Episode 384 End and Beginning (3)
As Baek Woo-jin was examining the remnants of the crack, a middle-aged man in a blue combat uniform came running.
“My name is Park Cheol-chan, the leader of the association’s crack response team!”
A man with dark undereye eyes who identified himself as the head of the countermeasures team lowered his head at a right angle.
“Thank you so much for plugging the cracks!”
“I just did my job. “I don’t deserve to be greeted like that.”
He waved his hand with a natural smile.
“Such humility! “It’s just like I heard through rumors!”
Park Cheol-chan lowered his head with a red face as if he was moved.
“Lizardmen are clever and vicious guys. “If the head of the family had not stepped forward, a lot of damage would have occurred.”
“Like I said, I just took care of it because it was nearby. “It’s just a coincidence.”
“But…”
“It seems like emergency cracks occur frequently.”
I didn’t think I had done something worthy of being called amazing, so I changed the topic.
“I am absolutely dying. It’s hard to handle since it’s held all over the country from time to time. “Everyone is waiting without sleep.”
Park Cheol-chan showed the dark circles under his eyes and sighed in frustration.
“If you are patient, the number of cracks opening will start to decrease noticeably.”
“Are you serious?”
“yes. “I’m sure.”
Karen said that the problems that arose when the passage to the demon world was forcibly closed would soon return to its original state, so all you have to do is wait a little longer.
“Still, it will be difficult, so I will order our swordsmen to patrol all over Seoul.”
“omg! Even if you don’t do that…”
“You should help what you can.”
“thank you! thank you!”
Park Cheol-chan and those with crack management skills behind him bowed their heads several times, saying thank you.
“no. Thank you for your hard work.”
Baek Woo-jin gave them a kind smile and approached Jeok Yeon-hwa, who was waiting at the entrance of the cafe.
“Are you still upset?”
She turned her head to the left, pouting.
“I lost, so I’m just keeping my mouth shut.”
“It’s true that you’re upset.”
He chuckled and leaned back next to her.
“Because it’s not!”
“You hate losing on purpose. “We have to make sure we win.”
“It’s true that I don’t like poetry! There’s no need to give your all to the Lizardman! Plus, in today’s atmosphere, please take a look… Eup!”
Jeok Yeon-hwa was so angry that she spoke her true feelings and then closed her mouth tightly.
‘Ahh! also!’
As I spoke with excitement, my inner thoughts came out naturally. If you stand in front of Baek Woo-jin, you will make mistakes without even realizing it.
match.
I lowered my head while lightly tapping my cheek, which was starting to get hot again.
“If you had said that right away, we would have narrowly lost. Sorry.”
Baek Woo-jin shrugged his shoulders with an amused expression that did not feel sorry at all.
“It’s noisy!”
“uh? “Respect again?”
“Noisy!”
“Anyway, the game was won.”
He looked Red Lotus up and down and grinned.
“Now I have the right to wish. First of all…”
“A million! What were you thinking! It’s still too early! Just a little more time…”
Jeok Yeon-hwa wrapped her long arms around her body and stepped back.
“Are you misunderstanding something again?”
“…yes?”
“I was planning to use the wish ticket later and go buy some clothes first?”
“Uh oh…”
“The skirt was torn and there was blood on the blouse. “If you go back to that state, the Lord of the Red House will break down the front door of the White House and attack you.”
Baek Woo-jin checked Jeok Yeon-hwa’s outfit with calm eyes.
“I saw your clothes were torn. What were you thinking?”
“I see. I did! Ahahaha!”
Jeok Yeon-hwa nodded her head with her gaze downward, spinning like a compass.
“Let’s go first. “I’ll buy you clothes.”
“Ah yes.”
Baek Woo-jin took the lead, lightly tapping Jeok Yeon-hwa on the shoulder. I swallowed my saliva and followed him.
‘Whoa, that’s a relief…’
I sighed in relief. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to have any intention of digging into what he said a moment ago.
“But what’s too early? “What do you need a little more time for?”
Baek Woo-jin, who was walking in front, slowed down and came next to him. There was a sly smile drawn at the corner of his mouth.
“Please explain…”
“Ouch! I don’t know either! “I don’t know!”
Jeok Yeon-hwa screamed and jumped up. With a rosy face, she walked up the wall and over the building.
“Oh, it’s fast?”
Baek Woo-jin whistled while looking at the back of Jeok Yeon-hwa. It was a much faster walking method than when sparring in the training hall.
“It’s just not that one.”
I grinned and followed after her.
**
Because events and festival protests are often held at Gwanghwamun Square, a podium goes up every weekend, but today the podium was higher than ever before.
A pure white podium without a speck of dust rose up, and the pillars and ceiling surrounding the podium were a combination of gold and red, creating a splendid and luxurious appearance.
Below the podium, hundreds of flagpoles were erected like spires along Gwanghwamun Boulevard, and the flags hanging at the ends of the flagpoles had the emblems of today’s participating guilds engraved on them.
“It’s finally today.”
Baek Yeon-hwi looked around the podium and scratched the tip of his chin.
Today was the day when heroes from around the world who fought against demons received plaques of appreciation and encouragement from the World Association and the United Nations.
“Is this event necessary? Woojin is the strongest in the world, both in name and reality. “What do centipedes give out awards for?”
Baek Eun-kyung crossed her arms and made a sad expression, as if she didn’t like this situation.
“You’ve changed a lot too.”
Baek Yeon-hwi laughed as he watched Eun-kyung Baek’s reaction. The demon hunter, who was cynical about everything and only targeted demons, had now become a fool for his younger brother.
“What changes!”
Baek Eun-kyung turned her head in embarrassment.
“Events of world associations and international unions are always held in the United States or Europe. This is the first time it is being held in Asia. “They are doing their best to treat Woojin with respect.”
“Of course that’s what you have to do.”
“Besides, Woojin, participating in this event is not because of the honor or prize money association, but because of the general public.”
Baek Yeon-hwi pointed to the spectator line behind the demon war participants.
“The war against the demons has ended, but as cracks and dungeons increase, people are afraid that another incident may occur. In fact, there are many people who are stuck at home without returning to society. Woojin participated in this event to comfort the hearts of those people and drive away their fear.”
“I know.”
Baek Eun-kyung wrinkled the bridge of her nose and made a sullen expression.
“People are starting to gather, so come this way.”
Baek Cheon-woong, who was sitting in the VIP seat right next to the podium, gently waved his hand.
“yes!”
“yes.”
Baek Yeon-hwi and Baek Eun-kyung nodded and went to sit next to Baek Cheon-woong.
As the event time approached, participants began to arrive one by one.
Kwon Hwang Jeok Wi-jin and Jeok Gyeong-hun and Jeok Yeon-hwa sat on the other side of Baekga, and Arcane Masters Seo Gong-myeong and Seo In-ah and Kim Jang-hoon, who supported the war materials, headed to the seats next to them.
Yoon Woo-min, Jeong Geun-ho, Spear King Hwang Byeong-hoon and the frontline talents took their seats next to Baekga.
In addition to them, guilds and heroes from all over the world who participated in the Demon War sat in order in the VIP seats and the hero seats below the podium.
Although the event has not yet started, everyone, including the VIP seats, hero seats, and spectators, was packed.
In particular, the crowd line was already crowded with close to 200,000 people, making it difficult to even walk forward.
“This is the first time I’ve seen so many talented people gathered together.”
Seo In-ah leaned towards Jeok Yeon-hwa, who was sitting next to her, and opened her mouth.
“This is more than the number when entering the front line. “It’s only natural that the world’s powerful people have gathered together.”
Jeok Yeon-hwa nodded as she looked at the talented people sitting in the hero’s seat.
“Yeonhwa. But…”
“Huh?”
“Is it true that you went on a date with the head of the Baek family?”
“100 million!”
Jeok Yeon-hwa flinched as if she had been hit by an arrow in the chest.
‘As expected, everything was caught!’
Because of the rift that occurred that day, the rumor that he and Baek Woo-jin were together not only spread in Korea, but was also spread around the world.
Because of that, there were even special features on the Internet and TV about the relationship between the two.
“Rather than a date, it was more like we had a meal together.”
Jeok Yeon-hwa felt the eyes focused on her and waved her hand.
“So we’re not dating?”
“With that mean person? Of course not!”
“Then there’s still a chance.”
Seo In-ah looked directly into the eyes of Jeok Yeon-hwa, who smiled awkwardly.
“Yeonhwa and I are friends, but I can’t give in to Lord Baek like this.”
“Eh?”
“I won’t lose.”
While he was embarrassed, Seo In-ah pulled his trembling hand and shook it.
“You too…”
“I see you say ‘you too’. “It looks like Lord Baek has feelings for you.”
“no! “That’s not it!”
“Let’s make it clear and let the loser congratulate the winner.”
Seo In-ah said that and smiled brightly.
“Uh…”
Jeok Yeon-hwa opened her mouth with a half-lost expression.
‘Huh, adult? ‘Is this an adult?’
Despite her cute and fresh appearance, Seo In-ah’s mind was much more mature than hers.
“got it?”
“Oh, I…”
“I’m here!”
“Baek Woo-jin is here!”
When I couldn’t figure out what to say, I heard a scream that sounded like a scream from the audience.
The crowd, filled like the bookshelves of a library, parted like the Red Sea and today’s hero walks in.
“Wow…”
Jeok Yeon-hwa swallowed dry saliva. He was wearing a simple black suit and his hair was up, but he was exuding an elegant and noble look, as if he had changed as a person.
“I heard that the prosecutor is coming to Arcane next week for maintenance of the Seolyeonggeom.”
Seo In-ah opened her mouth without taking her eyes off the walking Baek Woo-jin.
“Then I will also ask you out on a date.”
“I don’t really care?”
Jeok Yeon-hwa whistled, clearly revealing her eyes that were twisted like a twisted twist.
“Woohuhu.”
Seo In-ah held Jeok Yeon-hwa’s hand tightly, as if she found it cute like that.
**
The World Association’s event to encourage the heroes of the Demon War was held with cheers from everyone.
Representatives of guilds and organizations came up to the podium and received appreciation plaques and encouragement money from the world association, and now only the final order, the Shingeombaekga, remained.
“This is the final order of today’s event. Musin, who single-handedly defeated the Demon King Beelzebub! Baek Woo-jin, the matriarch of Shingeombaekga! “Please come up to the stage!”
“Wow!”
“Mushin! Musin! Musin! Mushin!”
“Long live Baek Woo-jin! Long live Shingeombaekga!”
At the host’s shout, a huge roar erupted from the audience in the VIP and hero seats.
“Please come back.”
“yes.”
Baek Woo-jin made eye contact with Baek Cheon-woong, Baek Yeon-hwi, and Baek Eun-kyung and went up to the podium.
“Yaaaaaa!”
“Shingeombaekga! “Singeombaekga!”
“Baek Woo-jin! Baek Woo-jin! Baek Woo-jin!”
As I climbed onto the stage, a louder roar than before exploded. It was almost impossible to hear the voices of the president of the world association and the president of the United Nations right in front of me.
“Everyone, please calm down!”
“The event is not over yet!”
Only after the association’s powerful people restrained the audience did the cheering subside.
“My name is Javiel Ballack, president of the World Association of Talented Persons.”
“This is Antonio Juan, President of the United Nations.”
Javiel and Antonio bowed their heads in courtesy.
“This is Baek Woo-jin from Shingeombaekga.”
Baek Woo-jin greeted them face to face and took a step towards the two people.
“There is no one who does not know the activities of Lord Baek, so I will tell you briefly.”
Javiel came forward with a lively smile.
“On behalf of those with abilities, I would like to express my gratitude to the hero who cut down Beelzebub, the king of devils, and saved the world by opening the passage connected to the demon world.”
“On behalf of humanity, I would like to express my gratitude to the savior who saved the world from the abyss of evil.”
Following Hafiel, Antonio, whose neck was red with excitement, presented a plaque of gratitude.
“I salute the God of War!”
Upon receiving the plaque of appreciation, Javiel and Antonio bowed, covering their left breasts with their right hands.
“thank you.”
Baek Woo-jin bowed his head to the two people who expressed his sincerity and then turned around.
“Wow!”
“Baek Woo-jin! Baek Woo-jin!”
“Mushin! Musin! Mushin!”
The shouts were twice as loud as before, so much so that I could almost hear them. Hearing thunderous shouts, he looked at the people looking at him.
Baek Cheon-woong and Baek Yeon-hwi and Baek Eun-kyung looked at themselves with proud eyes.
Yoon Woo-min smiled proudly, Jeong Geun-ho still seemed to have not let go of his envy, and Hwang Byeong-hoon and the talented players at the front blew their horns with cheerful laughter.
Jeok-ga and Arcane, who were sitting opposite each other, were shouting like everyone else, while Jeok Yeon-hwa and Seo In-ah were laughing awkwardly while holding each other’s hands.
Paaaaang!
The strings of the flagpoles placed to the left and right of the audience are lowered and the guild flags flutter. The flags fluttered as if a strong wind was blowing, and each of them displayed their colorful patterns.
The fact that the flags that had been stopped were now waving meant that those guilds supported them.
“Huh…”
Baek Woo-jin slowly caught his breath. When I saw the magnificent shouts and the banners in full bloom, my heart boiled in my heart.
I raised my hand, feeling my heart beating hotly. The people seemed to become one and fell silent at the same time.
“This year we have had more difficult times than ever before. The king of devils descended, the earth was stained with demonic land, and the earth and the demon world were even connected.”
A serious voice filled with intent spread throughout the square.
“After much sacrifice and effort, the demon king was defeated and the earth regained its original green, but there are still many people who have not escaped the fear of demons, devils, and monsters.”
Everyone was so focused on themselves that not a single breath could be heard even though there were hundreds of thousands of people.
“They say I don’t know what crisis will come in the future, but Baek Woo-jin is the only one. I’m scared because Baek Woo-jin, who killed the demon lord alone, is not around. I am afraid because not all talented people are Baek Woo-jin. I have something to say for them. “I didn’t cut down the Demon King alone.”
“uh?”
“What do you mean!”
“Why do you say that…”
“You said you didn’t cut it alone? “I told you I just cut you!”
“That’s a lie!”
Baek Woo-jin let the audience and talent chatter in confusion. When their embarrassment reached its peak, their momentum unfolded.
Gooooooo!
As a huge energy wave rose to transcendence, people closed their mouths and looked at themselves as if they were mesmerized.
“It’s not a lie. I couldn’t cut down Beelzebub alone. “I was on the verge of death in the barrier he had set up, and when I thought it was the end, my colleagues here came forward and saved me.”
He pointed to the talented people sitting in the VIP and Hero seats.
“They broke the barrier created by Beelzebub to save me. “It’s the devil’s barrier that even I couldn’t break.”
I felt that the talented people and the audience were focusing their attention on me, forgetting to breathe.
“If it weren’t for my colleagues who broke the barrier even while coughing up blood, it would have been me who fell there, not the Demon King. Even after that, thanks to their stopping the demons, we were able to close the passage to the demon world.”
Baek Woo-jin slowly closed and opened his eyes and continued speaking.
“I didn’t cut down the Demon King alone, but my colleagues and I cut down the Demon King. I didn’t block the dimension alone, but my colleagues and I blocked the dimension together. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues who risked their lives to fight alongside us.”
“Lord Baek….”
“It was all natural!”
“you’re right! “You don’t have to float it!”
The talented people looked embarrassed yet thrilled, as if they had not expected to hear words of gratitude here.
“Although those with abilities live according to their own desires, most of them have a higher sense of duty than the desire to protect this world from monsters.”
Baek Woo-jin looked at the talented people in the VIP and Hero seats with eyes filled with trust.
“I and the heroes of the Demon War will stand before you at any time. We will make sure that no matter where you are, you will not be harmed before we run out of breath. We hope you can trust us and return to your normal life.”
Baek Woo-jin drew out his Seolyeong sword and aimed it into the air.
“I promise you here in the name of Baek Woo-jin, the head of the Shingeombaek family.”
The jet-black blade burning from the pure white sword body pierced the sky filled with clouds.
Wooooow!
Hundreds of symbols supporting him fluttered like phoenix feathers, and the sound of horns as majestic as the name of the dragon filled the square.
thud!
The talented people jumped up with a shiver running down their spines, and the audience clenched their fists in goosebumps that made their hair stand on end.
“Wow!”
“Yaaaaaa!”
The audience exploded into cheers that they had been suppressing in response to the miracle displayed by the hero who saved the world and the absolute god of war.
