Chapter 10. The Great Principle (1)

My head throbbed like it was splitting open, dizziness crashing over me, but there was no time to hesitate. A glance toward Rabbit Mask. She understood my intent and kicked Jin Yu-ri in the side.

Thud!

Lee Sea, who had been rummaging through her bag for a portable sword, caught Jin Yu-ri's body. Rabbit Mask and I were already sprinting far ahead.

"Wait up!"

"Keep your distance and pursue!"

Shouts from the awakeners echoed behind us. They were chasing at a decent speed, but it was pitch black out, and we had an escape route secured. Shaking them off wouldn't be hard. Besides, they seemed subtly reluctant themselves. Even if there was an S-rank awakener among them, they'd figure fighting us meant certain death.

The pursuit fizzled out into mere vigilance to prevent further terrorism, and Rabbit Mask and I reached the rendezvous point we'd agreed on during the briefing. An abandoned factory on the outskirts, devoid of any human presence.

Only then did I let out a despairing sigh.

"Hoo..."

Thud, thud. Heading toward a rickety steel beam in the corner, I turned away so Rabbit Mask couldn't see. I pulled a cigarette pack from my pocket, slightly lifted my mask, stuck one between my lips, and snapped my fingers.

Ting, sizzle—

The tip ignited with a burning sound, smoke rising. Normally, I smoked maybe five or six a day at most. This was the sixth, so I shouldn't want more... but not today.

I kept reaching into the pack, lost in thought. It wouldn't solve anything to dwell for a day or two, but I needed to piece together what I knew right now.

The protagonist of Kill the Evil. Second-year in the high school division at National Academy 1, majoring in magic swordsmanship. Female.

That could be Jin Yu-ri... or maybe my sister, Lee Sea.

I'd rated it about fifty-fifty originally. Around Yeom Ui-jun's funeral, I'd tried to reassure myself that Jin Yu-ri was more likely, but the possibility of it being Lee Sea lingered—and maybe even higher odds.

That's what I'd been thinking all along.

First reason: progress rate. When the hologram announced the end of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Birth of the Demon God, Kill the Evil Volume 1's progress was already over 5%. The timelines of the two novels overlapped a bit.

If the story truly kicked off after Lee Sea left the house that morning... it would explain why the "met the protagonist" hologram only appeared at the funeral hall.

And... the Volume 1 progress had risen steadily centered around Lee Sea's actions.

Not definitively clear, of course. Even if Jin Yu-ri was the protagonist, it wouldn't contradict completely, and progress ticked up even when Lee Sea wasn't doing much. But from what I could see, it correlated more closely with Lee Sea.

That was the first reason. Second:

Jin Yu-ri and Yoo Hae-bin. The day a rift opened at Jeil High School. Less evidence, more meta judgment... but a protagonist cowering and trembling after being subdued by the final boss? That doesn't make sense. Who'd read that?

Even if Kill the Evil Volume 1 hid that part, Jin Yu-ri's weird behavior every time she saw me couldn't be glossed over on the page. And it doesn't suit a protagonist. Unless it's foreshadowing handled by a side character.

Yoo Hae-bin's recruitment into Phantom fueled my doubts too. She'd betray the protagonist later—closer ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to Lee Sea than Jin Yu-ri, so stabbing my sister in the back would be more dramatic.

Third reason. Similar logic to Yoo Hae-bin, but even more solid: my relationship with Lee Sea. Little sister and big brother.

If Jin Yu-ri's the protagonist, her rival's brother is the final boss. If Lee Sea's the protagonist, her brother is the final boss.

I hated the latter assumption... but it was undeniably more compelling.

And... putting it all together. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠As time passed, every incident and judgment whispered to me: not Jin Yu-ri, but Lee Sea.

The hologram's response to my OX question about quickly eliminating Jin Yu-ri didn't prove she was the protagonist.

Lee Sea or Jin Yu-ri. No question guessing the protagonist between them was allowed. So I'd steeled myself inwardly. Weighing the possibility heavier toward Lee Sea being the protagonist.

I'd briefly hoped when progress nearly maxed out with Jin Yu-ri present during today's incident... but Volume 1 only ended after facing Lee Sea.

So probably over 70%. My sister Lee Sea was the protagonist.

"Ha..."

A involuntary chuckle escaped me.

The wish to save my parents. That could only become reality if I, as Kill the Evil's final victor, made it so.

Final victor meant defeating the protagonist in opposition.

If Lee Sea was the protagonist.

To save my parents.

I'd have to take down my own sister.

Pulling out my third cigarette, I looked up at the hologram and asked.

Is that... the picture you want?

The hologram didn't answer, and I continued.

If that's the case.

Just like I've struggled against everything so far.

Things won't flow exactly as you desire, no matter what.

I was carving that resolve deep into my bones when... I sensed a presence behind me, somehow.

Halfway through the cigarette, I extinguished it, properly adjusted my mask, and turned.

And the sight I witnessed.

"..."

Rabbit Mask was staring at me silently.

Feeling guilty for coming along without saying a word and leaving her be, I casually offered the pack.

"Want one?"

I'd never seen her smoke, but who knows. She might've started recently, and considering how she'd watched intently whenever I smoked, maybe curiosity.

I'm not brazen enough to lecture another smoker with "Don't smoke this stuff." If anything, the opposite. Smoking together could lead to chatting about this and that. My head was such a mess; I wanted to talk with her.

She rarely spoke unless needed, but people tend to get talkative while smoking.

Aimed at that, my offer... but Rabbit Mask's response was the coldest I'd heard from her yet.

"Smoking too many at once is really bad for your body."

"Uh, huh?"

Then she swung her hand three times.

Sizzle, sizzle, ssizzle—

Two fully smoked to the filter, one half-smoked and stubbed. All three crumbled to powder in her mana and vanished.

Her mana discharge looked vicious—maybe my imagination. I'd planned to destroy them anyway to leave no evidence...

An awkward air hung between us, and just then, footsteps approached.

"Whew, sorry I'm late sneaking over."

Yoo Hae-bin, in Dragon Mask, bantered as she appeared. I asked her,

"Boss and Fox?"

"Who knows? I left first, and they warped elsewhere... They'll come if we wait, right? Probably ended without issues anyway."

Yoo Hae-bin replied casually, explaining the details.

'This is kinda different from what I expected?'

Watching Lee Dojin vanish beyond the blasted-open sky, Yoo Hae-bin thought.

Her first Phantom operation as a member, hyped up... but the enemies were too lame.

The hunters she faced now. Strong by normal standards, but not enough to corner her.

Conversely, her comrades' strength exceeded expectations.

'Dojin oppa aside...'

Rabbit Mask, whom she'd pegged for agile movement specialist, was more than that. She'd hidden it well, but she was a super-elite with immense mana. Fox Mask, though slightly inferior, was flawless too.

Mana capacity. Technique in wielding it. Combat judgment. Top-tier awakener in every aspect. Around S-rank hunter to mid-36 Heroes level, specifically.

And what surprised Yoo Hae-bin most: the boss's power, enigmatic and subtly tied to Lee Dojin.

'Stronger than Sea's oppa, I thought... but holding her own one-on-one with Han Tae-gang?'

Strictly, Han Tae-gang had the edge. Equal with Lee Dojin's support earlier, but now slightly pushed back. Still, against him? Holding out was miraculous. Maybe ten people worldwide could manage it, gathering every awakener.

Then the boss's telepathic message via magic arrived.

Yoo Hae-bin nodded silently. Escape plan set: two members warp via space magic. Boss covers until untraceable.

'Gotta use some power at the end.'

Muttering chirpily, she drew up mana.

Boom—

A heavy thud, shockwave erupting. Flames already engulfing the venue surged fiercer in response.

Bang!

Tense hunters distanced from Yoo Hae-bin. Whoever she was, that Dragon Mask criminal had exceptional mana control—better stay out of range.

But her real goal wasn't attack; it was shaking them off.

Shwoooosh—

Space tore open midair. Yoo Hae-bin leaped in, waving cheekily at the flustered hunters.

'See you next time.'

She'd cross paths post-graduation as a hunter. They'd never guess she was Dragon Mask.

Warp activating, she glanced aside.

'Why's that one still here?'

A woman in gold-furred fox mask, her own hair far lovelier blonde. Warp open nearby, yet lingering in the venue.

Yoo Hae-bin frowned, then decided: ignore and go.

'She'll handle herself.'

Post-growth, she'd lead resistance beyond rifts. Young, but she knew: don't act unilaterally in raids. No idea what boss and Fox discussed; no need to know. Interfering could botch things worse.

As Yoo Hae-bin vanished into the warp, two remained. Fox Mask and Seo Yeon-hee conversed.

Brief advice. Seo Yeon-hee tilted her head momentarily.

'Two, not three?'

But before questioning, Fox Mask dove into the warp. In this situation, trust her intel over her own.

Seo Yeon-hee stared at Han Tae-gang.

"Hoo..."

He exhaled once. Less gathering power, more readjusting.

"Hooo..."

Exhaling again, Han Tae-gang eyed her—like capturing the ringleader would soon mop up the rest.

Right then.

Boom!

No warning. A fist flew.

Over ten meters between Seo Yeon-hee and Han Tae-gang. Impossible ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to reach even extended.

Yet it leaped space, pulverizing all in path. Seo Yeon-hee inwardly praised.

'That kid's improved.'

Twenty years ago, it took three breaths, she recalled. In heated battle, three was too long a prep, infrequent technique—but absolute power.

Han Tae-gang's fist. Can't parry or block. Ignores strength, mana, defenses; transmits full force intact. Even a demon lord's heart pierced trying to tank it. One counter: dodge.

'Just evade.'

Seo Yeon-hee stomped most earnestly today.

Whoosh—

Fist grazed by a hair, hit burning wall. Han Tae-gang hastily kiai'd.

"Hup!"

Roooar—

Collapsing building vanished. Pillar-like mana explosion pierced clouds. Han Tae-gang glared suspiciously, asked abruptly,

"Do you know me?"

Who doesn't know Martial God Han Tae-gang? Probing familiarity. She didn't answer.

He'd notice she knew his ultimate technique's activation... no need to explain kindly.

Seo Yeon-hee smirked, gazing skyward. Moon about a third visible.

This much wouldn't strain her.

Shoooo...

Her body dissolved to red mist. Han Tae-gang charged watching.

Bam!

His strike dispersed nothing. Mist freely rippled, ascending.

'Can't let her escape.'

Han Tae-gang gathered power. Whatever magic, pursuit possible. Chase to reveal identity.

But as he leaped—

Shwaaaa—

Red mist's core birthed crimson eyes. Black-pupiled center warned him: playtime over. Follow if you dare... but prepare to die.

Han Tae-gang's brief freeze wasn't his will. Instinct for strong foes screamed: no bluff. Unfavorable fight; fortify.

Under a second hesitation, red mist vanished utterly.

"..."

Han Tae-gang silently contemplated empty sky. No mana traces. Proof those eyes weren't ordinary magic.

'How?'

Phantom's boss. Maybe not human. Demon or kin. Han Tae-gang lacked expertise, but knew who to ask.

'Gotta visit once.'

Shim Jeong-woong. Former Shim family head, 36 Heroes' eldest. Unsettling old man up close... but he'd speculate plausibly.

Meanwhile, Seo Yeon-hee exiting the venue savored cool night air.

'Ahh, feels alive now.'

Escaping smoke-choked inferno refreshed her mood. Plan succeeded; finishing touches, then sweet reward.

Partially manifesting long-lived species authority, near-omniscient senses scanned below.

Seoul in view, mana flows vivid.

'Quite the effort, huh?'

Mages desperately reverse-tracing warps for Yoo Hae-bin and Fox Mask.

'Sorry, wasted work.'

Playfully muttering, she waved hands. Errors rippled through their tight tracking net; unaware of her meddling.

'Guess "not this way."'

Disrupting further, she checked two spots. Yoo Hae-bin and Fox Mask approaching destinations cautiously.

'My kids are handling it... just a bit longer.'

Thirty minutes later, both arrived. Mages noticed issues, tried restoring net—but warp traces long gone.

Seo Yeon-hee hummed heading to the factory. Pleasant imaginings danced in her head.

'What to ask Dojin for?'

She'd invested heavily this time. Dumping demon hand in park, nulling pursuit.

'Who else spoils him like me?'

Many would give organs for Lee Dojin's requests... but

'His wants are usually impossible.'

Talent-wise, openness-wise, hard to find equals worth her attention. Especially big help this time; happy dilemma on recompense.

Entering factory, she chirped,

"Great job, everyone!"

But then.

'Hm?'

Lee Dojin, Yoo Hae-bin. Fox Mask, Rabbit Mask. None exchanging words. Seo Yeon-hee narrowed eyes.

Soon, Lee Dojin spoke.

"Boss."

"Yeah? Problem?"

"Mission's done; send the members home. Let's talk, you and me."

"Sure, I'm all for it..."

That was the plan. Send them off, cozy afterparty duo.

Definitely... but

'He looks serious.'

Unwelcome premonition rang: no warm chat as hoped.