n

nThe swallow-tail coated Kim Suho looked at the party venue. Most distinguished guests were busy talking with each other, but because he was 40 minutes late, he couldn’t join in on any conversation.

n

nKim Suho walked through the grand hall and watched Yoo Sihyuk, Yoo Jinwoong, Nicholas, and other famous Heroes. He found it rather intriguing that the Heroes he had seen on TV when he was young were all gathered here.

n

n“Aigo, if it isn’t our future Hero~!”

n

nAt that moment, someone approached him, pretending to be friendly. Kim Suho flinched slightly as he turned to the side.

n

nIt was the former president of Korea, Kim Sukho.

n

n“…Hello, Professor Kim Sukho.”

n

nHe’d heard from Yun Seung-Ah that Kim Sukho enjoyed being addressed as Professor. Kim Suho followed her advice, and it seemed it worked, as a smile bloomed on Kim Sukho’s face.

n

n“Hahaha, nice to meet you. I heard you were late because of a mission.”

n

n“Yes, my apologies.”

n

n“No need. I was slightly late myself.”

n

nWhen Kim Sukho let out a peal of hearty laughter, other distinguished guests gathered around him. Kim Suho knew and recognized their faces. Of the list of people Yun Seung-Ah sent, they were part of the so-called ‘Kim Sukho Faction’.

n

n“Aigo, where are my manners? Suho, let me introduce you to them. This here is the chief of the Association’s Evaluation Department, Kim On.”

n

n“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim On. I heard a lot of you, High-rank Hero Kim Suho-nim.”

n

nKim On reached his hand out with a strange smile.

n

nFor the record, the Evaluation Department was the division of the Association that ranked and evaluated Heroes. As Heroes’ fame and salary were dependent on their ‘rank’, the Evaluation Department had quite a powerful authority.

n

n“…Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Suho.”

n

nKim Suho shook his hand awkwardly.

n

nNext, he met the chiefs of the Administrative Department, the State Affairs Department, the International Aid Department, etc…. After Kim Suho shook hands with everyone, Kim Sukho laughed joyously.

n

n“Hahaha. Oh right, Chief Kim, aren’t there a few empty slots for the Master-rank Hero position?”

n

n“Yes, a few died during the war, and a few were expelled from not answering summons during the war.”

n

n“Tsk, draft dodgers…. Such shameless Heroes. Too many of them are blinded by money and fame. When I was their age, people became Heroes to save one another. Nobody cared about money and fame.”

n

nKim Sukho muttered unhappily before turning to Kim Suho and smiling.

n

n“We need more Heroes like Suho.”

n

n“…Thank you for the compliment.”

n

nKim Suho nodded his head wryly.

n

nIt was then.

n

nWith a click, the lights illuminating the room turned off.

n

nWas it an event or an attack?

n

nWhile everyone stood wary, a small spotlight shone on the south side of the party hall.

n

n“…What?”

n

nKim Sukho and the other distinguished guests turned their attention to that direction.

n

nThe curtains lifted on the empty stage, revealing the host of the party - Yoo Yeonha. She acted with decorum befitting her position and greeted the guests.

n

n“Nice to meet you. My name is Yoo Yeonha. I’d like to thank all the distinguished guests who are gathered here today. Of course, I will be paying each guest a visit to thank them.”

n

nShe thanked the guests for coming before cutting straight to the chase. Yoo Yeonha didn’t want to damage the scenario she scripted.

n

n“First, Temple of Justice’s chairman, Aileen-ssi. Your courage became a powerful beacon of light against humanity’s war against Baal. We admire you from the bottom of our hearts.”

n

nYoo Yeonha spoke with a gentle voice. At the same time, the spotlight moved and shone on Aileen. Caught in the middle of munching on chocolates, Aileen flinched before quickly wiping her mouth and making a superficial smile.

n

nClap, clap, clap—

n

nYoo Yeonha clapped her hands first, which eventually spread and filled the entire room with applause. Aileen was at a loss for what to do and bowed her flushed head repeatedly.

n

n“Next is Rachel, whose elementals saved countless people through their clear and pure powers. There must be hundreds of thousands of people who had their lives saved by you.”

n

nClap, clap, clap—

n

nIt seemed now was the time for pleasantries. Kim Suho clapped his hands as he watched Yoo Yeonha give her speech.

n

n“…Thank you.”

n

nRachel smiled bashfully at Yoo Yeonha’s praise, and several men blushed as they looked at her.

n

nYoo Yeonha continued to praise the distinguished guests with her silver tongue. Yun Seung-Ah, Yoo Sihyuk, Chae Nayun, Yi Yongha, Kim Suho, and even Shin Jonghak who wasn’t present….

n

nKim Suho felt his heart becoming warmer as time went on.

n

n“What bull**.”

n

nHowever, Jin Sahyuk seemed to think otherwise. Kim Suho was surprised by her sudden appearance, but he calmed down and whispered into her ear.

n

n“Be quiet.”

n

n“Who are you to tell me what to do?”

n

n“…What?”

n

n“You shut up.”

n

n“…Geez.”

n

nThe corner of Kim Suho’s mouth twisted up. Meanwhile, the wholesome relay of praises was coming to an end.

n

n“There are two people left.”

n

nThe final two people.

n

nKim Sukho and Yi Yukho knew who these two were.

n

nThe two people who would be the finale for this ceremony laughed quietly and drowned themselves in the moment. For a second, they even thought it might be okay to leave Essence of the Strait be.

n

n“Professor Kim Sukho.”

n

nA grand spotlight shone down on Kim Sukho. When everyone’s gazes turned to him, Kim Sukho waved his hand and shook his head.

n

n“And the current chairman, Yi Yukho.”

n

nA second spotlight shone down on Yi Yukho, one of the founding members of the Association and its current chairman. Yi Yukho showed the same reaction as Kim Sukho.

n

nThe distinguished guests gathered at the party thought this was the end and waited for Yoo Yeonha’s final tribute.

n

nHowever…

n

n“…And finally.”

n

nYoo Yeonha announced that there was one person remaining.

n

nWhile everyone stood in a fluster, Yoo Yeonha gestured at the main door of the party hall.

n

nA spotlight shone down on the door, and everyone’s attention turned in that direction.

n

nKiik—

n

nA clear sound rang out amidst the silence.

n

nSoon, the door opened— and the Immortal, Chae Joochul, appeared.

n

nNo, it wasn’t just Chae Jooochul.

n

nDozens of Heroes followed Chae Joochul and surrounded the party hall. The waltz playing in the background vanished, replaced by the sound of numerous footsteps.

n

n“Let me introduce you all.”

n

nIgnoring the atmosphere that had suddenly turned cold, Yoo Yeonha continued her speech.

n

n“This is the Four-colored Immortal, Sir Chae Joochul.”

n

nChae Joochul slowly walked up the stage.

n

n“Thank you.”

n

nHe received the microphone from Yoo Yeonha. Then, he looked down at Kim Sukho and Yi Yukho with an aged gaze. He then shifted his gaze at those surrounding them.

n

nThe executives of the Association’s departments were present.

n

nThe Evaluation Department, the Administrative Department, the Peacekeeping Department, the State Affairs Department, the General Affairs Department…. Not a single one of them was clean from corruption.

n

nWithout even the slightest change in his expression, Chae Joochul began to read the document he brought.

n

n“Kim Sukho, Yi Yukho, Kim On, Yi Wanho, Jin Jaesoon, Jee Yonggu, Gospel, Meizarn….”

n

nHe read the names of 27 people, who were all executives of the Association. Yoo Yeonha had come up with the list after long, tireless hours of investigation.

n

n“…The above 27 people gathered here today.”

n

nChae Joochul finished calling them out. He paused for a moment and looked at the party hall. The light in his eyes seemed to pierce through one’s mind.

n

nWhile everyone stood confused, Chae Joochul spat out a sentence that instantly shattered the frozen atmosphere.

n

n“You are under arrest for attempted assassinations, conspiracy to commit murder, massacring of civilians, collusion with Djinns, and other crimes.”

n

n“…What?”

n

n“You will be relieved of your duties as of this moment. You have the right to remain silent, and….”

n

nChae Joochul gave the Miranda Warning through the silent atmosphere.

n

nThe distinguished guests at the hall listened to Chae Joochul’s dry voice as if they had been entranced.

n

n“W-What the hell does that mean!?”

n

nKim Sukho was the first one to shout.

n

nHis blood-shot eyes were glaring at Chae Joochul.

n

n“Chae Joochul, what authority do you have to—”

n

n“It is one of the authorities you gave to play up the Nine Stars.”

n

nA deep voice cut off Kim Sukho’s frantic shouting.

n

nSoon, another person walked up to the stage.

n

nIt was an old man whose left arm and right leg had turned into steel and could not even walk without a cane - Heynckes.

n

n“The Authorities of the Nine Stars. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”

n

nHeynckes grinned and looked back and forth between Yi Yukho and Kim Sukho.

n

n“Each member of the Nine Stars has authority equivalent to an international investigative agency…. Isn’t that the clause you personally wrote? Joochul here is an investigator I hired.”

n

nImmediately, Kim Sukho and Yi Yukho roared in fury.

n

n“Chae, Chae Joochul—! Do you think you can get away with this!?”

n

nKim Sukho shouted desperately. Heynckes might be difficult, but he planned to bring Chae Joochul down with him. Given their history together, Kim Sukho had a lot to reveal.

n

nHowever, in the next moment, Kim Sukho and Yi Yukho had no choice but to shut their mouths.

n

nTap, tap—

n

nThe man who followed Chae Joochul up the stage had stopped their shouting.

n

n“This is proof.”

n

n

nThe man who said this… was one of the three authority-holders of the Association, ‘Yoo Jangwon’.

n

nYoo Jangwon handed Chae Joochul an envelope filled with evidence.

n

n“Everything is inside this envelope.”

n

n“…You, you…!”

n

nAs expected of a seasoned politician, Kim Sukho quickly realized what was going on.

n

nYoo Jangwon and Chae Joochul had betrayed him.

n

nKim Sukho and Yi Yukho shook. However, Yoo Jangwon ignored them like dogs on the street and continued.

n

n“The Kwang-Oh Incident, Leork Incident, Augsburg Collapse Incident, and other big and small incidents caused by Djinns… all of them are incidents masterminded by those two to keep their authority. The evidence is already being broadcasted all over the world.”

n

nYoo Jangwon clapped. Immediately, a huge hologram screen shot up on the stage.

n

n—I am here today, not as the Hero Yoo Jinwoong, but as a fellow human being. I am here to confess the evil deeds I have committed.

n

nYoo Jinwoong was standing in front of the media - YTV, MBN, KSB…. Yoo Jinwoong was confessing live in front of the whole world.

n

nKim Sukho’s jaw dropped.

n

n‘When did Yoo Jinwoong get there? Wasn’t he here just a moment ago…?’

n

nAfter watching the screen for some time, Kim Sukho turned to Yi Yukho. It was clear what message their eyes were exchanging. Now that they were pushed to a corner, they would struggle until the end.

n

n“Don’t move!”

n

nKwaaaaa—!

n

nA gleaming greatsword formed with magic power separated them. Intense heat rose from the crack formed on the ground, preventing the two from joining hands.

n

nThis was Chae Nayun’s doing. Kim Sukho and Yi Yukho gulped at the power that far surpassed the rumors.

n

n“This is Essence of the Strait’s Chae Nayun. I have been given the authority to arrest the Association’s law-breakers by the government, as well as the authority to punish and judge them in the process. Resisting will not be allowed.”

n

n“…I’m sorry to tell you, but I haven’t even been convicted yet. I’m no law-breaker.”

n

nChae Nayun didn’t even pretend to hear Kim Sukho. She looked ready to behead him if he made one wrong move.

n

n‘…As expected of Chae Joochul’s granddaughter. She’s mad.’ Kim Sukho shrugged and got on his knees.

n

n“Then excuse me.”

n

nYoo Jangwon got down from the stage using this chaos.

n

n“Wait! Stop him! Stop him too! We didn’t commit any crimes! He controlled us, and now he’s controlling you!”

n

nKim Sukho shouted loudly and pointed at Yoo Jangwon. However, Yoo Jangwon quickly escaped the party hall. Then, he prepared himself to ‘disguise’ himself again.

n

nSsk—

n

nHowever, cold steel touched her neck.

n

n“…Oops.”

n

nJain raised her hand.

n

nA woman appeared from behind a pillar.

n

n“It’s been a while, Jain. Do you have time today? I’d like for us to have a little chat.”

n

nIt was Yun Seung-Ah.

n

nShe slowly moved her sword and made a cut on Jain’s neck.

n

n“Uh… well… can we chat later~? I’m a bit busy right now. I have to make them give up quickly….”

n

n“I can’t do that. There’s something I need to hear too.”

n

n“Hear? Hear what?”

n

n“Oh? You’re pretending you don’t know? I want to cut you up the more you do this… you bitch.”

n

nBlood flowed down Yun Seung-Ah’s sword. A sharp pain spread through Jain’s body.

n

nJain grit her teeth and pondered, ‘Should I push her sword away and escape? Or should I hear out this woman…?’

n

nUnfortunately, she didn’t have time to weigh her options.

n

nKWAANG—!

n

nThe roof of the mansion suddenly collapsed, and countless flying monsters and members of the New Evils appeared.

n

nKieeek!— Kieeeek—!

n

nFerocious cries rang out as the scent of demonic energy flowed out. Everyone was taken aback by the sudden attack.

n

nJain glanced at Yun Seung-Ah and spoke.

n

n“Why don’t we chat after everything ends~? I’ll keep my promise this time~ This is my retirement mission, you see~”

n

nYun Seung-Ah fell silent. Soon, the sound of something breaking rang out, and the clashing of magic power and demonic energy created a huge sonic boom.

n

nThere was no time to wait.

n

n“…Huu.”

n

nWith a sigh, Yun Seung-Ah let go of Jain.

n

n“If you don’t keep this promise, I won’t give you a chance to talk next time.”

n

n“Okay~ Okay~ I already know your phone number. So just wait, okay~?”

n

n“…Shut up and call me when you’re done.”

n

nWith that, Yun Seung-Ah ran towards the party hall, and Jain changed her disguise to ‘that person’ to finish the job.

n

nThe person Kim Sukho feared and wanted to kill so much. The reason he caused the Kwang-Oh Incident.

n

nThe person Jain changed into was Jin Seyeon’s father, Jin Younghwan.

n

n**

n

nUnderground Bunker of the Mansion

n

nYoo Yeonha evacuated to the underground bunker. As she would be useless in battle and as the New Evils would surely make her their primary target, she decided to leave the rest to Chae Joochul and Heynckes.

n

n“…Haa.”

n

nShe sighed and turned on the TV.

n

nHer father’s press conference was coming to an end.

n

n—I will spend the rest of my life atoning for my sins.

n

nHe reached out his hand proudly. Police ran up and restrained him with handcuffs that blocked magic power. It was the equipment her corporation, Essential Dynamics, invented.

n

n“….”

n

nYoo Yeonha couldn’t watch her father be taken into custody.

n

nShe turned off the TV, with bitterness welling up inside her.

n

nShe felt like she was going to vomit.

n

nHer heart was filled with unsatisfiable bitterness and emptiness.

n

nShe felt empty.

n

nWas all this really necessary?

n

nWas it worth abandoning her father to do this?

n

nFish couldn’t live in waters that were too pure. Perhaps it might have been okay to compromise….

n

n“…Hauuu.”

n

nYoo Yeonha let out a helpless breath and picked up her smartwatch. Then, she checked her messages to look at her past conversations with her father.

n

nWhat are you up to, Yeonha?

n

nDaughter~ Father had a little drink~

n

nI want to see you.

n

nHer father had sent numerous messages, but there weren’t many she had replied to. Yoo Yeonha began to hate her past self for not answering.

n

n“Stupid, stupid, stupid…?”

n

nYoo Yeonha was smacking her head and blaming herself when she suddenly found a message log.

n

nIt was a long message, but there was no record on who the recipient was. The sender was ‘Yoo Yeonha’ without a doubt, but she had no memory of sending such a message.

n

nCurious, Yoo Yeonha tilted her head and clicked on the message.

n

nSoon…

n

nHer face became redder than an apple, and she exploded from embarrassment.

n

nHello, Kim Hajin-ssi. This is Yoo Yeonha. Today has been a difficult day. Well, maybe not for you, but it sure has been for me.

n

nMaybe that’s why. The days I spent with you as my trusty ally are popping up in my head. I was embarrassed, tired, and a little annoyed, but now that I think about it, they were precious memories.

n

nRight, I’m thinking about you right now…

n

n“…W-W-What the hell is this?”

n

nYoo Yeonha clutched her head. ‘I’m thinking about you right now’? What kind of a third-grader confession was this?

n

nThe unimaginable embarrassment caused her head to boil and her brain to melt.

n

nBut in this state of utter embarrassment, she faintly remembered the ‘emptiness’ that had been formed from her forgetting.

n

n“…Ah.”

n

nThe reason she had cast light upon the Kwang-Oh Incident, going so far as to abandon her father.

n

n“Ah…?”

n

nYoo Yeonha pressed her temples.

n

n“Ah, ah, ah.” Short mutters escaped her mouth.

n

nSomeone’s face faintly surfaced in her mind.

n

nSomeone she shouldn’t forget.

n

nSomeone she couldn’t forget.

n

nThat someone’s face overlapped with the most embarrassing string of text she had ever read and faintly filled up her empty head.

n

n