Chapter 170

〈 Chapter 170 〉 Part 1, Chapter 9, Section 4

My anger towards Moganome was short-lived.

I decided to calm down and take a real break. All the monsters of the Blue Wind Sect also agreed to return to their cores and go on standby.

“Why not? Since we’ve come all the way to Beijing, can’t we sightsee a little?”

“I’m curious how a place like this became the capital. I’d like to see it with my own eyes.”

Two monsters desperately wanted to tour Beijing at midnight, so with some unease, I asked Bonghyo to introduce us to Beijing. Fortunately, Bonghyo readily agreed and became quite polite after learning about the identity of the Heuk Jeon-jal monster.

“Well then, we’ll be going.”

“Be careful not to get caught.”

Xiao Lin also transformed into a spirit and followed them. I pointed out the window to the remaining two heroines.

“Not going out?”

“If Gaeul goes.”

“You’re leaving me alone?”

Hwanryong sat on Gaeul’s lap. Eventually, Gaeul gave in and was holding Hwanryong like a doll.

“We rarely come to Beijing. Since we have local guides, enjoying the night view wouldn’t be bad.”

“Who you go with is important, right?”

Gaeul’s words were very direct. I nodded in agreement but had no intention of sneaking out of the room to enjoy the night view.

“…I want to be alone.”

“Why? After awakening this guy, you’ve become more sensitive or something?”

“Sometimes you need days like this. Ah, I see.”

I made a gesture as if tipping a glass.

“It’s a commemoration, would you like a drink?”

“…You drink too?”

“I was restraining myself until now. Since I just awakened Hwanryong, how about raising a modest toast?”

“The intention is good, but where will you get alcohol-”

“I can get it!”

Hwanryong raised their hand excitedly.

“Gaeul, come with me!”

“What? Money?”

“Bonghyo will handle it if we ask!”

“…That guy works hard too. Really.”

Gaeul stood up with an excited Hwanryong. Hwanryong grabbed Gaeul’s hand and giggled before sticking out their tongue to check my reaction.

“I’m going night playing with Gaeul, so don’t look for us if we don’t come back!”

“That’s disappointing. I was planning to do something big together.”

“…Then, let me think about it! Gaeul, let’s go!”

Hwanryong hesitated but eventually dragged Gaeul and jumped out the window. Having turned into a spirit, Hwanryong waved Gaeul over from outside the window.

“…Then we’ll be back. Don’t sneak around too much.”

“Is the rooftop okay?”

“Fine if you’re just getting some air.”

Gaeul hesitated while looking me up and down but eventually left the room due to Hwanryong knocking on the window from outside.

“…”

Are they all gone? Everyone’s gone? I quietly got up from bed and put on slippers. Since I was forcibly changed into a hospital gown, I don’t want to run into nurses or association staff and be sent back to the room.

Since the room might be monitored, I checked the cube hidden inside my body and sighed in relief.

“Then, shall I go on a date…?”

Beyond the special ward, the general area of the association building was quite chaotic. The sounds of people murmuring reached my ears, and the flustered voices of the staff could be heard here.

“…”

Today, I’m the only patient in the special ward. The association’s special ward was created for various reasons, but the main purpose was to isolate key figures like Cheongnyeon.

Thud, thud.

I ran back into the room when I heard footsteps approaching. I dove onto the bed, pulled the blanket over me, leaned my back against the headboard, relaxed my whole body, closed my eyes, and scanned the magic power of those entering the room.

Two special ability users. A couple, both seem to be A-rank special ability users.

Knock knock knock.

The knocking was polite. I adjusted my voice.

“Who is it…?”

“I am called the Son of Heaven.”

“…”

I was so startled I couldn’t speak properly. Even with automatic translation through the watch and brainwave translation via magic power, no matter how I thought about it, the title “Son of Heaven” referred to the person himself.

“Who are you?”

“Ah, sorry. I am the President of this country.”

“……Ah, yes.”

It’s always surprising when extras or minor characters from the original suddenly change and approach you. The Son of Heaven was supposed to be on the verge of being ousted by Mo Taegyeong, and there was no mention of him awakening as a special ability user.

Either a world correction, or he was originally a special ability user who never awakened until death – one of these two, but he awakened as a special ability user thanks to me.

‘The awakening process is called <Good Morning Baptism> among awakened individuals…’

“I would like to meet you briefly and have a conversation. Is that alright?”

The Son of Heaven’s words were extremely polite. Was it because of the awakening? His voice was full of confidence, and I found it quite pleasant to listen to. Could it be because he’s A-rank fire attribute? Lee Seung-hyung is the same, and fire attribute users seem to only be exceptional beings.

‘The pinnacle of which is Blazing Phoenix. Hmm, well, whatever.’

I gathered my wits and quickly responded before the door opened.

“I’m changing clothes right now…”

“…C, cough! Sorry.”

The Son of Heaven apologized nervously. I lowered my voice and asked,

“What brings you here?”

“Rude…”

A female voice came from the side. I know this voice. The dark attribute A-rank special ability user, <Dual Sword Rabbit>, who stepped forward to protect the Son of Heaven from Mo Taegyeong.

“Don’t mind her, Lady Yuhwangsook. It’s my fault for visiting without notice.”

“……Sorry.”

On the contrary, the Son of Heaven scolded her. I was surprised by the changed relationship between the two. After accepting Yuhwangsook’s apology, the Son of Heaven revealed the reason for his visit beyond the door.

“Hmm. …Though invited by Director Mo, Miss Cheongnyeon is a guest of our country. I wanted to welcome you tonight, but I underestimated the situation.”

“No, it’s because my body is weak…”

“Therefore, tomorrow morning, as an apology, I plan to hold a modest welcoming party. Would you be able to attend?”

“Yes?”

Did you come all this way just to say that?

“Thank you. I’ll send someone tomorrow morning.”

“Eh, eeh…?”

Did they misunderstand my flustered response as agreement? I rushed over and grabbed the doorknob.

“Hep…!”

The Son of Heaven froze upon seeing me. The rabbit-eared woman beside him, Yuhwangsook, who had been muttering, widened her eyes upon seeing me. I bowed deeply to the Son of Heaven again.

“Umm… Thank you for coming despite the trouble. It didn’t feel right not greeting you properly.”

“C, cough. No, not at all.”

The Son of Heaven glanced at me and blushed. The beauty of the phoenix is universally recognized not only in Korea but worldwide, so naturally, he blushed too.

“If only I could offer you a cup of tea… but I’m like this now.”

“No! Absolutely not, please rest. Rest. It’s my fault for coming at this hour.”

The Son of Heaven waved his hands frantically and quickly distanced himself. I bowed deeply to him again.

“Then, please go carefully and have a peaceful night.”

I slightly bowed my head and gently closed the door. Then, I stumbled back to the bed.

“…”

Though pretending to flirt made me inwardly furious, it seemed like the first phase of the plan worked well, which was fortunate.

‘Can a person really change this much just from awakening?’

“Seems like you’ll attract a lot of popularity regardless.”

The rare double A-rank of fire and illusion attributes, balanced looks, lineage, and the position of national leader they originally held.

-Mo Taegyeong is difficult to overthrow, so let’s help his political rival grow.

Bonghyo’s strategy came to mind. If executed properly, it could peacefully resolve everything in the best possible way.

-President, Son of Heaven, make him self-regulate against Mo Taegyeong. To control the number two contender for the top position, the number one must act personally. I strongly agreed with this and the Blue Wind Sect established the framework of the operation based on this core idea.

“Didn’t expect him to come in person.”

If he had come ten minutes earlier, the entire Blue Wind Sect would have seen him. I took a deep breath and looked around. Still no one.

“Then, shall I slowly…?”

The window opened. Ga-eul entered the room carrying a bunch of canned beers, with Hwanryong wrapped in tentacles.

“…You’re early.”

“Fortunately, it wasn’t too far. …Why does your expression look like that?”

“It’s nothing.”

My disappointment must have shown. Filled with thoughts of quietly dating with just the two of us, I swallowed my inner feelings and accepted the canned beer Ga-eul handed me.

“Did you buy as many kinds as possible? Is it okay?”

“Yeah. So why did you wrap Hwanryong in tentacles?”

Hwanryong was carried in with their waist wrapped in Ga-eul’s tentacle. Their face was flushed, and they had their head down like someone who passed out from drinking too much.

“They took one sip and ended up like this. Are they usually weak to alcohol?”

“Liking something and alcohol tolerance are different. Hand Hwanryong to me for a moment.”

“What are you going to do?”

Ga-eul obediently placed Hwanryong in front of me. I hugged the already drunk Hwanryong and patted their back.

“This way, we can’t even raise a toast to celebrate their awakening.”

“…hic. Who are you…?”

Hwanryong, whose consciousness returned halfway, lazily looked up at me with irritation. I continued patting their back.

“Pull yourself together. You shouldn’t just drink recklessly when possessing another human’s body.”

“…right. hic!”

Hwanryong hiccupped and lost consciousness. If someone carries them off like this, they’ll immediately fall in love and go crazy…

“Hey.”

Hwanryong grabbed my face. Their breath smelled of alcohol.

“Do you truly believe you can defeat Seongju?”

Perhaps because of the alcohol, Hwanryong started spilling their true feelings. They would probably realize what they did to me after sobering up and kick the covers off again, but since they’re earnestly confronting me, I should respond sincerely as well.

“Of course. If it’s a battle I can’t win, I wouldn’t start it.”

I stroked Hwanryong’s hair. Their soft gray hair reached their shoulders and swayed, and Hwanryong smiled while feeling my touch.

“Do you know who’s behind you and still have such confidence…?”

“■■■.”

Hwanryong’s face turned pale. Even hearing their filtered real name made Hwanryong, who also heard it, shocked enough for the alcohol to wear off.

“T, though you know that, you-”

“It’s fine. It’s not them. And even if we can’t win now…”

I caressed Hwanryong’s back. I pressed where their heart, their core, was beating.

“We can win once we reach mythology. You, me, and the other five. Once we all ascend to godhood.”

“…Right. Then we can probably win. Do you know the method? Do you know the way?”

“Love.”

“…What you’re saying.”

Hwanryong made a face of disgust and got angry.

“Are you joking? If loving something could make you ascend to that mythological level, I would’ve already fallen in love with sleep and become the god of sleep.”

“The myth I’m talking about isn’t like that.”

I pulled Gaeul, who was sulking nearby, closer by the hand.

“Not loving individual spirits, but becoming one with humans through love. It’s called synchronization.”

Thump. Thump. I can feel Gaeul’s core pulsating through their hand. Hwanryong, sensing this feeling, looked back and forth between me and Gaeul with a jealous expression.

“…So what, then you and Gaeul doing it would work, huh.”

“She won’t do it.”

Gaeul sat on the bed and pressed their body against mine. Even as they rested their head on my shoulder and initiated physical contact, my heart wouldn’t flutter easily.

“…”

Considering efficiency, I’d want to sync with Gaeul right away, ascend to SSS rank, and beat up all the executives, round table members, and Seongju.

But my true feelings are directed at someone else, and the owner of my body firmly refuses synchronization with Gaeul. I couldn’t reveal my current state.

“You completely manage expectations. You’re trash.”

“Being trash-like isn’t trash, you’re actual trash. Trash that plays with people’s hearts.”

Hwanryong and Gaeul cursed at me simultaneously. Since they’re right, I couldn’t retort.

“Gaeul, do you want to sync or something with me? We fit pretty well, don’t we?”

“Well, if you wish, it wouldn’t be bad either…”

Gaeul embraced Hwanryong while asking me.

“What do you think? Should I abandon the bad person who doesn’t care for me and find someone who loves me?”

Gaeul’s eyes watching me were completely calm.

“…”

I couldn’t answer immediately.