Chapter 282

〈 Chapter 282 〉 Part 1, Chapter 12, Scene 28

<Beijing City, July 22nd, 7 PM, Illusory Dragon Manor, Beijing.>

After grabbing the Core and Cube, I sealed the door with a combination of Core, Barrier, and concrete before heading back to the Illusory Dragon Manor. The Illusory Dragon, seemingly having woken up from a hangover, greeted me with a yawn.

“Welcome back. Want to come in and rest?”

“I don’t have time for that. Let’s start.”

I handed over Callipera’s Core to the Illusory Dragon. Initially delighted at receiving an S-Rank Core, the dragon quickly grew disappointed.

“Eh… it’s only Light Speed attribute.”

“How many S-Rank Illusion Cores do you think exist in this world? Just hurry up and turn it into a Monster.”

I scolded the dragon, who gave me a sidelong glance before reaching out for the Core. Before the dragon could begin chanting, I turned my attention to Baeg Cheongyoung.

“No one is allowed inside there. Understood?”

“We’ll use it as a secret base for the Illusory Dragon Group. I’ll send members who can keep their mouths shut.”

If we set up factory facilities, we’ll need someone to manage and supervise. Additionally, over 300 Bright Flame Spirits will be deployed to handle production tasks.

“Let the Spirits participate voluntarily. Don’t force anyone who doesn’t want to.”

“They’ll likely all volunteer for overtime and night shifts. Though they won’t produce Black Silk quality Cores, we should be able to mass-produce lower-grade Illusion Cores.”

“…!”

Who would’ve thought the desires awakened by the Maiden Ghosts would be this terrifying? A chill ran down my spine as I shivered.

“By the way, what happened with the Black Silk?”

“Don’t even mention it.”

Baeg Cheongyoung frowned deeply.

“The replica alone was enough to nearly kill us. They’re demanding the real thing back, saying it’s essential.”

“If the replica alone caused such trouble, then Rasputin really did make the right choice to sever ties.”

Fortunately, we had the Light Blade technique. Feeling grateful to Yun Yuhwa for giving us the option to save it, I resolved to give him a nice gift later.

The Karna of Dark Sword, the Spirit of Light Speed.

“…Monster transformation complete.”

With a cold voice, the Illusory Dragon glared at me. In front of the dragon stood Callipera, looking bewildered as she took in her surroundings, clearly struggling to believe she’d been resurrected in this world.

“Where am I…?”

“Congratulations. You’re now a Monster.”

I greeted her with open arms, but Callipera immediately recoiled in fear. Despite this, she brazenly took the dragon hostage.

“Wh-who are you?! Do you think you can get away with this?!”

Armed with a wooden skewer from the table, Callipera threatened us before collapsing to the floor with a groan. After a few seconds of convulsions, she raised her head, her eyes now gray.

“How dare you take a hostage so arrogantly…”

The Illusory Dragon, now possessing Callipera’s body, openly frowned. Even the usually laid-back dragon seemed irritated that the very Monster he revived had dared to threaten him.

“Phoenix. Let’s just kill her. She’s not even that strong.”

“That’s only because you’ve surpassed Xiao Lin. She once dominated an era.”

“Really?”

Shaolin’s voice brightened at the prospect of combat. I nodded toward the dragon.

“She was human before becoming a Monster. Likely the reincarnation of the real Ye Bongseon. What do you think, Illusory Dragon?”

“…It seems she didn’t reincarnate directly like Sister Ru but rather possessed a dead body. The soul matches yours.”

“Heard that?”

“Master. Let’s spar.”

Without hesitation, Shaolin dropped her hands into a ready stance, gripping her Crescent Blade.

“Not now. We don’t have time, and you’d dominate anyway.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“Even if she truly were Ye Bongseon, she’s much weaker than you, both as a Special Ability user and as a martial artist.”

Though now a Monster, Shaolin had transcended SS-Rank through sheer skill. Even with the power of a Cube boosting her to S-Rank, Ye Bongseon couldn’t match Shaolin.

“…Hmph. If that’s true, there’s nothing I can do.”

Releasing her magic power, Shaolin grinned widely, clearly pleased to be recognized as stronger than a legendary warrior.

“Phoenix Sir, how do you plan to use this woman?”

“For experiments.”

Baek Cheongyoung asked me what purpose Callipera would serve. Having already hinted at ‘the Factory,’ Baek Cheongyoung would undoubtedly mobilize the Illusory Dragon Group to install automation equipment.

“First, bring that over.”

“Ah, so that’s what you meant.”

Baek Cheongyoung signaled the Illusory Dragon Group members standing behind him. They ghosted through the walls and returned moments later with something in hand—though they entered through the front door when returning.

“Isn’t that Rasputin’s penis?”

“Yes. We’ll start by making a Monster out of this.”

Experiment Sequence One: Can a part of a human body be used to create a Monster? I pulled out the Core of the Earth Dragon, an S-Rank Beast I hunted in China, while Baek Cheongyoung retrieved something from his pocket.

Inside the light brown paper envelope was a fresh black Core.

“It’s a fresh Core, produced just an hour ago before arriving here.”

“…Alright. Let’s use this then.”

I compared the yellow Durability Core and the black Dark Attribute Core in my hands.

The two S-Rank Cores, roughly the same size, were placed beneath Rasputin’s remaining pillar. Only I could manipulate the Barrier preventing anyone else from interfering.

Woooom.

Bathed in Blue Flames, the two orbs nestled beneath the object began producing magical energy, just like the Abyss Dragon once did. Swirling my hand within the Barrier, I withdrew one hand to grab the Cube from my pocket.

“Now, let’s create a Stallion Monster.”

Uuuuung.

The Cube resonated in response to my chant, sending chills down my spine. Still, since it was rare to create Monsters, I decided to use the Cube to adjust the magical energy.

“In the name of the Sun!!”

(To be continued…)

My chant became a conduit for flowing magical energy, creating a blue sphere around the object which fused with the Core’s power to form a humanoid figure.

Standing at 2 meters tall, the Western-style handsome man with blue hair and eyes proudly displayed Rasputin’s appendage as if it were his own, emphasizing its size.

Kang!

The man knelt on one knee before me, his third limb almost parallel to his bent knee.

“Greetings, Sun. Please bestow glory upon me.”

“Indeed, a name is necessary.”

Proving his ability to read the situation, I told him the name I’d prepared.

“From now on, your name is Rasputin.”

“Excuse me?”

“Rasputin.”

“…Understood.”

Rasputin became Rasputin. Since the original body must’ve disintegrated, the only Rasputin left in this world is the Monster version standing before me.

“Stand up.”

“Yes.”

Rising to his feet, Rasputin nearly touched the ceiling. Unlike other Monsters, the Core, the source of his magical energy, pulsed in an ∞ shape beneath his appendage, distributing power throughout his body.

“Is that… Double-O…?”

“Sorry, what?”

“Just talking nonsense.”

The Dual-Core system of Durability and Darkness would become Rasputin’s new heart. The reason I specifically chose the Earth Dragon Core instead of another Darkness Core has its own significance.

“Your first order: Do what you do best and return.”

I pointed toward the relocated Black Silk’s bedroom, and Rasputin nodded heavily before moving forward.

“Shouldn’t we at least give him some clothes?”

“Why bother? It’ll just get dirty anyway.”

Rasputin disabled a hidden mechanism in the room we were in, carefully entering the area where Black Silk lay asleep after exhausting herself.

Experiment Two: Performance Testing of the Stallion Monster.

“KYAAAAAA!!! Too big, haaah, haaaahh!!”

Black Silk screamed in agony. The sound of intense pounding echoed throughout the room, and we closed the door, leaving her moans of pleasure behind.

“Normally, how long does it take for Black Silk to produce a Core?”

“Not a specific time, but usually around 10 minutes. Today might be shorter. Of course, the longer it takes, the better the quality of the Core.”

“Then let’s wait about an hour. In the meantime, let’s try another experiment.”

Approaching the Illusory Dragon, I restrained its limbs. Though surprised, the dragon seemed somewhat anticipatory.

“Is this the infamous bondage play?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Just get out already.”

I scolded the dragon, who grumbled as it emerged from Callipera’s body. Shaolin embraced the dragon from behind, patting it comfortingly, while Callipera gradually regained consciousness.

“What… what happened…?”

“As you can see, this young lady is now a Monster created by the Illusory Dragon.”

“Uh-huh.”

“So, we’re checking if something like this is possible.”

Seizing the opportunity, I tightly gripped the Cube and placed my hand on Callipera’s head, slowly infusing magical energy.

“Ugh, uhh?!?”

Callipera writhed in pain as my magical energy invaded her body, but I’d already bound her limbs to prevent any movement.

“Restrain her, Illusory Dragon Group.”

“Yes.”

Even the Illusory Dragon Group members joined in restraining Callipera, who began drooling and emitting strange noises.

“Ugh, uh, uhhh?!?”

“Ah, so doing this damages her mind?”

“…What exactly are you trying to do?”

Realizing my intentions, the Illusory Dragon paled. Initially skeptical due to my use of the Cube, the dragon quickly understood my plan as the owner of the connected Monster.

“Give and then take away?”

“It’s a test, just a test.”

Experiment Three: Monstertaking.

Since the Illusory Dragon is on our side, I wasn’t worried about losing control, but I feared my subordinates might be stolen by other commanders.

“If you can do it, others might too, right?”

“Good thinking.”

Though the connection between Callipera and the Illusory Dragon was weakening significantly.

“Kekeke, kehehe, phewhee!”

Callipera cried in anguish mixed with joy, tears and saliva streaming down her face.

Being S-Rank, it took nearly 30 minutes for my magical energy to consume her entire body, eventually achieving an exact 50-50 balance with the Illusory Dragon’s.

“This is…”

“Sharing dominion. This outcome is entirely new.”

The Illusory Dragon showed considerable interest in the results of my experiment. As soon as I removed my hand, Callipera gasped for breath.

“Huff, huff, hii, hufff…”

“Hold your head up.”

At my ‘order,’ Callipera instantly lifted her head. Then the Illusory Dragon commanded:

“Bow your head.”

Plop. Callipera tried to bow but froze, torn between conflicting commands.

“Stop.”

“Cease.”

Both the Illusory Dragon and I simultaneously canceled the orders, calming Callipera’s trembling. Regaining her senses, she looked between us with eyes filled with fear.

“Who… who exactly are you…?”

Clearly aware of the power gap, Callipera chose to cower before us, ready to prostrate herself at any moment.

“Even as a Monster, she doesn’t seem like someone who’d betray us, does she?”

“…True. Agreed. She’s not reliable.”

Reflecting on past experiences, I reached a conclusion supported by the Illusory Dragon, a specialist in mental abilities. Left unchecked, she’d surely betray us.

“T-that’s not true! How could I betray those who saved me from that hell?”

Callipera bowed deeply, pressing her forehead to the ground. Her desperate actions moved even Shaolin, who slightly inclined her head toward us in sympathy.

“Master, Phoenix Sir…?”

“How does she feel to you?”

“…Though pitiful, her intentions aren’t good.”

Shaolin, whose sixth sense was unparalleled, completed her inspection. Turning to Baek Cheongyoung for a final opinion, I asked:

“What if I adopted her as my daughter?”

“She’s already killed her father—not in the past, but in reality.”

“Huh?”

Looking down at Callipera, Baek Cheongyoung frowned deeply, lowering his dark aura. Seeing him openly disdain someone was rare, and apparently, the same went for Shaolin and the Illusory Dragon.

“Her face reveals it all. She’s the wanted patricide who vanished after a bounty was issued at school. The victim was her own father. I know because she was an Association special ability user under Mo Taegyeong. Her current name is Liu Ming.”

Of course. That tendency to change fathers like meals must’ve been deeply rooted in her soul.

Upon realizing her identity was fully exposed, Callipera trembled uncontrollably without even attempting to lift her head.

“Alright, Callipera. I’ll give you one last chance.”

I tapped Callipera’s shoulder, helping her stand. Despite her fear, she quickly recognized me as the decision-maker, nodding vigorously as she awaited my command.

“One hour. Just maintain your sanity for one hour, and you’ll be fine. Understand?”

“Yes, yes!”

One hour. Compared to the suffering she endured in that other world, this would be a fraction of the time.

“Open the door, Bonghyo.”

“Yes.”

As soon as the door opened, the humid, sticky scent of night flowers assaulted our noses. Simultaneously, Callipera’s eyes quivered violently.

“Then, ‘have a safe trip.'”

I patted Callipera’s shoulder, and like a machine, she mechanically stepped forward.

“No, no, I can’t—I don’t want to—!!”

Creeeak.

Inside the room, Rasputin appeared with glowing blue eyes. I gave him a thumbs-up as encouragement.

“KYYYYYY!”

Rasputin nodded, grabbed Callipera’s wrist, and dragged her into the room.

“Shall we take a break?”

We enjoyed the Tanghulu and appetizers Baek Cheongyoung brought, leisurely waiting until the experiment concluded.

Experiment Four: Testing the production of Light Speed Cores.

Experiment Five: Is the concern we’ve had about “KYUU KYUU” actually possible?

Only Rasputin’s lower half knows the truth.