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The atmosphere in the Association Head’s Office, as if Jeong Gyeoul had dropped a bombshell, continued with the Strategy Meeting.

“This seems too one-sided. I’ll take on the role of the devil’s advocate.”

“That makes sense. We need someone to speak from the perspectives of both the Association and the government.”

“…What’s a devil’s advocate?”

Jeong Gyeoul and Serena seemed to understand, but Lee Ha-yoon had no clue what a devil’s advocate was.

‘Does that mean siding with Satan to have a conversation…?’

She seemed to take it literally as the ‘devil’s’ advocate.

“A devil’s advocate is someone who deliberately takes the opposing side in meetings or debates. They’re also called benevolent critics, preventing one-sidedness and fostering more heated discussions.”

“…How do you know this, Gyeoul? I’ve never even heard of it.”

“…I learned it on YouTube.”

“Ah! I should watch YouTube more often.”

Since they went to school together, she couldn’t say she learned it there.

And so, she led another soul down the path of dopamine addiction.

For difficult knowledge or terms that peers wouldn’t know, YouTube was always the source.

It was a great excuse for Jeong Gyeoul.

“Anyway, let’s continue.”

“First… It seems like Korea alone can’t handle this. Shouldn’t we summon heroes from around the world?”

“If something goes wrong, Korea would have to take all the blame. What if S-Class heroes summoned to Korea die? They’d make Korea pay no matter what.”

The meeting mainly involved S-Class heroes like Jeong Gyeoul voicing opinions, while Jeong Ho-min countered.

“Sigh… Maybe the Demon Realm is better.”

“These beings, worse than extinction-level threats, aren’t even human. We could call them transcendent species. Of course, the whole world should unite against them.”

“But the higher-ups are all flower gardens… Even during the Behemoth subjugation.”

-Why should we care if it appeared in British waters?

-An extinction-level threat? That’s too grandiose! Let’s downsize the name.

They were the ones who proposed such bills.

Even if the Behemoth subjugation failed, and the disaster starting from British waters could spread uncontrollably.

-That’s Britain’s problem, leave it.

Such were Korea’s higher-ups.

Or they’d suggest sending C-Class and B-Class heroes to places where even A-Class heroes could die, just for potential gains.

Except for the Korean Hero Association officials, they were clueless about the hero industry.

Like old folks unwilling to learn about kiosks or new tech, they had no intention of understanding the hero industry.

Was this a Strategy Meeting about Satan’s invasion or a roast of Korea’s higher-ups? The meeting dragged on for hours.

But in the end, there was no gain.

Just a better understanding of Korea’s reality.

“By the way… This is a bit off-topic…”

Lee Ha-yoon cautiously raised her hand.

“Speak up, we need all ideas now.”

“Maybe the vision Serena saw in the prophecy was already us moving after hearing the prophecy?”

“…”

The atmosphere in the Association Head’s Office sank again.

It felt like it could dig into the ground.

“…Does that mean the rest of the S-Class are dead?”

“That seems plausible. I don’t know why only four of us survived.”

“Everyone’s getting too serious. Let’s lighten the mood. One wrong word, and you’re the traitor.”

“Yeah, too serious. Being serious won’t solve anything. Let’s have a more relaxed meeting.”

When the atmosphere got too heavy, someone would lighten it up, only for it to sink again hours later.

By now, the sun was setting, and the Association’s secretaries couldn’t even leave, watching the group’s mood.

“Let’s end here for today. Sitting on our butts won’t solve anything. Gyeoul needs to eat, and the secretaries need to go home. Seol-hwa needs to make potions.”

“Everyone’s winding down, and I have to go make potions?”

“Seojeong called earlier. She asked if you’re really in a meeting.”

“Wow… My secretary didn’t believe me.”

Finally, the group decided to end the pointless Strategy Meeting.

“Let’s rest today and continue tomorrow.”

“I’ll gather the guild’s think tank for a separate meeting.”

“I’ll convene an emergency committee when the staff comes in tomorrow.”

“I’ll talk to my sister and gather the Taebaek Guild members.”

“And I’ll contact Oseong, LK, and Hwarang. Let’s continue the meeting tomorrow evening or night.”

Daehyun, the Association, and Taebaek seemed to plan meetings with their staff.

“…Gyeoul and I have nothing. Just talking to Eun-chae and Kang-woo.”

“It’s okay, you two are the type who don’t suffer mentally because you’re physically strong.”

“Is that an insult or a compliment? Should I tell Seojeong we were just hanging out with Gyeoul instead of having a meeting?”

“…Then I’ll announce worldwide that Park Seol-hwa stopped making potions due to Jeong Ha-yul’s pressure.”

After some back-and-forth banter, the group disbanded.

***

After the pointless Strategy Meeting.

A day passed.

It was past 10 PM.

Another Strategy Meeting began in the Association Head’s Office.

They entered with the desperate hope that this time, there’d be a plan.

Joining yesterday’s members were Taebaek Guild Leader Lee Ha-yoon, Academy President and Hwarang Leader Kim Yu-shin, and LK Guild Leader Jang Gil-yong.

It was almost like a world summit.

“Everyone looks haggard after a day.”

“…We suddenly have a ticking time bomb.”

“It’s tough. And you have to make potions too…”

“Are you mocking me now?”

“Let’s start by sharing our meeting results.”

Everyone’s conclusion was the same: no solution.

Nuclear tactics meant mutual destruction.

Missiles? I could deflect them alone.

Modern weaponry was useless…

Even gathering all heroes, we’re severely lacking in transcendent-level power.

Simulations with villains helping us still ended in the middle realm’s defeat.

Just as another pointless Strategy Meeting was about to start.

A brilliant idea flashed through my mind.

If I didn’t speak within 3 seconds, it’d vanish. I urgently raised my hand and blurted it out before even getting the floor.

“Let’s just invade them!”

“…What?”

Everyone looked at me incredulously…

Half a year here could be decades there.

Why wait for them?

We’ll go to the Demon Realm with an elite team, monitor Satan, and take him out if needed.

“…It sounds like nonsense, but also makes sense?”

“Our second encounter was manageable. Plus, the Demon Realm wasn’t unified then. Rather than waiting half a year to fight a united Demon Realm, invading now might be the best, no, the only solution.”

“So, we’re forming a Demon Realm Expedition Team?”

Now, another problem arises.

Who will go?

“Who would go on an expedition with no return date, possibly coming back to find friends and family aged while they’re grandparents? Even A-Class heroes might not be enough.”

Jang Gil-yong’s words resonated.

If I return, Hayan might still be a teen while I’m a 50-year-old grandma.

It’d be sad if Hayan started avoiding me.

But… If we don’t go, humanity might perish.

Isn’t it better to protect people, even if I age?

Meeting Hayan as a grandma is better than meeting her in the afterlife.

“Since I proposed it, I’ll go. If I don’t, there’s no one to stop Satan.”

“Then I’ll go too. Can’t let Gyeoul go alone.”

“Me too.”

“I’ll go as well.”

As soon as I stood up, Jeong Ha-yul, Park Seol-hwa, and Lee Ha-yoon stood up almost simultaneously.

They clearly followed without hesitation.

“Thanks, everyone, really… But four of us going feels a bit off.”

So grateful, so moved.

But the prophecy mentioned four moving… It feels a bit… you know.

 

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