Chapter 176

〈Chapter 176〉 Part 1, Chapter 9, Section 10

After an hour of rest.

We resumed our discussion on the next agenda with full intensity. Given the sensitive information involved, only key members were present to deliberate.

Topic:

‘After subduing a monster by controlling it, how should its core be distributed?’

“Obviously, Miss Cheongnyeon must take them all. It wasn’t her side that failed to defeat S-Rank monsters, right? Thus, ownership clearly belongs to Miss Cheongnyeon, and it’s entirely her personal property.”

Seok Harang strongly argued as Korea’s representative before the Round Table, insisting that the core belonged to Cheongnyeon.

“Even though it’s on Chinese soil?”

“It’s on Chinese soil, but that doesn’t mean China owns it, does it?”

Seok Harang locked horns with Yuhwangsook. Monster cores were resources even more sensitive than oil, naturally leading to frequent disputes between nations.

“Though we requested support from the Round Table, this overstepping is unacceptable. Is Lady Cheongnyeon a hero of Korea or a hero of the Round Table?”

“She’s a Korean hero. If you have complaints, take it up with the Round Table.”

“Hmph…”

Aware there was no camera, Seok Harang maintained a polite tone but quickly revealed his true colors. I silently entrusted external negotiations to Seok Harang while attempting covert negotiations with Illusory Dragon through spirits.

[Are you just going to keep messing around? What are you even trying to do? Don’t you know we need to wrap up this meeting and go deal with the monsters?]

[I’m too lazy for this. Would stepping in even resolve anything?]

[Didn’t we already discuss what happens when something possesses your body?]

“Hmm.”

Mo Taegyeong merely sipped tea calmly, making me feel increasingly frustrated. Illusory Dragon, however, seemed to enjoy my discomfort.

[Why the rush…? I’ve barely been possessed for a day.]

[This is a waste of time. There’s so much at stake.]

Thud! Seok Harang slammed his palm on the table, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Fine. If you keep being bothersome, I’ll just take care of everything myself.”

“That’s absurd behavior. How could you possibly do such a thing?”

“Then is this the will of the Association and China? That Chinese heroes will step forward first to handle S-Rank monsters, and if they fail, we can control or resurrect them as we please afterward?”

“If we must argue…”

Yuhwangsook shifted his gaze. His rabbit ears twitched toward Mo Taegyeong, who set down his teacup and spoke.

“The Party’s decision. Unless the monsters escape abroad, they’re still on Chinese soil, aren’t they? Wouldn’t Lady Cheongnyeon have approved if the situation were reversed?”

“Grr…”

Seok Harang was genuinely upset. Though it was a valid point, it stung even more coming from Illusory Dragon disguised as Mo Taegyeong.

[What is he? Why is he interfering? Did Mo Taegyeong get possessed instead?]

[That’s impossible. This is definitely Illusory Dragon. Can’t you sense the spirit energy?]

[Then why is he constantly causing trouble?]

Seok Harang isn’t known for patience, and neither am I, but Illusory Dragon’s antics were truly infuriating.

“Director Mo.”

I called him first. People looked back and forth between us, thinking ‘Here we go.’ Ignoring their reactions, I released magic power to pressure Illusory Dragon.

“We only know the rough positions of the monsters now, but they could awaken at any moment, right? Maybe even this very second.”

“…Yes, that’s correct. Another ‘Good Morning’ alarm, and sleeping monsters would surely wake up furious, wanting to kill whoever disturbed them.”

“In that case, I believe we should strike while they’re still resting and eliminate them one by one. …My body is limited, and it takes time to recruit monsters as subordinates.”

“Indeed. Are you referring to some kind of ‘ritual’? Understood. Then we need to prepare everything required for that ritual. Right now—”

“I mean,”

I interrupted Illusory Dragon forcefully.

“The issue of core distribution can be discussed later. For now, let’s head out immediately to defeat the monsters.”

To sum it up…

[Shut up and finish this quickly.]

“…”

Illusory Dragon finally gave in. Apart from possession, he didn’t counter my magic power or fight back angrily.

“Since Miss Cheongnyeon’s determination is this strong, there’s nothing I can do. However, does Miss Cheongnyeon have someone to handle negotiations for her?”

“Ugh.”

Seok Harang frowned. If he handled negotiations, it would bring too much Korean influence, dragging out discussions. If I stepped in, it wouldn’t look good. Yet we couldn’t avoid negotiations altogether.

“…Then we should call in a professional negotiator.”

“Is there such a person?”

Illusory Dragon’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

[Not Gaeul.]

[Then tell him to scram…]

[What’s his problem?]

Although I act recklessly sometimes, I’ve prepared the best negotiator in the world for situations like this.

“Is there such a person?”

“Yes. He should have arrived in Beijing by now.”

I summoned him yesterday. Under the table, I drew the Big Dipper constellation for Seok Harang, who immediately smiled and nodded.

“I’ll go back with you then.”

“…I don’t particularly recommend it.”

Considering Seok Harang’s image, he probably wouldn’t approve. After concluding the strategy meeting, I sought permission from Central Party officials.

“Excuse me, I’d like to invite a negotiation expert…”

“Is this a government official? In that case, we must follow diplomatic procedures…”

“No. Just an ordinary salaryman.”

“…A salaryman?”

Illusory Dragon and other Central Party personnel furrowed their brows, debating whether a mere salaryman could handle matters involving S-Rank cores. Illusory Dragon knows me well enough to understand he’s not an ordinary person, but others were skeptical.

“This isn’t excessive, is it? You said Miss Cheongnyeon was a Seoul refugee, right? So even if he’s a salaryman…”

“Stay firm, Director Jucheok. Regardless, you must prioritize the people.”

Chunja and Yuhwangsook whispered conspiratorially, but I heard everything. Both annoyed me, so I decided to instruct the negotiator to skim 3% off their deals.

“Then we’ll leave the rest to him. As for us…”

Beeeep!

All watches rang simultaneously. The alert signaling a monster’s appearance made me curious.

‘There shouldn’t be any monsters nearby.’

“What is this?”

Seok Harang hastily pushed a screen toward me. It displayed breaking news alongside footage of a monster rampaging alone on a lake surface.

[URGENT] Dongting Lake, S-Rank Monster Emergence. <Earth Dragon> suspected.

“What is this?”

“…Sigh.”

I deliberately took a deep breath. Central Party officials tensed at my irritation, especially Mo Taegyeong, whose composure faltered and his eyes trembled.

“Haa.”

Earth Dragon sleeps deep within Dongting Lake, unperturbed even by my “Good Morning” terrorism—a non-aggressive field boss in gaming terms.

And yet, this monster is now wreaking havoc on the lake’s surface. At first glance, it seems to be shadowboxing against nothingness, but in reality, it battles an army of hundreds of ghostly soldiers.

[Illusory Dragon.]

[…What?]

[Where’s Bonghyo?]

[…]

Illusory Dragon lifted his teacup, trembling slightly as if his throat was dry. After moistening his lips, he smiled faintly.

“Hohoho.”

Bang!

“Ch-Chang-yeom?!”

I couldn’t take it anymore. Rising abruptly from my seat, I strode purposefully toward the exit.

“Where are you going?!”

“To save people!”

Bang!

I flung open the door. Staff waiting outside were startled by my sudden action.

“…”

Right behind me trailed Xiao Lin, who, unlike others unsure of what to do, was remarkably adaptable thanks to his powerful magical perception.

People began gathering due to the commotion I caused. Most were Central Party or Association personnel, but the disturbance would inevitably reach journalists waiting in the press room.

“Miss Cheongnyeon! What’s going on suddenly?!”

“At this very moment, monsters are running rampant, scaring people! I can’t just sit here doing nothing!”

Bangbangbang!

I ran wildly down the hallway, leaving Association staff unable to stop me. Outside, reporters watching me sprint were shocked.

“Haa, haa.”

Reaching a fairly spacious courtyard, I bent over, panting heavily. Unlike me, Xiao Lin remained perfectly composed without a single sign of fatigue.

“What is this?!”

“I’m going!”

“How…how will you—”

I pulled out a hidden bead from my inner pocket and held it high. The same bead I hastily concealed during interviews—the Black Flame Dragon’s core.

“Bu…”

I realized I missed something crucial. Resurrection itself is possible, but I needed to make the process visible to the public. Should I proceed now with the entire world watching?

“…Sigh.”

It’s not optional.

It’s unavoidable. Clenching my eyes shut, then opening them again, I raised my voice to the heavens.

“Blazing Phoenix Revival!”

…Yeah, I know. Everyone flinched noticeably, fingers twitching, but this feels like some kind of irresistible force.

“A single flame rising from pitch darkness!”

Xiao Lin’s expression darkened. Seok Harang covered his ears and retreated. Everyone was astonished by my desperate scream, but I had to finish the incantation.

“By your master’s command, reignite that flame upon this land once more! Manifest!”

Whoosh.

Flames erupted from the core suspended in mid-air. A massive dragon-shaped blaze formed, gradually sprouting black scales across its fiery body.

Flash!

Black Flame Dragon opened its eyes. Having been reborn as an S-Rank monster through my invocation, it swiftly allowed me to climb aboard its back.

“Let’s go!”

Kiaaaaahhh!!

Roaring, Black Flame Dragon spread its wings. People gathered in the courtyard ducked under the wind generated by its massive wingspan as it ascended into the sky.

“Isn’t the penalty for resurrection too severe?”

Xiao Lin, who somehow ended up beside me, struggled to suppress laughter despite wanting to cry. Back inside, Seok Harang waved at me with his face covered.

“…You did worse.”

“Pardon?”

“Never mind.”

We were far enough away that no one could hear us, so I decided against further pretense. Glaring at Xiao Lin, I questioned him.

“Are you part of this scheme too?”

“Of course not. Master Illusory Dragon gave me only one command.”

Xiao Lin tapped his chest with a fist.

“‘Do whatever you want.’ And that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

“…Did Master Illusory Dragon order you to tie my legs?”

“What nonsense.”

“…Alright. If you’d joined such a shallow plot, I’d have noticed immediately.”

Xiao Lin is terrible at lying. Even with absolute command authority over demons, his personal character remains unchanged. For example…

“SR6974.”

“!!!!”

Xiao Lin froze instantly. Since he values truth and can’t lie, anyone knowing his nature would exclude him from devious plans.

“Is that you?”

“……………………..Yes.”

With a squeaky voice, Xiao Lin admitted. Someone planned this without involving him.

“Damn. Is this really…?”

Regardless of Illusory Dragon personally, all members of the Illusory Dragon Group are Chinese. Since Illusory Dragon follows Feng Hyo more than me, if Feng Hyo betrayed me, Illusory Dragon likely aided him.

“That guy… sigh.”

I discreetly flipped the middle finger at Illusory Dragon watching us from the ground. Though he didn’t understand its meaning, I threw my feelings at him and turned the Black Flame Dragon’s helm southward.

“South! Let’s go!”

[Understood, my lord!]

Kraaaaaaahhhh!!

The Black Flame Dragon roared and soared into the sky.

Destination: Dongting Lake and the slumbering Earth Dragon.

While Illusory Dragon served as bait to delay things during a state visit, the Illusory Dragon Group used underhanded tactics to try securing an S-Rank core first.

‘I can’t let it be stolen. Absolutely not.’

Earth Dragon. Water Monkey. Black Sand Falcon.

When these three are killed and their cores offered at the altar, the fourth S-Rank monster, Callipera, appears according to the game mechanics. Therefore, Earth Dragon’s core mustn’t be taken.

And the reason is…

‘Two cubes are linked!’

One to the final boss, Callipera. The other randomly assigned among the three. Three cubes were scattered across China, and one came from the corpse of Wu Shen that Xiao Lin retrieved and handed to Gaeul.

‘Must meet Chang-yeom to settle this…!’

At minimum, I secretly needed to use one. Or both, saving them for Chang-yeom’s 1:1 date—or conversation.

“So faster! Faster!”

[We’ll show you a speed beyond maximum, my lord.]

The Black Flame Dragon broke the sound barrier flying toward Dongting Lake.