prototypes for the new switches I'm investing in will be finished in a month or two. I don't know if we can use them, though."
"We have to use every resource available. I'll use the new switches, too, Yookyung unni. There's a place I'm currently negotiating an agreement with."
"Where is that?"
"Sehwa-ssi, do you know about the two heroes known as the Legendary Duo?"
"Huh? Who doesn't? They're legends from 50 years ago. Number one in technique, number two in strength."
"Yes. If our strength is lacking..."
"A way to reinforce our technique, then."
"Then the place I'm negotiating with is..." Kang Yerin nodded.
"An organization that is at odds with the Washington Hero Association and possesses cutting-edge combat technology: the U.S. Military."
Time flowed by quickly. It had only been about a month, but Lee Rua had already adapted quite well to life in Vengeance. However, for her, this month was the period where she felt most alive in her 19 years of life.
Her life had been like trash. Escaping that place, digging through trash cans, and sleeping in dark alleys. Forming a group with other homeless teenagers like herself, stealing anything to survive. Rolling here, rolling there, and after enduring for a year, she was unluckily kidnapped and sacrificed to the arena. A desperate, terrifying life spent only running away. A life where she didn't know what she was born for or why she was living. Wanting to take revenge on them, but not even sure if she would be alive tomorrow. Just, the bottom of the barrel.
Now, she saw potential. She had gained strength. Many people had begun to recognize her abilities. Everyone in the world knew the four letters, Dark Matter. Rua knew very well that the beginning of that change was all due to one man's capricious goodwill.
"Trust yourself. If you can't trust yourself, abandon your intellect and trust me."
Looking back, Rua thought she might have already been captivated at that moment. To recognize me, not someone else, but only me, and to want me this much. With such intense sentences. With such intense words. She had a gut feeling that there was no poison in them, unlike usual.
He, Jung Euisuk, didn't appear in that place because he needed Rua. He had just happened to find her while saving children. She still felt sorry for peeking into his memories, even if it was just a part of them. But that's why Rua knew. Jung Euisuk was originally that kind of person. No matter how much he was betrayed, no matter how much he despaired of heroes, no matter how much his justice was denied. He would subconsciously end up protecting others. He was a person who couldn't erase his kindness.
Rua guessed that the reason he was building a villain organization and needed her now was also to defeat the Galaxy Empire. It had to be. Where in the world is there a villain organization that only attacks evildoers? Even while carrying out terror, Jung Euisuk never touched young children. Instead, if there was an opportunity, he would rescue them and send them to the orphanage. Saving her, giving her strength, and while claiming to be evil, he never crossed the line.
―He's cool. But at the same time. It's so sad.
The emotions Rua tasted from Jung Euisuk were horrific. If it were her, she would never have endured it. She would have committed suicide right away. Yet, he didn't show any signs of it. He didn't complain about being hurt or having a hard time. To anyone. Not to her, and not even to Emma, who had been loyal to him for a long time. That person who had been supporting everyone until now—who could support him?
If there's no one. Can't I do it?
Such feelings began to sprout in Rua's chest. That's why she was angry back then.
"Rua. Don't feel guilty toward me."
She hated being treated like a baby who had just blossomed. She hadn't been supporting him; she hadn't even been in that category.
"...I was really okay, though." She tried to bluff with her mouth like that. That was her life. She had no time for romance, and she had zero knowledge about men. Rua was sure she would be flustered if a real situation happened. How could she change Jung Euisuk's view of her? She consulted Emma about that concern.
"Oh my. That's a cute concern." Emma smiled brightly. "But Master is someone who doesn't lean on or rely on anyone. He has always been that way."
"His whole life? To no one?"
"Hmm..." Emma showed a bitter smile. "There was exactly one person."
That means there isn't one now. Rua gained confidence.
"Shall we start by building daily trust?"
"Trust? I'm Zeo's subordinate and his second-in-command. Doesn't Zeo trust me?"
"You are trusted as a member of the organization. But there are different kinds of trust."
"There are different kinds?"
"Yes. The support you mentioned, Rua-nim, requires a relationship of trust like family or friends. There is no shortcut other than spending time together in daily life."
"What would be good?"
"Since Christmas is in three days, shall we go pick out a gift together?"
"What's Christmas?"
"It's a day when family or lovers exchange gifts, eat together, and spend time together."
"Heh. There's something like that. It's good that Emma knows so much."
"You flatter me."
Rua went out with Emma. Following Emma's advice, she bought a gift, wrapped it nicely, and decided to hide it well until the day. Emma said she wouldn't buy a gift. She said Jung Euisuk told her not to buy such things because they were inefficient, and that it was presumptuous behavior as an employee.
And December 24th. Christmas Eve.
In the morning, Jung Euisuk gathered all the organization members and announced the notice.
"Good morning, soldiers. I understand that everyone is excited because tomorrow is a holiday, but I'm sure you all understand that this period is the peak season for terror for villains."
The organization members answered vigorously.
"You are off for today. You may use it as you wish. However, refrain from excessive drinking. From 00:00 on the 25th, Vengeance will be maintained so that we can sortie at any time. Do you understand?"
The answer followed. "Dismissed."
The members scattered. Rua became anxious because things were a little different from her plan.
"Um, Zeo. Isn't Christmas a day to spend with family or lovers?"
"That is why it is the best day for villains to be active."
"Was there a terror scheduled?"
"No. Most of the subordinates are resting. However, you and I are going out to hunt monsters. A good event is starting. I just don't know the start time, so I'm telling you to stand by."
"I see..."
"Hmm? Didn't you know?"
"Know what?"
"It's tomorrow. The 30th day since the Emperor's declaration."
"Ah." Rua realized it only then.
"Scenario bonus experience chunks will fall from the sky. It's the best opportunity for stat growth."
"Th-that's right..."
"I don't plan on taking down Pegasus. That's too conspicuous. We have to turn the Galaxy Empire's aggro toward the Dragon King Squadron so the organization stays safe."
"O-okay. Th-then."
"Hmm?"
"Zeo is resting today, too, right? Then later in the evening..."
"I plan to manage 'that side' today. I will return at night."
"...Okay." Rua dropped her head.
Rua originally liked sleeping. Suffering from nightmares on the cold floor only happened for a short while after her escape. She liked sleeping because she could dream. Because she didn't have to be hurt in her dreams. Because she didn't have to be sad. Or. Because she could mistake it for everything being over. But these days, the time spent sleeping was a waste. She hated the brain's power switch that prevented her from fully experiencing life.
"Rua." When Rua woke up hearing Jung Euisuk's voice, joy rushed in before the annoyance of having her deep sleep interrupted. Because she had returned to a time where she could enjoy life to the fullest again.
"Ugh. What time is it?"
"It's almost midnight. Are you tired?"
"No. I'll go wash up."
Even if his tone was blunt, Jung Euisuk always considered her. It was a side he didn't show to other subordinates. Is it because he thinks of her as a child? She fell into a contradiction of wanting him not to see her that way, while still wanting to continue receiving his consideration.
Rua, who had finished washing her face simply, picked up the well-wrapped gift from under her pillow. Shyly, she hid it behind her back and went out to the hideout's lobby. The organization members, including Jung Euisuk, were focused on the central monitor.
『This is Suwon Station! The sky! A giant spaceship is visible in the sky! Ah, something is— M-monster!!』
The screen shook. The reporter started to run away. People's screams could be heard.
"They're guys who are sure about their timing. Rua, are you ready?"
"Ah, yes..."
Rua tucked the object hidden behind her back even deeper into her hair, fearing that even the edge might be seen.
"It's not exactly above the station. Deep Dive, what are the coordinates?"
"Umm... It's 1 kilometer east of S University, but..."
"...Wait. Is there a lake nearby?"
"Y-yes. Why? Su-jang."
Jung Euisuk furrowed his brows. "Damn it. It's a mistake."
"Zeo, what's wrong?"
"That orphanage is nearby."
"An orphanage? Don't tell me, the one where you sent the children before?"
Rua also grasped the seriousness of the situation.
"If we go and subdue them quickly..."
"No. If all the organization members go out, it's too conspicuous. There's a possibility of a war with the heroes."
"Then."
Jung Euisuk made a decision quickly. "We'll move the plan forward."
Rua understood the meaning of those words. "Zeo, are you going out?"
"Yes." Jung Euisuk nodded. "It's time to resurrect."