Chapter 120

〈Chapter 120〉 Part 1, Chapter 6 (26)

<June 2nd, morning 7:00. Xi'an City, China.>

A vague something flitted across the predawn sky. Though it might’ve been mistaken for cooking smoke rising from early-rising housewives, its shape was far too distinct.

The human-shaped mist circled around the Dimensional Gate opened in Xi’an’s skies. Unfortunately, this wasn’t mere smog or fine dust but “spirit bodies” of Illusion Magic monsters.

Keehaaaa! Gwaahahaha!

“Citizens, please evacuate immediately to the shelters!”

Heroes rushed out to guide people into evacuation centers. While airborne heroes intercepted ghostly apparitions, sword-wielding heroes tried desperately to break through the monster lines and seal the dimensional gate.

Kyaaaack!

“Already elite-class?! Scatter!”

The beast with violet glowing eyes swung its club, smashing it against the ground. The road buckled, creating sinkholes, and walls collapsed, blocking streets.

“How long has the Dimensional Gate been open to summon such beasts…?”

“No time for thoughts! Just push forward!”

Heroes slowly advanced step by step as they eliminated monsters one by one. But every time they killed a monster, two stronger ones slithered out from the gate.

“Are they trying to tire us out? Damn these monsters!”

“A-Rank! Where are the A-Ranks!”

“Gone! We have to hold them off ourselves!”

With rage surging, a hero swung his curved blade. The magic-infused slash cleanly bisected an approaching spirit.

Pssstt. The spirit monster crumbled into ash that scattered onto the street. The road looked like a volcanic eruption had occurred, covered thickly with gray ash.

“Take it down before the Mirage Dragon appears!”

“Oh no! Don’t say that!”

Crackle, crackle. Static began interfering with the signals on their smartwatches. The Dimensional Gate trembled violently as a colossal monster revealed itself within.

ROOOOAAAAARRR!!

Stretching nearly 30 meters in body length alone, the quadrupedal monster roared toward the heavens. True to its appearance resembling a fierce hunting hound, the Mirage Dragon flicked its tongue while sniffing the air for prey.

HMMM?

From afar in the east, an unusual scent wafted on the sandy breeze. Mixed between the winds was a smell akin to burning firewood.

Eventually, the Mirage Dragon identified the source. Over the horizon, riding atop a crimson horse soaring through the skies, was a woman wielding a blue-flamed crescent blade. There rested the spiritual power worthy of annihilation within her grasp.

WHAAAAT?!

The Mirage Dragon couldn’t comprehend. How could a mere human of this world possess a fragment of a spirit’s power? Before it could dwell further on this thought, the dragon bared its fangs and growled menacingly.

No need for contemplation. If the opponent intended to kill, then it would simply crush and devour them whole.

ROOOAAARRR!!

The Mirage Dragon gathered nearby spirit monsters into its mouth, chomping and swallowing them to replenish its depleted mana after crossing the Dimensional Gate. This tainted mana became the core for its breath attack.

“Get out of the way!”

The Mirage Dragon prepared to unleash its breath weapon. Unlike other drakes, the Mirage Dragon’s breath held little destructive force but instead inflicted a death curse upon those it touched, affecting the mind.

The dragon reared its head back toward the sky. A hero who’d just finished evacuating citizens froze in place like a petrified child, hastily scooping up said child.

“Danger!”

“Uncle, look at the red earth!”

The hero followed the child’s pointed finger. Piercing straight through the path of the incoming breath attack, a crimson unicorn charged forward trailing streams of red energy directly toward the Mirage Dragon.

“Red Earth?!”

“There’s no way! If that’s Red Earth, then the person riding it must be-”

The heroes refused to believe what lay before their very eyes. Perched atop Red Earth, gripping a crescent blade wrapped in blue flames was undoubtedly…a woman. Frozen in place with the child still in his arms, the hero muttered in disbelief.

“General Unjang…is a woman?”

“Her hair is pretty!”

The child giggled, pointing at the rider’s silk-like tresses flowing gracefully despite galloping through the skies, neatly tied at the ends.

“That’s not Red Earth! Someone’s stolen it!”

“There’s no way Lord Warrior could be female!”

Regardless of the heroes’ mutterings, the Mirage Dragon paid them no heed. What mattered was that the object in the human’s possession greatly displeased it. Lowering its head slightly,

ROOOOAAARRRR!!

It unleashed a gray breath attack into the air. The screeching beam of magical energy shot forth like lightning, enveloping both Red Earth and the woman.

Neighhhh!

A horse’s cry echoed. At the last moment before impact, Red Earth leapt high into the air, kicking off with mana blasts from its hooves, gliding over the breath attack. Red Earth proceeded to ‘ride’ the breath attack toward the Mirage Dragon.

WHAT THE HECK?!

Quickly closing its jaws, the Mirage Dragon set the surrounding spirit monsters into motion. The ghostly figures extended their claws and lunged at Red Earth, only to be deflected by the sheer wind pressure generated from its charge.

Despite its confusion, the Mirage Dragon opened its massive maw wide. With such incredible speed, there was little time to strategize, leaving it no choice but to utilize its natural offensive capabilities.

As Red Earth continued its approach, the woman lightly grasped the reins with one hand, slightly lifting herself out of the saddle. Revealed beneath her blue cape was the woman crouching barefoot atop Red Earth’s saddle. The crescent blade in her hand gleamed brilliantly with blue light.

“One Strike.”

The woman whispered to herself. To fell an opponent required nothing more than a single blow. If she could deliver a fatal strike in one move, then that was all she needed.

ROOOAAARRR!! The Mirage Dragon lowered its stance before leaping into the air, attempting to bite down and crush its target. Yet Red Earth surged forward without hesitation.

“Hiiiiiiiigh!”

Following Red Earth’s signal, the woman leaped from the saddle. Red Earth swiftly veered right, causing the Mirage Dragon to snap at empty air.

The woman’s body spun half a rotation above the Mirage Dragon. Her legs, momentarily exposed beneath her cloak against the rising sun, shimmered brilliantly. Completing her spin, she swung the crescent blade downward.

“Decisive Strike!”

The crescent blade’s cutting edge traced a half-moon arc descending toward the ground. Like a guillotine falling to earth, the woman’s strike cleaved the Mirage Dragon from head to toe.

HUHHHHH…?!

The Mirage Dragon’s body split apart. Its core, located at the center, had already been halved by the strike and disintegrated without a trace under the faint purifying flames contained within the attack.

Clang. The woman softly landed atop a building’s roof. Standing against the backdrop of the rising sun, she resembled a celestial maiden descended from the heavens.

“Fwoosh.”

Red Earth joined the woman’s side. The remains of the Mirage Dragon crumbled into ash and vanished.

The woman stood upright, tapping the rooftop railing with her spear tip. As the wind gently lifted the front of her blue cape, exposing her bare legs, the ribbon securing her long hair loosened, allowing her tresses to flow freely.

Where had the red mask and green battle robe gone? In their place stood a woman with flowing long hair instead of a beard – China’s S-Rank Hero and member of the Round Table, General Unjang? The heroes struggled to believe their eyes.

Yet the martial valor she displayed was undoubtedly that of General Unjang, or perhaps even greater.

Xiao Lin took a deep breath and let out a mighty roar from the rooftop railing.

“What are you all hesitating for!? Destroy the monsters immediately!”

The commanding shout shook the heroes out of their stupor. Though her voice remained as neutral as ever, the mana imbued within carried deeper resonance and intensity compared to before.

The heroes realized why General Unjang had revealed her true identity. She had reached the next level of ascension, breaking through a previously obstructed plateau.

As always, yet filled with respect and admiration, the heroes performed the traditional salute toward Xiao Lin in response to her command.

“Respectfully obeyed!”

Under the swift handling of General Unjang and the heroes, the Dimensional Gate in Xi’an disappeared without claiming a single life.

* * *

<At that moment. Beijing, Central Party Headquarters Monster Management Strategy Bureau Director's Office.>

“Feng Xiao.”

“Yes, Father.”

“It seems your strategy to bring Xiao Lin into the Round Table has failed. Who would’ve thought she’d reveal herself so openly?”

Mo Taegyeong sat in his chair, continuously rolling a small bead in his hands. Feng Xiao, division chief and one of Mo Taegyeong’s illegitimate sons, immediately rose from his seat and bowed deeply.

“My apologies.”

“What exactly is there to apologize for? Pyongyang’s assault ended fruitlessly, Xiao Lin revealed her true identity without consulting either of us, and furthermore…”

Mo Taegyeong projected an image onto the screen. It showed Xiao Lin captured as a hostage at the Yalu River, alongside a black-armored mysterious figure.

“General Unjang suffered the humiliation of defeat. So tell me, how do you plan to clean this mess up?”

“…I will announce that the Xiao Lin who went to Pyongyang was an impersonator. The real one remained stationed in Beijing, ready to protect our land anywhere, having ridden Red Earth from Dandong to Xi’an in response to the Dimensional Gate incident.”

“Will they truly believe that? Are people so naive?”

Feng Xiao paused briefly before declaring confidently.

“I’ll make them believe it. Those who don’t will be made unable to speak. I’ll ensure nothing harms Father’s reputation, and if any filth sticks, I’ll take responsibility for it myself.”

“Good. That’s my excellent son. Now go ahead.”

Mo Taegyeong waved his hand to dismiss him. Feng Xiao left the director’s office with a smile, walking backward.

“……”

Taking steady steps, Feng Xiao entered his own office, collapsing onto a makeshift bed. The tension drained from his body, and cold sweat poured out despite his efforts to suppress it.

“Huff, huff. I almost got discarded.”

One misstep could’ve turned him into dew on the execution grounds. Fortunately, his father’s judgment was cloudier than usual today, allowing Feng Xiao to survive dismissal.

“Xiao Lin, what sudden wind blew through you…”

He couldn’t understand why the puppet-like girl who followed orders perfectly until now suddenly revealed her face and stepped forward.

“If only she’d stayed captured or died at the Yalu…what’s she planning by coming back?”

What was the point of going through all the trouble to bring her into the Round Table if this was going to happen? Feng Xiao wiped his face with his hands and rose from the bed.

“…I need to ask Xiao Lin directly.”

Feng Xiao’s fingers rapidly typed away on the screen.

* * *

<Xi'an City.>

The heroes moved swiftly. They cleared away the remains of the spirit monsters, collecting cores, and separately gathered the corpses of dangerous species to be incinerated by flame mages.

All these processes proceeded smoothly thanks to Xiao Lin’s clear instructions from central command. Until reinforcements arrived from the Central Bureau and Association, Xiao Lin served as the highest-ranking hero responsible for the scene.

“Excuse me, General Unjang…”

“What is it?”

She dressed more lightly now, and her tone had become softer. Adjusting her loose ponytail at the nape of her neck, the hero gulped.

“…Why did you remove your mask? Surely Director Mo-”

“Suffocating.”

Xiao Lin marveled at her own answer. Suffocating. Suffocating.

“I just couldn’t stand it anymore, so I took everything off.”

Xiao Lin clasped her cape meaningfully.

* * *

<8:00 AM, Phoenix's Penthouse.>

“Pwehchii!”

Phoenix spat out the water she was about to drink. Ignoring the water dripping down her chin, she grabbed her white butterfly badge and repeated.

[Himeji Hikari was on board?]

The white butterfly flashed.

[Yep. Something about finding clues for her research regarding strange phenomena appearing in Seoul. Got the ticket through hacking.]

Seok Harang briefly explained the situation in Busan. Thanks to Yun Yuhwa’s kindness, the Himeji siblings were staying at a hotel, but nobody could easily understand why Himeji Hikari, a middle schooler, boarded the ship to Korea.

[Well. She’s shown promise since she was young. Good job.]

[Wait, what’s with the sudden praise?]

[Because she did well. And thank you for taking down Moby Dick safely.]

[Did you eat something weird?]

Phoenix clutched her throbbing head.

[I’ll explain when we meet later. Something happened in China. I need rest today. Great work, Seok Harang.]

[…Hmph. …You too. Whatever it is, I can feel your exhaustion from here.]

Phoenix chuckled softly as she ended the communication. As she used a tentacle to wipe away the spilled water, Gaeul leaned in curiously.

“What’s so funny? Hmm?”

“Nothing special. Just thinking… Do you happen to be messaging Yun Yuhwa right now?”

Gaeul startled and tried to hide her wrist when Phoenix pointed at her screen, but it was too late. Phoenix had already caught a glimpse of the contents.

“Strawberry? What does that mean?”

“…It’s a secret conversation between girls. Don’t try to pry.”

Gaeul turned away primly. Phoenix pretended not to notice and started operating her smartwatch.

[Oh great customer! What brings you to call me- …Is Miss Cheon Gaeul with you?]

“I’m calling because I have something to discuss. Is it convenient to talk?”

[Of course, our beloved great customer! Always a pleasure~. Hehe.]

Though Phoenix initiated the call, Yuhwa and Gaeul were glaring at each other through the screen. Phoenix blinked alternately between them before tapping the screen.

“Yun Yuhwa, I have two matters to discuss.”

[…Ahem. Yes, please proceed.]

“One concerns the Anisakis core issue. I assume the association and government have already taken them all?”

[……Yes.]

Despite trying to keep emotions in check, slight irritation tinged Yuhwa’s voice. Phoenix manipulated the screen, sending over a photo.

“I’ve established a base in China. It seems regular core supply from the north will be possible alongside the south, so we should renew our contract.”

[Really?! Wow, I love you! Can I come to Yeouido right away? I’ll draft a new contract on my way.]

“Yes. However, there’s a second condition for the contract renewal.”

Phoenix scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“I sold Light Blade back to its original owner.”

[…Are you scamming me right now?]

[People shouldn’t buy and sell others casually, Yuha. Ignore whatever trashy words she says.]

Phoenix snapped her mouth shut, feeling indignant.

* * *

Anastasha opened her eyes. It hadn’t been an hour since she cried herself to sleep in her father’s arms, which made her feel slightly embarrassed. She sat up in bed, only to clamp her eyes shut again upon meeting six pairs of curious gazes.

“…What are you all doing here when there’s state business to attend to?”

“Who made you cry? Tell me so I can rip their heads off immediately.”

“Father. Records indicate Gawein, Oracle, and Unjang were present during the operation.”

“Great. America it is. Get the plane ready.”

Too extreme. Anastasha firmly grabbed her father’s two hands.

“It wasn’t because of those Round Table fools that I cried… I was crying because I was happy.”

“…What?”

Placing both hands over her chest, Anastasha’s face turned bright red. She didn’t notice her family’s expressions turning oddly serious as everyone who already had families understood exactly what her bashful finger-twiddling meant.

“It was… ”

She covered her cheeks with her hands and shook her head side to side.

“I was so happy to reunite with my beloved husband… Father?!”

Suborof collapsed.

* * *

The Dimensional Gate disappeared.

The maiden woke up.

She usually slept better when the alarm rang, but once it stopped, unease chased away her drowsiness.

Normally, she’d want to sleep in.

However, sensing the foreign mana emanating from the surface, the maiden instinctively knew she had to leave this place.

“Ugh… Why do I have to bother getting involved when everyone else will handle it…”

Groaning, the maiden stumbled out of bed and slipped out of the stone chamber.