Chapter 8

〈Chapter 1, Part 8〉1-1 (7)

Dang it. How did I end up in this situation?

I was deep in thought over the forbidden object right in front of me.

“Maybe it doesn’t fit? Hehe. Well, our granddaughter is pretty well-endowed too.”

As Grandpa Park subtly made a perverted joke and harassed me, I almost flipped him off from behind the wall but restrained myself at the last moment, then picked up the thing in front of me.

I didn’t exactly know how to put it on. But after examining it from all angles, I roughly figured out how.

All that’s left now is to wear it.

“Gulp.”

I put it on with more tension than when I was facing off against Xiao Lin.

‘It’s a bit tight.’

Phoenix indeed. Grandpa Park’s granddaughter was already quite impressive, but Phoenix was on another level.

“Ugh…”

I turned my body this way and that in front of the full-length mirror in the corner of the room. The light blue color matching her hair clearly covered the important areas.

“Today is the day I truly regret being a galge character. Seriously.”

It feels like I’m looking at a beautiful piece of art, but the owner of this body is me. Though I did spend a night with Phoenix in the game, this is the first time seeing her naked.

‘I need to put something on top quickly.’

If I keep this up, I might start bleeding from the nose just by looking in the mirror.

I opened the box Grandpa Park had left. It was the only intact outfit his granddaughter left behind before leaving.

“…My Lord.”

I held up the set of clothes reverently placed in the box and tightly closed my eyes.

* * *

“Thank you very much for everything, elder.”

The young woman bowed deeply to Grandpa Park.

“Nah, thanks to you, I felt like I was living in a world with people again. Hehe. Next time, don’t wander off alone and make sure to stick with your group. Don’t get captured by something like the Western Sea Weapon again, alright?”

“I’ll be careful.”

Grandpa Park didn’t realize that even if the Western Sea Weapon ascended into a dragon, it wouldn’t come close to the tips of this young woman’s toes.

But every time he saw the young woman, he was reminded of his deceased son’s daughter, so he couldn’t leave her alone.

Even her subtle actions trying to take care of him despite pretending not to.

“H. If it’s not too much trouble, I could escort you to the terminal-”

“It’s fine, I said.”

The old man waved his hand dismissively with an expression of distaste.

“Where would I go leaving the place where I was born? Even if I die, I have to die here. And besides…”

The old man turned his gaze towards the sea and continued speaking.

“Isn’t there always supposed to be someone around to welcome my son when he comes back someday? If he returns to an empty house, how heartbroken would he be? To get some filial piety from my unfilial son, this old man has to wait here. Someday, until he comes back.”

“What if a monster attacks?”

“Then that will be the day I return to the sea. Ah. Monsters probably won’t understand words, but I’d like to ask them to scatter my remains in the sea.”

“…As long as this world doesn’t end, there’s no way you’ll die to a monster.”

The young woman’s voice carried a sense of certainty. The old man found it amusing how she sometimes said things that didn’t make sense while trying to comfort him.

“Is that so? Is it because of the clothes? You look just like someone of that age.”

“Keeung.”

The young woman glared at Grandpa Park with a composed expression.

“I’m twenty-five years old….”

“Young lady, that’s enough. Hurry up and go already. Don’t waste time here and head straight to New Seoul to register as a hero.”

“Yes, I’ve heard your words well.”

The young woman bowed deeply and turned to leave.

“Stay healthy and live long until your son returns.”

“This… Alright. Even if I can’t paint the walls with poop, I’ll live long enough to hit my son’s head when he comes back. Got it?”

The old man shook his head as if annoyed and went back inside the house.

Phoenix, the young woman, retracted her smile and lightly jumped in place.

…

BOOM.

With the leg strength enhanced by magic power, she leaped over what seemed like more than ten buildings.

Phoenix hid in a building that was practically a ruin now and roughly wiped the dust off a table, placing the monster’s core in the center.

‘Let’s see. According to the setting…’

Magic power wrapped around the core like threads.

Crackle. Crackle.

The small bead-like core reacted with the flames of magic and floated in mid-air, gradually forming a human shape as the flames spread.

‘I guess I should do it.’

Recalling the scene from the original where the officers created “monsters,” I took a deep breath.

“The sun commands. Break free from the bonds of flying beasts and become a being of wisdom. I am the one who blesses your birth. I am the one who shall reclaim your death. Blazing Phoenix.”

I gently placed my hand on the core and added a bit more magic power. The flames burning around it turned into scales, enveloping the entire body firmly like an outer layer.

‘Add a veil piece.’

I tore off a piece of the veil wrapped around my neck and inserted it into the core.

The monster’s body began to glow with a teal hue. Struggling to stretch out my trembling fingers, I thought of random lines that came to mind and added a few verses of incantation.

“You are one who stands between two worlds. You shall become the flame that illuminates and protects the world.”

Draining magic power through the core is taxing, but the mental strain is no joke. I don’t know what the officers in the original were thinking by broadcasting such a ritual worldwide. Do they not know what embarrassment is?

I removed my hand from the core and flicked my finger.

“Manifest now, my servant.”

At the end of the incantation, a fierce storm of magical energy swept through the house.

[…The servant born from Chang-yeom greets the master.]

Speaking in a robotic tone, the monster – no, the monstrosity knelt on one knee.

“Oh. That’s good. Can you speak in human language though?”

“If it is the master’s wish.”

The mask-like mouthpiece opened, emitting a heavy voice.

Monstrosities.

They haven’t appeared in this world yet, but in the original timeline, they are slowly emerging as villains. Unlike heroes who fall into crime, these beings consider the slaughter of humanity and the destruction of Earth their life’s purpose.

Of course, this is because the spirits who think of themselves as evil organization officers have made them so.

I placed my hand on the shoulder of the monstrosity, the Western Sea Weapon, and asked,

“What is the reason for your existence?”

“To serve as the master’s servant and protect the world according to the master’s orders.”

This is why the wording of the incantation during the creation of monstrosities is important. I patted his shoulder and asked again,

“What are you protecting the world from?”

“…Uh, hmm. Protect the sea? From humans who dump trash?”

Perhaps because its origin is fish-based, its understanding of the world hasn’t extended beyond the sea yet. I massaged my aching head and stepped back from the Western Sea Weapon.

‘Time to teach it individually, but did I create it for nothing?’

S-Rank monsters are supposed to exhibit intelligence surpassing humans, so it’s somewhat disappointing. However, since it’s the first monstrosity I’ve ever created, it would be a shame to discard it. There are roles it needs to fulfill.

Just explain vaguely and move on. I pointed at the ground with my finger and issued an order.

“For protection against threats that may come in the future. Cultivate your strength in Yeongjong Island. Becoming the ruler of this island would also be good.”

“What does that mean?”

“South of Yeongjong Island lies Silmi Island, where there’s an A-Rank monster. Defeat it and conquer this area. Block any monsters coming down from the north from passing through here. If heroes come to exterminate you, hide and never let yourself be discovered. And regarding the humans living in this area…”

“Can I eat them?”

This kid interrupted me. I raised my hand and smacked the Western Sea Weapon’s head.

“Leave the humans as they are. In the world we will protect in the future, ‘humanity’ is included. Understand?”

“Yes. Understood.”

The Western Sea Weapon fiddled with the dented scales on its shoulder.

“But what if I’m discovered by humans? It seems like you wish for my existence to remain hidden, master.”

“Well, it probably won’t happen anyway, but just hide and never talk to civilians. Absolutely don’t let humans find out about you. Understand?”

I tidied up my clothes fluttering in the wind and turned around.

“What I just said is your guideline. Above all, the first thing you must do is-”

I unfolded the crumpled photo tucked in the pocket of my top. There was the old man, his granddaughter, and a cheerful young man smiling brightly.

” ”

The Western Sea Weapon stared intently at the photo without saying a word. I pointed at the old man in the photo, feigning calmness.

“You’re going to watch over this old man. Understand? Conquer Yeongjong Island and defeat the monster on Silmi Island while the old man sleeps.”

“Yes. But what is the relationship between this human and you, master?”

The Western Sea Weapon’s voice cracked.

“I owe this human a favor. Since I’m currently unable to stay on this island, I want you to repay this favor on my behalf. He’s waiting here for his ‘son’ he lost long ago.”

With those words, I pointed in the direction of the old man’s house and stepped out of the ruins. The Western Sea Weapon remained motionless, gazing at the old man’s house through the window.

“Ah.”

The old man, who had just come out to sweep the yard, waved at me upon spotting me. I glanced at the ruins briefly and raised my hand.

“Stay healthy.”

That was all I had to say to him. Even if he couldn’t hear it.

” ”

The Western Sea Weapon waved back, resting his hand on the window.

“This world is such a tragic world.”

It is commonly known that only plants and animals turn into monsters in this world.

However, occasionally humans can transform into monsters too, like when they swallow a monster core for some reason.

“…If I knew, I wouldn’t have done it this way.”

I clenched the hands that shattered the Western Sea Weapon with magic power and walked along the road.

* * *

The monstrosity thought.

The command from the creator who brought it into being.

A strange order that suppresses the instinct to kill humans or destroy indiscriminately as it pleases.

Despite all the bizarre instructions given, the fundamental command is to watch over that insignificant old man.

The monstrosity thought.

The creator’s command is absolute.

Though reborn as a completely new entity carrying only the name ‘Western Sea Weapon,’ having been newly born onto this earth,

but suppressing the fundamental predatory instincts and destructive urges of a monster to guard a person,

“Ahh, my lower back.”

wasn’t bad.

The monstrosity sat astride a tree on a hill overlooking the white sandy beach and observed every move of the old man.

Drip.

Seawater flowed from its eyes. Was it a remnant from when it was still a sea monster? But shouldn’t I be a being born from the core?

The monstrosity wiped away the continuously flowing liquid as the old man entered his house, revealing its teeth.

Grrr.

A wolf-type monster lurking in the mountains was slowly descending towards the village. The monstrosity leaped down from the tree and pounced on the wolf from behind.

Crunch!

The monstrosity’s sharp fist pierced through the wolf’s chest. Simultaneously, a little flame sparked from its hand.

The monster didn’t even have time to let out a final scream before dying instantly. The monstrosity pulled out the clutched heart and jumped back up to the tree.

“……Eww?”

Grandpa Park wrinkled his nose at the acrid smell of blood. Wondering if monsters would really come this far now, the highly tense old man picked up a metal rod lying on the road and cautiously moved forward.

“……Damn.”

In Grandpa Park’s sight was the corpse of the dead wolf monster. The monster’s heart had been ripped out, and the hole where it was pierced was slowly rotting.

“Was this that brat’s doing?”

Grandpa Park’s teeth chattered. If that blue-haired girl killed all the surrounding monsters to help him and then left, it would be a significant problem for Grandpa Park.

“I saved a monster.”

Grandpa Park crossed his arms and trembled as he went back into his house. The monstrosity silently watched the old man enter his home from the tree.

Screech…!

The smell of the burning wolf monster began to wake other monsters. Realizing that there were ‘leftovers’ that the master hadn’t dealt with, the monstrosity quietly launched itself.

Yeongjong Island.

The land that became a monster’s nesting ground.

The moment a new ruler appeared on that small island.