## Chapter 135 – 135. 홍익
#135. Hongik
After parting ways with Shin Min-ha and exiting the gate, I found that the sun had already set, and it was night.
I came down to the street thinking I’d just grab a taxi, but because the gate was near a sparsely populated forest, there weren’t any taxis, and I couldn’t even see people.
The neighborhood itself felt strongly like a ghost town where not many people lived.
It wasn’t particularly strange. Even in the Gyeonggi Province area attached to Seoul, there were quite a few neighborhoods that had suffered damage from gate breaks.
Tick-tick, the streetlights flickered rapidly.
“Looks like the streetlights aren’t being maintained either.”
Well, if a gate hadn’t appeared, there probably wouldn’t be anyone coming or going, so there wouldn’t be any complaints.
I walked down a street where not a single house had its lights on, even though it was a residential area.
I couldn’t feel a single sign of life anywhere.
Tick, the streetlight went out completely.
And when it turned back on.
Someone was standing there.
“Nice to meet you.”
The Hahoe mask on his face gave off a bizarre atmosphere. It was definitely a mask I had seen during class in high school.
‘…Ah, I remember now. Was it called a scholar’s mask?’
Along with the memory passing through a corner of my mind, a news article I had seen countless times came to mind.
It was a news article criticizing a certain organization.
Surely the name of the organization that appeared in that news was…
“…Hongik.”
“To think you would know us… Heh heh, this is an honor.”
Hongik (紅翼), there wasn’t a Korean who wouldn’t know the name.
For reference, it’s not the Hongik from “Hongik Ingan” (benefit all mankind).
Literally meaning “red wings,” it’s a South Korean criminal organization with the insane ideology of staining the world with blood with red wings, rather than widely benefiting the world of people.
Of course, since their criminal targets are only Japan, the only countries in the world that show great interest in Hongik are the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
If they were to criticize Hongik and then have them carry out terrorist acts in their own country, it would become a headache, so they can’t step forward and criticize them.
But South Korea was different.
No matter how much South Korea criticized Hongik, Hongik never carried out a single act of terrorism against South Korea.
Because of this, the Japanese side has consistently raised the question of whether Hongik is an organization created by the South Korean government.
This reaction from Japan was not incomprehensible.
South Korea has consistently criticized Hongik through the media, but has not shown any attempts to directly suppress them.
“…Of course, I know. A criminal organization that attempted a bombing terror attack against tens of thousands of Japanese people three years ago.”
Three years ago, the terror attack they caused in Japan killed thousands, injured tens of thousands, and seriously injured hundreds.
Fortunately, the actions of a Japanese S-class hunter prevented even greater damage, but due to the incident, anti-Korean sentiment is still strong in Japan.
“Terrorism… You’re saying unpleasant things. That was just revenge.”
“Not a villain, just a crazy bastard.”
“Call us patriots. We just love this country so much that we do this.”
In his eyes, visible through the Hahoe mask, there was madness.
On August 29, 1910, South Korea’s first S-class gate opened.
In the crisis of national survival, South Korea was barely able to continue its existence thanks to the sacrifice of two S-class hunters and the Master of the Magic Tower.
However, despite their sacrifice, there were too many victims. Infrastructure collapsed and people died to the point where the country could not function properly.
Japan, taking advantage of the gap, invaded Korea.
In just three months, the entire Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces were captured, and once again, South Korea had to stand at a crossroads.
Surrender or resistance.
Fortunately, thanks to aid from the United States, they were able to prevent Japan’s invasion, but the war became an opportunity to create an organization of villains calling themselves Hongik.
“So, what brings you, the great patriot, to my doorstep? Should I report you to the Association?”
“I’m sorry, but there are still so many missions left to be done. Once we’ve finished everything, we’ll disband Hongik and be ready to receive the judgment of the law, so please don’t worry too much.”
“Missions?”
Tick, in the street where the streetlights are completely off, the eyes of the madman shine with madness.
“The downfall of Japan! Kill all Japanese people and avenge the sorrows of Korea!”
“Not just crazy, they’re lunatics?”
I simultaneously drew up magic power and inner energy, and pulled out the Mad Demon Sword from my waist.
“That scholar’s mask, that means you’re an executive of Hongik, right?”
Almost all villains have bounties on their heads. Among them, an executive of an organization like Hongik would have a huge bounty.
Depending on the negotiation, I might be able to receive an artifact that the Association is holding.
“Hmm… This is troublesome. I didn’t come here to fight Kang Hyun-woo.”
“…How do you know my name?”
“How could we not know another genius born on the great Korean Peninsula?”
“What…?”
“Believe it or not, I really like the news. Especially a devoted reader of a place called White Color Daily.”
“Shit.”
I wondered who was watching that nationalistic media outlet, and the person himself appeared right before my eyes.
“Personally, I think White Color Daily needs to grow a little more. Yes, even when looking at the world as a whole, it is clear that the Korean people are the most superior race, but the ignorant people of other media companies besides White Color Daily do not know that fact. It’s truly deplorable.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
“There’s no need to try to understand. All Koreans have the spirit of Korea in their hearts.”
My head is spinning.
I now know why Hongik is called a villainous group that doesn’t understand reason.
Extreme Korean ethnic supremacism, like people who have fallen into a cult, are obsessed with the past, hate Japan, and believe that South Korea and the Korean people are the most outstanding country and people in the world.
“The reason I came to see Hyun-woo today is to recruit you.”
“…Recruit?”
“In Western terms, it would be headhunting, or scouting.”
The man wearing the scholar’s mask reached out to me.
It was clearly a pure white and clean hand, but it seemed as if dark red blood was dripping from his fingertips.
“Come with us. We will support you with whatever you want. If you want an excellent teacher, we will do that for you. Just lend a hand in the downfall of Japan. Wouldn’t that be a joyous occasion?”
I didn’t answer. I didn’t feel it was worth answering.
The mana circle pulsed, and inner energy raced through the blood vessels and coursed through my entire body.
Extreme Speed.
Formless Vajra Art (無相金剛訣) Formless Lightning Body (無想電身).
A flash of light flickered. In the darkness, golden lightning moved in a straight line and cut the enemy.
A strong wind swirled in the aftermath, but what I actually cut was empty air.
“Huh… Are you really a 2-circle mage? Even a B-class assassin couldn’t produce that kind of speed just now.”
“Tch.”
The man was standing a little further away, unharmed.
I didn’t expect him to react to that attack.
“I guess we can consider the recruitment offer rejected, right?”
“Am I crazy enough to join a criminal organization?”
I didn’t take out Gillemium. There was no point in revealing that I had the ability to take out objects from thin air.
Because of that, I can’t use sword energy.
The power and casting speed of magic were weaker and slower than usual.
It’s inconvenient in many ways in times like this. I wish I could combine Gillemium and the Mad Demon Sword into one.
“There’s no need to be so nervous. We have no intention of erasing the seeds of a genius who will spread the prestige of Korea far and wide.”
The guy raised both arms as if he had no intention of fighting and acted nonchalantly.
“It’s a shame in many ways, but since today’s meeting itself was too sudden, I fully understand Hyun-woo’s attitude.”
The man pointed to the sky. It was a dark night sky with not a single common star rising.
“Next time, I’ll come back with a proposal that will pique Hyun-woo’s interest.”
I raised my middle finger and responded.
“National Supremacy (民族至上) Great Korean Unification (大韓一統), I look forward to the day we meet again. Magician Kang Hyun-woo.”
With those words, the guy disappeared without a trace.
Even though I was clearly watching with my own eyes, I missed him. No, it was as if he had never been there in the first place.
He wasn’t caught by my sense of energy or magic detection either.
But paradoxically, thanks to that, I seemed to know what his ability was.
While contemplating the artifact to extort from the Association, I was already looking forward to the day we would meet again.
***
Knock knock.
-Lady… I’ve brought your meal.
Choi Hye-na’s gaze briefly turned towards the sound coming from beyond the door.
But that was it, as always, she ignored it and continued her magic research.
-…The head of the family is very worried. I’ll leave it in front of the door, so please make sure to eat it?
With the sound of something being placed in front of the door and the sound of footsteps gradually moving away, Choi Hye-na put down the flask container she was holding.
Her haggard eyes were reflected above the rippling liquid.
Three days had passed since she had heard Kang Hyun-woo’s words about taking some time apart.
During that time, she hadn’t slept a wink, hadn’t rested for a moment, and had been immersed in magic research.
Her body was already screaming as if it was at its limit, but she couldn’t rest comfortably.
When she closed her eyes, the memory of that day unfolded like a short video.
-…Let’s take some time apart for now.
His coldly cooled eyes gradually moved away from me.
I should have apologized more, but I couldn’t.
-I’ll contact you later.
Even if I reached out, all that came back was his receding figure.
Kang Hyun-woo was an oddball and liked women, but he hadn’t done that since he had a relationship with me.
Rather, he always treated me kindly with a smiling face. Every time we met, he would hold my hand first, and when we met annoying people at the department store, he would even show jealousy.
That side of him seemed a little cute.
Is this what they call being head over heels?
But when I had to just stand there and watch that person move away from me, the fact that everything had become like this due to my mistakes was so bitter.
Only then did I realize how big his absence was. I missed every moment. His smile, his touch, and even the way he looked at me. My heart ached so much that I couldn’t go a day without thinking of him for a single moment.
“I miss you…”
Tears fell onto the table.
“Then go find him.”
Wendigo, who was lying on the sofa, said indifferently as if throwing it out there.
“…”
“Haa…”
Looking at Choi Hye-na, who was hesitating without answering, Wendigo sighed while clutching her throbbing head.
For four days now, she’s been crying, saying she misses him from time to time as if she’s having a seizure.
Even a cliché-filled melodrama gets boring after a while.
“It’s not too late yet. If you want to keep Hyun-woo by your side, wouldn’t it be right to convey your sincerity before Hyun-woo leaves?”
“But…”
Wendigo sat up straight and continued in a serious voice that was different from her usual self.
“Rather than just regretting and hesitating and later resenting the lost time, stand in front of Hyun-woo now and have the courage to admit your mistakes and convey your sincerity. Be prepared to take responsibility for your past mistakes, and even if Hyun-woo doesn’t forgive you, hope that your sincerity will reach him and approach him. If you don’t do that, you’ll live with this regret for the rest of your life.”
Hearing those words, Choi Hye-na had a blank expression, like someone who had been hit in the head with a hammer.
Only then did Wendigo breathe a sigh of relief and continue reading the book she had been reading.
‘I’ll Be With You in April’ was a romance novel that was currently a bestseller and gaining explosive popularity.
Since making a contract with Choi Hye-na, she had been immersed in dramas and romance novels, so even though she was a spirit who couldn’t possibly know about human love emotions, she was able to give plausible advice.
Choi Hye-na, who had gotten up from her seat, burst out of the workshop door.
‘…How foolish.’
Waiting while doing magic research all day long won’t solve anything.
Until reaching the realm of the 3rd circle, called a genius, she had never gained anything by just sitting still.
She got it after working hard day and night on her own feet.
‘Take some time apart? Contact me later?’
It was as if the fog in my head was clearing.
I had already decided not to avoid it anymore.
That’s why I confessed my lies to him truthfully.
I made a mistake, and I also learned how to love him enough to admit it.
Now that I know how precious he is, I must also have the courage to not lose that preciousness.
I know that saying sorry won’t be enough, but standing confidently in front of him and conveying my sincerity was my first step.
I will not hide my mistakes, I will not try to deceive him, and I will only approach him with sincerity.
Choi Hye-na made a reservation at her usual shop and left the mansion at a brisk pace.
***
“Hoo…”
Standing in front of Kang Hyun-woo’s house, Choi Hye-na gasped for breath, sweating profusely.
It wasn’t like we were meeting in person. I was just standing in front of the front door, but my heart was pounding so fast it felt like it would burst at any moment.
Like a patient with tremors, the fingertips that were trying to press the doorbell trembled several times.
I know the password, but I don’t have the courage to do it.
After wavering for almost 30 minutes, Choi Hye-na finally decided to take courage.
Ding-dong- With the familiar doorbell sound, I could feel a presence from inside.
‘F, first of all, I’m sorry…’
I calmed my mind and organized what I wanted to say in my head.
I drank water and worked hard to loosen my throat so I wouldn’t stutter by mistake.
-Just a moment~
But Choi Hye-na froze at the voice coming from beyond the door.
A bright and high voice tone, there was no doubt it was a woman’s voice.
Clatter, the front door opened.
“Oh? Who are you?”
The moment she met the blue eyes looking at her, Choi Hye-na froze.
