Chapter 280: Emotion (1)

[“A de facto declaration of war” Changseong announces full mobilization.]

[〈Breaking News〉 Humanity and demons head toward the “Second Human-Demon War”.]

[〈Breaking News〉 Kojima expresses his will to join the war.]

[〈Breaking News〉 “The United States will also participate”… Statement from All Mute.]

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The entire world was turned upside down. True chaos. Journalists published articles more aggressively than ever, with views reaching tens of thousands in under a minute. Under normal circumstances, the media would’ve celebrated.

But this time, they couldn’t.

Both media outlets and journalists reported without exaggeration on a blood-stained future.

Only during times like this did they manage to write with sobriety. Ironic, isn’t it?

Maybe because of that, even the internet users—usually eager to attack one another—were silent today. Though a few still tried to stir conflict, deny reality, or spread false theories, they were quickly ignored.

People aren’t stupid. The Joaquin disaster, the attack in Joaquin, the invasion by Corps Commander Fermush. It was only a matter of time. Just reviewing these events made it clear the “Second Human-Demon War” was inevitable.

The comments that once flew like blind arrows now offered encouragement and support to the heroes who would go to war. Because while heroes were warriors who fought in the people’s stead, if they fell, humanity would perish.

In other words, if the heroes die, I die too. That was the underlying logic.

“…….”

Saki Ryozo slowly slid her finger across the screen, absorbing each word. When she finally finished reading, she asked.

“Vixbig, are these articles real?”

[Yes. Aside from some sensationalist videos on Nutube and unreliable rumors, everything else is accurate.]

“……”

Ryozo put the phone face-down. She didn’t have the strength to respond.

Feeling drained, she leaned her head back against the chair and covered her eyes from the fluorescent glare with her wrist.

‘Geom-Ma…’

For hours, she had scoured countless news reports to confirm whether Kang Geom-Ma would join the war. But apparently, that information was still confidential, so there was little to be found.

What little was mentioned was mere speculation—would the young Heavenly Sword, just eighteen, really go to war? Wouldn’t it be better to keep him as a last resort?

Still, Ryozo was already convinced. Kang Geom-Ma wasn’t the type to turn away from the shadows looming over humanity. On the contrary, he’d be the first to face them. That’s who he was.

And that tore her apart.

‘Kang Geom-Ma… in this war…’

She didn’t even want to imagine it. Yet, her rational mind calculated survival probabilities with near-mathematical precision.

The faster her thoughts raced, the deeper her brows furrowed. Her back was drenched in cold sweat. That’s when she sensed a presence.

Ryozo’s eyes shot open.

In her inverted field of vision, she saw her mother, Cynthia, watching her silently with her head tilted.

“Sweetheart.”

Cynthia wiped her daughter’s forehead with a sleeve.

“Let’s eat. If you’re going to overthink things, at least eat something first.”

“……”

Ryozo nodded silently and stood up. Cynthia smiled faintly as she brushed off her apron.

Ryozo sat at the table. Kimchi, stir-fried anchovies, fish cakes, pickled radish—a typical Korean meal. In the center, an empty space.

“Tada!”

Cynthia placed a stone pot in the center. With enthusiasm, she opened the lid using oven mitts. Through the steam, a bubbling red stew revealed itself.

“It’s my special kimchi jjigae. Since I know you like Japanese flavors, I made it milder. But I added a touch of sweetness.”

She was about to serve it in a bowl. While sharing from the pot is common in Korea, it was still unusual for Ryozo.

“No need to separate it for me.”

To Cynthia’s surprise, it was Ryozo who declined.

“Fewer dishes to wash this way. Let’s eat from the pot. Sit down, Mom.”

“Ah, hmm. Really? Alright. I’d love to eat with you even if we share spoons.”

“Don’t say stuff like that while eating. It kills my appetite.”

Ryozo clicked her tongue lightly and picked up a spoon. At the first bite, the spicy kick of garlic and chili jolted her palate.

Her eyes and nose burned. She’d said it wasn’t spicy, but that was clearly a lie. Between sniffles, Ryozo glanced reproachfully at Cynthia.

“It’s better to say you cried because of the spice than to cry alone in your room.”

Cynthia said it offhandedly while sipping her soup.

“It’s okay to cry when you need to. And if it’s out of worry for someone, you can cry even harder. But since you were born Japanese, it’s hard for you to be honest. And by the way…”

Soft tears slid down Cynthia’s cheek. Ryozo widened her eyes in surprise. Then she remembered an article she’d seen recently. The headline read. “Kojima expresses his will to join the war.”

Kojima had resigned as Prime Minister before the war. He promised democratic elections after the conflict.

Though buried under war coverage, it was an impactful announcement—especially for those who knew Kojima. Like Ryozo… and Cynthia.

“Mom… don’t tell me…”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Cynthia put down her spoon. The kimchi jjigae still bubbled in the stone pot.

“I hate him enough to kill him, but sometimes, Saki Kojima shows up in my dreams.”

“…….”

“One day, the doorbell rings. I think it’s a delivery man and open the door and there’s your father. That kind of dream.”

Ding-dong—

At that moment, the doorbell rang in a long tone. Mother and daughter blinked, puzzled. The chime echoed into silence.

Then, as if on cue, their expressions turned serious.

It couldn’t be a delivery man. They were on DEFCON 1, at war.

Services like convenience and delivery had already stopped a week ago.

Fortunately, Cynthia—ever cautious—had stocked up on food, so they could still eat three meals a day.

But not everyone was like them. In fact, most lived in dire conditions. So the visitor was likely a begging neighbor—or maybe a thief.

“I’ll get it.”

“You? I think I’d better.”

“Are you underestimating me?”

Cynthia rummaged through the living room drawer, pulled out a scalpel, and tossed it into the air.

Then she caught it mid-spin like a rotor blade. Her skill was obvious.

“Did you forget my nickname? Cynthia, the Divine Hands.”

“And that means what, exactly?”

“Those best at saving lives are best at taking them.”

“Should a doctor really be saying that…?”

“It’s just a saying. Anyway, keep eating.”

Cynthia hid the scalpel in her sleeve near her wrist, like a dagger. She felt the cold metal against her skin. Then she turned the knob with her free hand.

As soon as she opened the door, she froze. Standing before her was an unexpected face.

“Who is it?”

Ryozo peeked over her mother’s shoulder. Her jaw dropped too.

Kang Geom-Ma.

“May I come in for a moment?”

Despite being perhaps the busiest person in the world right now, he had suddenly come all the way to Busan.

***

While the whole world was in a panic, I remained relatively calm. Maybe it was because of the blessing of the God of the Sword, but also because ever since I arrived in this world, I had always considered this possibility.

Perhaps that’s why, now that the moment had come, my mind was cold. As if it were saying, “it’s about time.” Thanks to that, I calmly began to review if there was anything I was forgetting. Because if I went into this war without thinking, I’d surely regret it.

‘This time, I might really die.’

Kuarne was undoubtedly a formidable enemy. But not someone I couldn’t fight. I had unleashed all the blessings of the Final Judgment and learned both the Demonic Eye and Lycan’s magic. In a one-on-one, close-quarters battle, I could face him.

‘My real enemies are the ones behind him—the false gods.’

That’s what the God of the Sword and Lycan told me. Though they never mentioned Kuarne by name, they always spoke of the false gods.

Not because Kuarne was weak, but because the real threat lay elsewhere. In short, my enemies are the gods. And apparently, they would reveal themselves in this war. That’s why I had to be ready to die.

‘Come to think of it, it’s kind of funny.’

I, who always fought to survive—when did I start being driven by duty? Life is unpredictable, that’s for sure.

Anyway.

Only now, facing the final battle, did I start thinking about what was most important to me.

The first thing that came to mind were the parents of this life. Two people who vanished without a trace. And whose existence had started to fade even from my memory—so I held onto it consciously.

What would they say if they saw me now? Just by entering Joaquin Academy, they already called me the pride of the Kang clan from Seori.

‘If they knew I’m now one of the Seven Stars, they’d lose their minds.’

But since I could no longer see them, my thoughts shifted to what mattered next. After them, who was most important to me? Many faces passed through my mind. The principal, the Sword Master, Changseong—everyone who supported me.

I’m deeply grateful to them. But to Kang Geom-Ma—to “me”—there’s someone even more important. The deepest corner of my heart, where only traces of emotion remain, was shouting it.

My steps, guided by the heart, chose their direction. I went straight to Busan.

“…….”

“…….”

That’s how I ended up sitting across from Ryozo, with the table between us. Neither of us spoke—a bubbling pot of kimchi jjigae was the only sound breaking the silence.

‘How did it come to this?’

Cynthia had been stunned by my sudden visit but soon excused herself, saying she had to step out.

Maybe she wanted to give us space, but her absence was lethal. Because now, in this wide and warm apartment, only the two of us remained.

“You must be really busy… why are you here?”

Ryozo was the first to speak. She fidgeted with her fingers and cast furtive glances at me. The faint blush on her cheeks made her feelings obvious—embarrassment, discomfort, and happiness.

‘The Ryozo I first met was very reserved.’

She had changed a lot. So much that she seemed like a different person.

The one who used to cling to sweets no longer touched them. The one who cared more about appearance than substance now worried about others’ well-being.

The one who couldn’t be honest now wore everything on her face. Of course, she only showed that kind of expression to me.

And I also decided to be honest. I’d use the excuse of this final battle to open up. Even if they called me a coward, it didn’t matter.

“You.”

“M-me? What about me?”

I moved my lips. Even though I had made up my mind, I couldn’t get the words out. I had never said anything so embarrassing in my life.

‘Now I understand how Ryozo felt when she told me this multiple times.’

It’s incredibly hard from this side.

“Ryozo.”

“…Why are you calling me like that so much? You’re making me nervous.”

I took a deep breath and let it out all at once. I lowered my gaze as far as I could. You couldn’t expect more from someone who’s never been in a relationship.

“I came because I wanted to see you.”