Chapter 243: Butterfly Effect (3)
UfyHSO3Antarctica was freezing.98BL1x
N4SStep, step, step, step.yVFln
PtSi“……”RCdW
SUBx6The entire group from Joaquin Academy remained silent.eLkuJz
IQtjNo one had suggested it—everyone was simply quiet, as if it had been agreed upon.6gVPi
Sg8And that was because…zvWC
ucVK“Haa…”mSDVaTA
bPym7sMedia sighed so deeply that the ice cracked under her feet with every step. Her breath escaped through her teeth in a sadness almost visible.6Lvn
RhNRThat’s right. The reason the secretary, the assistant, and I were silent was out of consideration for Media, whose face burned with embarrassment.FaUwy
weepI glanced sideways. Media was swallowing the words building up in her throat.hph
8kVr6‘If I saw one of my parents for the first time in decades… and they showed up dressed in a penguin suit…’vEaIb
H81Even as an orphan, I could understand her.Ck7LJ
O9BI looked ahead again. Watching that waddling penguin butt gave me a weird feeling.9OF
mYJGrL6‘That eccentric is the president of the Hero Association…’7haq
bqyeIVictor Poison.QYF7x5
SSHX5JkI had heard about him several times from Ryozo.r0goJ
gXFgggR—The president of the Association is a mythical figure.DADz1W
wRr6A short but striking statement. Ryozo rarely showed respect for anyone, so I remembered it clearly.Cb6tWW
DUxjQ—If that man acts seriously, the international balance would crumble.HJoWd
UxhRyozo had said it wasn’t a metaphor—it was fact.UA18tm
MGqYXJoaquin Academy, the United Nations, and the Hero Association. In this world, power is divided among three main forces.S86bOo
JG8gA sort of separation of powers. It’s the most effective way to prevent authority from concentrating in one place.3nLV
3PstguOf those three, Joaquin Academy is an educational institution that trains heroes, and the International Union is a cooperative body regulating diplomatic and global matters.YNAQq
MpLBlTherefore, neither the Academy nor the Union has a supreme leader. The Director or Secretary-General are more like temporary representatives, not true heads.wuSH
AlsBut…RXTAd
5b7D—The Hero Association is different.UTjB
nHJURvAnd why? Because it was practically created and built by a single person.GZKjc5
jYqKVFwThe Academy was also founded by Valor Joaquin, but that was 700 years ago. He’s now a historical figure.g5f
fSXAnd the International Union, as the name suggests, is a “union” of interests. Having a founder contradicts its very premise.zcNZMjy
pQprQIThat’s why, among these three powers, only the Association has one clear and unique leader.vj1hN
7fnAnd needless to say who that is. Yes, the penguin.G3ht
Hi6Victor Poison was the one who developed the algorithm that allowed Hero Points (H.P.) to be represented graphically. He also built the data center that stores all that massive information.CUVhn0
HLxThat was 70 years ago.ygqkt
ypeOn top of that—the Association’s computing system, regional branch management… the list of things he created is endless.UekOp
zIbW‘Even if now, instead of hands, he has penguin flippers.’JFbnag
i9jqStep, step.OZTmW
cwY2NThose adorable little footsteps echoed in my ears.QNG
Meh3Ui‘If Ryozo saw him dressed like this, how would she react?’12meI
hkEI was incredibly curious to see her face. After about ten more minutes of walking, the president stopped like a wobbling doll.uO3
rvzsICk“Let’s see, it should be around here.”Nhtfwk
N0DTHe gently set aside the penguin head. Kneeling down, he began brushing the ice with his flippers. He looked like a penguin gathering seeds.qHh0EWi
7gU5“After spending several weeks with penguins, I don’t quite remember the spot. Ah, here it is!”LOr6OA
TCJRnFEOne of his flippers sank into a specific point in the ice. The president dusted snow off his knees and stepped back.ZcmS
L8JXAnd then it happened.4dp2Zp
ygrhMnRumble rumble…!ejn
MR5vgHThe Antarctic continent shook. From the snow-covered mountains in the distance, an avalanche descended rapidly. The assistant and secretary fell backward.dyv90N
5Fa9J0UA sudden earthquake. The assistant looked up, alarmed.GZucqZ
rzqG“W-what’s happening?”ol3YiV
ohRgDBehind the president, a massive shadow rose. The dense snow mist made it hard to see clearly for a few seconds.0A1
I8gCvZIFwoooosh…yZNOEl
DILctyyThe wind blew from south to north. That warm southern wind carried the mist away to the north, clearing the view.C3QL
AFI3NoThe secretary murmured, eyes wide and half in shock.JLR5
Z2oZa“How can something like this exist in the middle of the polar desert…?”VAe8rw
nihUsA castle of ice had appeared before us.LueZcn
CN7QmriIt was gigantic. Its size and majesty rivaled St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.yplF
7Qe4JoIts walls bore geometric carvings of snowflakes and ice sculptures. It had as much artistic value as it did function. More than a simple base—it was a work of art.rIgW
puu2qp5“Welcome.”dOrO28
t0iBThe president turned to us with a smile.kCx5t
Qi0Proudly, he lifted his flippers to the sky.GsE0Ve
yrNkTDY“This place, Angel Factoria, welcomes you!”H3ttg
mTaATXHis penguin body took on a Y-shape. As if worshiping the sun in a sacred pose.fRu8PY9
vGwrad***s458v
FUPONThe president of the Association guided us through the place.NRa
rma9z“Wow, this is the first time in my two hundred years of life that I’ve let someone into my home.”5Wy9v19
oSu5The assistant let out a gasp of amazement.AnMH1
mjrW6w“No way.”1JpqAla
1ppThe exterior was already impressive, but once inside, one was left speechless.1H5zh1p
s2R“Each of these machines is at least thirty years ahead of their time!”x5gYUW
GjyZawThe assistant’s eyes sparkled with excitement.td6UOj
iBjMLg“I see you know your stuff.”X3L
bggCThe president gave a slight smile. The assistant nodded quickly.7nlrZhN
YRgUO7“I’m a science guy.”WLYCuH
cUXq7yE“You’ll have no trouble finding work. But honestly, these are just things I made for fun. Nothing really worth that much.”y3H3z
gZ07k“Don’t say that, President! How can you call this ‘for fun’? Just releasing a few of these to the public would turn the world upside down!”0qx
eehVGm7“I don’t care if the world flips or not. But if you like them so much, take one with you when you leave. A souvenir from Antarctica.”1LBwG
J3afNpB“A-are you serious…?! Mmph—!”sS9w9H
t5rkNThe assistant got so emotional that the secretary had to cover his mouth. Then, with a discreet gesture, she pointed to the side.sZTQ0
PLQ4y“Get a grip, okay?”Hc4
IKdncSThe secretary whispered. The assistant gulped hard.PE1sOU
M5ljClack, clack.GsW
xoxX9Q6Heels clacked harshly against the floor. The tyrant Media was clearly losing her patience.ELOUfF6
68Di3‘Over twenty years without a trace…’Ngse
CIFWho would’ve guessed he was hiding in a polar corner? No way to find him even by scouring the whole country.vBSRS
l3nuzw‘I’d love to give him a piece of my mind.’9jMfT
I8n2But Media restrained herself by simply glaring at the back of his neck.Xq4
9iehRyVictor Poison was an eccentric. One of those nuts with completely loose screws. But even she had to admit—he was a colossal genius.Hj8c
ZdT‘Dad’s achievements advanced humanity by a whole century.’hXGgcCP
7q1His legacy was immense. He was the one who made it possible for humans to launch satellites and gaze into space.tA2LbV
0L5gStill, he always avoided the public, clinging to his reclusive life. Even when society criticized him for shirking responsibility, he didn’t care. Victor didn’t care about the world.PAwg
dn5zi‘And everything he did for them?’bAWl
RYcVy6Media’s eyes mixed love and resentment. A father she hated but couldn’t help respecting. What’s more, he’d lived over two hundred years with a mind as sharp as it was dangerous.220B
UTahjUThe Poison family had a long history of suicides. Their ancestors took their own lives when they felt empty. Today, only three members remained.LvTyn4
EKWJJThat’s why, neither her problematic sister nor her penguin-suited father could be treated harshly. Even if they were crazy, they were her only family.6HB9j
pNzyv‘Someone has to stay sane—might as well be me.’0I61X
BqGtDDMedia sighed and watched the back of the madman Victor. Joy and sorrow crossed her mint-green eyes.lt4RoaB
9hUXf43Eventually, we entered a room. It was Victor’s personal lab.IGC
Y60A08W“Whoa…”nCq5Z7X
4Ky4v1oThe ceiling was dome-shaped, fully covered with monitors. Cables peeked between the screens, sparking occasionally. On the round table at the center, papers were scattered everywhere.RrSR
6rk9sSG“Sit wherever you like.”w3V0G
e88RVictor, seated at the head, unzipped his penguin suit. From the parted belly emerged black legs. He wore a skintight black bodysuit underneath.sB2
uGKvAWvThen he addressed Kang Geom-Ma directly.7XJBa
qUMD5“Isn’t it ironic?”XCflnk7
N4gKang Geom-Ma raised a brow. He didn’t understand the question.OsQhK
7xN“What do you mean?”55d4lP
qiTDplI“I know you took those miraculous twenty-billion-won pills to come to Antarctica. But look at the penguins—they survive the extreme cold with just their bodies.”oI1Wf
Kn1NIdV“……”tBAxbb
RP7lH“Humans are weak creatures—but arrogant. Instead of adapting to nature, they always try to surpass it. And that’s why we’re still here. We don’t yield to anything. Not to nature, not to demons. Anyway—huff, finally got it all off!”0se
rpBVictor finished undressing and stretched. His body was so agile, it was hard to believe he was over two hundred years old.3QTYi
CwzZuAfter catching his breath, he continued.kL09
QYl“Heavenly Sword, I’m going to show you the gift I prepared for you. I don’t want to waste your time.”4MJrKxb
Mu9aKang Geom-Ma nodded cautiously. He didn’t care when it was handed over—what mattered was receiving it.AyIKSF
T0lwaxL“I like that attitude.”26to76I
M3ZzIVictor snapped his fingers. All the monitors on the walls and ceiling lit up at once. Bzzzt… the electric hum filled the screens.k1OtSl
oPRH“I was told through Association staff that you recently visited the Temple of Nephilim.”Bd2aYU
LWHKang Geom-Ma’s expression hardened. He hadn’t expected him to know. Though it wasn’t something he’d tried to hide.gtDnG
4RClGFOKang Geom-Ma nodded.Y4n6
u5YTOme“Yes. That’s right.”6bF
9Qt7yF7“Did you meet the priest?”cgIle
lEU“Yes… I did.”pOj1Q
qRWkd“Fourth Corps Commander Fermush will soon break the portal and invade the human world. That’s why you went to the temple—to investigate why. At least, that’s what I heard. Is that correct?”KgTYUM
0njGabKang Geom-Ma responded calmly.Kvxy
e5Upem“That’s correct.”zB7ct
7RrPGE“Then you must’ve heard something about Fermush.”srSWBf9
gUK9UZ“Just that he has a strange obsession with collecting human bones and flesh.”5KiWYi
Y3J“Looks like they didn’t tell you the reason.”XVnl
A36w“What other reason could there be? He’s obviously insane.”OlV
buv4“Haha. First time I’ve heard someone call a Corps Commander insane. A figure of pure terror!”CD5gxc
1vgm“You said it yourself, Mr. President. It’s precisely because humans overcome the impossible that they’re so extraordinary. A commander doesn’t scare me. I’ve moved past that.”TGtJ5
Lsn7Z“They say you’re a peerless hero—and I see it’s true. Your skill is remarkable, and you have boldness. That unyielding gaze that fears nothing…”r2XM1M
DNsqzVictor grinned broadly, crossing his legs. The monitor light lit him from behind, casting a mighty shadow.jKSqSZd
xB0“But Fermush isn’t a commander you can face with guts alone. Especially if he crosses the portal himself.”aSFff
TwufBnS“He’s that strong?”FeTGod2
fOY78ji“He uses earth-attribute magic to create golems. Human bones and muscle are the materials he uses to construct his forces. As a commander, he has his own army.”F6SO1
NWcfIKang Geom-Ma clicked his tongue. War of attrition was his least favorite form of combat. He could rally heroes too, but…NqlD
ep93I‘The casualties would be massive.’HB642gs
DoBNo wonder Kuarne, that arrogant parasite, acted so smug. Kang Geom-Ma clenched his teeth.bCdPh8A
iAOb“As I said—humans are fragile.”2AO
pQ8d0qVictor spoke in a low voice.w7b9y
MGKsc1Z“Fermush’s golem army would tear even the strongest heroes apart. It’s only logical—golems are made of stone, and humans are soft.”CDA
FVLccVictor waved his hand in the air like a conductor. The monitors synced to display a single video.YIQ5
8JwWSQU“……!”vWpw
jmCdio1Everyone present flinched. Lips trembled, as did eyelids.oK3
6hWyJ“Do you know the advantage of Antarctica?”O2dOV
UfVaWhile everyone was stunned, Victor crossed his legs again. Solemnly, he placed both hands on the armrests and said,iWdzGAe
ZloFlUi“It’s a natural freezer. Nothing decomposes here. It’s so cold it self-sterilizes.”e6lXKs3
MW3He raised his thumb and pointed over his shoulder.lLCnX
iWydmuH“Thanks to that, even after thousands of years—those things remain intact.”UtB0an
L2WAHundreds of bodies on the monitors.TX5
1kA1b“Humanity is arrogant. So much so, it turned those things into cyborgs for its own use.”qb8iYw
USiYpThose deadly enemies from ancient times. The ones Kang Geom-Ma had personally exterminated.2rWaE88
xWwZD“This is the gift I prepared for you.”uuUa
EGwThey were Angels.j7aMUV
IbqA single flap had become a hurricane—and it had returned to confront him.DYYDxUO
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Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaWhat angles? that’s the gift Victor prepared.
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaWhat was he doing with penguins?