Chapter 161

〈 Chapter 161 〉 Part 1, Chapter 8, Section 21

Before moving his steps to Shanghai, Mo Taegyeong first rushed to where Jucheok was.

“Lord! You’re bringing in the Round Table?!”

There was no knock. As soon as Mo Taegyeong opened the door, he burst in angrily and shouted, causing everyone inside the room to frown.

“…Have you arrived?”

A youth with black hair, robust build, sharp eyes, and a confident face greeted Mo Taegyeong—it wasn’t the weak young man he usually knew.

“Lord…?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

The towering youth, over two meters tall, looked down at Mo Taegyeong. Mo Taegyeong was utterly shocked to see this man, once smaller than him, now looking down on him.

“What… what is this?”

“It’s nothing significant.”

The youth tapped his ear and smiled faintly.

“I hear it too. The chirping of birds heralding a new morning.”

“Huh?”

“My apologies. You cannot hear it, can you? How unfortunate.”

The youth’s eyes were filled with pity and sympathy. And Mo Taegyeong realized.

“Could it be… have you awakened?”

“I have awakened. I just lacked awareness. That’s why I find it hard to understand.”

The youth turned to the ability user standing beside him.

“Do you really dislike this clear, crisp sound so much?”

“…If you hear it more than ten times, your feelings might change, Lord.”

A white-haired woman grimaced and shook her head.

“What nonsense…”

“By the way, Lord, you’re ranked A-Class. There’s even an evaluation suggesting that with a bit more growth, you could reach SS-Rank. In fact, both evaluations point to this.”

“What?”

Mo Taegyeong snatched the test results the woman handed him and examined them. He had awakened with dual attributes—rare Illusion Magic and Fire Attribute—an incredibly rare double-attribute holder.

“How absurd!”

“That’s not the issue right now, Director.”

The youth pointed at the Black Flame Dragon rampaging on the monitor.

“To defeat that harmful dragon, we need power, but we lack it since Unjang has disappeared.”

The youth and the woman glared at Mo Taegyeong accusingly. Mo Taegyeong feigned calmness and bowed his head.

“I don’t know what you mean, but I also do not know Unjang’s whereabouts. However—”

“Therefore, I’ve reluctantly requested assistance from the Association.”

“What?! You never contacted the Monster Management Strategy Bureau, did you?!”

As Mo Taegyeong raised his voice and confronted them, the youth took a step back, slightly frightened, while the woman stepped forward.

“An SS-Rank monster is targeting the capital. That’s why I personally came to ask for help.”

Two bunny ears popped up on the woman’s head.

“Let’s request help from the Round Table. After all, isn’t there a top-tier ability user nearby?”

“This…!”

Mo Taegyeong clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. The woman’s casual attitude made it seem like everything was already settled.

“You ear-demon! Are you mocking me?!”

“I apologize. I’ll accept punishment for bypassing procedures later.”

The woman twitched her ears and smiled victoriously.

“But ignoring all that, isn’t protecting people the basic duty of heroes?”

“Yeah.”

The youth steadied his trembling voice and picked up his smartphone.

“Me, I’ve directly requested help from the Round Table.”

[Hello, Director.]

On the other side of the smartphone, a familiar blonde face appeared.

“British guy…!”

[Following the leader’s request, the Round Table has decided to urgently dispatch a hero to ensure the safety of the citizens. The closest available hero, to be precise.]

“Wha… What?!”

After eliminating Xiao Lin himself, he still hadn’t found anyone worthy enough to join the Round Table as an SS-Rank talent.

“Regrettable. If Unjang were here, this monster wouldn’t have been able to rampage through Seoul.”

The bunny-eared woman twisted her lips and mocked him.

Mo Taegyeong had sabotaged his own plans.

* * *

China did have two S-Rank ability users besides Unjang, but they weren’t nearly as strong as him.

They certainly didn’t have the power to handle a flying-type monster like the Black Flame Dragon.

It had always been Unjang who handled S-Rank monsters, and the two simply weren’t strong enough to fill his shoes.

“AAAAAAAAAAH!”

“Help us!”

Heroes were being consumed by dark blue flames. Although a water attribute ability user quickly extinguished the fire using magic power, more than half their magic power was already burned away.

“Don’t get close to the flames! They consume magic power!”

“But how are we supposed to deal with flames everywhere?!”

Disputes began breaking out among the heroes themselves. The Black Flame Dragon leisurely flew overhead, observing their chaos.

[It’s time to proceed with the plan.]

Feeling restless, the Black Flame Dragon scanned its surroundings. Visibility had already grown dim, and it had been playing with the heroes for quite some time.

[Even though it’s an order, this is boring.]

Though reaching S-Rank was great, wielding such power left him without any worthy opponents. Neither in Dandong nor Beijing could anyone defeat the Black Flame Dragon.

[Should I kill a few as examples?]

The heroes probably knew the Black Flame Dragon liked to toy with them. But if he killed a couple as examples, they’d surely charge in without letting go of their tension.

[Or maybe I should target civilian houses… hehe…]

The Black Flame Dragon couldn’t help but laugh. Then he recalled the role given to him by his master.

– Create chaos in Beijing and fall gloriously to a hero.

In short, “buy time and then die,” but the Black Flame Dragon willingly accepted the command.

[Truly, that person understands our hearts well.]

Who wouldn’t crave power and want to use it? And naturally, who wouldn’t want to show it off?

[He truly makes one want to follow him forever.]

The Black Flame Dragon turned its head toward the sea.

Southeast. A cold chill emanated from the ocean. The Black Flame Dragon realized who would come to kill him.

[Right. Seoul villains all harbor one wish.]

The wish to defeat their nation’s S-Rank hero. And now, the opponent was someone who had surpassed S-Rank, reaching the level of his master—one of the strongest in the world.

[Seok Harang.]

Flying across the Yellow Sea was a hero from the Round Table.

The Black Flame Dragon changed course.

* * *

“Ah, it’s begun.”

I couldn’t stop the thrill of victory as I compiled information from the watch I had taken from Deokbae and strapped onto my wrist.

The third wave of terror—deploying the Black Flame Dragon over Beijing—had successfully captured Mo Taegyeong’s attention, and fortunately, the Round Table managed to secure a legitimate reason for intervention.

“Really, those meddlesome mothers.”

Anastasha wanted her daughter Seok Harang to shine brilliantly in exchange for the Round Table’s cooperation.

And while also subtly announcing that Seoul’s S-Rank monster posed no threat, I chose the Black Flame Dragon to confuse Mo Taegyeong’s vision.

‘They must be itching to move.’

Seok Harang wins by making a name for herself.

The Black Flame Dragon wins by fighting a strong opponent.

Anastasha wins by watching her daughter perform admirably from afar.

I win because I can focus on the Chaos Dragon while diverting Mo Taegyeong’s attention.

Only Mo Taegyeong loses in this successful plan, and now I needed to refocus on the Chaos Dragon.

‘I thought they’d flee north.’

But they were heading south. The Emperor quickly located the fake Chaos Dragon, and the Bright Flame Guardians began chasing them in the sky. Based on the information they relayed, I blocked their escape route.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaah!”

The Chaos Dragon panicked upon seeing me. I cheerfully waved Deokbae around.

“Five left, right?”

The Chaos Dragon, Xiao Lin, and three other thugs. The handsome youth standing next to the Chaos Dragon seemed to be rolling his eyes, searching for an escape opportunity.

“It’s useless. We’ve already exposed your ruse.”

“How did you manage that?”

“There’s no need for you to know. Right?”

The mini Phoenixes hovering above the sky were still providing me with vision. Though their shared vision would end with the coming evening, catching them here and now would suffice.

“So, hide-and-seek ends here!”

I hurled Deokbae. A bat enveloped in blue flames soared toward the Chaos Dragon.

“Whoosh!”

Xiao Lin leapt back, creating distance. Since the Chaos Dragon had no intention of walking on its own, Xiao Lin couldn’t wield his weapon.

Thus, the other monsters had to intervene. The sword-wielding monster and crescent blade monster extended their weapons to block Deokbae, which I had repeatedly detonated earlier.

Clang!

“Graaagh!”

“Aaaaaaah!”

The monsters strained every sinew in their arms to repel Deokbae. Having thrown Deokbae dozens of times already, the monsters were clearly getting used to blocking him.

“Eh? Blocked again, huh?”

Cracks began forming on Deokbae trapped between the sword and crescent blade. I felt sorry and embarrassed that Deokbae might break again, but what followed exceeded my expectations.

Pssshhh!!

The rugged club exploded. Sharp shards pierced the monsters’ bodies, and I marveled at the smooth bat revealed beneath.

“Guess it’s become a real Deokbat now?”

Using magic power, I reeled Deokbae back. The stone bat, now polished smooth like a real baseball bat, looked sturdy enough to hit home runs.

“Congratulations. It’s now B-Rank.”

Thanks to my diligent use. I swung the newly upgraded Deokbat twice horizontally to get into position.

“Time for the new weapon test!”

Thwack.

I kicked off the ground and charged. Two monsters stepped forward, weapons raised to block my path.

“Get outta my way!!”

The monsters looked weary from facing my repeated pattern but seemed tense about the newly evolved Deokbat.

“Haaa!”

With a yell, they prepared to block Deokbae. I smirked and lightly clapped my hands.

“BOOM!”

“What?!”

Deokbae heated up fiercely. Transforming into a bat-shaped bomb, it exploded, engulfing the monsters in a far stronger blast than before.

Kuuuuhhhhhhhh!!!

An enormous explosion echoed, raising a massive cloud of dust. I waved my hand to create a breeze and clear the dust obstructing my view.

“Indeed B-Rank. The self-destruction is incredible.”

I pushed through the smoke and retrieved Deokbae’s core. Its color had deepened significantly, a clear sign of its evolution to B-Rank.

“What exactly do you think of your subordinates?”

A youthful voice emerged from behind the dust. So his name was—

“Fengxiao?”

“Yes. Fengxiao, the first monster under the Chaos Dragon.”

Fengxiao glared at the core in my hand. I greeted him casually, tossing the core up and catching it like a toy.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Blazing Phoenix.”

“The introductions are done. Explain yourself.”

Hmph. My ears involuntarily twitched.

“What exactly do you consider your subordinates?”

“As something I can freely use whenever I want?”

In that sense, Deokbae is quite precious. Thanks to his sacrifice, I was able to verify the theory that frequently using monster-based weapons increases experience points.

“…I doubt we’ll ever understand each other.”

Fengxiao’s expression twisted nastily.

“I would’ve done things differently. Fully trusting a subordinate’s abilities and entrusting everything to them!”

“Eh? If I step in, everything gets resolved easily. Think about it.”

I pointed at the fallen monsters with Deokbae.

“If this guy had acted, could he have defeated them with one blow like this?”

“…You’re beyond reasoning with. Really.”

Fengxiao dropped the honorifics. Did that mean he didn’t need to show respect to me since I wasn’t his master?

“I’m on par with or even above your master, you know?”

“Whatever. You’re not my master.”

Masters of different monsters can’t issue commands to each other. Otherwise, I would’ve buried the berserk killer earlier during the fight and rescued Xiao Lin from the Chaos Dragon.

“Heh. Quite cocky, aren’t you? What gives you the confidence to act so arrogantly?”

“I’m just really good at this, you know.”

Fengxiao mocked me while pointing at his head and eyes. I mocked him back and aimed Deokbae at him.

“Hmph. I think I know what you’re going to say.”

“Wanna guess?”

“Are you trying to distract me with talk while secretly letting Xiao Lin escape?”

The smile on Fengxiao’s face cracked. Did he really think I’d fall for such a classic tactic?

“Our Bright Flame Guardians are already chasing after them. Even if the Chaos Dragon possesses Xiao Lin, it’ll be futile.”

“…You got me.”

Fengxiao’s lips curled downward. I approached him, sharpening my nails and pressing them against his throat.

“I’ll give you one last word.”

“…Ascension leads to establishment. Damn you.”

“Phahaha. Acting like a thief, aren’t you?”

If you choose to be a thief, purging is inevitable. I slashed horizontally, severing Fengxiao’s head.

Tink.

A fountain of blood erupted as Fengxiao’s body fell forward. I sidestepped to avoid it.

“Tch.”

Wasted time. Thought something interesting was coming when he stood alone dramatically, but it was just a stalling tactic.

“Your Majesty, where are the two?”

[We lost them.]

“Huh?”

What now? The Emperor’s following words shocked me.

[They threw themselves into the Yangtze River. The Chaos Dragon did.]