Gwang Ik Gong.

To speak directly of his power in his prime, he was someone who could aim for mutual destruction when fighting three executives with all his strength.

If four executives fought against him, the Secret Society would win, but the executives would need at least half a year of recuperation.

In his prime, that was, around the age of 15 when his imagination and fantasies were exploding, Gwang Ik Gong was truly the strongest.

This country, South Korea, was able to assert itself on the world stage thanks to Gwang Ik Gong, and the reason the world thought 'the end of the world will not come' was also thanks to Gwang Ik Gong.

He died a virgin, though.

"Oppa. Do you know what people call someone like you?"

"What do they call them?"

"Tsundere."

"No, I'm not."

Yun Hye-ra and I dressed up and entered a club far from the Ulleungdo pension.

You might argue about a club in the sacred patriotic ground of Ulleungdo, but we're in Busan now.

Not Ulleungdo.

We moved from Ulleungdo to Busan, where Gwang Ik Gong was staying, via spatial transfer.

"If you called and ignored it, it would have been fine, but you even asked me to use magic power to come here. Oppa, you're definitely a tsundere."

"I said I'm not."

"Then why did you use spatial transfer to come to Busan to meet Gwang Ik Gong?"

"If I didn't meet him, you'd think I'm heartless."

If it were during a patriotic mission, it would be different, but I could overlook a message during the build-up for patriotism.

"And that guy hasn't contacted me since last year. He suddenly sent a message, so I came because he might want to be released."

"I don't think he wants to be released..."

"Well, that's true, but you never know with people. He might have been overcome with reality and wanted to leave."

"By leave, you mean going to the afterlife, right?"

"Of course."

If I had any other thoughts, it would be an unattainable dream.

Gwang Ik Gong being overcome with reality and wanting to be released?

"That's impossible.

We've already tested it and know it can't happen, so he's staying in this world as a lingering spirit.

"We're about to arrive... we're here."

The door to the room opened.

The person who entered was a tall female bodyguard dressed in a black suit, someone we knew well.

A woman with sharp features and short, black hair.

Her magic power was E-rank, but because of her iconic look that couldn't be hidden even by a suit, anyone can easily recognize her as a woman.

"It's been a while, 'Secretary Kim.'"

Yun Hye-ra and I raised our glasses in greeting.

"It must have been tough since that guy wanted to come out suddenly."

"It's okay. Serving him is my duty."

Secretary Kim bowed her head and pointed behind her.

And soon, the problematic existence appeared...

"It's been a while, Gunggi Noona. Hi, hyung."

A man with blond hair and blue eyes in a black suit entered.

With a refreshing face and a robust physique, he was enviable even to me, a man.

His face was as handsome as a celebrity's, and his physique was excellent, rivaling mine.

If God gave everything to one man, it seemed like He poured everything into this man.

Except for one thing.

God gave this hero everything but did not allow him to satisfy his desires as a man.

"Why did you come in your true form when your mana is draining in real-time? You could have come as a child. This place is run by the Secret Society."

"But it would be problematic if a child entered a bar. Haha, are you worried about me?"

"Worried? No."

Next to me, Yun Hye-ra chuckled and mouthed 'tsundere' to provoke me.

I lightly placed my hand on her thigh and flicked her thigh.

"If you disappear, others will suffer. You can't die yet. There are still six of the Seven Deadly Sins left."

"Haha, that's right. I can't leave until they all disappear. But it's okay. I've figured out the minimum energy consumption to maintain this appearance."

"Don't push yourself and just switch to energy-saving mode. No one here will say anything to you."

"I can't do that. I'm here for a serious talk today."

Gwang Ik Gong insisted on maintaining his true form.

"The Sephiroth Knights."

"......."

"You're operating under that concept, right? And The Dark Charisma and Hesed Black War Dragon, both are you, hyung."

"Wasn't it Black Dragon...?"

"In Korea, everyone calls it Black War Dragon."

"Then we should follow the Korean term. ...But is that me?"

"There's no one else in the Secret Society who would do such a thing."

That's true.

"It's amazing that you figured that out without any clues."

"The Secret Society's lack of response to the appearance of the Sephiroth Knights is obvious."

"You're the only one who realized that the Sephiroth Knights are the Secret Society's alter ego without any clues."

As expected of this man, the 'munchkin' created by the official setting, his intelligence was outstanding.

"So, what do you think is the purpose of the Sephiroth Knights' existence?"

"To draw out the Seven Deadly Sins and annihilate them. If the Sephiroth Knights continue to publicize the dangers of Pandemonium and show hostility, Pandemonium will eventually have to deal with the Sephiroth Knights."

"Alright, then why did you bring up the Sephiroth Knights?"

"Here. Yunhwa, could you show the video?"

"Yes, Master."

Secretary Kim—Kim Yunhwa—took out a tablet and played the prepared video.

The video was of Joan of Arc's speech, and Gwang Ik Gong pointed to the middle of the video.

"I am a being from the future. And I have returned to the past with ten guardians from the future."

"......."

"I know it's a lie. I also know that it's another persona you thought up. Not an actual ability user from the future, but a being created from imagination and fantasy."

"That's correct."

There's no hiding it.

He truly possessed abilities that rivaled those of the protagonist and the Chief.

Which made it even more regrettable.

This man—

"Hyung. You're looking at me like that again?"

"......."

"Ah, damn. I swear, before my soul disappears, I'm going to do it at least once. And I'll definitely call you before I leave for the afterlife."

"Instead of calling me, you should whisper a little more love to your partner."

I pointed to Kim Yunhwa sitting next to Gwang Ik Gong.

"Secretary Kim is 20 years old this year."

"......."

"How long are you going to leave her alone?"

"......Do you think I'm leaving her alone because I want to?"

Gwang Ik Gong's fists trembled with frustration, but he couldn't refute it. He's currently a ghost, constructing his body with mana, yet unable to pass on.

"Hey, Hye-ra. What should we do if a very capable member of the Secret Society stole a ghost and vowed to serve him for life, but the ghost doesn't make the secretary happy?"

"I'd love to kill him, but since he's already dead, I can't even do that. Ha, really, what should we do?"

"Please, don't say it like that. Master is truly trying his best. It's just... impossible."

"What is this? This conversation makes it sound like I'm some kind of eunuch."

Gwang Ik Gong drummed his fingers on the table.

"I'm not here to talk about that."

"Is that so? Is it that you lack experience...."

"Ah, damn... I'm serious about why I came here."

"I'm serious too."

"Are you doing this because I interrupted your patriotism with a text? I hope the Goblin wouldn't be so petty as to scratch me because of that."

...

...

...

"Of course not. I'm just cheering for Secretary Kim. I thought you had good news, but since you don't, I'm just disappointed."

"Good news? What?"

"I thought you finally got Secretary Kim pregnant and brought a wedding invitation. That's why I flew over from Ulleungdo, only to hear about the Sephiroth Knights, so I'm frustrated."

"Assistant Director Do, a wedding invitation, that's...!"

Kim Yunhwa blushed and began to fidget, but there was a ring with golden magic power flowing on her left ring finger.

It was a ring given before someone passed away.

"Wedding invitation? When I might disappear any day now, should I make a young girl a widow?"

Only a guy with a sense of justice like you would still be a virgin.

I almost said.

"...Well, fine. You didn't come to deliver a wedding invitation, and you already figured everything out on your own, so let's hear what you have to say about the Sephiroth Knights. What do you want?"

"If there's an empty spot in the Sephiroth Knights, I'd like you to give it to me."

"......?"

His unexpected words made me doubt his intentions.

"Even if it's a persona concept, how can someone who can only fight once say such a thing?"

"It's not me who fights. Whether it's you or someone else, another person becomes Gwang Ik Gong."

"......?"

"Simply put, I want the existence of Gwang Ik Gong to be among the ten guardians from the future."

Gwang Ik Gong, Kim Jin-ho's eyes were genuinely serious.

"I want to create a belief that even if I disappear, Gwang Ik Gong will continue to protect humanity from the future to the past. So that people can believe in the strongest guardian."

"...I understand what you're saying."

This guy wanted to become a 'symbol.'

Even if Gwang Ik Gong Kim Jin-ho disappeared, the belief in the strongest guardian that this country and the world believe in would continue to exist.

"Hyung."

Kim Jin-ho nodded to Kim Yunhwa and handed the tablet to me.

"I'll tell you all about my abilities, so you become Gwang Ik Gong. Be the guardian of humanity, the hero."

--Chapter 261: The Will Continues (2)---

Using abilities is an asset for ability users.

Though it might be a bit of an odd analogy, it's like a restaurant's recipe.

Even if you knew the recipe, it's not easy to replicate it; knowing the recipe didn't guarantee the business would thrive. However, just knowing the recipe opened up various paths.

That's how important the know-how of using abilities was for ability users.

Just like how ice ability users sat in the front row with their eyes wide open during Baek Seol-hee's ability lectures, learning the methods and know-how of using abilities from an experienced user was the key to quickly becoming stronger in this world.

Saying that you would teach all your abilities was like passing on everything you had accumulated.

It's not a tangible asset, but it's an invaluable intangible asset that you were willing to pass on to me now.

"You are a hero."

When Gwang Ik Gong, no, Gwang Ik Gong Punch asked me to become Gwang Ik Gong, that was the first thing I said.

"Even if it means giving everything to a villain, you want to leave just your name and protect the world?"

"It's fine even if it's not the name Kim Jin-ho. If just the name Gwang Ik Gong can prevent villains from running rampant and keep the world peaceful, that's good enough."

There was no pretense in his words.

"It's fine even if it's just a cosplay of Gwang Ik Gong. Just once, it's fine. Whether people say where is Gwang Ik Gong at this critical time, I want you to inherit the mantle of Gwang Ik Gong."

"Why me?"

"Because no one can demonstrate Gwang Ik Gong's power better than you."

There was no hypocrisy to look righteous in front of others.

"The S-class heroes in Korea right now are lacking in many ways. Only Gwang Ik Gong can become a symbol of world peace. Just like there's a Goblin in the dark world, there should be Gwang Ik Gong in the light world."

"Do you think I'll accept it just because you're flattering me?"

"It's not flattery, it's the truth. Hyung."

"......."

If you thought negatively, you might consider it as sucking up for his own benefit.

"No one can replicate Gwang Ik Gong's abilities as effectively as you. Actually, you might even show it more splendidly than I could. Like when you summoned the giant warrior to strike Susanoo's crown."

"What do you think of that giant warrior?"

"I think it showed overwhelming power. A pinnacle of strength that no one could oppose. If such a being exists, people can feel reassured. ...If I have a personal desire, it's for Gwang Ik Gong to continue that role."

But after talking with him a few times, you quickly realized that it's a misunderstanding, and you felt ashamed for having such lowly thoughts.

"I've thought about other S-class heroes. But none of them can follow Gwang Ik Gong's, my combat style."

"Is your combat style anything ordinary?"

"Exactly. Maybe I've been too flashy. It would be difficult to pass it on even if there were a successor. There's no one but you. If it's not you, Gwang Ik Gong ends here."

And soon, jealousy towards this man arose from the way people treat Gwang Ik Gong.

"Thank you for saying that. To be evaluated like this by an acknowledged perfect being."

"You have shown your worth till now."

"All I've shown is beating demons and executing villains."

"But it's changing. Gradually. Maybe it's because you met Baek Seol-hee or that friend Yumir. There are many reasons for the change in your mindset, but you've changed a lot now."

"......From a mass murderer to at least giving a chance?"

"The point is you are giving a second chance. That's very important."

Gwang Ik Gong held out a tablet once more.

"You chose the path of a villain for convenience, but you're closer to a hero than anyone. It's just that you're not the absolute good the world desires."

"That's absurd. You want me to inherit the position of absolute good?"

"It's fine even if it's just cosplay. Even if you pass on Gwang Ik Gong's role to someone else. Just once, if you could display Gwang Ik Gong's power, it would be enough."

"As absolute good?"

"Even if it's not, it's fine. In your way, even if it's while executing a demon."

He was truly an extreme character.

"I believe in you. Even if the Secret Society uses Gwang Ik Gong's image, it will be for the peace and order of the world. At least it won't be used for evil."

"You believe in me? Someone who hasn't made any clear promises yet?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I trust you."

He's a true hero who wouldn't hesitate to give everything to a villain for the sake of justice.

"...It's really sad. Truly. That you died last year."

That's why it's even sadder.

"If you had lived and cooperated with the Secret Society while becoming the face of the Hero Association, by now, this country would have been in the hands of the Secret Society."

"...I appreciate that the Secret Society kept me alive, but I have no intention of joining them. I can collaborate with them, but I am a hero of this country."

It's even sadder.

"I understand the ideology and path of the Secret Society. But if the Secret Society ever goes down the wrong path, wouldn't we need someone to stand against it?"

"The Secret Society is not wrong."

"I know. That's why. For those who think the Secret Society is wrong, it would be reassuring if Gwang Ik Gong appears and takes a stand when the Secret Society makes a big mistake."

"...You are setting the stage so nicely for the Secret Society to easily use Gwang Ik Gong."

"If just the presence of Gwang Ik Gong can reassure people and provide comfort, this is the only path left for me."

To think that such a patriot, such a righteous being, was terminally ill.

"......It's truly unfortunate."

As someone living in this country, more than as a villain or the Goblin of the Secret Society, it's just unfortunate.

"Hye-ra."

"Yes, oppa."

"Can I talk about that?"

"......Well, I can guess what you want to talk about based on the flow. It's not a secret, so it's okay to mention it."

"Then, ahem."

I pushed the tablet towards Gwang Ik Gong.

"In the era of abilities, many things are possible. While it's impossible to resurrect the dead, it is possible to tether a dead person's soul to the earth."

I extended my magical power forward and created a shape.

"The Secret Society is currently researching it. Experiments to infuse a human soul into a new vessel."

"Possession...?"

"Something like that. And that vessel will be able to both hold the soul and supply magical power."

"...Android, humanoid, cyborg, homunculus. Whatever name you give it, I'm not sure how best to describe it, but I hope it succeeds. Even if I don't get a chance."

Gwang Ik Gong glanced at Yun Hye-ra and smiled bitterly.

"So this is what you thought up and told me."

"Is it a technology that can be used immediately? At least... within half a year."

"......."

"If not, I might not be able to experience it myself."

Gwang Ik Gong's own calculation of his remaining magical power was about half a year.

Since he died last Christmas, he's been holding on for almost a year.

At that point, he would not be able to maintain his consciousness with just magical power and we might have to perform an exorcism before he becomes a wraith-demon.

Would the technology be developed before that?

The budget was sufficient, but time was the issue.

"...Well, I don't know if it's possible, but hoping isn't a bad thing."

"Really?"

"Someone said that we get disappointed because we have expectations in the first place. But if I'm going to die anyway, it wouldn't be bad to live with the hope that a cure might be developed, even if I might be disappointed later."

"...It would be great if I could come back to life. Even if I don't have abilities, just appearing as Gwang Ik Gong and participating in events would be fine."

"That's a good idea."

Even if he lost his abilities, just appearing as the figurehead Gwang Ik Gong at political events would greatly reduce the burden on Baek Seol-hee.

"But maybe, you might live a bit longer than half a year."

"......?"

"I discovered a new ability. More precisely, I learned a technique from someone who has been hiding it until now, and if you use it, you might be able to extend your life. Congratulations. Secretary Kim might be able to prolong your life."

"...What do you mean?"

"I discovered a magical power supply technique. It's completely different from the methods used by me or Gunggi."

It's Yumir's method.

"If you want to know that method, now that we've met, you should ask for my help. It's a deal. If you provide appropriate answers to my questions, I'll tell you how to prolong your life."

"So the question is important enough to trade for that method?"

"Yes."

I tapped the Taeguk Watch and brought up a screen.

"Hyandan. Laplace's demon. What's the best way to bring out this woman?"

"A senior executive of Pandemonium, the new seven deadly sins. Any other clues?"

"None. Except that I believe even bad history is part of Korean history. Using doppelgangers is all I know."

"...Hmm. Few clues, and the ones there are sensitive. If you knew the location of the main body, you would have already gone to deal with it. In the end, it means you have to do something to draw out the main body."

As expected of Gwang Ik Gong.

"...How about trying to bait with a name?"

"A name?"

"Yes. For ability users, names are important. Try baiting with the name Hyandan."

Gwang Ik Gong lowered his voice.

"...If someone insults their nickname and they just stand by, they have to change their nickname."

"Specifically?"

"Well... if you say that the name Hyandan is the name from the story Chunhyangjeon."

Gwang Ik Gong folded his arms and tilted his head.

"So, do I have to betray Seong Chunhyang...?"

"...Exactly."

"Excuse me?"

"It's worth a try. Sure."

If it draws attention, great. If not, oh well.

"Before becoming Gwang Ik Gong, there's someone I need to become first."

"...Thank you for listening, but what are you trying to become?"

"It's nothing special."

I put my hand on Yun Hye-ra's shoulder and pulled her closer.

"Bangja."