Chapter 172

〈Chapter 172〉 Part 1, Chapter 9, Section 6

The dawn broke.

Feeling as though something catastrophic might happen if I stayed cooped up in the hospital room any longer, I abandoned my guise as an old man and stepped outside. Taking refuge in the temporary quarters arranged by Bonghyo, I summoned all members of the Blue Wind Sect and the Illusory Dragon Group. Thankfully, they returned not long after.

“……”

The members of the Illusory Dragon Group came back looking utterly exhausted. Despite being spirit-possessed humans, they appeared as if their life force had been drained by some ghostly presence.

“What exactly did you guys do all night?”

I confronted the Black Scorpion monster, who I presumed had been playing around with them. Unlike other monsters, this one looked like it could’ve come straight out of a tokusatsu show—so much so that calling it a “Scorpion Human” would’ve been more fitting.

“It was quite the experience.”

The Black Scorpion monster lifted its tail and stabbed into the air with its poisonous stinger. The motion resembled something far too suggestive, causing the women gathered in the room to subtly frown.

“An experience?”

“Exactly. While I was at it, I let your underlings indulge a bit too. They were boasting about handling a hundred men each, so I gave them the chance. Each member of the Illusory Dragon Group had to deal with roughly thirty-three opponents.”

Considering there were fifteen members of the Illusory Dragon Group besides Bonghyo and Xiao Lin, that amounted to about five hundred.

“……Ah, don’t say another word. I think I get it.”

Their ‘youthful energy’ must’ve needed release after having their training suppressed. It was obvious whose vitality had been sapped. The Illusory Dragon Group members must’ve been mercilessly ravaged like rabbits tossed among starving leopards.

“So, Xiao Lin. What’s today’s schedule?”

“Yes. At 10 AM, there will be a welcoming ceremony for Mr. Beast Tamer hosted by Chairman Jucheok and the Association at the Central Party Headquarters, followed by a state banquet.”

“And I’ll be tagging along too.”

Seok Harang, leaning against the wall, raised her hand.

“The officially invited guests are only Cheongnyeon and Seok Harang, right?”

“Yes. Xiao Lin is accompanying as security, so technically, that makes three of us.”

Xiao Lin’s bombshell announcement sparked controversy but, ultimately, the public understood. Every nation wanted Beast Tamer to visit theirs, and they desperately hoped nothing like the airplane terrorist incident would happen again.

“What’s on the agenda after the state banquet?”

“After a brief tea time, we’ll tour the Central Party Headquarters and conduct an inspection of Beijing.”

“You mean sightseeing, don’t you? We’re here to work, not play. Who even made this schedule? The Association?”

“Yes.”

I alternated pointing at Xiao Lin and Seok Harang.

“You two figure out what to cut. Cheongnyeon doesn’t have the guts to do it.”

“Hmph.”

Deokbae turned his head away, making gagging noises. Though not just him—everyone looked displeased. But I decided to keep pushing Cheongnyeon’s timid character through to the end.

“If you cut parts, what do you plan to do instead?”

“Obviously, we need to go hunt monsters first. There’s plenty of time for leisure later.”

Though Judgment Day was still over five years away, it’s always better to handle things early when possible. I pointed at three spots on the map of China laid out on the table.

“Here, here, and here. Most likely, S-Rank monsters are hiding in these three places.”

“What about A-Rank ones?”

“Well, Deokbae, Emperor Yu-Sung, and the rest of the Illusory Dragon Group will have to take care of those. While we’re hunting the S-Ranks, you quietly sweep up the rest of the A-Ranks running rampant.”

Once the S-Rank monsters are gone, the remaining monsters will go berserk, naturally drawing heroes and hunters seeking their cores. Before they can snatch them, the Blue Wind Sect needs to claim the cores first.

“There are four S-Rank monsters total: Earth Dragon, Water Monkey, Black Scorpion, and Callipepla.”

“Why does the last one have such a different name?”

“The first three are already known monsters, while this one is still undiscovered. Probably…in about two years? That’s when this beast will be found.”

I traced our route, starting from Beijing and drawing a large circle that easily exceeded 4,000 km.

“Basically, one every two days. Considering distance, the monsters, and people’s reactions, that seems appropriate. One day for travel, one day for hunting.”

“Is it really possible to defeat an S-Rank monster in just one day?”

“We’ve got two SS-Rank individuals besides me. What’s the problem?”

“That’s true.”

Seok Harang and Xiao Lin glanced at each other.

“……”

“……”

Correction—they glared at each other. Despite being only a year apart, both had extensive experience since childhood. Given their similar levels, they probably shared comparable thoughts.

“I’m heading back to Korea.”

“What?!”

At Seok Harang’s sudden declaration of returning home, every hair on my body stood on end.

“Why?”

“Why not? I’m a Korean hero. Why should I clean up China’s monsters?”

“But how many monsters are even in Korea…?”

I chuckled awkwardly, but Seok Harang showed no signs of budging. Instead, she joked and pointed at Xiao Lin.

“SS-Rank individuals should focus on their own countries’ monsters. Let each country handle its own problems.”

“What kind of narrow-minded thinking is that-”

“I agree. As these monsters belong to the land where I grew up, it’s my responsibility to deal with them.”

Xiao Lin calmly accepted Seok Harang’s provocation.

“Four S-Rank monsters are nothing. Just ‘peanuts.’ ‘Peanuts.'”

“……”

Xiao Lin dramatically opened her chest and pounded her sternum. Seok Harang’s expression twisted slightly, and I suddenly felt a chill from the drop in room temperature.

“…Since we’ve already taken down the ultimate boss Chaos, there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

“Right? Heh heh. After all, SS-Rank individuals should fight each other.”

“……”

A strange tension flowed between the two. My skin prickled, so I quickly cleared my throat. To suppress the magical power emanating from the two SS-Rank fighters, I’d have to transform into a monster form, but fortunately, they calmed their surging magic.

“Don’t fight now. Wait for a proper opportunity later. Don’t create unnecessary collateral damage.”

I gestured toward the other monsters in the room. Except for the S-Rank Emperor and Cheon Gaeul, the others were sweating cold sweat, frozen in place.

“Be aware of your own strength. Don’t recklessly unleash your magic and draw unwanted attention. If you want to fight, I’ll arrange a proper place later.”

“Really?”

“Are you serious?”

As soon as I finished speaking, both lit up. They grinned at each other mischievously—it was clear they were itching for a match. Once awakened, everyone wants to showcase their newfound power, especially against worthy opponents.

“Then, once we finish business in China, come back to Korea and spar with me. You know how many sessions we’ve missed already, right?”

“You weren’t this enthusiastic before-”

“Would Master Setwha also spar with you?”

Xiao Lin’s eyes blazed as she lunged toward me.

“How many times? Where? How?”

“Just occasionally, once, in Busan, in a realistic combat simulation.”

“Please, whenever I challenge you.”

“…Yes, yes. I’ll accept.”

Battles with strong opponents are always welcome. Both Seok Harang, who counters with elemental attributes, and Xiao Lin, wielding transparent weapons through illusion magic, are formidable foes, so these fights will surely boost my combat experience.

“Hey, it’s time.”

Gaeul tapped my shoulder with a weary face. Perhaps due to her recent ascension to S-Rank, she seemed slightly unnerved by the intense aura battle between the two SS-Rank fighters.

“Gaeul.”

“What?”

“Take care of this for me.”

I pulled a small orb from my pocket and handed it to Gaeul. Her eyes widened upon recognizing the object concealed within a blue magical barrier.

“This…”

“It’s sealed, so you hold onto it. Take it back with Seok Harang.”

“Can I really trust me with this?”

“Yes.”

It was more dangerous for me to carry it. Due to secretly hiding the Cube, it kept trying to escape, which was extremely inconvenient.

“…Even so, giving me something like this?”

“I trust you.”

I shoved the orb into Gaeul’s coat pocket. She briefly closed her eyes as my hand grazed her chest.

“…We should’ve done it yesterday.”

“……Ahaha, what a lovely day, isn’t it!”

Deokbae deflected the tension by opening the window. The sky was overcast, promising imminent rain.

“……Right! Perfect weather for indoor activities! Isn’t it?”

“We shouldn’t let the rain delay us another day. Hmm. Let’s move then.”

I stood up from my chair. Everyone else rose from their seats and prepared to move out.

“Then let’s casually enjoy ourselves while eliminating the remaining threats. We’ve got plenty of time ahead.”

July 1st.

There’s still time left.

“Everyone, to your positions.”

* * *

At the moment the Blue Wind Sect resumed operations,

China’s Central Party Chairman, Male Character, began pacing anxiously in his office.

“Master Yuhwangsook, are you alright? Is anything wrong?”

“Yes, you’ve asked this seven times already.”

The rabbit-eared woman, <Dual Sword Rabbit> Yuhwangsook, smiled warmly at Male Character’s restless pacing. While the Male Character used to seem weak and frustrating, now he exuded the youthful charm appropriate for his age.

“Hem. Let me try this one more time. Hem.”

Male Character assumed a dignified stance and extended his hand toward his reflection in the mirror.

“Pleased to meet you. I am the Chairman of the Central Party, Male Character.”

“Yes, well done. Now you won’t stutter in front of Cheongnyeon. Even if you just pass by with a quick greeting.”

“Master Yuhwangsook!”

Male Character immediately flushed red and shouted. He recalled the blue-haired girl he met through the door crack last night, feeling heat rising in his body.

Through the door crack, the blue-eyed woman gazed up at him, though disheveled, her vividly glowing eyes sparkled like burning flames. Male Character was captivated by those eyes, and the glimpse of her white cleavage revealed by her hastily unbuttoned shirt—

“Aaaaah!!”

Male Character clutched his head and screamed. Watching from behind, Yuhwangsook smiled amusedly at his reaction.

“Why don’t you confess already?”

“Master! We’ve barely known each other for a day! And it was incredibly rude of me to visit her hospital room so late at night, ruining our first impression!”

“Isn’t the entire nation’s image already ruined? After all, she lived underground in Seoul and flew here to help us, only to encounter that tragedy.”

“…So, I intend to apologize.”

Male Character gritted his teeth. His boiling anger was directed at the terrorists—and their mastermind—behind the attack that harmed Cheongnyeon.

“Wasn’t it that person?”

“Yes. This information comes from the ‘Imperial Guards,’ so it’s reliable. The mastermind is Dongchang—and Mo Taegyeong.”

“Tch. Why would he…!”

Male Character clenched his fists, filled with indignation. He was furious at Mo Taegyeong for attempting to kill someone so recklessly and equally angry at himself for being powerless to stop it.

“…They intended to kidnap and brainwash her, it seems.”

“What?! How could such a thing be possible?”

“…Male Character, there are methods you aren’t aware of. For instance…Mo Taegyeong is male, and Cheongnyeon is female, correct?”

“Wha…?!”

Kwang! Male Character slammed his fist on the table, splitting it in half under the force of his magical power.

“…Sorry.”

“It’s fine. Everyone goes through this during their first awakening. So, be careful when shaking hands with Cheongnyeon. She gained the ability to control monsters but lost all her magical power as a result.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

Male Character steadied his breathing and reigned in his magical power.

“Let’s do the final rehearsal.”

“Yes. First, the route…?”

The two conducted the final checks for the upcoming event. Just as they were wrapping up, an alarm rang out from Male Character’s smartwatch.

[Dingdingding. Good morning. Dingdingding. Lalalala la la lalalala~]

“Chairman?”

Yuhwangsook instantly covered her ears and moved away. Fortunately, the electronic sound coming from the watch speaker could be blocked by covering her ears. Male Character sheepishly ended the alarm with an awkward smile.

“Hehe. Isn’t it a nice tune? It’s the song that greets me with a new morning.”

“When did you record that?”

“Bought it. From Yu-Sung. Foreign company, but they’re surprisingly fast. Hehe.”

Male Character started humming the melody and singing acapella.

Knock knock knock.

“Chairman. Excuse me…?”

Before anyone could respond, the door opened rudely, revealing the person Male Character had been irritated with—Director Modakpyeong of the Monster Management Countermeasures Bureau.

“What brings you here, Director?”

“Forgive the intrusion. Actually, I’ve come to ask a favor after ensuring the event preparations are complete.”

“Favor? You said ‘favor’?”

“Yes.”

Modakpyeong smirked.

“Wouldn’t it be better if the Chairman handles the state reception and the round-table thank-you banquet?”

Modakpyeong handed over his assigned role to Male Character. Male Character exchanged a glance with Yuhwangsook. Male Character silently glared at Modakpyeong, while Yuhwangsook stepped forward to question him.

“What are you thinking now? The event starts in 30 minutes—”

“No particular thoughts. Simply…”

Modakpyeong shrugged with a mock bow.

“Wouldn’t it look better with the Chairman taking the lead? After all, meetings between young men and women are always—”

“I’ll do it. Unconditionally.”

“Chairman?!”

Male Character burned with determination. Yuhwangsook couldn’t understand why Modakpyeong suddenly pushed Male Character to the forefront.

“What exactly are you thinking…?”

“Hohoho.”

Modakpyeong merely chuckled softly with a meaningful grin.