Chapter 416

〈Chapter 416〉 Part 1, Chapter 17, 24

I don’t know why Blaze Phoenix allowed Hydra to do this, but anyway, I let out all my pent-up frustration by acting like a brat on Hydra’s bosom.

“…You’re seriously insane.”

Hydra was breathing heavily with a flushed face. Even just from kissing, Hydra would easily lose control, and under my touch, she completely let go. The massage technique I occasionally used on Gaeul and Harang, when performed by Baek Cheonghwa’s hands, turned the area under Hydra’s swimsuit into a water park.

“…Do you want me to do it below too?”

“No. If you’re not going to stick it in me, don’t even mention it.”

“…Then…”

I cleaned Hydra’s wet parts with magic power. While at it, I also changed her outfit into a modest one-piece pajama. Hydra looked like she needed some rest in many ways.

“Anyway, are you really okay with letting me join your side? Bringing me in as an ally?”

“Compared to someone with real pedophilic tendencies and yandere traits, it’s easier to communicate with someone who has a shota preference and is smart and sensible.”

Even though we didn’t exactly plan for it, things have turned out this way. I wasn’t particularly choosing Hydra, but circumstances led us here.

“…Hey, are you really alright? Including me as an ally?”

“Ji Ryun says they want to play house with Xian too… Honestly, it’s ridiculous. Are spirits naturally this lewd? Was I originally like that? Now I understand why Seongju brainwashed everyone. Maybe they were trying to keep these freaks somewhat normal.”

“……”

I can’t say ‘no’ because of Rusalka. I took off my smartwatch and put it back on my right wrist.

“…There’s another one down there?”

“Yes. Magical Gear. It’s the next-generation magical tool being developed in Korea.”

I returned the Magical Gear to its original form. Since entering the underground city and setting up the barrier, communication with the outside world had been cut off. Not even the Spirit Network worked.

“Just a moment. I’ll deactivate the barrier.”

“Just a sec.”

Hydra sat up on the bed facing me. Although I wasn’t currently in Baek Cheonghwa’s form, Hydra seemed to have something she wanted to say.

“Things have taken quite a roundabout path to get here, but I’m grateful for how you’ve toyed with and violated me. The time you spent playing with me while in male form, as Xian, will definitely leave an unforgettable memory in me.”

“In that case, I’m glad.”

“You’re so shameless. Thank you for leaving such a terrible memory. I’ll never forget today. And I’ll get my revenge on you.”

Hydra grabbed my hand and lifted it. Slowly lowering her head, she looked up at me through her brown hair and kissed my fourth finger.

“The Phoenix will make sure Hydra can’t live without you. Someday, you’ll transform into Xian and kneel before me, begging me for just one more chance.”

“That won’t happen, so don’t worry.”

“People change unexpectedly. Even I, until three days ago, planned to hide here until Seongju arrived. Life always has turning points. Mine just happened to be Xian.”

“About Xian…”

“You realize you and Xian are completely different people, right? I’ll treat them separately. My beloved Xian is kind, gentle, and sexy. You haven’t shown your male form yet, have you?”

Hydra licked her lips while wrapping her arms around my neck like a snake.

“If you ever show Xian in front of other women, I’ll kill you. Got it?”

“Whoever said Ji Ryun isn’t obsessed with the original? Your fixation is no different.”

“My intuition tells me if you reveal Xian, you’ll treat other women kindly. No way. Absolutely not. Show him only when you’re with me.”

“…Already two people, or rather two spirits, know about it.”

I pointed at the Magical Gear. The two spirits vaguely aware of my relationship with Blaze Phoenix helped with this mission’s support, and my male form didn’t escape their notice.

“…Damn. So everything about our date was exposed?”

“It was live-streamed 24/7. Everyone saw you fondling me while I was wearing nothing but underwear in this Baek Cheonghwa body.”

“I’ve decided. From now on, I’ll play with Ji Ryun. I’m too embarrassed to appear when Xian is around.”

Hydra closed her eyes dramatically. When she opened them again, Ji Ryun with a sullen face appeared. Their eye colors were subtly different.

“…I apologize to you, but talking to Hydra is better for my mental health—”

“Sorry means doing it with a shota—”

“Blazing Phoenix Revival!”

I punched Ji Ryun in the gut. Infusing magic power, I accurately struck where Ji Ryun was hiding, causing them to close their eyes from the shock running through their body.

“…Shit, that hurts so much…!”

When she opened her eyes again, it was Hydra. I immediately transformed into Xian and hugged her.

“Sorry, Sister Hydra.”

“Huh huh, ah… ugh…”

Hydra gritted her teeth in pain. Though it was unintentional on my part, she endured the pain caused by Ji Ryun being forcibly pushed inside. Striking a woman’s vital spot is painful, after all.

“…Maybe it’s better for me to stay humiliated. Rather than telling the world that I used to be her, I’d rather become a naive girl fooled by some bad guy.”

“Naive girl?”

“You need to shut your mouth sometimes. Save your tongue-twisting for when we kiss.”

Hydra flicked her finger toward my mouth. Before I could suffer, I blocked her attack by opening my mouth and swallowing her finger.

[Sorry, but I won’t easily let you hit me.]

“Ugh, so annoying.”

Hydra roughly pulled her finger out of my mouth. She kept alternating between staring at her finger and her crotch, so I conjured flames to dry the saliva on her finger.

“Eventually, you’re just thinking that since you’re a spirit-based existence, everything is predictable.”

“…It’s really annoying. I only held back because you’re Xian right now.”

“Then what if I do this?”

I transformed into Cheongnyeon’s face. Hydra immediately retaliated by kicking my stomach. Thanks to the magic protection barrier, it didn’t hurt, but I understood her feelings instantly.

“Do you really enjoy being Xian?”

“Playing around with a handsome shota is fine, but I don’t want to see that face fooling around.”

“…Alright, moving on. I’ll deactivate the barrier. Once again…”

“If you betray or stab me in the back, I’ll cause earthquakes worldwide after Seongju is defeated.”

“Understood. Then I’ll see you then.”

What can’t we accomplish after capturing Seongju and the interdimensional gods? I snapped my fingers and removed the barrier. As soon as the barrier disappeared,

BEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!

The alarms that had been building up went off wildly. I wondered what was happening outside and searched for the message sent by the Lighthouse. The Lighthouse would surely give me a concise summary of the situation.

###

Dimensional Gates have appeared in four locations worldwide:

Mexico City, Mexico: Raid involving Dark Demon Dragon and Azidahaka. Unclear whether it’s the main body or a clone.

Rome, Italy: Dimensional Gate appears. Simultaneous appearance of Dark Demon Dragon and Maamryong. Brainfreeze caused Azidahaka. Gawein severely injured. Princess Aruel responding.

Canberra, Australia: Dimensional Gate opens. Gaechonkwang riding Garura heading to Australia.

Gangwon-do, South Korea: Dimensional Gate forms. Snow Spirit feeding frenzy underway.

Currently, no casualties reported among the Blue Wind Sect.

###

These messages were sent just five minutes ago. Unlike others who panicked and hastily contacted, the Lighthouse always delivered the necessary information concisely and promptly.

“What’s the situation?”

“Dimensional gates have opened in four places worldwide. There’s one where Azidahaka personally showed up.”

Azidahaka once directly attacked the Blue Wind Sect over India. Karna thoroughly intercepted it then, but now Karna isn’t in Mexico. However, those who witnessed the process nearby seem to be handling it to some extent even with Azidahaka running rampant.

“So, Hydra, from now on, you’re Ceres. The name Hydra has already been exposed to the Round Table. You’ll have to become the queen of the good monsters gathered at the Abyss.”

“They’re not exactly good.”

“Don’t they seem good enough in front of this?”

I raised my fist, and Hydra sighed as she stood up. Knowing well the pain from getting hit because of Ji Ryun, Hydra got up carefully.

“Fine, let’s see what you have in mind… Ugh.”

Hydra clutched her stomach as she stood. The place I hit still seemed to hurt, so I transformed back into Xian.

“Sister Hydra.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

Hydra smiled despite the pain, showing how endearing she could be. But she was still in pain.

“For now, it seems safe outside, so lie down. Let me heal you a bit.”

“Healing?”

I lifted her dress and slipped my hand inside. Hydra froze stiff at my bold move. I smiled up at her.

“Does Xian’s hands work as healing hands?”

“……Urgh, I can’t take it.”

Hydra immediately collapsed backward onto the bed, blood streaming from her nose. I rested her head on my thigh and gently stroked her stomach with my arm until her magic stabilized.

“…Xian, people’s hearts are fickle, you know.”

Hydra covered her face with both hands. Her trembling lips betrayed her happiness.

“I… Right now, I feel lucky to have betrayed Lord Seongju…!”

“Sister Hydra.”

I whispered softly while smoothing her hair with my other hand.

“Trust me and follow along. I’ll make you scream that you lost 20 years of being a subordinate.”

“……!!”

Hydra passed out right there.

A little later.

I emerged from the Abyss world with Hydra in my arms.

***

At that moment.

Rome had descended into chaos.

It was revealed that <Brainfreeze> Jupiter had “Azidahaka-ed” within the association’s personal quarters, resulting in severe injuries to Round Table Hero Gawein.

The Dark Demon Dragon had bitten Gawein’s waist and spun his head around while destroying the association building. The impact of its entrance was so intense that Gawein couldn’t hide his injuries.

“It’s just a minor injury!”

“But the teeth are stuck in my stomach, bleeding profusely…”

“A little magic power will fix it! It’s a minor injury!”

Despite Gawein spitting blood, it was announced to the public as a minor injury. No matter how powerful an SS-ranked special ability user might be, having their waist chewed by a demon dragon is no small damage, and ultimately, <Princess> Aruel was the one primarily dealing with the Dark Demon Dragon.

“Haaa!!”

As Aruel slammed her staff into the ground, thorny spears shot out. Resembling stalactites, the thorny spears fired like a Gatling gun towards the Dark Demon Dragon.

KAAAOOO!

But the attack was effortlessly blocked. The brown Earth Dragon coiled around the Dark Demon Dragon’s body unleashed breath attacks from its three heads, intercepting the stalactites Aruel shot.

GOOOOOO—

The Dark Demon Dragon took a deep breath. Aruel immediately plunged her staff into the ground and summoned magic power.

“Everyone, come here!!”

Aruel scraped together the concrete from the ground to create a broad shield shaped like a large dish. Its width was vast enough to protect an entire city, and heroes who hadn’t managed to escape rushed into Aruel’s shield.

■■■■■■■!!

The Dark Demon Dragon unleashed its breath. It seemed determined to engage in a direct power struggle, as the breath headed straight for the front of Aruel’s concrete shield.

“……!!”

Aruel clenched her teeth and squeezed out her magic power. To prevent the breath from covering the city, she adjusted the angle of the shield to disperse it upwards while ensuring it wouldn’t break.

She had to delicately control massive amounts of magic power. This was beyond the capabilities of an A-ranked hero as previously known.

“Is Princess an S-rank…?”

Hope lit up people’s faces. With both Holy Sword and Princess present, victory seemed assured. However, Holy Sword Gawein couldn’t easily approach to intercept the demon dragons.

KAANG, KAANG!

Gawein’s sword slashed through the darkness. His opponent fled into the shadows, circling behind him and swinging its claws. Gawein quickly retracted his sword to block the attack.

“Kekeke!”

The dark woman laughed maniacally from within the shadows. The Demon Dragon Azidahaka was literally toying with Gawein.

“Kruuuugh…!”

Clutching his stomach, Gawein stepped back. Without the wound inflicted by the Demon Dragon’s bite, he could have fought evenly. However, the poison lingering on the Demon Dragon’s teeth slowed his recovery.

“Ha ha ha ha! They called you the strongest of the Round Table, but look at you—it seems I’ll conquer the world before He even arrives!”

“There’s no need for formalities with someone trying to destroy the world!”

Gawein caught his breath and aimed his Claymore at Azidahaka.

“But I can defeat you!”

“But I am merely a clone right now, hohoho. I exist everywhere and nowhere, you see.”

Azidahaka shrugged and wiped her lips with her finger in a blatant attempt to seduce Gawein. Startled, Gawein took a step back.

“Ho ho. Surprised?”

Azidahaka’s appearance had transformed into someone familiar to him. Although created from darkness, it was an illusion resembling the queen he loved and served faithfully, flaunting her cleavage provocatively.

“Ho ho, honestly, don’t you want to be with the queen? Get down on your knees before me, and I’ll let you have her.”

“Unforgivable!”

Gawein, his face set in determination, raised his Claymore high. His expression was twisted, ready to slice Azidahaka at any moment.

And at that moment.

GUGUGUGU!

The earth began to tremble violently.