Chapter 275

〈 Chapter 275 〉 Part 1, Chapter 12, Section 21

The Dimensional Gate had closed. But still, monsters swarmed everywhere. Like they were devouring Rasputin’s body, the monsters wriggled out of the murky lake and crawled onto land.

KYAAAH!!

Monsters that resembled incarnations of demons from another world began rampaging, each wielding weapons. Though the monsters didn’t move systematically under anyone’s command, they clearly had a purpose as they moved in an organized manner.

To kill humans.

That much was certain, but humans weren’t going down without a fight.

POW—CHOMP!!

Sky Castle grabbed the maw of a monster charging like a dog. At the same time, Pungbaek swung his stick to stab the monster’s head from the side.

“Usa!”

“No need to say!”

Usa gathered steam and created water bombs, firing them off in all directions. The stragglers trying to interfere with the frontline were swept away by the water bombs in one go.

“Lord Usa, above your left! Another one behind the corpse!”

Lighthouse, who was monitoring the surroundings with his special ability, shouted a warning. From behind the monster that had been hit by the water bomb and looked like a pig, a small and scrappy green monster jumped out.

KERRRRKK!

The skeletal monster wielded a rusted dagger, but it was imbued with purple magic power. Unable to create water bombs, Architect quickly shouted.

“Architect!”

“HYAAH!”

Architect slammed both hands into the dirt floor. His magic power spread through the ground like lightning and exploded around the ability users.

BOOOOM!!

Thick pillars of earth shot up from the ground. These pillar-like columns, resembling building beams, either knocked the monsters flying or became obstacles blocking their charges.

“HAAAA!”

All the staggering monsters became prey for Sky Castle and Pungbaek. Sky Castle pulled up a dirt pillar, grabbed its end, and swung it around, smashing the monsters into mush. Meanwhile, Pungbaek darted around, slashing the monsters’ necks with his stick.

“That makes 127…!”

Including the bull-headed monster whose skull was bashed in by Architect’s pillar just now, they had hunted a total of 127 monsters. The Special Task Force had responded to the Russia Association’s full mobilization request and achieved remarkable results on the battlefield.

“These are all C Rank or higher too…”

“Isn’t that great? Heheh. All this will count towards our accomplishments, so we’ll be taking home a bunch of cores when we return.”

Sky Castle swung his fist over Pungbaek’s head. In response, Pungbaek jabbed his stick toward Sky Castle’s back.

SQUEEAK!!

Small fairy-like monsters were sent flying by Sky Castle’s punch and skewered by Pungbaek’s stick.

“Who would’ve thought the former villain would fight so damn well?”

“You’re not thinking of retiring either, right? Heh heh.”

The two laughed mockingly at each other while catching their breath. With the Dark Demon Dragon defeated and the Dimensional Gate closed, the battle had effectively boiled down to eliminating the stragglers.

“It would’ve been better if Hwakwon were here.”

“He passed out already, what can you do?”

Hwakwon Lee Seung-hyung had fainted after revealing Rasputin’s true form. It was a combination of mental shock and magical exhaustion, and the Special Task Force could subtly sense the reason why.

“Considering he took on that big guy alone, it’s understandable he’d be shocked.”

The body of the High Dragon, which had fired its head like a howitzer, stretched toward the Side Palace. The Special Task Force surveyed the lull in the battlefield and caught their breath.

“That bastard’s cleaning everything up. Oh man, he’s stealing all our cores.”

“But that guy doesn’t hand them over to his country, does he?”

“Hahaha!”

Laughter echoed across the lake. It was a cheerful laugh like that of a child excitedly playing at an amusement park, but it belonged to a bloodthirsty murderer gleefully slaughtering the monsters.

“I’ll cut you into star shapes! HAHA!”

Gale Guest flew around, killing monsters like he was hogging them all to himself. His methodical decapitations terrified even the monsters.

“There’s no butcher like a human.”

“That’s Hikari-kun, isn’t it? Ugh, the boss is something else. To have someone like that… tch.”

Architect stopped speaking when Usa perked her ears up.

“What, you some kind of pervert? Why’re you listening to others?”

“How can I not listen when I have ears? Seriously, if you’re gonna talk, just stop already.”

“Now, now, let’s not fight.”

Lighthouse stepped in to mediate. The red dots on the radar were almost nonexistent, and practically all the monsters that had flowed out of the Dimensional Gate had been repelled.

“That’s everything we can do. Right?”

“…Yeah, I suppose.”

They had repelled over 130 monsters and coordinated with Russia Association heroes to prevent the monster flood. Even Lee Seung-hyung, who was currently unconscious, had established significant merit by revealing Rasputin’s true identity.

“The rest should be handed over to those folks.”

The Special Task Force had done everything they could externally. Now it was time for the so-called “Sausage Party,” those operating in the shadows.

‘Doesn’t look like he’s having strange thoughts again.’

Lighthouse’s expression seemed complicated as he looked up at the shattered windows of the Side Palace.

* * *

“Should we seal that filthy thing first?”

I covered the 40cm core Baek Cheongyoung proudly held in both hands with magic, creating a glowing blue sphere that easily exceeded 40cm in diameter. Baek Cheongyoung grinned broadly as he held it.

“How about it? I’m pretty reliable, aren’t I?”

“Yes, well done. Now you can definitely handle the Return Dragon.”

“…”

Baek Cheongyoung stared at me with wide eyes. I couldn’t understand his seemingly grateful expression.

“Why?”

“Doing such a task and receiving such commendation… It feels unreal…”

“Ah.”

He must feel the reward is insufficient. As I pondered what gift would please Baek Cheongyoung, I embroidered an outfit like knitting with my hands.

“Here you go. If you want, try dressing it on Black Sagar.”

In Baek Cheongyoung’s hands lay a pure white wedding dress. Adjusted for Black Sagar’s measurements, it should fit without major issues.

“…What?!”

Baek Cheongyoung stared dumbfounded at the wedding dress. I scratched my cheek and asked,

“Do you dislike it? I can change it.”

“Not at all. Bu-ut…”

Baek Cheongying swiftly moved the dress behind his back, as if worried I might snatch it away, then bowed deeply.

“Thank you. This is the best reward.”

“Ah… You’re welcome.”

It seems the issue was with the wording. Baek Cheongyoung appeared greatly touched that I had praised him. Feeling awkward, I resolved to send him a nice present next time.

“Then let’s make plans to turn this into a monster in China later.”

After handing over the sealed orb to Baek Cheongyoung, I turned my gaze to Rusalka, who was lying on the couch hugging her sword.

“Shouldn’t we return the Light Blade to normal soon?”

“Nope. Don’t wanna. I want to keep doing this a bit longer. My lord is just too cute.”

Rusalka kissed the pommel of the sword and flicked her tongue. She pressed the blade against her chest slightly and squeezed it, curling her legs around the tip of the sword between her thighs.

“Seriously, you almost died because you let your guard down…”

“But I didn’t want to stain my lord with that dirty thing.”

If Rusalka had swung the sword earlier, she wouldn’t have been in danger at all. However, she let her guard down at the last moment and survived thanks to Gale Guest.

“You’re the same. You relaxed because I was there, didn’t you?”

“Don’t pass the blame. What would’ve happened if I’d been distracted?”

“…Was that so? That’s why Gale Guest saved me instead of you? Was it just a coincidence?”

“Gale Guest came because I called him, and he didn’t help separately before I fired this.”

I shook the plastic model gun in my hand. A stone shard shaped like a bullet was lodged in the revolver’s cylinder. I pocketed the Deokbae bullet and burned the model gun.

“Why the sudden urge for a gun?”

“…Just wanted a change of pace?”

I couldn’t tell her that Chang-yeom taught me a technique similar to gun kata. If I did, both Rusalka and Return Dragon would realize the presence of Chang-yeom within me and become wary.

BANG BANG BANG!

“Oh, here they come.”

Behind the door still blocked by the barrier, someone urgently began knocking. I immediately knew who the commotion was from.

“What will you do now that your father has arrived?”

“…I don’t know.”

Rusalka clutched the Light Blade, confused. I stood right in front of the door and gave her a choice.

“You have two options. One is to be kidnapped by me or the Light Blade and leave Russia. The other is to open this door and reveal all the truth to your father.”

“…”

Would she conceal the truth and run away in love, or confront everything head-on by revealing the whole truth?

“You know there’s no other way to inform about your relationship with the Light Blade than to reveal everything, right?”

Even if she tried to hide information half-heartedly, Suborof, who isn’t stupid, would notice her attempt to deceive herself. At least as a commander of a nation, he should have sufficient insight.

“…What do you think, my lord?”

“You decide. Rusalka.”

I forced her to choose, even though she was trying to delay the decision again.

“Just tell me what Human Rusalka wants to do.”

“…Don’t push me so hard.”

My stern voice made Return Dragon panic in the middle. Rusalka lowered her head in silence, and I continued without pause.

“What will you do? I’ll do my best to help whatever path you choose. But you’ll take responsibility for all the consequences of that choice.”

“…You’re not ‘that person,’ after all.”

Rusalka smiled wistfully at me.

“If it were that person, they wouldn’t have even asked me. They would’ve just manipulated the situation to suit themselves and forced me.”

“…So what will you do?”

“I’ll do this.”

Rusalka placed the Light Blade on the couch and met my eyes. Her pupils were now as beautiful as a night sky filled with snowflakes.

CLUNK, CLUNK.

Rusalka showed her decision through action rather than words.

CREEAK.

She deactivated the barrier and opened the door, welcoming her father Suborof.

“Daughter! Are you-”

Suborof scanned the room instantly. Before he could say anything with his widened eyes, Rusalka grabbed his wrist and pulled him inside.

“Let’s talk briefly.”

“Daughter?!”

BOOM!

The door closed, and the barrier reactivated. I politely greeted Suborof alongside Return Dragon.

“Hello. We’re sort of like your daughter’s sworn sisters.”

“Hi.”

“Eh…?”

Suborof was confused by the dozens of scattered vodka bottles.

“What… is going on here…?”

“This is going to be a long story.”

Rusalka pulled Suborof onto the couch, and I sat across from him. Rusalka and Return Dragon sat on either side of me, leaving Suborof sitting as if he were being interviewed by three spirits.

“First, I’ll explain the situation, and then you can hear directly from Rusalka.”

I cleared my throat and began my tale to Suborof, who seemed lost.

“Actually, your daughter was an interdimensional being.”

A tear-jerking love story poured out of my mouth once more.

* * *

30 minutes later.

“Haa…”

Suborof sighed deeply, supporting his head with one hand. I explained everything thoroughly from start to finish so he could fully understand, and he looked like his brain was about to explode.

“…Judging as an , I should immediately step in front of the press and report today’s events to the people.”

“Yes. That’s the virtue of a commander.”

Since the reaction of the Dimensional Gate also appeared, he would have to brief not only the citizens but also the entire world.

“People will naturally seek the whereabouts of Rasputin.”

“To reveal things related to the Dark Legion… No, wait.”

Suborof lit up with excitement and proposed to me.

“What about revealing the true nature of the Dark Legion to the world? Since it hasn’t been disclosed at the Round Table yet, right? Then we can claim that credit. But…”

Suborof pointed at me with his raised hand.

“Let’s say the Dark Legion we discovered is Azidahaka’s organization. How does that sound?”

“Sounds good.”

To calm the public’s confusion, Suborof and I quickly summarized the content we would disclose to the public.

“…Let’s discuss after I announce this.”

Suborof, carrying the agreed statement we discussed, left the room without meeting Rusalka’s eyes until the very last moment.

“…”

Rusalka merely hung her head, and Return Dragon remained silent, observing Rusalka’s mood.

And I…

“Drank a little too much. Need some fresh air. Puuhh.”

Left them behind and ascended the tower where Rusalka had been standing. Now, there was only one thing left for me to do.

Execution of the traitor.

“Alright, show yourself.”

I revived the core of the Iron Mark and aimed the barrel at his heart.

“Let me hear just one word as your last wish.”

“…Kill me.”

BANG.

On this day, I exterminated the first monster I ever created.

A short while later.

I enjoyed my victory while listening to Suborof’s official announcement streaming from the Magic Gear.