The question of Gwang Ik Gong's existence.

The cultivation of a substitute for Gwang Ik Gong.

Securing several S-rank individuals.

Amid various anxiety-inducing elements, I finished investigating the part where Taejo sought advice from Gwang Ik Gong.

"Certainly, Taejo has strengths in this area."

The ability to manipulate iron.

More broadly, the ability to control metal.

Naturally, using and applying this ability allowed one to identify underground resources.

And right above Korea, there was a relatively resource-rich area.

The former land of North Korea.

Now, Hwanghae-do, Pyeongan-do, and Hamgyeong-do had truly been incorporated into the territory of this world's Republic of Korea.

For convenience, everyone called it the former land of North Korea, and although it was a minority, people still lived here.

And it turned out that this place had more untapped resources than expected.

Compared to the south.

"If we can extract the resources in the ruined land of North Korea and it brings economic benefits, then it certainly has value. Yumir, this is one of the contents in the report you submitted."

"How do you have my report?"

Yumir clung to me, trying to snatch the smartphone that contained the report I was reciting.

"I'm a faculty member."

"But I submitted the report on paper."

"It was scanned and uploaded as a PDF file."

Yumir's report topic was 'Utilization of the Northern Land of the Korean Peninsula.'

"The former land of North Korea is a land of opportunity, and if utilized well, Korea can achieve greater economic development."

This perspective was written from the viewpoint of someone who had lived abroad, not someone who had lived in Korea.

"The land north of the demilitarized zone is full of possibilities. Yes, it's a place everyone drools over because there are no people, resources are abundant, and there's nothing to hinder them."

I spread a satellite map on the screen.

"That's why many companies are now expanding northward. This marks the beginning of the northern pioneering era."

"The person discovering the underground resources is..."

"Taejo. He utilizes his abilities to aid the nation, particularly in the economic sector. This is the ideal way the country hopes ability users will be employed, right?"

This map, showing the entire Korean Peninsula, delineated the territory of the Republic of Korea in this world, with its sovereignty extending clearly to the Amnok River and the Duman River.

All the resources within this vast territory belong to Korea, and both the government and Haegneul were actively developing these resources.

Leading the effort was Taejo.

"Externally, it seems like he's staying in Busan, but in reality, he often travels to North Korea to locate resource veins."

"I thought he was just a child."

Having directly encountered Taejo, Yumir knew well what kind of person he was.

"Think simply. If there's a Taejo who purely enjoys ability battles as an S-rank detector, then in his shadow, there's also a Taejo who is a patriot using his abilities to help the national economy."

"How can such a person exist simultaneously? Is he dual personality or something?"

"No, it's not like that."

It's just that humans were peculiar beings.

"And if you look into other S-rank individuals, you'll find many interesting cases. It's not just Armored Taejo."

"...Will you tell me?"

"If necessary."

The deceased Gwang Ik Gong.

The adulterous Snow White.

The Secret Society spy Yoon Iseon—'Firefox'.

Tosin, Thunder King, Cheok Jun-kyeong, and Baridegi all had their own secrets.

The difference was whether those secrets were as political as Taejo's or more personal, depending on the person.

"Teacher, do others know about Taejo's dual nature?"

"No. Only Gwang Ik Gong and the President."

"Wow... If it weren't for the Gwang Ik Gong app, I would have lived my whole life thinking he was just an S-rank detector."

"Yeah. Don't tell anyone, okay?"

"Of course. Oh, does anyone in the Secret Society know?"

"As far as I know, the executives all know. But below the executive level, it's top-secret."

"I'll never tell. Not even to I-seon. Unless she figures it out herself."

I was revealing information to Yumir because she was a woman who kept her mouth shut.

Though she sometimes went on a rampage to make things advantageous for me, it's not a major concern as it involved matters between me and the nation.

And in the end, the story often flowed in a direction that turned out well.

"Then I need to talk about Taejo being dispatched to the north as a black agent of the National Intelligence Service. Let me ask you, Mir. Do you know the cause of North Korea's downfall?"

"Do you mean the official or unofficial cause?"

"Unofficial."

Officially, it was known that a nuclear explosion occurred in Pyongyang.

A nuclear missile was transported to Pyongyang, and then it accidentally exploded underground.

"I heard about it from you last time. Taejo and Tae Irin's younger sibling, an S-rank baby, was sold to North Korea by a woman named Min Ji-young."

"Yes. I didn't go into the details, but anyone would understand at once if they heard it."

I displayed Min Ji-young's picture on the screen.

She looked like a beautiful woman you might see on social media, with nothing particularly strange about her appearance.

"Wow, she really looks like she has a bad personality."

"Is that a prejudice or are you judging by the photo?"

"Judging by her face."

"Facial features can be telling. Yes, that ill-natured woman sold her S-rank baby to North Korea. Why would she do that?"

"Did North Korea offer her an unimaginable amount of money?"

"Similar. Instead of money, they agreed to give her land. Well, there's no need to go into the details of their transaction; let's just look at the result."

Conclusion.

"They took the baby and executed Min Ji-young."

"...Oh."

"Yes, she was betrayed. By North Korea. And the baby who lost his mother went berserk. And died. Along with the entirety of Pyongyang."

I displayed another picture.

It was a vast plain with a crater resembling a meteorite impact, which was once Pyongyang.

The width was so vast that it looked like a nuclear bomb had exploded underground.

In reality, it was a mana nuclear bomb that had exploded.

"This is how North Korea was destroyed, and the North Korean people, having no place to live, spread out up and down. The surviving North Koreans now reside in Kaesong Special Administrative City, and except for very special cases, they are not allowed to cross Panmunjom and the DMZ."

"Ability users, right?"

"Yes. Only if a family member awakens an ability can the family cross together. Only the direct family members."

There were talks about cruelty or lack of compassion, but the government of this country did not accept all the refugees, which could number in the millions or even tens of millions.

Instead, they gathered them in Kaesong and built homes using abilities, making sure they could live there so that the UN wouldn't have any human rights issues to raise.

"There are still people living in the northern region besides Kaesong. They live self-sufficiently, farming and surviving in the region, ensuring no one from other countries can intrude."

"It's something. I feel like I'm seeing a very dark side of things right now. These are details not covered in the Academy classes."

"It's a reality you will never see on Sejong Island. The logic is simple. If you say you feel sorry for those people, the immediate response is, 'So, will you take them into your house and let them live there?'"

"Wow. That really leaves you speechless."

"Yeah. The former North Koreans know that too. And there are those who incite conflict against them."

I expanded the map.

Gradually, it began to spread out like a world map, and two countries started to sparkle in red.

"China and Russia are eyeing the land of North Korea."

"But the territory belongs to Korea, right?"

"The territory belongs to Korea, but the land documents and landowners are different. Not all the land is state-owned; individuals can buy land with money. While Chinese people can't buy land in Jeju Island, they use Korean agents to buy land and live there like a vacation home."

"Does that really happen?"

"It's just an example."

An example that couldn't happen in this world.

"Think of Pyeongan-do, Hamgyeong-do, and Hwanghae-do in the same way as Jeju Island. How does that sound?"

"...Using agents to infiltrate foreign capital, it's similar to the case in Gangwon-do, right?"

"While Gangwon-do is for patriotism, this side is for resource plundering."

Even if it's only a small amount of resources, they were still resources.

"The chairman has given the order. We are to support Taejo."

"Is Taejo part of the Secret Society?"

"No. He's not part of the Secret Society, but we are helping him. Dealing with other S-rank individuals."

I promised Taejo support as Black Wing Gong.

I proposed to call another man to assist, and Taejo accepted the proposal.

"In that sense, I have to go up to Pyeongan-do with Taejo for a while."

"The country is moving, but can you go, Teacher?"

"I'm going as an invited man."

I displayed two employee IDs on the screen.

"As a person of Haegneul."

"...There's one for me too?"

"Yes."

There were two employee IDs.

One was mine, and the other was Yumir's.

"You've finished your final exams, and it's vacation time."

"Oh."

"Think of it as a trip for the two of us, going up tomorrow. You'll have to do some work as a Haegneul person, though."

"......."

Yumir turned her head to the side with a serious expression.

"Uh, what about that person?"

"......."

The ice doll, who was staring at the wall, just kept looking at the wall silently.

==Chapter 286: Departure Of The Patriotism Train (2)==

Baek Seol-hee was a hero, but she was also currently a professor at the Academy.

The Academy's undergraduate students were on summer break, and without a seasonal semester, she had three options for her break.

One was to act as a hero.

She had spent about 15 weeks focusing on nurturing the next generation at the Academy, so until the second semester started, one of her activities was to work as a hero in Busan.

Another option was to teach at the Academy's middle and high school levels.

Although she had taught adults well, there were many middle and high school students who also wanted her teachings.

From the perspective of using Baek Seol-hee's time, which was monopolized by university students, for middle and high school students, the middle and high schools wanted her to be a special lecturer.

The last option was to enjoy the break as the undergraduates do, literally to 'enjoy' the vacation.

Besides personal research, she could enjoy her time until the start of the second semester at the Academy.

As a hero, she could always step up and use her abilities, so she could freely do things she couldn't do during her 15 weeks as a professor.

There were various things to do.

She could binge-watch movies or dramas that she missed in the first and second quarters.

Or, she could dedicate herself to serving the country in other ways.

Or, she could be patriotic.

As she prepared for the undergraduates' final exams, she eagerly awaited the vacation.

Having already declared her intentions to the government, Baek Seol-hee was very happy to spend about 2.5 months of summer until the second semester started on September 1st with someone.

However, she received news that was like a bolt from the blue.

"Professor Baek Seol-hee. Please take care of the summer semester."

She was given a task that was not really a task.

"A summer semester? Are you telling me to create and run additional classes?"

"That's correct."

Baek Seol-hee, who had been called separately to the Director's office, couldn't believe the contents of the documents handed over by the Director sitting in front of her.

"Are you saying that only selected students from the Academy will undergo special training? Did I hear that right?"

"You understood correctly, Professor Baek Seol-hee."

"...Who are the selected students?"

"We will have to look at each one from now on. Haha."

The Director laughed heartily.

"Vacation doesn't just mean a period of rest. 'Vacation' literally means 'putting down academics,' but that's only when you're away from the field of learning. The cultivation of academics must continue, and those with abilities need to further cultivate their abilities."

"...Are you saying this special training will take place on Jeju Island?"

"That's correct. As a senior hero, we hope you will teach the juniors how to use their abilities more intensively."

"Sigh."

A sigh escaped her unconsciously.

Having already expressed her displeasure, Baek Seol-hee started showing her outright dislike without hiding it.

"Did you hear anything from the President?"

"The President?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry, but I haven't heard anything about Professor Baek Seol-hee yet."

The School Director was startled at the mention of the country's President but could only be embarrassed.

"Is it absolutely necessary for me to go?"

"We have sent a cooperation request document to the government and the Hero Association. Without Professor Baek Seol-hee, this summer semester's special classes will be in vain."

"Will that really happen just because I'm not there?"

"Yes."

"......."

It was frustrating.

She felt suffocated.

Just saying 'I won't do it' was not an option because the educational plan, which seemed to have been written by the Director himself, was too ideal and exemplary.

So if she had to pick on another part....

"It's not fair to go with only a select few instead of the entire Academy."

"You're saying it's unfair and that it will create discord among students? That selecting students could create a sense of inequality?"

The Director mentioned the points Baek Seol-hee wanted to make herself.

As if he had already anticipated her objections or had heard them from someone, the Director immediately countered.

"I understand. I've heard that since planning this. Even Professor Lisa La Lakshmi had something to say about it. Haha."

"No matter how much I talk, it doesn't work."

Next to Baek Seol-hee, the relatively tan-skinned, beautiful Professor Lisa held the documents in front of her.

"Ultimately, the Director wants to put all his efforts into this National Competition."

"The National Competition is a battle of S-class heroes, isn't it?"

"Yes, but if the number of S-class heroes increases before the National Competition, it changes the story, doesn't it?"

"...Don't tell me."

Baek Seol-hee scanned the Director's eyes and read his thoughts.

"Are you trying to find cases like Yoon Iseon, who was A-class but rapidly grew into S-class?"

"Of course. If new S-class heroes like Iseon appear, the number of ability users who can participate in the National Competition will increase. This is for the national interest and an act of patriotism."

"......."

For the National Competition.

"More S-class heroes mean more potential winners. Although Armored Taejo is the gatekeeper of the S-class, students like Yoon Iseon who can defeat him may emerge. We must win. We hope that students from the Academy will achieve good results."

Increasing the number of S-class heroes eligible to participate was an effort to increase the likelihood of winning, meaning they wouldn't hesitate to change the education process for the sake of Korea's victory.

"Are you saying that even if it means taking away the Academy undergraduates' vacation and turning it into a training period, you want to cultivate ability users for the National Competition?"

"Of course. Not only I, but everyone wants this."

"Who? The Director?"

"No. Someone even more significant."

The Director pointed his index finger towards the ceiling.

"The people want this."

"......."

"The Director would want it too. Not only that, everyone, regardless of political affiliation, wants this. Winning the National Competition, or rather the World Cup, is a critical issue. If Korea does not win the World Cup held in Korea, it will cause severe problems."

The Director pulled out one of the printed documents and placed it in the center of the table.

"Currently, over 50 S-class heroes around the world have entered personal training to prepare for the National Competition. Among them, a significant number are expatriates from Korea."

"Calling them expatriates...!"

"Those who have defected or changed nationality are not patriots, are they? Professor Baek. They betrayed you. They betrayed the country. I don't think you are defending such people."

"...Are you trying to argue with me, Director?"

As Baek Seol-hee openly frowned, the Director momentarily paused.

"That's not the case. It's just that if such people win...."

"Do you think I or Gwang Ik Gong can't win?"

"That's not it. Of course, you will win. You will take first and second place. But only the two of you achieving results won't be enough."

The Director continued with a voice full of fervor.

"From first to eighth, no, if there are 30 S-class heroes, from first to thirtieth. All should be Koreans lined up in order."

"......."

"The S-class ranking in Korea should be the global S-class ranking. And the number shouldn't just be eight; it should increase. This way, Korea will achieve overwhelming results in international competitions!"

The Director's eyes burned with passion.

"Help us make it so that not only the quarterfinals but also the round of 16 and the round of 32 are filled with the Korean flag fluttering."

"......."

Baek Seol-hee quietly closed her eyes.

...

...

And then.

Flash.

She opened her eyes.

When she opened her eyes, a familiar man and woman were clinging to the bed together.

"Oh, you're here?"

"Welcome, unnie."

The two greeted her nonchalantly, but Baek Seol-hee immediately controlled her doppelganger to pull the blanket covering them.

"Wow."

Baek Seol-hee immediately felt annoyed.

"While someone suddenly got annoyed, you two were patriotically cozy?"

"Want to join?"

"Should we move aside?"

"......."

Baek Seol-hee felt a moment of irritation at Do Ji-hwan's suggestion but soon felt better.

"I'm meeting with the School Director. I'll finish talking with him soon and come here."

"Should I come pick you up?"

"I'll text you when I arrive, so come to my room. I'm in the Director's office now."

"Did the Director say something upsetting?"

"He wants me to create a summer semester special training camp in Jeju Island for A-class and B-class heroes."

Baek Seol-hee explained the situation through her doppelganger.

The two listened seriously to Baek Seol-hee's words, deep in thought.

"Unni."

"Yes, Mir."

"How about living on Jeju Island for a month, matching the camp schedule?"

"......Will you come?"

"It seems like you can't avoid it now. Teacher, what do you think?"

"Ulleungdo is better than Jeju Island, but... it can't be helped."

Do Ji-hwan shook his smartphone towards Baek Seol-hee.

"I'll find a place to stay in Jeju Island for a month, so just agree for now. And we'll discuss it in detail when you get back."

"...Okay."

Baek Seol-hee closed her eyes again.

And then, back to the Director's office.

"Professor Baek Seol-hee...?"

"Fine. But, I have conditions."

Baek Seol-hee flicked the paper with her finger.

"If I do this, I'll take a leave of absence for the second semester."

==Chapter 287: Departure Of The Patriotism Train (3)==

Baek Seol-hee's clone woke up.

After a brief conversation, it disappeared immediately.

"... That was startling. Did that really just happen?"

"For someone who was startled, you seemed pretty calm."

"Well, that's because you were nervous, which made me act composed."

I was just calm, but Yumir was tense all over, like a woman caught in an affair.

"No matter how strong you are as the Platinum Sun, it must be nerve-wracking to get caught fooling around with a taken man, huh? Even when learning Gwang Ik Gong's combat techniques, you weren't this nervous."

"That's because it didn't matter if I failed then, but now, I could hurt Seol-hee unnie's feelings. I don't like hurting other people's hearts. By the way, you don't think she overheard us talking about Taejo, do you?"

"Probably not."

Yumir, Taejo, Gwang Ik Gong, and her were discussing the old North Korean lands when Baek Seol-hee suddenly appeared.

Meanwhile Yumir and I were having a conversation and stopped midway, which seemed to make Baek Seol-hee uncomfortable.

"She seemed like she had something to complain about but got angrier because you were there. Also, stopping the conversation suddenly probably didn't help."

"Still, when the teacher suggested patriotism, she immediately calmed down."

Indeed.

No matter how angry Baek Seol-hee got, she could now quell her anger with just one dose of patriotism.

Patriotism was the answer, and patriotism could subdue any anger.

Although whether that patriotism was genuine was something we couldn't openly question.

"You've completely tamed her with patriotism."

"...That's the charm of a beauty scheme."

Most of Baek Seol-hee's problems could be solved with patriotism.

She was supposed to stay in Jeju Island for about a month, like a summer camp, but I managed to quell her complaints by agreeing to go there myself.

And after a moment of solemn patriotism, her anger would vanish, and she would greet the next morning energetically.

"By the way, a seasonal class? And an elite special training? Being asked to participate as a training instructor makes it hard to refuse."

"Unnie, really. She could just say no."

"She can't help it."

The logic of the world and the flow of light novels are like that.

"Umida can't be helped."

Umida.

It's Japanese.

"In modern light novels, a summer sea event is a must-have."

It was also part of the original story.

In fact, a summer camp in a light novel about academy characters was essential.

Specifically, a 'swimsuit service scene' could not be left out.

If a serious story with deaths unfolded in the main story?

Then the protagonist and heroines momentarily forgot the fights and go to the pool for some fun.

Was there no big episode?

Then a new main episode was bound to happen at the sea.

Needed conflict between the protagonist and the heroine?

For that, there was always a scene where the protagonist and heroine walked alone on the beach at night, talking.

This plot was mainly used in light novels with illustrations, animations, and comics, but this patriotic light novel followed the same trend.

Even with absurd reasons, the world made sure to have a summer camp.

Whether it's a trip to Jeju Island or a cruise, the world created episodes to show heroines in swimsuits.

It's reality, but as it's within the novel world, this rule couldn't be avoided.

"Teacher, isn't the Academy Director a bit strange?"

"He is."

"Isn't it to the point of execution?"

"It sounds really awkward when you say that."

"But he's messing with Seol-hee unnie's mental state. For a ridiculous reason like a summer term. Maybe not kill him, but at least knock him out...."

Crunch.

Yumir moved her hand as if she was tearing something apart.

"And rip it out. Or burn it."

"...It might be better to just kill him."

"Shall I go do it?"

"Leave it. The Director has been doing weird things for ages. He commits strange acts under the name of patriotism education, so there's no need to worry too much. And... we need him. To lure out the demon of Pandemonium."

"Oh, using the Director as bait?"

"Yes."

Yumir immediately understood my words.

"There are people trying to use the director. We're narrowing down the candidates. They haven't taken the bait yet, but agents from Sejong Island's Secret Society, including Brewer, are gathering information. If a demon like Laplace approaches the director...."

Slash.

I sliced the middle of my smartphone with my finger.

"Just chop it off."

"Got it. The director is a scarecrow. For now, we'll leave the director alone. Then...."

Yumir subtly stood up.

"To care for Seol-hee unnie's mental state, shall we do something special?"

Maybe because we had sorted out our conversation, or perhaps due to the intuition that Baek Seol-hee would soon appear.

"Teacher, let's sacrifice ourselves for Seol-hee unnie today."

"Sacrifice?"

"Gladly offer yourself. To Seol-hee unnie."

Yumir excitedly manipulated mana and started creating some items.

"You know, Gwang Ik Gong would be really sad if he saw that."

"It's not a Gwang Ik Gong technique, though? It's just an application of magic power."

"You're just using the technique to form golden wings and creating a different shape."

"Hehe."

The color of the magic power was golden.

The shapes were things I couldn't even bring myself to describe.

"With this, Seol-hee unnie can blow away all the stress she got from the Director in one go."

Swish.

"Everything, for the sake of patriotism."

"......."

Yumir waved the magical item she had created at me.

The conversation ended.

Baek Seol-hee immediately returned to her room and threw herself on the bed for a moment.

"With the Academy Director treating people like that, no wonder everyone wants to leave this country."

Baek Seol-hee covered her face with her hands.

She wanted to erase the Director's face, which kept flickering before her eyes.

"Who would want to take classes forcibly set up during vacation?"

Although she had only been working as a professor for about three months, Baek Seol-hee had once been a student.

And as a student, naturally, she wanted to enjoy her vacation.

However, now she was in a position to take away the students' free vacations.

"Using the students' desperation to force them into training...."

Baek Seol-hee glanced over the printout she was holding.

The list of students who would participate in the training camp was already densely organized, with none of the A-class students missing, despite her being named a recommender.

"They say they'll give benefits to the participants, but who wouldn't participate when they say you'll be disadvantaged if you don't?"

Using someone's family situation as leverage.

Using scholarships as leverage for others.

And for some, using the experience of sparring with S-class ability users as leverage.

"...If you open a camp with a recommendation letter for the national competition academy undergraduates, who wouldn't want to join? Seriously."

And for others, the opportunity to challenge something more honorable than anything else.

The chance to compete on a world stage, representing the country with the flag on their chest.

"...Even if they lose 0-6 against an S-class in the preliminaries, it all becomes valuable experience."

If the national competition's preliminary rounds were composed of 64 participants, with 50 being S-class?

Then the remaining 14 wouldn't get a bye; instead, they'd fill those 14 spots with A-class participants.

Even an A+ class would get a chance to fight an S-class in the group stages.

In that opportunity, an A+ class could awaken to S-class.

Who knows?

Maybe they'd become like Yoon Iseon or Firefox.

"Ah, this is frustrating."

Baek Seol-hee pounded the paper material with her fist.

"I just want to start vacation right away and play until the end of the year."

"Unnie, by 'play,' you mean patriotism, right?"

Yumir, who came out of an opened space, entered Baek Seol-hee's room with light steps.

"Hey. Do you think all I do is patriotism?"

"Isn't it?"

"I'm going to watch movies patriotically. Like you were doing earlier."

"I wasn't watching movies patriotically, though."

"Then what were you doing?"

"Ability consulting."

"...Constructive."

Baek Seol-hee took off her Taeguk Watch and held Yumir's hand.

"I should go. Ji-hwan won't come here, right?"

"No. Today, we'll do it in the teacher's room. As for the Taeguk Watch...."

"I'm leaving a clone, so you don't have to stay here."

"Wow, awesome."

In Baek Seol-hee's room, a clone dressed in a suit was sitting upright on a chair.

"When the emergency alert goes off from the Taeguk Watch, that reacts?"

"Yes. Let's go. Can you do more?"

"I can, but I prepared a surprise gift for you, unnie."

"...Surprise?"

"Yes. Let's go over together first?"

Under Yumir's guidance, Baek Seol-hee carefully extended her hand through the golden dimensional gate.

Swoosh.

The first thing she saw upon crossing the space was a dark room.

The familiar silhouette indicated it was Do Ji-hwan's room, and soon, breathing sounds began to be heard.

Ssh, ssh.

"...Wow."

Baek Seol-hee swallowed.

On the bed.

Do Ji-hwan, lying on the bed in just a shirt and pants, had golden glowing handcuffs on both hands.

"To think of making handcuffs with magic power. You really...."

"Unnie."

Buzz.

"I'm going to take a picture."

"......."

With those words, Baek Seol-hee let go of the last thread of her rationality.

Meanwhile, somewhere on Earth.

"......."

A black-haired woman stared at the video that had arrived on her smartphone with an expressionless face.

"Hmm."

Her golden eyes glinted as she analyzed the video with the precision of an intelligence analyst.

"...Even these two might not be enough...."

In the video:

As the white-haired woman collapsed, the Goblin rushed towards the camera.

The camera fell to the floor, and the blonde woman was quickly devoured by the Goblin.

"We need more. More. Alive women, S-class women...."

Crunch.

"If not, we'll die...."

==Chapter 288: Departure Of The Patriotism Train (4)==

At that time, in the President's Office in Busan.

"Are you insane?! Are you out of your mind?!"

An angry voice echoed outside the office.

The secretaries outside were all startled, as it was rare for him to lose his temper.

"Who are you to make Snow White an instructor! Huh?! What were you thinking, what?! Education?! To increase the number of S-classes? Damn, you fool!"

The one shouting was none other than the President, and the reason for his anger was Snow White.

"Just because Snow White is a professor at the academy, you think you can do whatever you want as the director?! How could you do such a thing with an S-class hero! Have you lost your mind?!"

And the target of his anger was none other than the academy's director.

"Did you mark Baek Seol-hee as an instructor in the education plan without even getting Snow White's permission? Wow, you're quite the powerful person! Just because Snow White is young and treats you with respect as the director, you think you're above her?! Do you think the world's ability users call you director because you're actually something?! Get your head straight! Snow White is doing you a favor by being a professor, you can't just do whatever you want!"

There was no bomb like this verbal bomb.

If the person on the receiving end were to hear these words directly, they would probably go crazy just from the words alone.

"Just you wait until tomorrow! Damn...!"

Click.

The call ended with a rough sound.

President Tae Chae-jin, who had been breathing heavily with his fist clenched, took a deep breath.

"Such a useless act...!"

"Grandfather."

The young man sitting on the office sofa, Taejo, sipped the black tea in front of him and glanced through the documents.

"Is the director getting fired?"

"...I can't dismiss him myself. Tsk."

The President leaned back on the sofa.

"What if Baek Seol-hee suddenly quits everything?"

"Isn't it enough to just get rid of the director?"

"Yeah. I wish I could just fire him. Sigh. Maybe he doesn't know better? Tsk."

The President glanced at the secretaries, who were watching nervously, and swallowed his words with a sip of tea.

"When the truth comes out, the director will probably go crazy too. He'll wonder what kind of madness he's done. Sigh."

"Well... the director is lucky; it might actually turn out well."

"What? Why?"

"Surprisingly, Seol-hee noona might like going to Jeju Island."

"What are you talking about? She planned a vacation during the break, but something came up."

"Who says she has to work all the time? In Jeju Island, if you get Seol-hee noona her own room, even a separate pension far away, she'll rest well on her own."

"......!!"

The President stroked his chin at Taejo's words.

"That's a good idea. If we loosen the eyes around her..."

"I know a nice pension in Seogwipo, grandfather."

"You little rascal... Ahem. You can be useful at times like this. So, where is it?"

"In Seogwipo. I'm an expert in this... Oh. This isn't why I came."

Taejo straightened his posture.

Soon, he grabbed the back of his neck and rubbed his throat with his thumb, and the President gulped down the tea and stood up.

"Secretary Jang. I need to talk to Taejo alone for a bit, please step out."

"Understood. Call me when you're done."

"Sure."

As the secretaries left, Taejo immediately activated his magic power.

"Noise canceling. Ah, ah."

"...What's the matter? Is it North Korea?"

"Yes. One each from China and Russia, S-classes are coming."

Taejo's voice became respectful, though his posture remained relaxed.

"But Gwang Ik Gong is not stepping in directly."

"......."

"What's wrong with him? Cheok Jun-kyeong's paranoia is worsening. Other S-classes are the same, and so is Irin."

"You don't need to know... No, you shouldn't know."

"Is it something serious?"

"Just know that he can't step outside. That's enough."

"Hmm...."

Taejo put his feet on the table.

"Understood. If you say so, Grandfather, I won't ask further."

His expression and posture were that of a gangster, but his voice was calm and composed.

"But I can't handle two crises alone. It's fine if I lose, but if people start asking where Gwang Ik Gong is, we won't have an answer."

"......."

"Instead, they said Gwang Ik Gong would send someone. Who is it?"

"What?"

At Tae Chae-jin's question, Taejo tilted his head.

"You don't know either, Grandfather?"

"Gwang Ik Gong is sending someone? Who?"

"......Huh."

Taejo frowned for a moment, then rubbed the back of his neck again.

"Oh, I mean, this time, I plan to have some clean fun. There won't be anything like Yuliana. There hasn't been any trouble for two months...."

Creak.

The office door opened.

The one who entered, with a worried look, was Baridegi, Tae Irin.

"Grandfather, are you okay? I heard you were really angry."

"No, I'm fine, Irin."

"Did Taejo cause trouble again?"

"Hey. Tae Irin. Do you think I always cause trouble?"

"Either causing trouble or about to cause trouble."

Tae Irin sat opposite Taejo.

"Did you perhaps meet an idol last week?"

"......."

"I'm talking about the four-member girl group idol."

".......That."

Taejo made a finger gun and pointed it at Tae Irin.

"What can I do if a guy is too attractive and girls flock to him? I mean, it was just a brief encounter in the restroom...."

"......."

Tae Irin covered her face with her hands.

Her face suddenly turned red, and even the earlobes visible between her hair turned bright red.

"What? Why? Normally, you'd be yelling by now. What's wrong with you?"

"Ah, nothing. Grandfather, it's not because of this, right?"

"This is the first I'm hearing of it. Irin, are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm fine...."

Tae Irin fanned herself as she stood up.

"Since I see you're fine, I'll be going. Taejo, if I hear that idol is pregnant or anything like that, I'll really kill you."

"What, pregnant?"

"She's the main vocalist! If she's gone, the group will die!"

"......Main vocalist? I thought she was a sub. Wow."

After the fuming Tae Irin left.

"Taejo."

"Yes, grandfather."

"The idols you wanted to take this time, were they by any chance those idols?"

"Well, um."

Taejo shrugged his shoulders.

"...It's not just one, it's a group."

A moment later.

Another roar echoed in the office.

After reserving a pension in Jeju Island in front of Baek Seol-hee.

"See you later!"

With a vigorous step, or rather a slight limp, Baek Seol-hee left through Yumir's space transfer, and I welcomed another peaceful morning.

"Teacher."

"What?"

"Are you okay?"

"Of course, I'm fine."

Yumir, who had seen Baek Seol-hee off, was exhausted and threw herself onto my bed.

"I haven't cleaned it yet."

"With a bit of magic power, it becomes clean instantly."

Poof.

Yumir, lying spread out, patted the bed, and soon the bed sparkled with golden magic power and became as fresh as if it had been sun-dried.

"Teacher."

"What now?"

"Can you tell me more about going to North Korea with Taejo?"

"We got cut off talking about it yesterday."

Because Baek Seol-hee's avatar slowly turned her head, we couldn't properly discuss our plans to go to North Korea with the black agent Taejo.

"According to the information secured by the society, an idol group will perform a consolation show."

"Idol?"

"Yes. A four-member girl idol group made up of ordinary people. We will cross the Panmunjom with them, hold a concert in Kaesong, and some broadcasting staff will move further north separately."

"Blending in with ordinary people. That's clever. But why an idol group? Wow, that's so pure."

"Taejo met the main vocalist of that group."

"......."

Yumir froze while scrolling through the idol group's music video.

"Are we using Taejo?"

"It could be that Taejo is using them, or they're using each other, or they just happened to fall in love. What's important is that we will follow as staff from the broadcasting station, part of the Haegneul Studio's security team."

There's no one easier to blend in than security personnel.

"Hmm... Is Taejo officially joining us? Is he going to North Korea officially?"

"No. Taejo and we are on the same team. He'll hide his identity and follow us. Without anyone from the government coming along."

"......Is that possible?"

"We made it possible. Money makes anything possible."

We used money to get information.

We used money to connect with the security team members who would be with Taejo.

We even provided funds for the security team members to flee abroad if things went wrong.

"The money spent just to grease the wheels for our infiltration is over 16 billion won."

Yumir's mouth dropped open.

"Do we really need to spend that much to infiltrate?"

"If we can create an environment where Gwang Ik Gong doesn't have to step in for just a few days of travel, it's worth it. These two will surely cause trouble, wanting to mess with Korea."

I pulled out two photos.

"Who do you think the S-class ability user agents dispatched from China and Russia, aiming for the old North Korean gold mines, will be?"

"...Traitors?"

"That's right. They are the ones who hold the most resentment towards Korea. Do you recognize one?"

"The Heavenly Demon."

The Heavenly Demon from China.

"Who's this woman? I've never seen her before."

"She's a terrifying woman."

The blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty with a typical East Asian face floated beside the Heavenly Demon.

"She's an S-class villain from Russia."

"They're using a villain?"

"Yes. Villains are perfect for this kind of job."

"Wasn't she Korean?"

"She was a villain in Korea, then fled to Russia and continued her villainous activities there. ...She'll be executed as soon as we get the chance."

Her name is...

"Rasputin."

==Chapter 289: Departure Of The Patriotism Train (5)==

Dawn.

The morning has arrived.

Yumir and I swapped places with the agents in the underground parking lot near Busan Station. The agents, now disguised, boarded the car and left.

"How is it, Jeon Yeong-hui?"

"It's easy to remember the name, Hyeon Cheol-su."

Yumir and I became members of the security team.

Both Yumir and I completely transformed our appearances using our abilities.

"Isn't it okay to talk normally when you set up a barrier with magic power?"

"No, act thoroughly. That's the basic mindset of an agent."

Although Yumir dyed her hair black and changed her face with her ability, she wanted to be herself and Do Ji-hwan when we were alone.

Maybe it's still awkward for her, or she didn't like being called Jeon Yeong-hui.

"Even when we're alone. They say Jeon Yeong-hui and Hyeon Cheol-su are lovers."

"Even if we're in a romantic relationship, we must maintain professionalism. Once the mission is completed, we have to return the identities to the agents. Let's not ruin our reputations."

"How about we make it official? If we spread rumors about patriotism...."

"Don't say weird things."

"Ouch."

Or maybe it's because it's uncomfortable to be patriotic alone with me.

"As a bodyguard, act like one. Act professionally. We learned that at the academy."

"Just because I'm an E-rank."

Yumir was E-rank.

Now she's upgraded to D-rank, but at the beginning of the academy, she received training appropriate for E-rank.

The academy trained E-rank students in advance for jobs suitable for their rank in society.

Bodyguard work was one of those jobs.

"I'm the senior, you're the junior. And another member joining us is 'Black'. So, there's no need to feel awkward. Got it?"

"Weren't we supposed to be four?"

"It changed on-site. I was informed just before we boarded the car."

"Ugh, a variable."

It's just a minor variable.

In fact, it's more convenient.

"Don't be weirded out by 'Black Taejo's' appearance. Got it?"

"It might feel weird because of preconceived notions."

"It may be unsettling, but just go with it. Now, let's join the team."

"Hee-ing."

Though Yumir whined, I remembered clearly when she was an agent for the Hero Association.

Yumir was practical.

She would act professionally and never troll.

"Let's go, Yeong-hui."

"Yes, senior."

After checking our suits again, we joined the 'security team'.

"Hyeon Cheol-su. Jeon Yeong-hui. Did you two just come back from kissing in the car?"

"Sorry, team leader."

"No, no. Just joking. Everyone else seems tense."

The security team leader, Park Tae-sik, laughed and pointed to the other team members behind him.

"Let me introduce him. Mister K. His name is 'Kim Tae-sik'. You can guess where he's from, right? It's the National Intelligence Service."

They were clearly aware of one person, a 'black-haired young man' wearing black sunglasses like the other agents.

"Nice to meet you both."

Yumir flinched in surprise.

I was also a bit startled because his deep, serious voice was entirely different from the frivolous, patriotic young man's voice we knew.

"Nice to meet you."

"Please follow my instructions in the field unless it's an SA situation."

"Of course."

He clearly looked like an NIS agent.

Originally, NIS black agents usually dressed like journalists or ordinary people with checkered shirts, but now Taejo looked like an NIS agent straight out of a Korean crime movie.

"Then, let's move to our respective zones."

"Yes. Let's head to the train."

As soon as we moved with the security team, everyone disappeared to their positions.

"Hyeon Cheol-su. Did you volunteer for this mission?"

When everyone was gone and only our 'team' remained, Kim Tae-sik-Taejo carefully asked.

"Yes. I volunteered for the national interest."

"You might die. I heard you two are getting married this year."

"It's for the country."

"...Understood."

Kim Tae-sik nodded heavily and followed next to me.

"Then, I'll tell only you two. The security team will go to Gaeseong, but you two and I will go further north with a small team. To Sinuiju."

"......."

Yumir's eyes wavered for a moment.

Her gaze questioned why the destination differed from what I previously mentioned, but fortunately, Taejo didn't notice that.

"Before we talk, do you two...by any chance."

Taejo tapped his wristwatch with the Taeguk symbol while heading to the site with us.

"Do you know how much gold is needed to make semiconductors?"

At that time, Harbin.

A street lined with shabby, old buildings.

The concrete walls were cracked as if they could split at any moment, and the street was strewn with trash.

It wasn't just trash.

Homeless people, covered in what looked like piles of garbage, were using old blankets and newspapers to protect themselves.

"Ugh, ugh..."

Their actions were like those of zombies, but there were no zombies in modern times.

Demons existed, but zombies had not yet appeared, so there was no way for zombies to exist. However, they certainly acted sluggishly like zombies, repeating the same actions without any purpose.

It was nothing special.

They were just drugged, and the drug was opium.

"Hehe, Great Leader comrade...."

Mumbling nonsense to themselves, their focus was not on reality but on an illusion.

Among these people filling the street, several black vehicles were heading across the street towards a warehouse.

Screech.

As the cars stopped and the doors opened, blonde women stepped out.

They were all wearing black suits, their faces covered with sunglasses and masks, and each had a sword at their waist.

It was clearly strange for people who should be carrying guns to be carrying swords, but if you could see the magical power shining in their eyes behind the sunglasses, it wouldn't be strange at all.

A 17-year-old female high school student with abilities stronger than a tank, and these women were 'agents' who evolved from those high school students.

Clunk.

The last blonde woman to get out of the car leisurely headed into the warehouse.

Unlike the other agents, she wore only a light and transparent dress and calmly pushed the warehouse doors open.

Screech.

As the warehouse doors opened, sunlight seeped into the space.

Inside the warehouse, where only the ventilator was running, black-haired men and women were mingling, all wearing shirts with various patterns, gathered in groups of four playing mahjong.

"Hello, traitor?"

The blonde woman approached a black-haired woman who was waiting alone with a mahjong set in front of her.

"You're dead."

"Oh my, can you kill me?"

It was clearly a meeting between Chinese and Russians, but the conversation was led by people speaking Korean.

"How about killing the common enemy first, then killing each other?"

"Have you watched too many noir movies? You sound like you're trying to impress Snow White."

"Isn't life boring if you live too plainly? Since you're named 'Heavenly Demon', why not ditch the suit and wear a black robe like in martial arts movies?"

"Shut up. You're called 'Rasputin', so why aren't you dressed like a monk?"

"That's because."

The blonde woman, Rasputin, lightly lifted the hem of her dress with both hands.

Cheonma immediately frowned at that action, but Rasputin giggled and sat opposite her.

"So, why did you call us this time?"

"Why ask when you already know?"

"I want to hear it from your mouth. Come on, brief me."

"I'm not your minion. Hey, I was an officially recognized S-rank in Korea, and you were rated S-rank in Russia."

"Both of us are traitors, so what's the point of arguing?"

It seemed like a tense situation, and the subordinates were ready to attack each other, but the ones having the conversation were completely calm.

"Let's get to the point. A gold mine was discovered under a lake in Pyeonganbuk-do. It's a very high-purity gold mine."

"A gold mine? Even if it's gold, isn't it insignificant if it's buried in North Korea?"

"It's not just gold."

Cheonma flicked her finger, and soon a subordinate placed a black steel case on the mahjong table.

"Take a look. What do you think?"

"......Oh. This is interesting."

"With something like this, don't you think there's enough reason for us to join forces?"

"Hmm."

Rasputin licked her lips and reached out towards the gold.

"I wouldn't have come down here if I didn't intend to cooperate."

"Good choice. Then, our teams have one task."

Boom!

The Heavenly Demon lifted her leg high and then smashed the mahjong table with it.

"To infiltrate and understand the nature of the gold mine."

Swoosh.

Beneath the split mahjong table, a hole large enough for a person to enter appeared.

"And to steal the gold from the mine."

"What about the split?"

"Absolutely 50:50, so no one feels shortchanged."

"Good."

Rasputin looked down the deep hole and licked her lips.

"If it's not a losing split and we're taking something from Korea, there's nothing we can't do. Especially...."

Hehe.

"If it's gold that can be infused with mana."

"After the great upheaval, the world has changed."

"Since Sejong Island emerged, the resources around the area have gradually changed over time."

"Yes. We will protect the gold mine in North Korea."

"It's the purest gold in the world and can manage mana most efficiently."

"To put it a bit fantastically...."

"We need to protect the 'Magical Stone Vein'."

==Chapter 290: Departure Of The Patriotism Train (6)==

The world changed drastically, and so did the resources.

Mana became the most precious thing in this world, and the only way to obtain mana artificially was through mana powder.

So, where could one get mana?

The surest way was to live near Sejong Island and absorb the mana contained in the air.

Other than that, there were not many ways to obtain mana—

But there were.

Although no one knew before, people began to discover methods one by one.

-Mana started to dwell in minerals in Korea!

A meteorite fell into the sea.

And it began to slowly spread mana toward Korea along the seabed's veins.

From Sejong Island, through the East Sea, along the mountain ranges in the eastern part of the Korean Peninsula, mana began to slowly scatter throughout the peninsula.

At first, no one knew.

As the world was changing with the birth of ability users, everyone was busy stabilizing the world. Moreover, only ability users could verify such things.

By chance, an ability user discovered that all kinds of resources extracted from Korea had a higher mana utilization than those from other countries, and only now in 2025 had the full-scale resource development begun.

-Hey! There's mana in the coal from Gangwon-do!

-Call the workers! Call the ability users! Start mining the mana stones now!

In reality, they were different from the fantasy mana stones.

In hunter stories, mana stones were often depicted as a next-generation energy source, traded at astronomical prices.

But the mana stones in this world were just items that could efficiently utilize mana.

They simply contained mana, making it easier to store or infuse mana when processed.

Then.

What if we made items for ability users with these?

-Wow! Mana infuses into my sword so quickly...!

-Guns made with mana stones are easier to shoot mana bullets with than regular ones. This is a revolution.

-The semiconductors in the Taegeuk Watch utilize metal infused with mana, achieving insane performance...! It can last a week on a single charge!

Efficiency began to soar.

Using metals imported from abroad, products made with resources mined in Korea boasted far more efficient and economical capabilities than existing ones.

In extreme cases, a smartphone developed in Korea with Korean resources could perform three times better, have a battery life seven times longer, and weigh half as much as one developed in South America with South American resources.

Naturally, everything made in Korea was more efficient and effective.

Moreover, even raw materials imported from abroad would absorb mana over time when left on Korean soil, so everything became better after passing through Korea.

For instance.

In the underground military zones restricted to civilians, there were large-scale "jangdokdae" (traditional Korean fermentation jars) embedded in the ground.

If steel melted in these jars, the items made from that steel after being re-forged became stronger and more resistant to rust than regular steel.

Eventually.

As time passed, one thing became certain.

Korea was no longer a resource-poor country.

Rather, it became a country that grew stronger in terms of resources over time.

Thus, the whole world was targeting Korea.

Not only for the "human resources" from Korea.

But for all the resources coming from Korea, even the fermented soy sauce in the jars.

Made in Korea.

Everything labeled with this phrase was now related to "mana" and "abilities."

At that moment, in the VIP compartment of the special train for transporting VIPs, the "New Mugunghwa-ho."

"Sisters. They're all gone."

As soon as the woman wearing a hanbok spoke, the women in the VIP compartment all relaxed from their stiff postures.

"Sigh. Really, how did we end up in such a mess."

"Couldn't we just quietly go to Busan for the music show? Why perform in Kaesong, of all places?"

"Ugh, this is so annoying. We can't just quit being idols either."

The women, known as the idol group "Star Flowers," looked at the compartment with somewhat gloomy faces.

"Is there really no one around? No one can hear us, right?"

"Are you worried? Or should we talk at the hotel in Kaesong?"

"Talking after we get to the hotel will be too late. Let's just assume no one is here and talk now."

The one who seemed to be the leader carefully took out something from the inner pocket of her hanbok jacket.

"Sister, did you bring it?"

"Of course."

The woman carefully pulled out a box so that others couldn't see.

"Oh, sister. What's with the Hallasan?"

"A cigarette case? Couldn't you bring something more convincing?"

"You little brats. Be grateful for this."

The item looked like a cigarette case.

But as soon as the leader opened the cigarette case, the expressions of the other three women changed.

"Wow... Did you unwrap and stuff them all in? What if they get contaminated?"

"It's better to put a few more in by removing the packaging than to put fewer in. And this isn't a real cigarette case. It's an imitation with plastic lining inside."

"You should have just brought a patriotic box."

"If we get caught with that, our idol lives are over. Besides, you were the ones who asked me to prepare this."

The leader pointed at the round items inside the cigarette case, fuming.

"Being an idol smoking cigarettes is less serious than 'treasonous acts.' You know that."

"Sister. But what we want to do is not treason but patriotism."

"...So, I prepared it."

The leader put the mock cigarette case back into her pocket, formed a ring with her fingers, and poked through it with her other index finger.

"I've loaded the patriotism needle in there."

"...Crazy. Are you really going to do it?"

"If we don't have this, that person won't help us. So what else can we do?"

The other women silently nodded at the leader's words.

"And don't worry too much. It's not domestic. It's Japanese."

"...What difference does that make?"

"Domestic ones are too thorough in their effects, strictly enforcing the intended purpose. To avoid what we want to avoid, it's better to later claim it was Japanese."

"Sigh, I don't know. I'll just trust you. ....That."

The women smacked their lips.

"Really, is it true? Being with an S-class 'idol' is really like heaven?"

"It's more than heaven."

The leader crossed her legs and smirked.

"It's like paradise. It will be an experience like no other."

"Even with that?"

"Of course. Why? Do you want to try without it?"

"...Obviously."

The women's eyes lit up.

"Even with an E-class 'idol,' it's so good that they can't get over it. Imagine what it's like with an S-class. You'd feel like you have the whole world. I asked because you're my precious ones. It wasn't easy."

"...Hehehe."

The women only chuckled lowly.

"After the performance in Kaesong.... In the hotel room, like a storm.... Hehehe...."

It wasn't a laugh you'd expect from idols, but the women laughed lewdly, eagerly waiting for the train to arrive quickly.

Kim Taejo-shik entered the compartment with Yumir Jeon Yeong-hee.

The train's structure was completely different from the Mugunghwa-ho or KTX, more like a special tourist train you'd see in old European movies.

Like those trains where little wizards bought random flavored jelly beans.

There was a long corridor to the side, with seats arranged to face each other on both sides. Yumir and I sat in the reverse direction, while Kim Taejo-shik sat in the forward direction, taking up one compartment.

And right behind us, the idol group 'Star Flowers' was having a conversation, or rather, conspiring.

"Tsk."

Kim Taejo-shik smacked his lips as if he didn't like it.

"Shall we go talk to them?"

"No. If they realize we're listening, it'll cause trouble. Let's pretend we don't know."

No matter how quietly they spoke or how loudly the train ran on the tracks, ability users could hear whispers from the next room.

Especially if it involved secretly pricking a patriotism balloon to become a patriot.

How did we know?

Because the two people we disguised ourselves as were 'ability users.'

Though classified as D-class and E-class, which was insufficient for hero activities, their ability was superior to any bodyguard when considering their role as idol bodyguards.

"...Probably after the performance in Kaesong, we should act separately in the hotel at night."

Kim Taejo-shik pointed his chin backward.

"It might be uncomfortable for all three of us to be in the same room, so please understand."

"Is that part of the mission too?"

"...It's my personal hobby."

Kim Taejo-shik smiled faintly with an embarrassed look.

It seemed he wanted to enjoy his hobby before heading up to Sinuiju, momentarily putting aside his role as a black agent.

"It's not something we should ignore, but not something to report either. We should respect the idols' privacy. As a fellow man, I support you. Be patriotic."

"Patriotism... Well, it's not really that. It'd be a problem if an idol suddenly got pregnant."

"Oh my. Are you being patriotic?"

Yumir said.

"Patriotism is your specialty, brother."

"...Hey."

She suddenly made a strange comment beside me.

"Even if your magic power is low, your patriotism is S-class, brother."

"...Oh?"

And Kim Taejo-shik.

"Is that true?"

He began to show immense interest in me, who previously had none.

"When a woman says that, it's usually true."

"It's not S-class."

......Interesting.

If used well, this could make the mission easier?

"It's Special EX-class."

"Excuse me, Hyun Cheol-su."

Kim Taejo-shik smacked his lips with his tongue and lowered his posture.

"Shall we discuss the future and development of our nation during our journey...?"

==Chapter 291: Departure Of The Patriotism Train (7)==

"First, let me ask you. Mr. Kim Tae-sik, do you think physicality is more important, or is technique more important?"

"......."

"I'm talking about one-on-one combat."

"Oh, right?"

It naturally referred to a confrontation between people.

It was a constructive conversation aimed at improving skills, with no inappropriate content.

"I believe physicality is important."

Of course, that would be expected.

He's an ability user, an S-class, and young.

"Yes, I also think physicality is important."

"Oppa's physicality is Special EX level."

"Be quiet."

I covered Yumir's mouth with my hand.

"Mmmpf."

"There is a term called 'Deal Overwhelming.' It means overwhelming with sheer force, which is possible only with overwhelming physicality. It's a given. But Mr. Kim Tae-sik, have you ever faced someone with equal physicality?"

"......."

"You can speak comfortably. If it's awkward, I can start with my story first. Would that be okay?"

"Alright, let's hear it."

As far as I knew.

Taejo had faced many A-class opponents but has never faced an S-class.

What?

Hadn't he faced numerous S-classes with his status as the S-class detector?

No one would say such a thing.

Unless they were a demon like Duoexini or Kyobaris who didn't understand human emotions.

"I have faced beings with equal or even greater physicality than myself."

"......!"

"My opponent had superior stamina and endurance. They were difficult to overwhelm with strength or durability alone. What helped me overcome that was technique."

"What kind of technique?"

"Preparation."

I extended my hand forward with my palm facing up.

"Mr. Kim Tae-sik. Have you ever gone straight into a decisive battle while relying solely on physicality?"

"......."

"Before entering a decisive battle, have you ever lightly worn down your opponent?"

"Uh, um."

Kim Taejo hesitated, rubbing his chin with his hand.

"Have you often used the mana in your body to tire out your opponent before you got tired?"

"......."

"Initially, there might not have been any reaction, but at some point, when your opponent's posture crumbled like a breaking dam, didn't you then press down even harder with your physicality?"

"Huh...."

Taejo's mouth hung open.

According to the information from the Secret Society, Taejo relies on his S-class physicality to overpower opponents with magic.

'It's obvious just by looking at him.'

Even without watching leaked videos, it's clear.

Although they exist in the Secret Society's database, I can tell Taejo's tendencies without watching other people's videos.

"Someday, you will face an opponent of the same grade. If you try to overpower them with physicality and get overwhelmed, you will be momentarily flustered. What you need then is technique and preparation."

"Specifically what?"

"For starters...."

Taejo brought his thighs together and placed both hands on his knees, his eyes sparkling.

His intense enthusiasm almost made me laugh out loud.

"Can you do mind-reading?"

"...No."

"If not, actively reading your opponent's thoughts is also a method. Asking them directly."

"Huh?"

Taejo tilted his head.

"Do they answer if you ask?"

"Usually, they don't. But if you keep asking, sometimes they do. It's likely that your opponent wants you to do such actions."

I reached out to Yumir.

"Ask them to attack here, to ease their offensive, to strike harder. If you continue, your opponent will eventually be disarmed."

"Oh...."

"And most importantly, you need to make your opponent enter the decisive state first."

I lightly clenched my hand and thrust two fingers inside.

"You mustn't force your way into their openings. When your opponent can no longer bear it and starts to panic, when they unconsciously open up, that's when you strike."

"......."

"Until now, you've probably done it forcefully without such a process. But you still won."

"So."

Taejo began to grow impatient, his posture serious.

"What should I do?"

"......This is tough."

It was frustrating.

"I can't exactly show you a demonstration."

"Why not?"

"......What?"

Yumir, in her transformed state, laughed quietly.

"The train hasn't even passed Daegu yet, right? It's still a long way to Seoul, and it doesn't stop in between."

"......."

"An hour should be enough for a face-to-face lesson."

"But what if...."

"I promise."

Taejo raised both hands, nodding vigorously.

"I will only watch. I will only take note. I may look like this, but I am not the kind of person who takes someone else's woman."

"......Really?"

"Yes, really."

"No, I mean, that's true, but are you really that eager to learn just by watching?"

"Yes."

This man.

He was too serious.

And Yumir beside him was just as serious.

"......."

I knew.

No matter how much visual material you showed in theoretical education, it was meaningless if there was no practical training.

Taejo will undoubtedly use what he learned here on his partner back in Gyeongseong, but for now, he would only learn by watching a practical demonstration.

"...Sigh."

Was this okay?

This wasn't in the plan.

But.

Yumir's suggestion couldn't be wrong, so this was not the wrong path.

"Mr. Kim Tae-sik."

"Yes."

"Wait a moment, I need to consult with my girlfriend."

I pulled Yumir outside.

At that moment.

The two men and women in the car met again at a quiet motel.

"This place is...."

"A no-tell*?"

"It's one of the shelters of the Secret Society."

The red-haired woman, 'Brewer,' guided the real Hyeon Cheolsu and Jeon Yeonghui through the shelter that looked like a motel.

"If the situation goes wrong, we will take you overseas immediately. To the U.S. or wherever you want. If you want to go to another place besides the immigration candidates you mentioned before, we will arrange it accordingly."

"Um, I have a question."

"Yes, please ask anything."

"...If things go well."

Hyeon Cheolsu held Jeon Yeonghui's hand.

"Oppa. It's okay. I'm with you."

"Hu. Alright. ...Then."

His hand was trembling with tension, but it seemed to calm a bit when Jeon Yeonghui clasped both hands over his.

"If everything goes smoothly, can we return to our original positions?"

"Of course. After all this is over, the two 'top agents' will organize the materials and tell you everything. What conversations took place, who ate what with whom, everything. Please rest assured."

There was no hint of anxiety in Brewer's voice.

"The Secret Society has no failures or mistakes. We are merely borrowing your positions for a while and will return them cleanly."

"If a demon appears or something goes wrong...."

"Even if something goes wrong, there will be no harm to you."

"That's a relief, but...."

"Then, please have a comfortable rest."

As Brewer closed the door and went out, the two lay down on the bed, seemingly relieved of their tension.

"Sigh. Is this really okay?"

"Oppa. It's fine. If things go wrong and we have to leave for another country, they said they would give us 20 billion each."

"Maybe we should have asked for more money?"

"...Maybe. Let's check it out first."

Beep.

As they turned on the TV with the remote beside them, a large TV on the wall showed a train heading north.

-...The train carrying the girl group Star Flowers is heading towards Kaesong for a musical performance....

"So, there are Secret Society agents on that train instead of us."

"That's right."

"Is that true? The man who was supposed to be our teammate...being Armored Taejo."

"It must be."

"Oppa."

Jeon Yeonghui bit her lip.

"What if, Armored Taejo tries to take the person disguised as me?"

"What?"

"Armored Taejo, they say he's promiscuous."

"...Come on. Would an S-class person try to take someone else's woman? It would be more convincing if he aimed for all four idols at once."

"But rather than idols...."

"Of course, he'd prefer an ability user. But Yeonghui, would he try to take someone with a boyfriend?"

Even if he was an S-class hero.

Even if he was Armored Taejo, he wouldn't do such a despicable thing.

They had no choice but to believe that.

"Yeah. No way...would a man with a fiancée do that?"

"He has a fiancée, but he still sees other women."

"......."

Was it because they were in a confined space?

Or was it because someone else was moving in their place?

"...It's okay. Everything will be fine. There won't be any problems."

Watching the train heading north, the two just hoped everything would end without major issues.

"What are you really planning to do?"

"Oppa. The bait is almost taken. We just need to show him."

It's driving me crazy.

Yumir was stepping up actively, and Taejo was showing interest.

"Even if there's a lot of time left before the train reaches Seoul."

"Isn't it better because it's not us? And according to the data you gave me, these people aren't exactly good people."

"......."

"We're just acting based on what these people 'would do.' These people actually did such things, right?"

Yumir wasn't just making baseless claims.

These two did engage in such activities.

If they hadn't, Yumir wouldn't have suggested such a crazy plan.

"That's true."

"Then, we have our answer."

Yumir was confident.

"We're going to show Mr. Kim Tae-sik the perfect harmony of physicality and technique. This might change his life."

"......."

Was this really okay?

"Hey."

I grabbed Yumir's shoulders.

"If something goes wrong-"

"I'll join the Secret Society. For sure. As a full member, not an intern."

"......Hoo."

Decision.

"If something goes wrong, I'll take full responsibility for you."

"......."

"If Taejo tries to touch you even a little, I'll transform immediately and cut off his wrist. If that's okay, let's do it."

"...It should be fine."

If the protagonist was this confident, I had no choice but to trust.

"Alright. Let's show what patriotism is."

I went back to the compartment with Yumir.

Kim Taejo was sticking close to the entrance of the compartment, and I sent Yumir inside and locked the door.

"Then."

Click.

"I'll show you the demonstration."

Of course.

"How to send an enemy away with one hand."

"......?"

Yumir tilted her head beside me, but I just extended one hand forward.

"What's this?"

"No, I mean, it looks like you're about to do something...."

"I'm doing it. Training."

No actual game.

"What did you imagine? What I'll show you is hand techniques for one-on-one combat."

I pointed my middle and index fingers into the air.

"Called, Ninja Arts."

Flick flick.

"Did you think I would show patriotism right here on the train?"

==Chapter 292: Departure Of The Patriotism Train (8)==

Yumir was a patriot.

To be precise, she liked and enjoyed patriotism.

After her first experience with patriotism, Yumir fell deeply in love with it.

Baek Seol-hee also liked patriotism, but one act of patriotism quickly relieved her pent-up frustrations, while Yumir liked it openly.

More than anything, as her first experience was done outside, she was no ordinary woman.

She was not Korean but a foreigner—Canadian.

She was not someone to be judged by Confucian values.

Moreover, the two men and women we were borrowing appearances from were quite open about such directions, so such actions did not greatly interfere with this couple's 'plausibility.'

But.

No matter how much.

No matter how much she had transformed into another woman's body.

'That's not right.'

Was it right to use that body to show such actions in front of another man?

'To do it in front of Armored Taejo? That's not acceptable.'

No.

That's an unacceptable act.

If someone hoped to see acts of patriotism directly in a train seat, that's something that couldn't happen here.

'Even if the Chief requests it, I can't comply.'

It was a story that would only occur in places meant for adults, and right now, this place was full of dreams and hopes with people leading the future.

You couldn't do such acts 'directly' in public places.

Even if it was not a public place, you couldn't show it directly.

Unless someone put a bomb necklace around your neck and threatened to kill the hostage if you didn't act patriotically, you couldn't do such acts.

Why?

'Because I'm not Do Ji-hwan right now, how can I do such a thing?'

I was not Do Ji-hwan right now.

'Transformation NTR is unacceptable.'

My appearance was not Do Ji-hwan.

No matter how Yumir and I both transformed into different appearances, I couldn't show doing patriotic acts with this appearance.

If I had come here as Do Ji-hwan, that would be fine.

Whether Yumir transformed or not, whether we kissed or not, it would be with Do Ji-hwan.

But right now, my appearance was not Do Ji-hwan.

If I acted patriotically with Yumir in my current state, Yumir would be doing it with another man, even if it's just the appearance.

In short.

It's NTR.

It's okay to act patriotically secretly in public places; you could even reveal your patriotism in Gwanghwamun Square in an invisible state with a barrier.

Even a pseudo-NTR was unacceptable.

Therefore.

We only did what could be done in public places.

No matter how much we borrowed the bodies of the couple and transformed, we didn't do such acts.

If someone expected public obscenity on this patriot train, I'd like to tell them to put that thought away.

Instead.

"This is how it's done. Understand?"

"......Should I also mimic the angle of the fingers?"

"The fingers like this. Make them like a hook. Yes. Lift them. And the wrist snap like this."

"Like, like this?"

"Yes."

I waved my hand in the air.

Taejo followed my hand movements with a serious face, occasionally copying the position I changed my hand to.

"Good. You are indeed amazing. This much with the hand should suffice."

"......."

Taejo kept twitching his fingers.

He continuously flexed the joints of his fingers, making a hooked hand and releasing it repeatedly, like a professional thief showing off finger snaps on the street.

I passed on my finger movements to the air.

"Now that your hands are flexible, you should be able to handle enemies with these flexible hands when fighting."

"......."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Taejo scratched his chin with his hand and tilted his head.

"I was wondering if you'd show it directly."

"We're on a mission; we can't do that. Especially in a place like this."

"......."

This guy.

He was expecting it.

At the same time, he looked slightly disappointed.

Even though he already realized that I was an amazing technician just by my fingers, the real thing had to be shown elsewhere.

"I'll show you at the Gaeseong Hotel. But I can't show it directly; I'll show it through the silhouette behind the canopy curtain. Recorded on video."

"...Really?"

"Yes. No matter what, showing it directly is a bit much."

"Hmm...."

Taejo looked confused.

He was trying to figure out how much truth there was in what the man named Hyeon Cheolsu was saying.

Yumir would have caught on with a 'maybe' look when I first said it, but unfortunately, Taejo didn't seem that sharp.

"Mr. Kim Tae-sik."

I corrected my posture.

Yumir, next to me, continued to stroke my forearm, which I had kept raised, with both hands, while Taejo looked at me, trying to ignore Yumir's fingers moving on my arm.

"It's difficult to explain in detail the circumstances between my future wife and me. The silhouette at best...."

"Oppa, how about calling another 'instructor' then?"

To help the still unaware Taejo, Yumir directly provided support.

"If it bothers you, you can call another female instructor to show you oppa's technique directly."

"......Ms. Jeong Yeong-hui?"

"That's right. Oppa just doesn't want other men to know about our private matters. I oppose it though."

"Hmm...."

Taejo's expression began to harden.

"Yeong-hui, are you telling me to cheat?"

"Oppa, do you think I'd get jealous if Tae-sik helps with patriotism? Everything is for the country, for the nation. Gwang Ik Gong would acknowledge it too."

"......Huh?"

He alternately looked at Yumir and me with a serious face, then suddenly clapped his hands as if he realized something.

"...Ah."

Phew.

"Ah, ha ha ha. I see. I should have asked more questions."

Good.

"I'm sorry, both of you. I didn't understand that there were parts that are difficult to discuss directly."

It seemed he finally noticed.

"So, later when I go to the Gaeseong Hotel, I plan to have a light afterparty with the idol group at the back."

The Taejo who had been focused on the lecture on interpersonal combat just a moment ago disappeared, and Taejo (Black) started asking seriously.

"If Yeong-hui is okay with it, can I 'invite' Cheolsu to that afterparty?"

Invite.

That's the keyword.

The one who set that keyword was none other than Taejo himself.

"Yeong-hui, are you okay with it?"

"I'm okay with anything if oppa is okay with it."

At first glance, it sounded like a very dangerous story, but this was all a process for mutual identity verification.

"Thank you for the invitation, Kim Tae-sik. I'll line up at the back during the afterparty."

"...Hoo, hoho."

Taejo nodded lightly with a relieved face.

"I look forward to it."

"Of course. As the invited man, I will do my best."

It came exactly as Taejo joked.

"Much better. Then."

Taejo took his stance again with a serious face.

"...If I'm going to deal with two beauties from China and Russia, how should I handle it?"

Finally.

"Cheolsu, can you handle both of them? Both are S-class in terms of physicality."

"Kim Tae-sik. I am an invited man of Special EX-class."

We could finally get to the main point.

"Two? Four? From now on, I'll teach you the technique to handle even five."

Late at night. Gaeseong, Hotel.

"Whew."

Yumir threw herself onto the bed.

"When is Kim Tae-sik coming?"

"He's not coming. He went separately to have a drink with the idols."

"Sigh."

Flash.

Gold light leaked out of Yumir's body, and soon she returned to her original appearance.

"Haa...."

"Is it okay to undo the transformation so casually?"

"Oppa, you also undid your transformation as soon as you entered the room...Oops."

Yumir covered her mouth with her hand.

"Is there any eavesdropping-"

"There's nothing. It's safe."

"Oh. Indeed. If there was, you wouldn't have undone your transformation in the first place."

"You undid your transformation after seeing me do it, right?"

The fact that I undid my transformation meant it was that safe.

Even if we were assigned the same room as Taejo, we could control other risk factors enough.

"And we can notice before Taejo arrives, so just transform immediately when I signal. Got it?"

"Yes. ...Ugh, I hate it. Not being able to act patriotically as much as I want."

"We can't just do it."

Yumir made a sad face, and I comforted her by tidying her messy hair with my hand.

"If I had just shown it, Taejo would have completely worshipped you as a professor by now."

"No."

I grabbed Yumir's cheeks and pulled them sideways.

"If you really want to show it, do it in front of Baek Seol-hee later, or do it when you're with the executives of the organization. Taejo might like such things, but I don't like inviting or being invited by other men."

"Then how about I invite another woman? You can't have an invited man, but an invited woman is okay, right?"

"If she's good enough to join the organization."

If securing talent for the organization with this body was possible, it's a cheap trade.

I just hoped the woman Yumir brings wasn't a frivolous one.

"But you, inviting a friend to me instead of introducing her? What if your friend gets eaten by Goblin?"

"That's why I'm inviting her. You're the one who made me like this, oppa."

Huh?

"Oppa?"

"Oops. Hehe, just oppa, okay?"

"When did you call me teacher and now it's oppa?"

"Which do you prefer?"

"Call me whatever's comfortable."

"Then, only when we're alone, oppa.... Hehe."

Yumir, sitting on the bed, licked her lips and started unbuttoning her shirt.

"Then, shall we...."

"No."

"...Should I just go out for a bit?"

"Let's see about that later."

It was good to do.

But now was not the time.

"...It's a bit bothersome, but we might actually get invited."

Currently.

"If Taejo finds it hard to handle many alone, he'll call me. So, be on standby for five minutes."

Using the Goblin Bat, I was monitoring the situation 'upstairs' like CCTV.

No matter how S-class Taejo was, he couldn't detect my and Yumir's magic power.

"When a rescue signal comes to the Taeguk Watch, you have to run immediately. So...Hey."

"Oh, it's okay until then."

Yumir hugged me from behind and reached her hand around to my front.

"You can't do it in a transformed state, and no other man can be present? Is there anything like that now?"

"......."

Logical.

"Yumir, the more you say strange things, the weirder the situation gets...."

I reached out one hand to Yumir's head.

"For now, let's just shut up."

"......!"

I pushed Yumir's head down.