Chapter 166

〈Chapter 166〉Part 1, Chapter 8, Section 26

I ascended to Beijing with Xiao Lin. After awakening the Illusion Dragon and dealing with the spirit of martial arts, there was nothing left to hinder me. I shifted my steps to search for the energy of the spirit lingering near Beijing.

“Good job.”

“What did I even do?”

Gaeul shrugged while flashing a confident smile. I immediately noticed her change in posture and quickly understood her transformation.

“Congratulations on reaching S-Rank.”

“Any presents?”

“Want me to drill you?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Jo Deokbae.”

“Shut up.”

Gaeul frowned, and I subtly checked behind her. As expected, it wasn’t there. With her true awakening into S-Rank Illusion Magic, the remnants of the tentacle toad had completely disappeared from Gaeul.

“It’s finally gone.”

“I can summon it if I want.”

Gaeul slightly raised her hand. As her S-Rank Illusion Magic power surged, nine grayish-white tentacles sprouted behind her. While I recognized them as tentacles, someone seeing them for the first time might mistake them for translucent tails.

“So, are you really a full-fledged nine-tailed fox now?”

“But my codename will still be Phantom.”

“That’s fine by me. If the association tries to change it, I’ll break some heads for you.”

“Thanks for the words. Anyway, we should probably talk about something, right?”

Gaeul pointed at the Illusion Dragon clinging tightly to her side. I gestured toward the masked figure in azure and white armor standing beside me.

“This is the Illusion Dragon. The spirit of your Illusion Magic.”

“…”

The Illusion Dragon growled as it clung to Gaeul. Apparently, she had successfully persuaded the dragon without any trouble, just as I had predicted.

“You’ve done well, Gaeul. My hint must have worked.”

“Not at all. I didn’t use that.”

“…”

Conquering it without cheats? I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

“Can you really do that?”

“Just try me.”

“Let’s see…”

I gave a meaningful smirk, flicking my tongue. Whatever skill she was referring to, there were undoubtedly countless things I could do better than her.

“Care to test it?”

I placed my hand on the Illusion Dragon’s shoulder and locked eyes with her. I deliberately licked my lips, making sure to leave a slight trace of saliva, causing the dragon to pale while simultaneously blushing.

“…P-Perv!!”

“Oops. We were talking about fighting, weren’t we?”

After patting the yelling Illusion Dragon on the shoulder, I turned to Gaeul, who was also looking away.

“Why are you like that?”

“…Don’t look at me.”

Perhaps her complexion improved after reaching S-Rank? There was a faint blush below her neck. I wondered why both illusion users were flustered but soon figured it out.

‘Phoenix does have a seductive aura.’

Combined with my techniques, it was enough to stimulate certain thoughts. Internally thanking the goddess who made me the undisputed master in this field, I cleared my throat to change the atmosphere.

“Hmph. Anyway, Illusion Dragon, nice to meet you. Congratulations on awakening fully as a spirit.”

“…What’s that ice thing?”

The Illusion Dragon asked me directly. Naturally, it would be curious.

“My daughter Rusalka.”

“…”

“Twenty years ago, a human and a snow spirit… well, long story short, her powers transferred to Seok Harang, making her the Water Spirit now.”

“W-Wow…”

The Illusion Dragon shivered, crossing its arms as goosebumps appeared.

“How could a human… Ah, never mind. So where is Rusalka?”

“South Korea. It’s too dangerous for her here, so I’ve kept her waiting.”

“Why?”

I glanced at Xiao Lin before continuing.

“Some married hunter might come after her. Luckily, I’ll make sure no one bothers her anymore. Here’s a present for your awakening.”

I pulled out a small pouch I’d been keeping in my inner pocket. Inside, gray cores sparkled. The Illusion Dragon’s eyes widened.

“These…?”

“Did you think I was crazy enough to mess with you? …Sorry for deceiving you earlier. Those cores I broke back then were all fakes.”

“…!”

The Illusion Dragon stared at me, mouth agape.

“Are you fake?”

“…What nonsense.”

My heart sank. Had Rusalka not noticed my true identity either? Cold sweat trickled down my back, but I maintained an irritated expression.

“No way. You’re not Chang-yeom. Besides…”

The Illusion Dragon declared confidently.

“Chang-yeom doesn’t apologize! She’d never admit being wrong!”

“People change over time.”

“You’re a spirit!”

“It’s a metaphorical expression. Don’t nitpick. Anyway, bring everyone back to life already.”

I gestured toward Xiao Lin.

“And fix her too.”

“What’s wrong with her?”

“I accidentally put a hole through her chest.”

Xiao Lin slightly lifted her battle robe, revealing that she was wearing absolutely nothing underneath.

“Didn’t I make underwear?”

“…”

“Too much.”

Seeing the lack of underwear shocked me, Gaeul admired Xiao Lin’s fit figure, and the Illusion Dragon focused on the wound near the core. The dragon approached Xiao Lin with a worried expression.

“Did it hurt?”

“I’m fine, Master. Even though I lost, I’m satisfied. I’ll win next time.”

“Master?”

This new dynamic surprised me, even though I had suspected it.

“…Illusion Dragon sure is lucky. Having both Gaeul and Xiao Lin—it’s like having flowers in both hands.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Gaeul ruffled my hair.

“Why would Gaeul be a flower?”

“…No, I meant it mythologically…”

“Hmph! Hey, then give Gaeul to me!”

“Don’t be ridiculous… Oh my.”

Without realizing it, I was surprised, Gaeul was surprised, Xiao Lin was surprised, and the Illusion Dragon was surprised. Clearing my throat, I smiled gently at the dragon.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Why?! If Gaeul gives her to me, I’ll work extra hard. Really!”

“…What exactly did you tell it to persuade it?”

Confused by the Illusion Dragon’s incomprehensible mental state, I dropped my pretense—my usual Phoenix tone—and looked at Gaeul, who scratched her cheek smugly while pointing between the dragon and me.

“She said I’m a precious human to you.”

“…”

It was true, so I couldn’t refute it, but I cleared my throat to correct the dragon’s misconception.

“Gaeul isn’t given away.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s not something to be given in the first place.”

I pointed to the core at my chest.

“Gaeul is a high-ranking officer of the Blue Wind Sect. Before becoming a monster, she was already part of the Blue Wind Sect since her human days. She’s not an object to be traded. She’s a person.”

“…So what?”

The Illusion Dragon feigned ignorance. Its misunderstanding stemmed from judging humans through the lens of a non-human spirit.

“Fine. If you can’t understand, don’t bother trying. But if you truly want Gaeul…”

I subtly glanced at Gaeul.

“Kill me and take her. Gaeul is mine.”

“Alright, then this is simple. Right now, transform into your true form… Hmm?”

The Illusion Dragon showed clear signs of confusion, attempting to summon its true form but failing. I cleared my throat again, glancing at Xiao Lin. I wanted to scold the dragon freely, but Xiao Lin’s presence made me hesitate.

“Impossible. We need a procedure to return to our true forms.”

“Procedure?”

“To make love.”

“Pfft!”

The Illusion Dragon spat, its saliva splattering all over my face and clothes. I used flames to clean myself off before tilting my head.

“Pffft, ha, ha, ha. Now I get it. That’s why you’re still stuck like this, huh?”

“Think whatever you want. Regardless, Gaeul isn’t given away. If you truly desire her, go win her heart yourself.”

“Wait, what if I fall for her?”

“…”

Do you even have such intentions? I glanced up at Gaeul, suddenly feeling uneasy. Somehow, I had become the guy managing a harem of heroines, with Cheon Gaeul being my first guest.

As I watched her try to reel in Yun Yuhwa, Seok Harang, Hikari, the Illusion Dragon, and now Xiao Lin, it wasn’t strange to develop feelings.

“Maybe it depends on how you handle things going forward?”

Gaeul stroked my head meaningfully while smiling. I struggled to suppress the rising heat within me, and Gaeul grinned victoriously upon seeing my reaction.

“Hohoho.”

“Me too, please!”

The Illusion Dragon clung to Gaeul, seeking the same treatment I received, and Gaeul indulged it by petting the dragon’s head with her other hand.

‘Being NTR-ed by another heroine…’

Efficiently speaking, this is the best match. Cheon Gaeul and the Illusion Dragon—a timeless pairing like tteokbokki and blood sausage. If they grow closer and reach mythic-SSS rank, I couldn’t be happier.

‘Still, this feels kinda annoying.’

Why does this uneasy, dirty feeling linger? These characters are clearly different from the ones I knew, yet memories keep overlapping, leaving me unsettled.

And there’s this mysterious girl attached to the Illusion Dragon. To dispel this ambiguous atmosphere, I called her out.

“Xiao Lin.”

“You seem to be thinking inappropriate thoughts about me just now.”

“The fried chicken outfit…no, it’s time for Unjang cosplay to end.”

“Are you sane?”

Gaeul suddenly yelled at me.

“Do you plan to stage a strip show in front of people?”

“No. Of course, it’s just removing the mask… Oh, seriously.”

I thumped my chest twice to calm the rising heat. Was it because of the Cube? It kept demanding to burst forth uncontrollably. At this moment, I confirmed my inevitable doom.

“Xiao Lin.”

Lowering my voice, I called out to Xiao Lin, who adjusted her posture upon noticing the change.

“From now on, you’ll be the hero who saved me from Mo Taegyeong. Got it?”

“…”

Xiao Lin rubbed her chin thoughtfully, trying to grasp my meaning. To ensure the others understood, I explained my plan.

“Beast Tamer Cheongnyeon was kidnapped during the plane hijacking, which exploded afterward. Unjang, who was in seclusion training, awakened to SS-Rank and rushed back to rescue her. How does that sound?”

“Seclusion training…?”

“It’s a hastily added plot point to justify your SS-Rank promotion.”

“Fine. Debuting by rescuing a hostage isn’t bad.”

Thankfully, Xiao Lin agreed with my hastily concocted plan. I pointed at the core the Illusion Dragon held against its chest.

“Revive them.”

“Why?”

“We need kidnappers.”

“…Why are you playing with my children like that?”

“It’s how you set them free.”

“…Give me a moment.”

The Illusion Dragon revived one core. It was Bonghyo.

“The mission seems to have failed.”

“Yeah. Here’s the situation.”

The Illusion Dragon explained its current predicament and my plan to Bonghyo, who nodded without much resentment toward the previous mission’s failure, attentively listening to the dragon’s explanation.

“Sounds plausible. Completely discrediting might be challenging, though.”

“But Unjang will disappear, right?”

“That should suffice. We can handle the rest later.”

Bonghyo bowed respectfully toward me.

“Then, Chief of the Blue Wind Sect, allow me to add a suggestion for the perfect plan…”

Perhaps due to his name, Bonghyo’s strategy sent shivers down even my spine.

* * *

Beijing.

Snow Spirit Seok Harang was officially invited in recognition of defeating S-Rank and SS-Rank monsters. The young man who awakened as a special ability user, the rabbit-eared special ability user assisting him, and the perpetually annoyed Mo Taegyeong were all present.

“On behalf of 1.3 billion citizens, thank you. Without you, Beijing would have faced a great disaster.”

“No, it was simply fulfilling my duty as a hero. However…”

Seok Harang maintained a stern tone.

“The Oracle is currently analyzing the SS-Rank monster that appeared later. But I have suspicions regarding why Seoul’s S-Rank monster, the Black Flame Dragon, came to Beijing.”

“…What is it?”

The rabbit-eared woman perked her ears. She noticed Seok Harang constantly glancing at Mo Taegyeong. Seok Harang absentmindedly touched his hairpin.

“The Beast Tamer, Cheongnyeon, has been kidnapped. By an internal organization within the Monster Management Strategy Bureau—’Dongchang.'”

“…”

Jucheok’s eyes widened. All eyes turned to Mo Taegyeong, who calmly raised his tea cup.

“Embarrassing to admit, but there are fugitives within Dongchang. This is my oversight.”

“Smearing your lips with saliva while lying…!”

“Yes. Therefore, our Round Table rescued Miss Cheongnyeon.”

Mo Taegyeong’s lips curled slightly. Upon hearing Seok Harang’s next words, he closed his eyes tightly.

“Miss Cheongnyeon, who was imprisoned in Master Mo’s estate by Yunjang.”

Seok Harang pressed his watch to display a screen.

There, Cheongnyeon, seemingly drugged and unconscious, was being carried out of the estate by Yunjang in blue battle robes, walking down the main streets of Beijing.

Beast Tamer Cheongnyeon: Rescued.

The incident that plunged the Chinese mainland into chaos had finally come to an end.