Chapter 23: The Time of Resurrection

“I’m going to be the new leader of the Yongwang Squadron.”

Kang Yerin declared confidently.

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Ji Sehwa spat out blood-tinged saliva and resisted. She stood up and wiped her mouth.

“We don’t have a central figure right now. There’s no one suitable for the role. But if we continue like this, we’ll collapse.”

“So you’re saying you’ll do it? Ha. After throwing the first punch, now you want us to play nice?”

“I won, didn’t I?”

Ji Sehwa gritted her teeth hard.

“You’ve grown sluggish because you stopped using your body. It’s the same for Yookyung unni and Minseo too. If we’re going to stand against the Galactic Empire, we need to get stronger. Trust me. I’ve thought of ways to improve our individual abilities and strategies to draw in external forces.”

Kang Yerin bowed her head slightly.

“Please. I know you don’t like me. But just this once, consider me the leader and follow my lead…”

A brief silence followed.

Shin Yookyung was the first to speak.

“I agree.”

“Shin Yookyung.”

Ji Sehwa furrowed her brows.

“It’s true that Yerin is the only one who has continued training since the Dark Kingdom War ended. She can read the current situation strategically. We need a central figure. What do you think, Minseo?”

Choi Minseo, who had been listening quietly, nodded slowly.

Ji Sehwa clicked her tongue at the sight. She scratched the back of her head, then finally gave in.

“Damn it, we don’t have any other options, do we? Fine, whatever. Let’s hear these so-called orders of yours.”

“…Thank you.”

Kang Yerin bowed her head.

“Do you have any sharp ideas? My new Switch prototypes will be complete in a month or two. I’m not sure if they’ll be usable, though.”

“We’ll use anything we can. I’ll take the new Switches too, Yookyung unni. I’ve also been working on an alliance.”

“With whom?”

“Sehwa, do you know about the legendary duo of heroes?”

“Huh? Who doesn’t? They’re legends from fifty years ago—number one in technology, number two in strength.”

“Yes. If we lack strength…”

“…We bolster it with technology. So, the alliance you’re pursuing is with?”

Kang Yerin nodded.

“It’s the U.S. military, an organization possessing cutting-edge combat technology and currently at odds with the Washington Heroes Association.”

Time flew quickly.

Only a month had passed, but Eruah had already adapted to life in Vengeance.

For her, this single month had felt like the most alive she’d ever been in her 19 years of life.

Her life before had been miserable.

Escaping from that place, digging through trash bins, sleeping in secluded alleys.

Surviving with other teenagers like her who had nowhere to go, stealing anything they could to stay alive.

After barely scraping by for a year, she’d been unlucky enough to get kidnapped and thrown into a coliseum as a sacrificial pawn.

A life of despair and horror, always running.

A life without meaning, uncertain whether she’d even see tomorrow.

A life at the very bottom.

But now, there was hope.

She had power.

People recognized her abilities. The whole world knew the name Dark Matter.

Eruah knew well that the catalyst for all these changes was the whimsical benevolence of one man.

“Believe in yourself. If you can’t do that, abandon your doubts and believe in me.”

Looking back, Eruah wondered if she had already been captivated in that moment.

Someone who recognized her—not someone else, just her.

Someone who wanted her this much.

With words so powerful.

With conviction so genuine.

For the first time, she had felt there was no venom hidden behind his words.

Jeong Heesuk hadn’t come to find her because he needed her.

He had stumbled upon her while rescuing other children.

She still felt guilty for glimpsing a fragment of his memories.

But because of that, Eruah understood.

Jeong Heesuk was, at his core, just that kind of person.

No matter the betrayal, despair with heroes, or denial of justice, he still unconsciously protects what’s right.

He’s someone who can’t erase the line of good.

Erua speculated that the reason he formed a villain organization and sought her out was to overthrow the Galactic Empire.

It made sense.

Where in the world is there a villain organization that targets only evildoers?

Even when carrying out terrorist acts, Jeong Iseok would never harm children.

If the opportunity arose, he would rescue them and send them to a previous orphanage instead.

He saved her, gave her strength, and willingly called himself a villain—but he never crossed the line of righteousness.

– How admirable.

Yet, at the same time—

It was so profoundly tragic.

The emotions Jeong Iseok carried, which Erua had glimpsed, were harrowing.

If it were her, she would never endure it. She would probably end her life on the spot.

And yet, he didn’t show a single sign of it.

No complaints about pain or hardship.

Not to anyone.

Not even to Emma, who had served him with unwavering loyalty for so long.

Who could support the person who had been carrying everyone else?

If there was no one—

Could I do it?

A feeling began to bloom in Erua’s heart.

That’s why she had been upset that time.

“Erua. Don’t feel guilty about me.”

She hated being treated like a baby who had just learned to walk. She didn’t even qualify as someone who had helped sustain him.

“…I was really fine.”

She bluffed with empty bravado.

That had always been her life. No time for love, no knowledge about men whatsoever.

When the moment came, she would undoubtedly panic—such was Erua.

How could she change Jeong Iseok’s perception of her?

She sought Emma’s advice on the matter.

“Oh my, what a charming concern.”

Emma smiled gently.

“But the Master isn’t someone who leans on or depends on others. He’s always been like that.”

“Always? His whole life?”

“Hmm…”

Emma gave a bittersweet smile.

“There was one person, just one.”

So, there was no one now. Erua felt a surge of confidence.

“Shall we start by building a bond of everyday trust?”

“Trust? I’m Jeo’s subordinate and second-in-command. Doesn’t Jeo trust me?”

“As a subordinate, of course, he does. But trust comes in different forms.”

“Different forms?”

“Yes. The kind of trust you mentioned—supporting someone—requires a relationship more like family or friends. There’s no shortcut except to spend everyday moments together.”

“What kind of moments?”

“Well, it’s Christmas in three days. How about going shopping for gifts together?”

The next morning, Jeong Iseok gathered all the organization members for an announcement.

“Good morning, everyone. I understand you’re all excited about tomorrow’s holiday, but don’t forget that this is the prime season for villain activity. Keep that in mind.”

The members answered in unison with vigor.

“Today is a day off. Spend it as you please, but don’t overindulge in alcohol. Starting from midnight on the 25th, Vengeance should be ready to deploy at any time. Understood?”

A resounding reply followed.

“Dismissed.”

As the members dispersed, Erua grew nervous as things deviated slightly from her expectations.

“Uh, Jeo. Isn’t Christmas a day to spend with family or lovers?”

“That’s why it’s the perfect day for villains to be active.”

“Did you already have a terrorist act planned?”

“There’s nothing happening today. Most of the subordinates are resting. However, you and I will be hunting monsters. A good event is about to begin. The only thing is, I don’t know the exact start time, so we just need to be on standby.”

“Oh, I see…”

“Hm? Didn’t you already know?”

“Know what?”

“Tomorrow marks the 30th day since the Emperor’s proclamation.”

“Oh.”

Only then did Erua realize.

“Scenario bonus rewards and experience points will rain down from the sky. It’s a golden opportunity to enhance your stats.”

“Y-yeah…”

“We won’t aim to take down the Pegasus. That would draw too much attention. The Empire’s focus needs to shift to the Dragon King Squadron so that our organization stays safe.”

“O-okay. Then…”

“Hm?”

“Even Jeo is resting today, right? So, later tonight…”

“I’m managing the ‘other side’ today. I’ll return tonight.”

“…Understood.”

Erua lowered her head.

She used to love sleeping.

The only time she suffered nightmares on cold floors was briefly after escaping.

Sleep was precious because it let her dream.

In dreams, she didn’t have to feel pain.

She didn’t have to feel sadness.

Or, maybe she could delude herself into thinking everything was over.

But these days, sleep felt like a waste of time.

She despised the brain’s off switch that kept her from fully experiencing life.

“Lua.”

When Erua heard Jeo’s voice waking her, joy came before annoyance at her interrupted sleep.

Because she had returned to a time where she could embrace life fully.

“Mm… What time is it?”

“It’s almost midnight. Are you tired?”

“No. I’ll go wash up.”

Though Jeo’s tone was blunt, he always looked out for her. It was a side he never showed to other subordinates.

Perhaps he saw her as a child.

She didn’t want him to see her that way, but she couldn’t resist the contradiction of still craving his care.

After quickly washing her face, Erua grabbed a neatly wrapped gift from under her pillow.

She hid it shyly behind her back and stepped into the hideout lobby.

Jeo and the other members were gathered, their attention fixed on the central monitor.

[This is Suwon Station! Look! Look at the sky! A massive spaceship has appeared in the sky! Ah! Something… it’s a monster!!]

The screen shook violently. The reporter started running, and the sounds of people screaming filled the room.

“They’re punctual, at least. Lua, are you ready?”

“Y-yes…”

Erua tightened her grip on the object behind her, hiding it deeper in her hair to ensure even the edges wouldn’t peek out.

“It’s not directly above the station. Deep Dive, the coordinates?”

“Um… 1 kilometer east of S University…”

“Wait a second. Is there a lake nearby?”

“Y-yeah. Why? The water…”

Jeo frowned.

“Damn it. This was a mistake.”

“Jeo, what’s wrong?”

“There’s an orphanage nearby.”

“An orphanage? Don’t tell me—it’s the one where the kids we sent are staying?”

Erua quickly understood the gravity of the situation.

It was the orphanage where children Erua had protected in the arena, along with others they had rescued, were sent.

“If we head out and handle it quickly…”

“No. If all our members go out, it’ll draw too much attention. It could escalate into a war with the heroes.”

“Then…”

Jeo made his decision instantly.

“We’re moving up the timeline.”

Erua understood the meaning behind his words.

“Jeo, you’re stepping in personally?”

“Yes.”

Jeo nodded firmly.

“It’s time to revive.”