Chapter 206

〈 Chapter 206 〉 Part 1, Chapter 10, Section 9

“So, when is the Round Table going to hold its meeting in Seoul?”

I asked Rusalka, who had just finished showering. The reason Undine of the Round Table had come all the way to Seoul instead of another city was because the upcoming ‘Round Table Conference’ would be held here.

“Hmm? I thought it was going to be in New Seoul.”

“That’s what I thought too. Not Busan, but Seoul.”

It wasn’t a big deal that the Round Table was gathering, but the crowds following them to catch a glimpse were problematic. Especially since Seok Harang now occupied the thirteenth seat, people were expecting all members of the Round Table to assemble.

“There is a precedent for holding an initiation ceremony when a new member joins, but why Seoul? That’s what I’m saying.”

“Well, isn’t it because of you?”

“What? Why me?”

Rusalka turned the question back on me. I was at a loss for words due to my shamelessness.

“Is it because of Cheongnyeon or Phoenix?”

“Fifty-fifty.”

“Half?”

“It depends on each person’s reasons. In any case, it’s ultimately up to Sir Gawein where the location will be set, but the participants think differently. Even I do.”

Rusalka pointed to Busan.

“I came up to Seoul because I felt uncomfortable staying there.”

“Yeah. Thanks to which, my room got terrorized with semen and love juices.”

“Stop rambling. Anyway, there are currently three members of the Round Table residing in Korea: <Undine>, <Gunshin>, and <Oracle>.”

“<Gale Guest> went on a pilgrimage, so their participation is uncertain.”

Himeji Hayate, Gale Guest, after suffering an overwhelming defeat against Xiao Lin, started traveling the world claiming he had undergone some kind of revelation. Hikari, meanwhile, was busy creating transparent weapons using her spare time for her brother.

“If Gale Guest reaches SS Rank, wouldn’t that put you in danger? They might try to kill Phoenix.”

“We have hostages, don’t we? …Just kidding. If they attack, we’ll fight back. But I won’t fight alone.”

I tapped my chest with my thumb.

“This body doesn’t only belong to me, you know. If I die alone, it’s one thing, but I can’t let others follow me into the next world.”

“So, Lady Blazing Phoenix does care about her disciples. But you should definitely understand this point.”

Rusalka brought up the Round Table’s profiles.

“You, the villain <Phoenix>, the Round Table’s stance towards you falls into four categories.”

“That’s a lot.”

“Can you stop interrupting? First, complete ally. Only <Gunshin> fits this category.”

By my standards, it was slightly different, but I decided to listen quietly to Rusalka.

“Second, quasi-ally. <Seolhwa-ryeong>, <Undine>, and <Gale Guest> are representative examples. If our interests align, they may cooperate with you, but if there’s a conflict, they’ll fight.”

“What about you? Are you a quasi-ally?”

“Of course. Why would I help you? It’s because you still hold the leash of our Lord.”

Though technically, I had loosened the control over the beastly blade, if I died, so would he, just like the other monsters.

Rusalka had to protect my life to safeguard her husband. However, I couldn’t force absolute loyalty from her.

“So, nine remain.”

“That’s right. Among them, those considered neutral are… <Oracle> and <Sir Gawein>. That’s all.”

“So, seven members of the Round Table are enemies? Hmm. Foes indeed.”

“It’s not certain how Sir Gawein will act either. Technically, it makes eight.”

I compared the strength of the Round Table with the Blue Wind Sect in my memory. Individually, if the Round Table members fought me one-on-one, I’d easily win, but as the pinnacle of heroes, they have strong camaraderie.

“Could they possibly activate synergy buffs?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Muttering to myself. Ugh.”

The Round Table, including <Jeronimo> and <Saladin>, totals seven members. If SS-ranked monster Phoenix were to face them, simulating mentally, it’d likely end in a ‘hard-won victory’ after hours of intense battle, but the variable remains neutral <Sir Gawein>.

“Still, having an SS rank involved complicates things.”

“…? Are you saying that human is SS ranked?”

“S+. Just before reaching SS.”

Because of me, the official first SS rank became Seok Harang, but originally in the story, it was Gawein who claimed the title. In 2022, approximately two years from now, which is earlier by three years than the future year of 2025.

“Hmph, that doesn’t matter anymore. Isn’t Harang SS now?”

“True, Seok Harang is amazing. So, no need to worry about the Round Table then.”

“Why?”

I pointed to the seven heroes who were effectively temporary foes.

“I’ll handle these guys alone, and leave Gawein to Xiao Lin.”

“Fine. Do as you wish. Since the Round Table conference hasn’t been scheduled for Seoul yet, you can relax for now. Probably mid-August?”

“In that case, it’s enough.”

If I awaken another spirit alongside the Earth Dragon to join our side, dealing with them will be much easier. Though the Round Table isn’t officially confirmed as adversaries yet, it’s always best to prepare for the worst.

“It would be good to find more allies in the meantime.”

“Hey.”

Rusalka lowered her voice. It was small enough that Guangjian, who was currently showering, wouldn’t hear.

“…I’m planning to visit China.”

“What reason do you have to ask my permission?”

“I can’t bring Lord Anastasha along, can I?”

“Aha.”

If Anastasha were to travel around with strange monsters, it would undoubtedly become global gossip. Moreover, as a human, Rusalka was quite concerned about her family’s reputation.

“Do you want to meet the Earth Dragon and talk?”

“Yeah. Actually, she wasn’t brainwashed, right?”

“She pretended to be brainwashed because it was inconvenient to undo it. Mentally, she wasn’t brainwashed.”

“What’s so complicated? Anyway, it means she’s fine now, right?”

“Right. She resides within Mo Taegyeong.”

“…What? That woman hunter?”

Her infamy has reached Russia, it seems. Rusalka showed significant disapproval upon hearing that the Earth Dragon resided within Mo Taegyeong, but I didn’t understand why she was worried.

“What’s the problem?”

“What if the Earth Dragon gets consumed by Mo Taegyeong? This is a different situation than with you.”

“……Hmm.”

Rusalka’s soul solely inhabited Anastasha’s body after her recent death, making it easy for her to settle in. The original owner, Anastasha, had long lost her soul.

But it’s different with Mo Taegyeong.

“If the Earth Dragon merges with Mo Taegyeong or gets eaten by her, then?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, there’s no need to worry further.”

“…Did you take any precautions before coming?”

I nodded and pulled out a black Core carefully stored in the drawer. As a former officer, Rusalka immediately recognized the nature of the Core in my hand.

“A Black Scorpion Core?”

“Yeah. Freshly laid eggs this morning.”

“……Twenty heads? Can you just tell me already?”

Rusalkka’s patience seemed to be reaching its limit. Afraid she might get angry if I dragged it out further, I revealed the answer outright.

“Mo Taegyeong became a Black Scorpion. Happy?”

“……Explain yourself.”

Of course. After quenching my throat with the strawberry drink from the fridge, I recounted the chaos caused by the Earth Dragon and Bonghyo.

* * *

I didn’t fully understand the mechanism of the Earth Dragon’s possession.

However, it was clear that when the Earth Dragon possessed a living being, the original soul remained intact. Gale Guest, who maintained his sanity despite the Earth Dragon taking over his body, was the most prominent example.

Thus, when I impulsively suggested ‘Mo Taegyeong’s possession,’ Bonghyo thoroughly explored various conditions and eventually devised a shocking strategy.

– What if we possess Mo Taegyeong’s body, extract her soul, and then possess someone else?

Both the Earth Dragon and I were alarmed by this strategy. Bonghyo, who could devise such unethical tactics worthy of a Dark Legion officer, was clearly a villain.

– Isn’t Mo Taegyeong your father?

– A father has limits too. Where in the world do you find a father who implants bugs in his son’s heart and blows up his daughter’s?

Bonghyo had his own reasons. While serving as the admiral, he endured much harassment, but the turning point was when Shaolin, whom he cherished like a younger brother, was killed by Mo Taegyeong. From that moment, Bonghyo completely severed ties with Mo Taegyeong.

– I truly consider myself fortunate that my lord transformed me into a monster. Now, I can discard half of this filthy blood coursing through me, can’t I? Haha.

Ultimately, both the Earth Dragon and I approved Bonghyo’s plan. During his search, Bonghyo conveniently found an excellent host.

– Phoenix Lord. I’ve captured a Black Scorpion.

– ?????

– It seems they were trying to steal the Emperor’s Core while fleeing.

Bonghyo immediately reported to me that he had captured a human-form Black Scorpion. Instead of handing over the Earth Dragon’s Core, he requested permission to use the Black Scorpion as he wished.

– What do you intend to do with the Black Scorpion?

– Naturally, insert Mo Taegyeong’s soul inside!

Naturally, Bonghyo chose the Black Scorpion as the vessel for Mo Taegyeong’s soul. The one who produced countless offspring and manipulated them according to her whims ended up becoming nothing more than a core-laying machine for her surviving child.

– Ah, nooooo! This body meant to dominate the world, reduced to…this?! Uuuuugh?!

Mo Taegyeong possessed the body of the Black Scorpion.

More accurately, the body of the monster-turned Black Scorpion.

– Earth Dragon, don’t you think you should rein in your subordinate?

– …Too troublesome.

– My Lord! This time, like this!

– …Giving orders individually is also bothersome. The Earth Dragon, governing the chaos of the world, decrees: The monster Black Scorpion must unconditionally obey the commands of monster Baek Cheongyoung. End of order.

The Earth Dragon held absolute authority over the Black Scorpion, and despite Mo Taegyeong maintaining clear consciousness, she had to endure all sorts of humiliations under Bonghyo’s orders delivered through the Earth Dragon.

– Kyaaaahhh! St-st-stop! Noooo!

A true betrayal of trust.

– Quite harsh.

Of course, I didn’t intervene.

– So, how many cores can you produce per day?

– We’ll need to test it, but producing 2~3 S-rank cores daily should be sufficient.

With a regular supply of S-rank cores every day, there was no reason to stop it.

* * *

“So, this is the fresh egg laid by the Black Scorpion early this morning, right?”

“Eww.”

Rusalka wrinkled her nose, genuinely repulsed. Since I eliminated the monster Rusalka that possessed Heo Yoon-hwan’s body, Anastasha, with her pure soul, strongly disapproved of the actions of monsters.

“You really… ugh. Never mind.”

Rusalka shook her head as if she didn’t even want to associate with me. As I placed the core back in the drawer, I added one more comment.

“To add, the method of producing cores is that thing you and Guangjian frequently do.”

“…”

“Sex—”

“Shut up!”

Rusalka slammed the table and shouted loudly. I shrugged once and sat across from her.

“Why so scandalous?”

“We’re expressing our love!”

“Then I acknowledge it.”

“This is truly…!”

“Calm down, Rusalka.”

Guangjian, who had finished showering, embraced Rusalka from behind the couch. Bowing his upper body forward, they naturally kissed right in front of me.

“Tch.”

I regretted bringing it up unnecessarily. Was it because of what I said, or did I inadvertently deepen their love? Their actions in front of me were escalating step by step.

I was convinced. Seok Harang is definitely the daughter of Heo Yoon-hwan and Rusalka.

“Still, shouldn’t you refrain from doing that in front of others? Dinner time is coming soon.”

“Phew, look. Me and my Lord are simply sharing love, alright? Who has time to eat? We’re too busy loving each other. Hehe.”

“Rusalka, you need to understand. Someone who doesn’t know love… well, actually, that’s not it.”

Guangjian hesitated to take off his bathrobe upon seeing me, suddenly blushing.

“How do you know so much?”

“I merely know what I know.”

“Come to think of it, it wasn’t just knowledge. It was experience, wasn’t it? Speak up immediately.”

“…I only told you what I’ve experienced. And…”

The couple gaped in shock. Since I saw no reason to lie, I told the truth.

“The positions I mentioned earlier, I’ve done all of them with Seok Harang—”

Another fight broke out.

Fortunately, I erected a barrier beforehand, so the building wasn’t destroyed.