Chapter 5: Chapter 4 - I’m Lee Jihoon; Codename: Hermes

When the white light receeded, Yuriel couldn’t help but be awed by the scenery before them.

Far above, the ocean loomed like a glimmering ceiling of water. The pressurized silence of the deep sea enveloped them like velvet. A fresh, cool breeze blew over, creating ripples on the ice-clear surface of the slowly-flowing river below.

To their right and left, carved into the trench wall, two ancient-civilization-like structures stood. Both were similar in appearance, but the one on the left was bigger and grander, looking like the entrance to an ancient, underground civilization. The architecture was ancient, with tall, wide pillars and intricate circular patterns carved above the gate. Yet at the same time, it felt so modern, especially with the cool cyan light illuminating it.

At this moment, a blurry figure shot out of the gate on the left, rushing toward Tie Li with extreme speed.

“Mad Iron! You’re finally back.”

In a split second, a young man appeared in front of Tie Li, shaking his shoulders, examining his condition.

The first thing that caught Yuriel’s attention was his hair, which was dyed pale-blonde. Next was the pair of black-rimmed eyeglasses which framed his slender brown eyes. He looked about the same age as Yuriel, and about as tall as Tie Li, but his build was much leaner. Coupled with the white shirt and black trousers that he wore, he looked very much like an office worker.

Well, he looked more like a nerd at first glance.

“I’m fine, Jihoon. Stop shaking me.” Tie Li said exasperatedly.

The blonde-haired young man released his grip, awkwardly scratching his head. His attention then shifted to Yuriel, his expression changing.

With uncertainty, he asked, “Were you... born at that legendary time?”

Yuriel stared at him. This guy’s eyeglasses must be an extraordinary device that could get many information just by scanning a person’s body. And, given his god-like expertise in the world of technology, this nerdy-looking young man might have known of her true identity for a long time, even before she met Tie Li.

In the end, Yuriel didn’t answer and said instead, “Tie Li lost a lot of blood. You should bring him inside.”

“What about you yourself?” the blonde-haired guy raised his eyebrows.

“I’m fine. I won’t die.” Yuriel shrugged.

Giving her a deep look, the guy suddenly smiled, “Oh, right. I think I haven’t introduced myself—I’m Lee Jihoon; Codename: Hermes.”

Upon hearing this, Yuriel’s eyes widened in shock for a moment before she unexpectedly revealed a complex expression, which was a mixture of joy, relieve, anxiety, and worry.

This guy was actually the legenday Master of Technology, codenamed Hermes. No one knew his real name or who he actually was. But judging from his awesome secret base, he was really the Hermes. Then... Could he help her?

“Can I... ask you a favor?” Yuriel stared at Lee Jihoon in the eye, asking in a soft voice.

Even though her expression was flat, her voice was slightly quivering, and her pair of black eyes concealed her desperateness.

Lee Jihoon went silent.

“Let’s talk inside.” he finally said.

He led his guests toward the building on the left. As the three approached it, its humongous gates slid to the sides soundlessly—which was incredible, considering that the building was entirely made of hard cavern rock, carved from it.

What greeted them was a large hall of sparkling pale-blue. Drones of all size and model flew about, cyan lines adorning their white surface. Dozens of people walked and floated about everywhere, all busy fidgeting with the high-technology gadgets in the large hall. But when they noticed Lee Jihoon, they would pause their business for a moment and greet him.

“Chairman.” they smiled politely.

Lee Jihoon nodded and smiled back in reply. He led his guests to the other side of the hall, into one of the Flash Lifts lining there.

A flash of white light, and they were presented with a spacious, white-cyan-themed living room.

“You two can discuss your business—I’ll go clean myself up.” Tie Li stretched comfortably as he habitually went into a corridor next to the aquarium-wall behind a white sofas.

“Please.” Lee Jihoon gestured at the sofas, then sat himself.

Yuriel nodded and sat across him. A cup of piping hot oolong tea materialized in front of her.

"So, uh...” Yuriel eyed him somewhat nervously.

Lee Jihoon crossed his feet, “Firstly, what kind of help do you need?”

“I need to find one of the Four Guardians.”

“W-what?” even with Lee Jihoon’s stable mind, he couldn’t help but feel shocked, losing his composure a bit.

“I need to find one of the Four Guardians.” Yuriel repeated, then added, “And I want to kill someone.”

Lee Jihoon fell into a contemplative silence. Helping with murder was nothing. But the matter of finding one of the Four Guardians... was... a bit too crazy, wasn’t it...?

“Who do you want to kill?” Lee Jihoon first asked this.

"The Young Master of the Emperor Li Clan.” Yuriel said, her eyes revealing a sharp glint as she spoke.

Lee Jihoon didn’t even need to think twice and directly nodded, “That’s possible, but you have to kill him in one go.”

“What about finding one of the Four Guardians?” Yuriel quickly asked.

“I cannot make a promise, but I’ll do my best.” Lee Jihoon said.

Yuriel nodded, then asked again, “Can you do it within two weeks?”

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“Wha–”

“Two weeks and a half?” Yuriel bargained, realizing that two weeks wasn’t too realistic, even for a god-like technology master like Lee Jihoon.

The corner of Lee Jihoon’s mouth twitched. Seriously? What did this girl think the Four Generals were? Potato sellers?

“I’ll pay any price or do anything you want—if it doesn’t go against my principles.” Yuriel stared at him in the eye, dead serious.

Noting her desperateness, Lee Jihoon sighed, then finally nodded.

“Thank you.” Yuriel softly said.

“Your welcome.” Lee Jihoon smiled, then glanced at Yuriel’s left waist and remembered something, saying, “Oh, right. There is a special poison on every Blood Sword clansman’s sword that prevents blood from clotting and heal. Here, the antidote.” Saying that, he took out a small jade bottle and threw it to Yuriel, who caught it swiftly.

“Thanks.” Yuriel smiled.

“No problem.” Lee Jihoon shrugged, then stood up as he gestured Yuriel to follow him, saying, “Follow me, I’ll take you to a guest room. You can treat your wound there.”

He led Yuriel into the corridor Tie Li had gone into previously. On the two sides of the corridor, closed white doors lined. Lee Jihoon opened a door to his right, revealing a simple, white-cyan-themed modern bedroom.

“There’s an inner bathroom, and if you need anything, just ask the robo inside.” Lee Jihoon said, then smiled, “And happy birthday.”

Yuriel smiled back, but didn’t say anything. She went into the room, letting the door slide close behind her back silently.

Immediately, her complexion paled, and her irises turned red. Her eyes darted around the room, and quickly found another door on the other side of the room. She unsteadily stepped into the bathroom, murderous aura rapidly spreading out.

Not even bothering to close the door back, she leaned against the sink, letting the cold water run through her palms.

Suddenly, she felt a piercing pain in her heart. She gasped, drawing in cold air. Her pupils contracted as that familiar murderous intent once again surged, submerging her mind.

She wanted to kill... She had to!

But no... No, she couldn’t!

“Zhang Yujin, stay sane...” Yuriel muttered to herself. “You mustn’t lose control, especially now.”

She gritted her teeth, clutching her head, which felt like it could explode at any moment.

Her red eyes stared at the reflection of a seemingly crazy, demonized girl in the mirror before her. Dark red lines crept up her snowy-white neck, up to her cheeks and stopped below her eyes.

No, it wouldn’t do. She had to use that power, or she would die earlier than she predicted. But if she did, the seal on her power would weaken further, and once it broke...

A feeling of sadness and helplessness engulfed her.

Would she live long enough to see her parents waking up?

This question, which had been haunting her for days and nights, resurfaced in her mind.

“Miss Zhang?” a shocked voice suddenly sounded.

Yuriel whirled toward the open doorway of the bathroom, finding a blonde-haired young man standing there.

Lee Jihoon stared her. If before, she was delicate and beautiful, she now looked very much like a demon which had just crawled out of the deepest part of hell. And the most terrifying was... that murderous aura.

Lee Jihoon’s mind trembled. This terrifying aura full of killing intent she radiated was just too similar to...

“Go... away...” Yuriel’s hoarse voice woke him up.

He nodded, and disappeared in a flash of silvery-white light.

Outside, he appeared back in the living room. Not wasting any second, he tapped with lightning speed on the empty air before him, his gaze focused on an invisible screen in front of him.

***

UK, Englandia, Longdon.

Far away from Hermes’ secret base, in the City of Longdon, a golden castle glimmering with grandeur and sacred light stood on top of a hill.

Soldiers in matching golden soft armor stood guard in front of the gates, muscular yet slim, robust yet gentle, exuding a feeling of perfection.

At this moment, at the highest floor of the castle, a tall young man in his twenties stood facing the open wide windows in front of him. He wore a faint, elegant smile on his handsome face, making him look like he was always in control of the situation. The cool breeze of the River Thames ruffled his long pale-gold hair and robes, adding a touch of majestic feel to his already majestic self.

Suddenly, cyan light flashed across his limpid golden eyes. The young man was silent for a while, seemingly just admiring the scenery.

Then his smile widened ever so slightly.

“Finally... Something interesting.”

His voice was deep, filled with masculine qualities, yet also gentle and calming at the same time.

“General Waterson!” he called.

“Duke.” a man in full-body pale-gold armor appeared behind him, kneeling on one knee in a salute.

“I will be going out for a while.” the young man said. “Make sure that no one apart from our people knows about this—it would be even better if it is only you who know.”

“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”

His smile never leaving his face, the young man disappeared in a flash of cyan light.

***

Hermes’ secret base, living room.

There was that flash of cyan light, and the young man appeared there.

“Well, hello there, Jihoon.” he greeted, grinned broadly.

“Duke Longdon.” Lee Jihoon smiled.

"Oh, please,” the young man chuckled softly. “Right now I’m just Edward, your good friend.”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony,” Lee Jihoon said, expression gradually turning serious. “Edward, I need your help.”

“The Asura Demon Poison...” Edward stroke his chin thoughtfully as he began walking back and forth. “Since... that case, not one soul has ever dared try using it. Yet now, a random teenage girl is inflicted by it?”

Lee Jihoon rolled his eyes, “Fine, I know what you’re implying. Since you want to know so badly, I’ll tell you—she’s the freaking other Star of Cosmos.”

Edward paused in his track. His smile broadened.

“Then we must save her, lest she destroy the world.”

Saying that, he directly walked toward the door of the guest room, his steps firm, precise, and... somewhat excited.

His knuckles collided against the door several times. He then turned at Lee Jihoon, waiting for the latter to say something.

The guy rolled his eyes, but still stepped forward. He put his palm on the door, a cyan light spreading across the whole surface—sound could now travel through the door.

“Miss Zhang, may I come in?” he asked.

Silence.

“Yes.” A few long seconds later, Yuriel’s voice finally answered.

The two young men exchanged a glance. Silently, the door slid open to the side. What greeted them was Yuriel standing still right in front of them, face pale and expressionless.

“Eh, uh,” Lee Jihoon scratched his head awkwardly. “Sorry for intruding into your room previously—I... mistook that killing intent you released as an enemy’s. I thought you were under attack. I—”

“I understand, it doesn’t matter.” Yuriel smiled a little.

“Greetings, young lady, my name is Edward.” Edward said, with his ever-present trademark elegant smile.

Yuriel’s gaze swept over him. Tall, handsome, athletic, polite... She secretly raised an eyebrow. Little Jennie would fall head over heels for him.

“Hello, shining guy,” she greeted him back. “I’m Yuriel.”

Edward was taken aback, but didn’t lose his composure.

“Yuriel, as in Uriel: God is My Light?” he asked.

Yuriel shrugged. “Yes. And Edward... as in Edward of Lindsor?”