Chapter 328

〈 Chapter 328: Part 1, Chapter 14, Section 19 〉

When I opened my eyes, the height of my gaze had changed. The subtle sensation that had been enveloping my body was gone. Most of all, the vivid sensation of sitting on a chair was unmistakable.

“Ugh.”

I grew irritated at the sight of myself reflected in the iron spoon. Blazing Phoenix was laughing gleefully for some reason.

“Are you happy?”

“Shouldn’t you be happier than me? You finally got the ‘body’ you’ve longed for.”

“It’s not even my body.”

“What does it matter? If you use it, then it’s your body. You handled it just fine while gaming. Hello there, <Cleric>? Hmph hah!”

I covered my face with both hands – but quickly pulled them away. The black gauntlets resembling eagle talons were gone, and instead, my pale white hands came into view.

The slightly large hands were delicate yet calloused between the fingers. Though concealed by the white coat, the body underneath wasn’t overly muscular but possessed compact, hardened muscles from real combat.

To be honest, it was an enviable body – one I’d truly relied on heavily through the game. And with this body, I’d built countless memories with 16 heroines.

“Haa…”

The voice of the cleric, the body of the cleric. I had become nothing short of a cleric. Blazing Phoenix held up a hand mirror from somewhere in the room and showed it to me.

“My hair color is exactly the same, right? Same eye color too? People might mistake us for siblings! Hmph hah.”

“Why don’t we go as far as being husband and wife?”

“Isn’t it natural for an older brother to become a father eventually? Who’s dad now? Huh hah.”

Blazing Phoenix deflected my attack with a joke. Having gone through all the original story content, her skill at deflecting without any shame was truly top-notch.

“I don’t really like this appearance. I preferred the blonde look.”

“Why? Do you prefer blondes? Was that why you fought belly-to-belly with Karna?”

“That’s not it. This is the proof that you’re gone.”

The clear blue-haired protagonist was the form after Blazing Phoenix, the Phoenix, had disappeared and passed on her power. So this current appearance was evidence of Blazing Phoenix’s disappearance, leaving behind only her power.

“Are you laughing because you’ve disappeared?”

“What does it matter? I’m still alive here, aren’t I? Are you planning to kill me now, like in the original story?”

“Surely not.”

After all, the ultimate goal of everything I was doing now was to “save Blazing Phoenix,” wasn’t it? If I abandoned Blazing Phoenix, I could reach the ending quite easily, but that would mean her disappearance.

“Why would I abandon you?”

“…Isn’t that what you want? Let’s see how far your thoughts go. Hmph hah.”

Blazing Phoenix mocked me. But I didn’t intend to argue with her about it. Instead, I decided to resolve my curiosity.

“Did awakening Carna give me this body?”

“Yeah.”

In exchange for awakening Seok Harang, I gained autonomy over my tone of speech.

Through the dialogue of awakening the Wyrm, I received the protagonist’s voice.

And now, in exchange for awakening Gaechonkwang, I’ve received the protagonist’s body. Now, I can transform into either Blazing Phoenix’s form – Cheongnyeon – or the original protagonist’s form – Baek Cheonghwa (male).

“A good idea came to mind.”

“What is it?”

“If I pretend this face is Phoenix’s true form and deceive everyone, wouldn’t that work?”

Since Phoenix’s outward appearance is closer to male, if Phoenix reveals her transformation back to Baek Cheonghwa, the world will surely be turned upside down—

“No, wait. That would cause chaos for me.”

“Why?”

“The last restraint people had when trying to approach me was the issue of gender. If they see this appearance, both Cheon Gaeul and Seok Harang will definitely squeeze me dry.”

“But it’s not your body, so you can treat it however you want. It belongs to Baek Cheonghwa.”

“But the one moving it is me, isn’t it?”

Is there some kind of trap here? As I extended my hand to flick my finger, Blazing Phoenix waved her saber around and then suddenly pulled her head back.

“You can say anything, can’t you? Aren’t you just waiting for an excuse to get rid of me when you play around with other women later? Don’t think I won’t notice.”

“Hmm… What if I genuinely allowed it?”

Blazing Phoenix put down the spoon she’d been using to scoop sherbet and asked me a question. My heart sank.

“If I were to permit you a harem, what would you do then?”

“Well, in that case, this should work.”

I scooped up some sherbet with my spoon and handed it to Blazing Phoenix.

“Yesterday it was you, today it’s you, tomorrow it will be you. Past, present, future – all for you. Creating a harem with just you would be perfect.”

“What kind of ridiculous nonsense is that? Are you insane?”

“You started talking nonsense first. Let me make it clear: my love for you alone is already overwhelming. I tend to take love seriously.”

“In that case, I’ll consider it that way.”

Blazing Phoenix shrugged and mocked me once more. I may have lacked decorum, but her subsequent actions were even more outrageous.

“Hmm.”

Blazing Phoenix licked the spoon I was pulling towards her and smiled mischievously. Though it was a face I’d seen countless times in the mirror, the expression she wore was distinctly different. She wiped away every trace of the sherbet with her lips.

“This counts as indirect kissing, you know.”

“Our bodies are already shared, so what’s the big deal?”

“That’s true… But isn’t it different now that I’ve gotten my Baek Cheonghwa body back?”

“Nope. Strictly speaking, this is just materialized magic power. We searched everywhere, but unfortunately, apart from Baek Cheonghwa’s body, there was no other suitable form for your human male version.”

Blazing Phoenix continued explaining while swirling the sherbet with her spoon. I nodded occasionally while summarizing internally.

Your energy is so strong that, to manifest as a man, the most familiar body to me was required. Apparently, I spent more time as Baek Cheonghwa than myself during the past year, hence this transformation.

“…Did you understand?”

“Yeah.”

It felt like almost ten minutes had passed since Blazing Phoenix began eating the sherbet. While she was at it, I decided to set the next date.

“Our next destination is Greece.”

“…Do we even have any guarantee Ji Ryun is in Greece?”

“Hmm. But if we provoke him like this, he won’t come, right? I’m willing to trust fate for once.”

“Ah, you plan to draw aggro at the location where the Spirit Awakening Battle took place? That’s a good idea. Let’s give it a try.”

“…?”

Blazing Phoenix was surprisingly agreeable. How should I put it… She seemed somewhat enlightened.

“Why the sudden change? Normally, you’d nitpick and say something like, ‘Is that even possible? Hmph hah, let’s see how well you do.'”

“…”

Blazing Phoenix wrinkled her nose, showing signs of discomfort. However, I understood her change—

“Hey, is it because you’re talking to me in this body?”

“…Are you jealous of this Baek Cheonghwa body? Seriously, stop being so dramatic. This is your body now, your body.”

“Jealousy has nothing to do with it. Anyway, this body will hardly be used anywhere else besides two places.”

“Two places?”

I held up two fingers. Blazing Phoenix perked up her ears while still holding the spoon in her mouth.

“One is as discussed earlier – Villain Phoenix’s transformation cancellation. Someone will say someday, ‘Reveal your true identity, Phoenix!’ Then, I’ll cancel the transformation and show this form.”

“You’re determined to clear Cheongnyeon’s name, aren’t you?”

“Exactly. Therefore, the fewer people who know, the better. In fact, ideally, no one should know. Besides, you’ve been living fine as Cheongnyeon, haven’t you?”

“But what will you do when the population in Seoul increases?”

“We’ll hide under the sunlight during the day and move freely at night. I’ve already adjusted my lifestyle accordingly.”

Cheongnyeon is nocturnal, after all. I folded one finger.

“Also, the other reason is…”

I sent Blazing Phoenix a subtle message. She smirked and tapped the table lightly with her spoon.

“You’re as consistent as ever, huh? Hmph hah.”

“Have you forgotten why I fell into this world in the first place?”

“True. That’s correct. But is it okay to use someone else’s body?”

“After all, I’ve already used this body in the game, so what’s the problem? Didn’t you say it’s mine now?”

Blazing Phoenix had finished eating all the sherbet.

“Don’t we need some post-meal exercise?”

“…Yeah, post-meal exercise.”

Without a word, Blazing Phoenix stood up and dashed to the bed, throwing herself onto it.

Finally. Finally, a new history is about to be written.

For the first time in a long while, I felt a surge of excitement below as I stood up. I was ready to explode.

“Ah, could you turn away for a moment?”

“What?”

“Please don’t watch me undress.”

Not just turning my eyes, I turned my whole body. The sound of rustling clothes echoed as Blazing Phoenix changed, and I subtly checked the rising heat in my lower regions.

‘The protagonist’s size is intact.’

Though not monstrous, it was significantly above average. Of course, customization through routes or items could adjust size, length, and shape, but even in its default form, it suited all 16 heroines perfectly.

‘I’ve spent countless hours preparing for today…’

“All done. You can turn around now.”

I immediately turned my head. And there—

“It’s summer, so I tried on a swimsuit. …What? Why are you looking at me like that? I ate it, not you. So the concept of post-meal exercise doesn’t apply here.”

“…”

Blazing Phoenix lay face down, wearing a white shirt, and lazily smiled at me. Did she forget to mention the swimsuit? Just as I thought that, Blazing Phoenix slightly lifted her shirt, revealing what was underneath.

“Don’t worry; I wore something underneath.”

“…Then why a swimsuit instead of underwear?”

“Underwear is embarrassing, but swimsuits are bold, right?”

If that’s the case, there’s nothing I can do. I reached for my belt, and Blazing Phoenix crossed her fingers in an X shape while shaking her head.

“I ate almost all the sherbet, so I’ll handle the post-meal exercise. You should come over here and give me a massage. I haven’t had one from you in a while.”

“Can’t you see I’m angry right now?”

“Shut up. Otherwise, I’ll just leave. I’ve done my part by giving you the body.”

“…”

There’s nothing I can do. Since dates with Blazing Phoenix escalate step by step, this level of intimacy is what she permits. I straddled her thighs and slipped my hands inside her shirt.

“Hm…”

Blazing Phoenix completely relaxed her body, entrusting herself to me. The bed where Raon and Yu I-shin had lain, and where Gaeul had rested, seemed to be stained with her presence as she sprawled across it.

Swoosh.

I massaged her back upwards with my hands. Following her slender waist, my thumbs traced upward, causing Blazing Phoenix to giggle softly.

“You’re touching me.”

“…Unstoppable force.”

“Excuses. Tsk. Alright, I was hoping to receive some attention from you, but it seems I need to calm you down.”

Flash!

Blazing Phoenix, lying down, stretched out her hand and pulled me down onto the bed beside her. The bed was wide enough for us to stick closely together, and she positioned me in a supine posture before raising her upper body. Between the cardigan-like shirt, her voluptuous chest was wrapped in a white bikini.

“Hold on a moment.”

Blazing Phoenix gathered her flowing hair into a ponytail. With her long hair reaching her lower back neatly tied, she sat astride my chest.

“If you use your hands, I’ll leave.”

I immediately froze my hand mid-reach. Blazing Phoenix fixed her position, pressing her legs against my sides. Unfortunately, thanks to this damn coat, the touch wasn’t direct.

“Stay still. Don’t move.”

Blazing Phoenix’s hand grabbed my waistband. With practiced ease, she unbuckled the belt, unzipped it, and swiftly pulled my pants down.

“…”

I couldn’t utter a single word. Finally, the moment has come. I felt tears welling up in my eyes—

Wooom, wooom.

Blazing Phoenix’s magical power began swirling around my groin. The fully engorged arousal subsided instantly under her magic, and my head lolled backward, unable to climax.

“There, you’ve calmed down, haven’t you?”

Turning her head, Blazing Phoenix grinned at me mischievously. I never imagined she’d use magic to forcibly calm me down.

“What kind of fantasy are you having? Surely not thinking of inappropriate things, right? By hand? By mouth? Or maybe… hahaha!”

Blazing Phoenix flicked her index finger against my now lifeless member. A stinging pain coursed through my lower half, but the emotional wound cut deeper.

“After working hard until today, do you really have the strength or mindset to do that? Let’s call it a night.”

No. I can definitely do it. Even if we engage in intercourse and then battle Penril, Azidahaka, and Hydra consecutively, I can handle it. I’d burn everything I have like a blazing flame for Blazing Phoenix—

“Goodnight. That’s enough for today. Don’t stay up late planning schedules.”

As she rolled off me, Blazing Phoenix extended her hand toward me, and I couldn’t resist the incoming temptation any longer.

That night, I dreamt.

Of Blazing Phoenix seated beneath me, swaying her hips.

Her hair, tied into a single braid, unraveled and fluttered like roaring flames.