Chapter 171

〈 Chapter 171 〉 Part 1, Chapter 9, 5

Sync.

For a spirit to reach the mythical level, it needs love, and the object of that love must be human. Whether or not it could be a monster is unknown.

But currently, Illusion Dragon has a decent relationship with Cheon Gaeul, the pinnacle of illusion magic, and even turned Xiao Lin into a subordinate. Unless we somehow find a way to turn monsters back into humans, Illusion Dragon effectively has two heroines waiting as candidates for mythical awakening.

As for me, who’s supposed to save the world, this setup is perfect. Though I learned after some digging that Gaeul was casually flirting with Seung-hyung, I’ve decided not to care too much about who my heroines fall in love with.

But then…

“…Are you making fun of me right now?”

My mind twists slightly. Even though I think of Gaeul and Illusion Dragon as the ultimate pair, being called out on something I’ve been trying to ignore makes me feel uneasy.

“You deserve it. You’ve got someone else you love while stringing along everyone who loves you.”

“…”

Gaeul’s cutting words stung my heart. She knows all too well that my heart belongs to someone else, yet she still promised to love me until that person returns.

“What are you talking about?”

“This is about how you were supposedly married in the future? Though, this is just a possibility. We still don’t know the full truth—”

“What the actual f*ck?!”

Illusion Dragon cursed loudly in shock. Of course, human heroines and spirit heroines react differently. If I were the original human protagonist, things might have been different, but right now, I’m merely an existence dwelling within Blazing Phoenix.

“You and that crazy woman? Married?! Are you kidding me?!”

“…Technically, it wasn’t marriage.”

I had to correct her misunderstanding to avoid further insults.

“It wasn’t marriage, but you came running anyway. And you kissed first.”

“…”

Illusion Dragon started to fade, turning transparent from sheer shock. Her magical energy dispersed, transforming her into a ghostly form.

“I knew you’d react like this.”

Gaeul smirked at me. The fading Illusion Dragon managed to regain her composure and re-materialized above Gaeul.

“There’s another important person here. Illusion Dragon, why don’t we enjoy ourselves among the fish swimming in Phoenix’s pond? Let’s ignore the manager and have fun just between us….”

“Eh, wha… Just hold on a second.”

Illusion Dragon’s circuits seemed overloaded. Her face turned red as she hung her head, and to my surprise, her eyes even glistened with tears.

“So… You’re saying that… we… did THAT…?”

“Sex?”

“KYAAAAAAHHH?!”

Illusion Dragon screamed, grabbing my collar and shaking me violently. Although I wondered if this was appropriate behavior toward a patient, I didn’t resist her outburst.

“You, you… what did you do to MY spirit body?!”

“What? We just had fun together.”

I grabbed her chin. As our breaths nearly touched, her pupils began to waver uncontrollably.

“If you really want to know, I can tell you…”

“That’s enough. How far do you plan to go with such an innocent girl?”

Gaeul pulled Illusion Dragon away from me. Feeling embarrassed, I turned my head in the opposite direction.

“As bad as he is, there’s nothing we can do. Love conquers all, right?”

“That’s true.”

“He’s such trash. Not a single word of apology. Ugh.”

Gaeul sighed deeply while patting Illusion Dragon’s head.

“Still, this trash is my master and the one I love. Who knows? Maybe someday I’ll break his heart and make him unable to escape from under my skirt.”

“…”

“How about this? Illusion Dragon loves me, and I return the favor by loving both of you equally. Why don’t we start a harem of spirits?”

“…”

“From an efficiency standpoint, it’s not bad. But…”

I glanced at Gaeul.

“Wouldn’t it be weird since we’re all women outwardly?”

“…”

Gaeul twisted her lips, trying to suppress a laugh. Even the recovered Illusion Dragon snickered and mocked me. The moment their gazes met, they burst into laughter, clutching their stomachs.

“Hahahaha!!!”

“Hehehe, this guy is totally clueless, huh, haha.”

“…You bastards.”

Despite my scowling glare, it was useless. Illusion Dragon clung to Gaeul, distancing herself from me, and Gaeul also subtly moved away.

“Gaeul, try it.”

“Just a moment.”

Gaeul summoned her magic power. The mask hanging on her head glowed, and her body was enveloped in gray magical energy.

“No way…”

When I saw Gaeul transform, I barely managed to suppress the urge to swear. Could it be that every S-Rank individual she’s encountered has tried out transformations? Gaeul transformed into Seung-hyung.

“How’s this?”

Her voice, tone, and even mannerisms perfectly mimicked Seung-hyng. However, the magical aura emanating from her remained distinctly Gaeul’s, causing me to shiver involuntarily.

“Ugly. Change back.”

“Why? This face is considered the hottest guy in Korea.”

“With that body, you plan to jump either me or Illusion Dragon?”

“If that’s what you desire… Hehe. And it’s not just me.”

Gaeul pointed at Illusion Dragon, who grinned mischievously.

“Hehe. Even if it’s annoying, I can’t miss out on such fun. Hey, pick any man you fancy. I’ll possess him and seduce you. Hehehe!”

“That’s it!”

I grabbed Illusion Dragon by the neck and threw her across the room. In mid-air, she transformed into her ethereal form, sticking her tongue out at me.

“Don’t be shy. Oh, so you like that kind of face? Is it someone in Korea? Should I go fetch them? Hehehe, or maybe you prefer older men like Phoenix? Or… wait! You were the husband and she was the wife! Ahaha! Tell me anyone, and I’ll possess them, steal them away, and make you whimper beneath me-”

“If you want to steal someone’s body so badly, why don’t you take Mo Taegyeong’s?!”

Frustrated, I shouted. Their relentless teasing about messing with Phoenix’s body was truly irritating.

“Tch, typical trash-like thinking. There’s no way I’d want to enter that old man’s body…”

Illusion Dragon licked her lips suggestively.

“But compared to being claimed by a piece of trash like you, having a male body would be better, right?”

That was the moment Illusion Dragon unintentionally determined her gender preference. I avoided their gazes.

Anyway, this incessant chatter. And because of this chatter, everything inside me is spilling out without a filter.

Puuhhh…

All because of my true love who genuinely wishes for my downfall.

* * *

In the end, neither Gaeul nor Illusion Dragon got to drink the beer they bought. Instead, we spent the awkward evening testing how far Illusion Dragon could possess others.

“Nurse called me here—possession successful! …Yes. Let me know if you need anything else.”

Perfect success with regular civilians. They couldn’t detect Illusion Dragon’s possession.

“Hero called me here—possession successful! …Uh? What am I doing right now…?”

Success with ability users too. However, they felt a strange sense of déjà vu due to temporary memory loss.

“It seems harder with higher-ranked ability users.”

“That’s normal for illusionists. They’re more like machines.”

Named high-levels have lower success rates, but low-level grunts are easily possessed—a common trait among illusionists.

“I understand now. Truly remarkable is our lord’s possession ability, and the thought of possessing Mo Taegyeong inspires admiration.”

Bonghyo returned with street snacks, offering tanghulu as beer accompaniment. Gaeul chose grapes, Illusion Dragon sampled various types, and I picked strawberries.

“Will Mo Taegyeong notice if possessed?”

“Probably not unless Lord explicitly reveals himself.”

“Then it’s simple. All we need is Mo Taegyeong’s location.”

“Yes… Though His Majesty surely knows where he is.”

“He’s probably up to the same old tricks.”

Though irritation bubbled up, I calmed myself and asked Illusion Dragon.

“Are there any side effects? Like resistance from the possessed body’s owner?”

“Nope. Not at all. Who do you think I am? A mere human can’t possibly overcome a spirit’s possession.”

“…Alright. That’s good then.”

“You worry too much. Don’t sweat it. It’s not like I’ll be possessing anyone for long anyway.”

Illusion Dragon lit up with unusual enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling. Perhaps fueled by alcohol, she showed significant interest in possessing Mo Taegyeong.

“Hehe. Second-in-command of the country, huh? Then I can just sleep all day without doing anything. Heheh. It’s been ages since I’ve slept in a human body. Hehe.”

“Uh, Gaeul.”

Before Gaeul could speak, I quickly grabbed her hand. She immediately closed her mouth, and Illusion Dragon lazily opened her eyes to glare at me.

“What? Trash like you trying to hit on our Gaeul? Want to get crushed under Mo Taegyeong and pounded?”

“…No. Gaeul is following you.”

I signaled to Gaeul, who changed her expression and released my hand.

“…Got it. Won’t do that. Illusion Dragon, should we be careful?”

“Yeah! If Gaeul wants, anytime! I can possess both men and women!”

Even as she left, Illusion Dragon continued pitching to Gaeul. Waving goodbye, Gaeul and I exchanged subtle glances.

“Let’s go! I want to sleep in a human body already.”

Illusion Dragon dragged Bonghyo by the wrist. Both turned ethereal and departed from the room, leaving Gaeul sitting next to me.

“Why’d you stop me?”

“You have work to do.”

The diligent subordinate hoping for Illusion Dragon’s rebirth, and I, irritated by her slacking, exchanged ideas through eye signals alone. Based on an idea I unconsciously tossed out, we devised a solid plan.

Code name: Operation Illusion Dragon Redemption.

“We’ll incapacitate Mo Taegyeong completely, prevent Illusion Dragon from loafing around, and let the Illusion Dragon Group cover China entirely. Three birds with one stone.”

We needed to act swiftly before Illusion Dragon realized the truth. Despite declaring her intention to relax and indulge in Mo Taegyeong’s body, she won’t get to lie down comfortably anytime soon.

“Whether Mo Taegyeong himself resists or commits crimes using his body leading to his downfall depends on Bonghyo. We’ll focus on our tasks.”

I brought up a map on the screen. My time as Phoenix is over; it’s time to fully step into the role of Cheongnyeon.

“After planting the notion that cores are required to control monsters, we’ll revive Black Flame Dragon and frost over all S-Rank monsters in China—”

“Hey.”

Gaeul interrupted me.

“Are you sulking because I said I wanted to play with Illusion Dragon?”

“…I’m not sulking. Let’s stop this conversation. Tomorrow’s plans—”

“Hey.”

Gaeul cut me off again. Irritation flared at her constant interruptions. No matter how much I may have hurt her with my words, this was—

“…Hmm.”

There sat a blue woman identical to me, Blazing Phoenix.

“How does it feel to see your most beloved person transformed? Does your heart race?”

Gaeul extended her hand toward me, mimicking my fingers and face perfectly, tempting me.

Thump.

Having reached S-Rank, all S-Ranks can transform. Perhaps, if the world operates on a system, Phoenix’s human form, being S-Rank, qualifies as a transformation target.

Thump.

My heart is definitely racing. But it’s not because I’m captivated by Gaeul.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The landlord is furious—at her own self-transformed version. The heart pounds furiously in anger, and I must calm both sides.

“…Cheon Gaeul.”

I grabbed her face.

“Don’t transform into me.”

“Why?”

“I prefer big-breasted Cheon Gaeul.”

“…Pervert.”

Cheon Gaeul immediately reverted to herself. Though she called me a pervert, she made no effort to hide her assets.

“Just a moment.”

I reached for the hem of Gaeul’s top. My heart settled, but now her core began to throb slightly.

Swoosh.

I lifted her top entirely. Gaeul blushed but allowed my touch. My thumb hooked under her shirt, pushing it up to expose her firm chest, and she quietly closed her eyes.

“…”

Gaeul awaited something. I caressed her skin.

“All the scars are gone now.”

The wound from Yu I-shin’s arrow piercing her body has healed completely. With her ascension to S-Rank, all unsightly marks disappeared.

“…What? Aren’t you going to—”

“What exactly do you expect me to do?”

“Wh-what?! Do you want me to say it out loud?!”

Gaeul yelled. Thanks to her now-human skin, she no longer looked corpse-like. Her ears burned bright red, making her appear truly human.

“…Just a moment.”

I held Gaeul and briefly questioned myself.

‘Simple touching was okay, right?’

Boom Boom Boom Boom!

My heart raced wildly. Though painful, I endured and embraced Gaeul’s waist.

“I won’t know unless you tell me. So… what would you like me to do?”

“…W-will you really do it?”

“It’s a reward for helping awaken Illusion Dragon. Sure. If you wish for it—”

“Hey! I brought night market food!”

Deokbae entered through the window, carrying street food. I froze instantly, and Gaeul hurriedly lowered her shirt.

“Wow, you celebrities really do have S-Rank bodies. Still, even if you keep it up, doing THAT in someone else’s country hospital room—”

“Get out and die, you son of a bitch!!”

A tentacle stabbed at Deokbae. However, he deflected it by throwing the night market food and flipped him off while jumping through the glass window.

“Die now or later, it’s the same! Come catch me if you’re mad!”

Just as Gaeul grew strong enough to transform into me, Deokbae grew capable of reacting to her tentacles. He jumped out the wide-open window, and Gaeul rushed after him.

“…Come back and continue when you’re done!”

Gaeul pointed at me, shouted, then leaped out the window and disappeared.

“…Phew.”

I took a deep breath and incinerated the scattered food with fire.

‘Almost crossed the line.’

“Didn’t I forbid physical contact with my body…?”

Eh?

That wasn’t something I said.

I absentmindedly touched my lips and sighed.

‘Isn’t it natural for any man to want to touch such large breasts? At least some tolerance should be given—’

“Then touching mine is fine, isn’t it?”

Chuckle.

The landlord moved her hand, placing it on my chest. Smaller than Gaeul’s but still quite ample, Phoenix’s voluptuous chest rested under my palm.

“…How does it feel?”

Rub Rub.

“Hyaaah….”

I managed to suppress the fleeting lustful thoughts by touching myself, tightening the tension that loosened during Illusion Dragon’s awakening.

‘That woman, Cheon Gaeul, is terrifying.’

“Haa, haa….”

I almost fell prey to her advances. I wiped my hands down my chest to cool off the heat.

“Hey! I killed Jo Deokbae—”

“We missed a golden opportunity, Cheon Gaeul.”

“…”