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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 33: Shooting, Star (8)
Nana stood alone on the round stage.
Without any members or backup dancers, and without any decorations, she was all by herself.
As she slowly moved her feet, the dust that had settled on the stage rose in a hazy cloud, and that was the only stage effect.
“…I am undead.”
Her voice wavered.
Her eyes also trembled, but her black pupils remained fixed on one point.
Beside the camera, she met Baek Ho's gaze, who was sitting on a dirty chair.
“The reason I am confessing this now is... because I can no longer ignore the discrimination and suffering that undead endure... I believe that undead also deserve to be respected equally...”
Baek Ho sent a hologram message to Nana, who had a stern expression.
–[Anyone would think the Liberation Army forced you to do this. Do you want to stop?]
Nana shook her head lightly.
She quickly sent a reply.
–[I can do thisㅠㅠ I won’t disappoint youㅠㅠ]
Nana took a deep breath and then exhaled—trying to calm herself.
With a more relaxed expression, she began to speak.
“We are no different from you.”
Her voice carried more strength than before.
She layered a mask over her face, just like she always did when she took the stage.
“…We walk the same paths, eat the same food, and dream the same dreams. When the body is revived, emotions return as well. We laugh, cry, get angry, and love—just like you. But because we’ve experienced death, we are forced to keep quiet about it. We must hide the fact that we’re undead to avoid discrimination. Even undead soldiers who have lost their pasts and died hundreds or thousands of times on the battlefield face the same fate. Despite sacrificing for humanity, we are still rejected by it.”
“......”
“......”
“......”
The Liberation Army trio behind their animal masks stared at Baek Ho in confusion.
The words Nana was uttering right now were dangerous to say in front of the necromancer. Especially considering Baek Ho's background, this was something she shouldn't have said in his presence.
To put it simply, it was like a moderately well-known slave, neither a commoner nor a noble, going to a prince and pleading for equal treatment.
'Is this really okay…?'
'This is going to be broadcasted all over the city…'
'I just want to go home…'
The Liberation Army had tried using broadcasts like this to make appeals before. The effect was always minimal.
After all, these were the words of the rebels who were carrying out terrorist acts in the city. But Nana? She was one of the top stars in UnderHeaven. This was certain to cause a huge stir in the city.
“Damn it…”
Seonhwa clicked her tongue and touched the tip of her nose.
Despite her angry appearance, her thoughts were conflicted. She too had experienced injustice. No matter how much of a top-tier Reaper or seasoned veteran she was, she'd still bowed her head and lived under a commander who had just recently ascended. In the name of military discipline, she knew she should endure, but she couldn't help but feel a little itch in her nose.
No matter what others thought, Nana continued speaking.
“We need change now. Humans must treat undead as equals, and necromancers must treat Reapers as equals…”
Nana’s voice grew quieter. Her eyes, which had been unwavering earlier, were now filled with uncertainty as she looked at Baek Ho. She was asking him if it was really okay to say all of this.
Baek Ho’s response was still the same. He only sent the message he wanted her to convey.
–[Now we need change. Humans must treat undead as equals, and necromancers must treat Reapers as people. We must treat each other as comrades. If we continue to view undead as nothing but tools, humanity will have no hope.]
“…Humanity will have no hope.”
Nana had been reading the message Baek Ho sent from the very beginning. She was merely relaying his words.
–[I hope my courage here will be the small beginning of change.]
“…I hope it will be the beginning of something small.”
–[Good job.]
“Good job.”
–[Why did you have to say that?]
“Ah!”
Nana was startled and lowered the microphone. She gulped and licked her lips.
But really, is this okay…?
Baek Ho had only told her to relay his message; he never gave her a hint about its content. She never imagined it would be something like this. It almost felt like she had become a revolutionary for the rights of the undead. Not quite fitting her image, she couldn’t help but feel frustrated and sent a message to Baek Ho.
[Why are you making me do this?ㅠㅠ]
–[Do what you want. Finish it.]
Nana sighed softly and lifted the microphone again.
“…Then, I will be leaving you with this song. It’s the one I recently released. < Shooting Star >. A shooting star… it feels like it represents me right now.”
Nana forced a smile.
It might be the last time she’d smile like this.
With a mix of sadness and resolve, she showed one final, radiant smile.
“Then, I wish you all happiness. Goodbye.”
＊ ＊ ＊
Wee—Woo—
The UHPD patrol vehicle sped through the streets of UnderHeaven.
The red emergency lights on its roof flashed wildly, but passersby paid them no mind. Everyone had their heads tilted upward, eyes fixed on the massive screen mounted on the side of a megabuilding.
< Looking up at the night sky—♬ >
On the screen was Edelin Nana. Once the city's radiant star, she now appeared gaunt, singing with a weary expression.
"Tsk-Tsk."
Inside the UHPD vehicle, Inspector Otis clicked his tongue as he gazed out the window.
"It's chaos out there."
The neon-lit streets were more disorderly than usual. Anti-undead agitators were going around vandalizing I_Vu posters and smashing standees.
Merchandise was strewn across the ground and set ablaze, making the scene resemble a riot.
"Was I_Vu really this influential?"
In response to Inspector Otis's remark, his subordinates eagerly chimed in.
They mentioned that I_Vu endorsed dozens of products and had been ranked as the most influential celebrity in UnderHeaven by major media outlets.
"And to think she was a zombie..."
"Inspector! Please, not 'zombie'!"
The youngest team member shouted, startling Inspector Otis. The junior officer raised his voice again.
"She's a person, just like us!"
"Has this kid lost his mind...?"
Otis held back from saying more upon noticing the tears welling up in the young officer's eyes.
"Alright, kid."
Today was supposed to be a celebratory day for him and his team. He didn't want to dampen the mood unnecessarily.
About an hour ago, Inspector Otis had received a special assignment from his superiors—a deployment order related to the punishment of a necromancer.
Such tasks weren't handed out to just anyone.
It was thanks to the recent case involving the kidnapping related to the White Skull Syndicate that Otis had managed to reach the higher districts.
'Heh... I never thought I'd be dispatched to the upper districts... Things have been going smoothly ever since I met that necromancer.'
Inspector Otis grinned broadly and looked out the window again.
From the massive screens to the smaller ones hanging on the storefronts, from the news channels to the home shopping networks, Nana’s face was everywhere.
Though only a few channels had been hacked by the Liberation Army, it seemed that everyone was broadcasting her footage.
< The brightest star in the sky—♬ >
Inspector Otis clicked his tongue as he looked out the window.
In the vast plaza below, groups advocating for undead rights were crying in front of the screen. To anyone unaware of the situation, it could have seemed like devoted followers sobbing before a cult leader.
“At this rate, she’ll become the goddess of the undead…”
Otis muttered to himself, but the youngest team member responded loudly.
“She was always a goddess!”
“This kid’s completely lost it...”
As it was clear, all of UnderHeaven was focused on Nana. Thanks to that, the discussions about Baek Ho, who had executed Nelberis, seemed to vanish. It almost felt like the issue with the celebrity had been strategically brought up to hide the news of Baek Ho, as if the city’s citizens cared more about entertainment news than the war itself.
Screech—
The patrol vehicle came to a halt near a small building.
Despite wanting to get closer, the crowd gathered in front of the building made that impossible. People holding weapons and yelling, others holding placards and crying—both sides were preparing to tear down the I_Vu building.
“Excuse me! We need to get through!”
Inspector Otis squeezed through the crowd.
In front of the entrance, adorned with a large I_Vu photo, stood Reapers in security combat gear. Whether they were anti-undead protesters or human rights activists, neither group dared to challenge them.
“Damn...”
Even Inspector Otis and his UHPD team, despite their authority, couldn’t fight back against the Reapers. As ordinary humans, their only option was to call for backup and wait helplessly.
Vroom—
At that moment, a hovercar appeared between the buildings.
As the door opened, the crowd's attention was drawn to the tiger emblem of Yeomra Corporation. A man emerged, towering nearly two heads taller than the average adult, dressed in black robes and a black hat. He landed gracefully beside the crowd.
Clang—
The massive, curved sword he carried struck the ground with a heavy sound.
“Hmm.”
Seongyu’s sharp eyes scanned the area, and people quickly scattered in fear.
"The city is always so peaceful."
As Seongyu trudged forward, the crowd split to the sides. He moved toward the entrance like a grim reaper coming to collect souls, staring down the Reapers blocking the door.
"You all good at fighting?"
The guards shook their heads, unable to even make a sound as they stepped aside.
Though one might encounter a grim reaper on the battlefield, it was a different matter in the city. It felt like a professional athlete showing up at a kindergarten sports day.
As Seongyu entered the building, he motioned for Inspector Otis to follow.
"What are you doing? Come on."
"Y-Yes! I’m coming!"
Inside the elevator heading to the top floor, Inspector Otis nervously gulped and glanced at Seongyu’s back.
‘Is that really a sword? Is it just for intimidation?’
He could see a regular curved sword strapped to Seongyu’s waist as well, which seemed to support the theory that it was likely just for intimidation. Otis had never imagined that it could be used to hunt monstrous beasts.
Ding—
Beyond the open door, a lavishly decorated room was revealed. The secretary, who had been quickly organizing the items, widened her eyes in surprise. When Seongyu made a quiet gesture for her to be silent, she covered her mouth.
Leading the way, Seongyu, Inspector Otis, and the team entered through the glass door.
< You can’t help but watch silently—♬ >
On a hologram screen lit up in one corner of the office, Nana’s image appeared. In front of it, a woman with golden thread woven into her hair was yelling in a raspy voice.
"Wataru! You son of a bitch!"
She was talking on the phone with her back turned to the office entrance.
"You told me to trust you, and this is what happens? What’s with that broadcast? The losses we’re facing right now—Wait, cut the call."
The CEO, sensing someone’s presence, turned around.
She was taken aback by Seongyu’s height and gulped when she noticed the badge hanging from his waist. If someone from Yeomra Corporation's elite, known for their intimidating power, had come personally, it meant serious trouble between them.
But she wasn’t too worried.
There hadn’t been any dealings with the corporation recently. Furthermore, the person before her was a Reaper—someone always under the command of a Necromancer.
"What is this? What business do you have here?"
"You’ve caused significant financial damage to Yeomra Corporation. Therefore, I’m here to carry out corporate disciplinary action on behalf of the authorities."
Seongyu’s stern words made the CEO’s expression twist in anger. She assumed it was just another case of corporate overreach.
"What nonsense is this? Yeomra and I? Do you even have a warrant?"
Seongyu waved his left hand, and a document with Yeomra and the central government’s official seals appeared before her eyes. It read [Approval for Immediate Execution].
"Immediate execution?! What have I done to Yeomra to deserve this?!"
Seongyu didn’t answer and stepped closer to her. He pressed the large sword hanging at his waist downward, positioning the hilt to face forward.
"Don’t come any closer!"
The CEO extended both hands forward.
Black mist began to swirl out from her palms. It was the most powerful defensive spell a necromancer could cast.
Sring—
Seongyu swiftly drew his sword with his right hand, revealing fresh bloodstains on its blade.
"I’ve just executed the leader of the White Skull Syndicate. Does that make things clearer?"
The UHPD team members were left speechless.
The meaning in Seongyu’s calm voice was too shocking to process. Among the five major gangs controlling the underworld, the White Skull Syndicate was the weakest, but it was still an incredibly formidable faction. To hear that he had just killed its leader so casually—was this really happening?
"Th-The White Skull Syndicate... What the hell did they do to you?!"
Her connection to the White Skull Syndicate was only through the request to bring Nana back, even if it meant killing her. She had no ties to Yeomra.
"I’ll speak with CEO Baek myself! There must be some misunderstanding!"
"No. You’ve dared to threaten the future of Yeomra. The central government has acknowledged this. I am carrying out immediate judgment on their behalf."
Seongyu’s cold gaze flashed with energy as he lightly pushed off with his back foot. In an instant, he vanished from just a few steps in front of the CEO and reappeared behind her. His swordsmanship was as swift as an Oni’s footwork, too fast for ordinary eyes to follow.
"The sword is too light."
Seongyu flicked the blood off his sword and sheathed it.
At the same time, the CEO’s head dropped to the floor. Her golden-threaded hair spread out, looking like a mop.
"Crazy..."
"No..."
"Th-The Necromancer..."
The UHPD officers were in shock as the CEO’s clothes collapsed, and her body began to turn to ash. It was the second time they had witnessed the final moments of a necromancer in the city, a sight rarely seen.
"In Yeomra, a necromancer is executed through lawful procedures. You are witnesses to this."
"Y-Yes..."
"Then, you should do your jobs."
Seongyu extended his hand to the left, and a red aura surged from his prosthetic arm, crashing into a cloth-covered wall. The sound of glass shattering echoed through the room as the cloth fell away.
"Ugh... Ugh!"
Inside the now-exposed tank, three women lay motionless. They were the I_Vu members who had been trapped there until now.
The UHPD officers rushed over, quickly pulling the women out and pouring emergency potions into their mouths.
"Ugh..."
The member with short hair, who regained consciousness first, asked what had happened.
The UHPD officers didn’t answer but instead looked to Seongyu. They, too, were eager to know the answer.
"He asked me to help you."
"He...?"
Seongyu slid his fingers under his cap and scratched his bald head.
Baek Ho didn’t know they were trapped here. It was a bit of a lie, but if he had known, he would’ve told Seongyu to rescue them first, so it wasn’t entirely untrue.
"Just know that this was something Nana’s friend asked for."
"Ah! Is Nana okay?"
"...If she’s always been crazy, then she’s probably fine. If she was normal, she definitely wouldn’t be."
"What does that mean...?"
"See for yourself."
Seongyu pointed at the hologram screen. Nana’s long final song was nearing its end.
< Does that star have a star of its own?—♬ >
Tears welled up in her eyes, as if they were about to fall, and the smile on her lips looked precarious. The people watched her with heavy hearts, overcome by emotion.
"Hmm…"
Seongyu was the only one who felt something different from the others.
He silently prayed. He hoped that the young master wouldn’t take that crazy woman into his fold. He prayed that, in the future, they wouldn’t have to fight alongside someone like her on the battlefield.
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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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