Chapter 39
As they reached the road blocked by abandoned cars and barricades, Hwang Cheol-ho brought the truck to a halt. It was the outskirts of the survivor stronghold centered around the National Assembly. With no monsters around now, people occasionally wandered outside.
"Alright, let's walk from here."
The guild members hopped off the truck and headed toward the National Assembly. I was feeling a bit grumpy and kicked a pebble by the roadside. It was because Cha Eun-joo had kept needling me the whole ride.
-Was that really an accident when you tripped?
-No.
-Really?
-······.
She didn't exactly look convinced. Whatever. The veil performance test had succeeded anyway. Yeah, success means it's done. Of course.
"Mm-hmm."
I nodded to myself for no reason and pressed on down the straight road. The National Assembly came into view all at once.
······But something felt off. No matter how much we walked, the building's size didn't change. It was like we were circling the same spot.
Why does it feel so far away······.
My legs ached, my breath grew short. The urge to convert the mana I was using for the veil into physical energy surged up. But I shook my head. No. Gambling for a moment's comfort would be reckless. Safety first, always.
······And I would bitterly regret that choice.
Choi Ah-rin stared at the girl in disbelief. Flushed red cheeks. Shallow, ragged breaths. Slightly dilated pupils. It was none other than Sertina.
"Uh······."
Choi Ah-rin felt her mind go blank for a moment. What was this soft, fluffy little creature? Reality felt disconnected. She looked different from last time.
"I should've······ converted my mana to physical energy sooner······."
Muttering something incomprehensible, Sertina let her shoulders slump. Sweat glistened on her porcelain skin peeking from her sleeveless dress. It was obvious she'd pushed herself too hard.
Is it because of the update?
Come to think of it, all other monsters had vanished, but Sertina remained. Maybe she was like players, stripped of her power?
"Hng······."
Looking at the exhausted girl melted away her wariness, stirring protective instincts instead. The tension washed away like dirt in water. There was something captivating about her that made it hard to look away······. Wait, what am I doing? Snapping out of it, Choi Ah-rin plastered on a smile.
"You've had a long journey. Let's talk details inside."
Sertina glanced at her, nodded, and entered the National Assembly.
Tension hung thick in the meeting room.
Gulp.
Choi Ah-rin swallowed. Across from her, the girl—Sertina—clutched a cup with both hands, gulping down cool peach juice. She looked fragile, but far from harmless. Nearly 2,000 Eterna Guild members backed her—players furious at the government coalition, now sworn to her. Each one top-tier Korean firepower. Touching her physically would be suicide.
···Truth be told, Choi Ah-rin had no intention of provoking her as long as she didn't rampage, weakened or not. This sight only confirmed it. Sertina wasn't a threat to the country. That fluffy creature bringing apocalypse? Unimaginable! If she'd wanted slaughter, Gwanghwamun Square would've been the end.
Choi Ah-rin watched the girl with quiet pride.
Thud.
"Haa."
Sertina set down the cup, her face relaxed. Irregulars were still irregulars, huh? Recovering at an insane rate.
"Mana circulation······."
"······?"
Sertina seemed to mutter something, but Choi Ah-rin couldn't catch it. Already revitalized, the girl blinked blankly and opened her mouth to begin talks.
As expected, Sertina demanded "compensation." But her terms surprised Choi Ah-rin.
• Guarantee of Sertina's permanent residency and citizenship in Korea
• Dispatch of specialized personnel for Eterna Guild headquarters expansion
• Land permit approval for complex shopping mall construction
• Protection from international societal pressure against Sertina
• Cessation of all attacks against Sertina
Choi Ah-rin pored over the proposal Sertina handed her, impressed. She'd expected outrageous demands, but these were surprisingly realistic. How did a world boss know about this stuff? Sertina's fluent arguments swayed her like reeds in the wind—undeniably persuasive.
······Though she looked like she'd demand a dessert factory takeover or free overseas trips.
At first, Choi Ah-rin suspected guild members wrote it, but hearing Sertina speak herself disproved that. And she didn't just demand one-sidedly.
• Negotiate with original owners of current Eterna Guild HQ and pay appropriate compensation
• Full guild cooperation in monster subjugation efforts
• Sertina's assistance in domestic monster hunts
In essence, mutual aid. Filling the power vacuum from 3,000 vanished players. Even compensation for citizens harmed by Eterna Guild. Such thoughtfulness made Choi Ah-rin sense true humanity.
This proposal is perfect. No reason to refuse.
Choi Ah-rin swallowed dryly. All gains, no losses. Sertina herself protecting Korea? International backlash was trivial. Letters poured in suggesting eliminating her during the update, assuming her weakness like players. But they hesitated to push hard—after all, she'd saved Korea. While Choi Ah-rin begged for help, they'd watched from afar, sucking their thumbs. National stability first, same as her.
Maybe Sertina······.
Choi Ah-rin looked up at the girl across from her. The sole otherworldly being untouched by the world's purge.
···Isn't a monster at all.
A baseless conviction welled up. Gathering the stack of papers, Choi Ah-rin smiled in satisfaction, mindful of her presidential role.
"Alright. I'll sign the proposal."
She gripped the pen and signed smoothly, as practiced. Sertina did the same. Rising, they faced each other and shook hands—not as world boss and president, but equal partners.
Gripping Sertina's warm, soft hand, Choi Ah-rin resolved inwardly. If she truly wasn't a monster, she'd protect her. Sertina was just a fragile girl during the update.
But those thoughts shattered with one incident that very day.
The negotiations flowed smoothly. Choi Ah-rin's side was satisfied too, adding no extras. Escorted out, we passed the National Assembly gates onto the main road.
I stretched my weary body, arms wide.
"Ughhh."
My stiff joints from the chair popped satisfyingly.
Lee Min-ho said, "Glad it resolved well."
"What'd you expect? We offered those terms. Demanding more would've made them thugs."
Hwang Cheol-ho shrugged nonchalantly, cracking wise.
I nodded, listening intently. Finally, a stable environment. The state banned attacks on me. The biggest fire was out.
Crowds of citizens and players roamed nearby. Countless gazes stabbed at me—some grateful, some uneasy. Sure, I'd saved Korea, but my world boss record was too flashy. They weren't fully convinced yet.
Whatever. Cha Eun-joo hyped me up beside me.
"As expected of Sertina! Closing the deal without a single adjustment."
She stroked my head gently. I sighed faintly, barely audible.
······I'm not a kid.
But it didn't feel bad, so I let it slide. I knew she meant no harm.
Then, a suspicious presence flickered in my peripheral vision.
What the—?
Three men in masks. Pretending to be passersby approaching us, but one hand fidgeted in pockets, eyes subtly fixed on me.
They know who I am.
Close range. Their steps irregular, testing reactions. Summer clothes bulged at pockets.
That's······ a knife!
I shoved Cha Eun-joo hard with both hands.
"Wha—?"
She looked bewildered, but only for a moment.
Shiiik—
A silver arc laced with killing intent sliced the air between us.