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Chapter 251: Seeking a Hero to Slay the Demon King of Heat

“The Air Conditioner Hero isn’t able to move,”

“Damn it!! That demon king, attacking my legs like a coward!!”

In an instant, the Air Conditioner Hero had become the unfortunate soul who was injured by the demon king’s treacherous trickery. Namgung Seong began to whimper, echoing his tragic cries.

…No, wait, it really sounds like he’s crying? What the heck, this guy.

The summer heat of Harmony City isn’t your typical affair. From ancient times, the Korean Peninsula was known for its distinct four seasons, but then came the Gate incident, which made that characteristic evolve into something else entirely.

In simpler terms, summer is hotter and winter is colder than ever before.

This scorching heat of summer has been a challenge, especially for foreigners. Among all the beastmen I’ve seen so far, only Seong-ryong hasn’t melted away in the summer heat. Truly something only a dragon would manage.

Weak against the heat, Baek In-hwa is struggle as much as Darius, who usually has a cool and aloof wolf-like vibe, grimaces at the sweltering weather.

At times like these, Koreans tend to throw shade, saying, “Back in my day, it was hotter than this~.” It’s practically a national custom.

“Seriously, what’s so hot about this~.”

“Are you saying you’re the one who harmed the Heat Demon King?”

“It’s literally scorching. Ugh, let’s hurry inside and cool off with the air conditioner.”

Making jokes and showing murderous intent? This guy is clearly in a weakened state; he’s not even thinking straight.

The hateful glare from Namgung Seong was lifted as Yeon-woo swiftly changed tactics. What a scary guy.

As I walked with the half-baked Namgung Seong toward the Academy, I spotted a familiar yet unfamiliar face in the distance.

If Kim Hang-po was a rough sea man and Edward was a dapper old man, then this guy looked like a wizard straight out of a novel. With a long beard, a robe, and a staff, he was the quintessential image of a magician.

“Hello there.”

“Oh, nice to meet you, students.”

The representative of the Blue Division at the Harmony Branch of the Magic Tower, who also teaches classes related to it, was none other than the magician of cooling.

Simultaneously, he was also known as Alex Carrier, the control switch for the witch of summer, Alyssa Valdia.

If Alyssa was someone to be avoided in summer, Alex was the complete opposite.

If you could meet him, you’d want to. It was said to investigate which café he frequented and wait for him there. Just be sure to greet him politely first.

Why, you ask?

“Haha, the summer in Harmony City is incredibly hot this year as well, isn’t it?”

“I’m enduring it, thinking of it as a lesson for the heart.”

“Even at a young age, your effort is commendable. Fortunately, it seems this old man can provide some assistance to such students.”

Before Namgung Seong had a chance to respond, Yeon-woo humbly answered. Alex Carrier, who smiled at that response, extended his hand. Here comes something big…!!

The blue mana that flowed from Alex’s hand enveloped both Yeon-woo and Namgung Seong. As a result, clarity began to bloom in Namgung Seong’s dazed eyes.

In no time, he regained his senses and bowed deeply to Alex Carrier.

Is this the skill expected from a descendant of the air conditioner developer or what?

“Benefactor…!!”

“Haha, you don’t need to exaggerate. What I’m doing now won’t last long, but it will be cooler from the evening. Just hold on until then.”

“Thank you, thank you!!”

As he made to leave with a hearty laugh, Namgung Seong repeatedly bent his waist, gazing up at the sky with bright eyes as he mumbled,

“One day, I will be a person like Teacher Alex…!”

“Give it up, you can’t.”

“Why, why can’t I be?” Depending on your answer, I might scold you.

“Because you’re an Aura User, you idiot!”

A crisp sound echoed as Yeon-woo flicked the back of Namgung Seong’s head, fleeing in an instant. Namgung Seong chased after him.

“Hey? Aren’t you going to stand there? Aren’t you?”

“Catch me if you can, huh? Bet you can’t~?”

Yeon-woo’s teasing made Namgung Seong spread his wings wide. Did I tease him too much? Until the horrifying sound of flapping wings came from behind, Yeon-woo had no choice but to run with all his might.

*

“We’ve arrived, Riley?”

[Yes, I’m currently selecting an appropriate site. Shall I proceed?]

“Please do.”

[Understood.]

The short call with Riley ended. Since Kesh was also sent along, I could trust him completely to select the site for the Tree of Life to be relocated.

In a situation where it was awkward for Yeon-woo to leave, he could only depend on Riley to maintain control of Relin’s Archive.

After taking White out from Relin’s Warehouse, Yeon-woo temporarily transferred the rights to Riley.

A complicated expression crossed Riley’s face as he accepted the storage but nodded obediently, as he couldn’t refuse Yeon-woo’s request.

Well, he should plant it well and return. Since he also planned to set up a Gate leading to the archive near the orphanage, it should facilitate easy travel back and forth.

I’m not sure how many Gates we can set up simultaneously, but placing one at a strategic point to use for transport doesn’t sound bad at all.

“You were here first, Yeon-woo student.”

“I did come with a request. Shall we talk over a meal first?”

“Wow, having been abroad for so long, I’ve been really craving Korean food. Can I call Yoo-min too?”

“Of course. She’s a friend.”

After waiting for Kim Yoo-min to arrive at the café, they decided to head to the restaurant. In the meantime, they had a brief conversation.

“So, can you start sharing some info? I can’t help but feel curious about this matter.”

“Well, that’s understandable. I actually spoke to Master about it too.”

If it’s someone like Kim Hyun-soo, there’s no harm in saying it. After all, he’s the most flexible one of the three Aura Masters in Harmony, and if I can get his cooperation, that would be a huge plus.

“Is what I’m about to say a secret?”

Upon hearing Yeon-woo’s surprising words, Kim Hyun-soo nodded lightly. It’s not something one simply agrees to without a second thought.

The series of events recounted left Kim Hyun-soo fiddling with his chin, looking utterly incredulous.

Of course, it’s a natural response. Such a claim is hardly believable. How can one trust that someone returned from the future?

Even so, considering the things shown in the ordinary days, I felt he would soon believe it.

“Indeed, it’s hard to believe if it’s not of that sort.”

“Right. That’s why I left Double D with Delein, as I judged I could trust his pre-regression performance.”

“I was curious when I heard you paired an ordinary hunter with a vampire… what’s the reasoning behind it?”

“Yeah, I’m certain. While he can’t walk in sunlight, he at least wants to stroll under the sun, using an umbrella.”

A greedy vampire, not satisfied with just hiding in the dark corners of the world. If I had to express it simply, I could say they’re like the vampire hero.

“…Hmmm.”

Kim Hyun-soo sighed deeply. It seems it would be difficult to maintain this topic until Kim Hyun-soo completely trusts him. He noticed Kim Yoo-min approaching from a distance.

“Yoo-min is coming over. Shouldn’t we head out for a meal first?”

“…Just asking, but what happened to Yoo-min in the future?”

“She became an outstanding hunter and was even called the Assault Captain. The situation wasn’t particularly great back then, so it looked a bit rough for her.”

“…Is that so.”

As Yeon-woo’s reply sank in, Kim Hyun-soo gazed at Yoo-min, who was approaching, with a complex expression.

As Yeon-woo broke through the awkward atmosphere, the café door opened, and Kim Yoo-min’s voice rang out.

“I’m here, oppa. Where are we going?”

“Barbecue place sounds good, right Yeon-woo?”

“Of course. I’ve got plenty of money. Not as much as the professor, though.”

“By the way, what were you two chatting about? Oppa’s expression doesn’t look too good.”

At Kim Yoo-min’s concerned voice, Kim Hyun-soo smiled and ruffled Yoo-min’s hair. Surprised, she pouted, but Kim Hyun-soo brushed it off and spoke to Yeon-woo.

“I’ll believe you. Nothing bad has come from listening to you until now.”

“Thank you.”

“What’s this all about? Why am I being left out!”

“Kids don’t need to know~.”

“But you’re the same age as me!!”

Evading the furious Kim Yoo-min, Yeon-woo dashed forward. Today seems to have a lot of people chasing after me.

It doesn’t seem like anyone is genuinely after him, but the punches they throw, even without full force, send shivers down Yeon-woo’s spine.

Kim Hyun-soo watched the scene with determined eyes.

*

“Hello. Nice to meet you, Princess.”

Inside a castle made of ice, a woman in a leather jacket scratched at her dragon-patterned eye patch and spoke.

Standing at the end of her gaze was a group of warriors, along with a middle-aged man sitting on the icy throne.

The Ice Lord, Baek Joo-han. Known as one of the superhumans of the martial world, he is lauded as a pinnacle user of elemental mana associated with ice, raised his slumped jaw slowly.

An overwhelming presence, which could only be described as the weight of an absolute being, spread through the ice. Feeling the hair on the back of her neck prickle, Lucrecia whistled.

As Baek Joo-han slowly lifted his head, he began to speak. What kind of words could possibly emerge with such gravity?

“…Is your daughter doing well?”

With the stark contrast of his first line from what she expected, Lucrecia froze, responding in a daze.

“…Uh, she seems to be doing well.”

“That’s good to hear. Then shall we talk about work?”

“Of course! The sooner the better with matters like these, right?”

With a sly grin, Lucrecia glanced around. Typically, in such gatherings, speaking informally to the leader would stir resentment, but here, that didn’t seem to be the case.

It appeared rigid, yet the atmosphere was genuinely free, or perhaps the lord had complete control over his subordinates.

Considering the difference in skills required of a warrior and those required of a leader, one could certainly grasp the remarkable competence of this man.

“You both likely harbor negative feelings toward Toyo’s Demon King. Let’s join forces and achieve something together, Ice Lord.”

“…Ah. It’s not just any offense; I’ll require a hundredfold repayment for tarnishing the honor of the Ice Lord’s child. Isn’t that right, Elders?”

“Of course, my lord would not be the type to suffer such indignities.”

“We must absolve the regret of being unable to recover my lord’s corpse.”

““We shall wage war against the Demon King, I petition!””

All at once, opinions within the Ice Palace began to converge in one direction. Regardless, those living in cold regions have extraordinary unity.

Amused by the scene, Lucrecia’s lips curled up.

“Honor of a lion, wonderful. It’s thrilling to see so many fools eager to fight the Demon King.”

“The Snowbreaker Brigade, from now on, follow this woman and seek out the Demon King’s traces without leaving a single piece behind. It’s time to sever our foul connection with the Demon King.”

The Ice Palace began to stir into action, preparing to eliminate Saturday. The prelude to war had begun.

(To be continued in the next episode)

 

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