Chapter 422

〈 Chapter 422 〉 Part 1, Chapter 18, Section 4

“Didn’t you think a lot has happened until now?”

“Yeah. We’ve only known each other for just over half a year.”

“And now, we only have about 40 days left.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

Gaeul was as perceptive as ever. I decided to get straight to the point.

“I’m saying that there’s no longer any need to pretend to be Cheongnyeon. You can be Cheon Gaeul. You can reveal yourself as <Phantom>. You can step forward in front of the public and expose the truth.”

“Then what about Cheongnyeon?”

“That’s me.”

I intended to return Gaeul’s original identity to her. For the remaining time, I wanted her to live as someone else, as Cheongnyeon, the external activity form of Blazing Phoenix.

“What brought this sudden change of heart?”

“In case all strategies fail, and in the worst-case scenario from my position, I’m suggesting leaving no regrets.”

“Then will you grant the wish I currently hold?”

“…That’s impossible.”

There were some things even I couldn’t do. Gaeul shrugged as if she had expected it.

“Alright. That’s how you are. So what is it you want to say?”

“You’re not curious? …About the male version.”

“I’d like to see, but I prefer this side. Maybe because I’ve gotten used to it, or maybe because I saw you cry.”

“…Embarrassing.”

You’re truly an expert at embarrassing people. I quickly changed the subject before Gaeul made me feel any more awkward. My sole concern right now was ‘Synchronization.’

“Gaeul. Let me ask you one last time. Do you really have no regrets?”

“Of course not. I’ve already told you repeatedly. I don’t intend to regret anything.”

“…Once decided, there’s no going back. Are you really okay with that?”

“Hmph. Canceling a website membership seems simpler than this. I’ve made up my mind. If you’re my master, you should know how I feel, right?”

“Yeah, which is why…”

Gaeul was placing heavier burdens on my shoulders. I confirmed once again if she truly understood the situation.

“Do you know that if I die, you’ll die too?”

“Of course. When a commander dies, the monsters below also perish, right? Whether called apostles or something else, in the end, we’re all just monsters.”

“Yes… And I plan to transfer the monsters under me to other spirits.”

Even if I were to die, I wanted the monsters to survive. I planned to transfer them to other commanders or spirits, like how Callipera and Rasputin shared Illusory Dragon.

I explained the situation to every monster, including those with blue feathers, and they all wanted insurance. Uniquely, among the two who refused insurance, one was Cheon Gaeul.

“If I fail, what will you do?”

“Then we’ll just disappear together. Anyway, since my death in Yeouido, I’ve considered this life as a bonus.”

“Wouldn’t becoming the apostle through synchronization lead to immortality?”

“Living forever depends on who you’re with, doesn’t it?”

I agree. Agreeing made it even more heartbreaking. I approached Gaeul and buried my face in her chest. Gaeul patted my back.

“Even if I fail, I won’t apologize.”

“But if I succeed, then everything will be fine. Synchronize successfully, defeat Seongju, achieve world peace, then you’ll become immortal too, and so will I.”

“It’s like betting all your assets on a stock that might delist.”

“High risk, high return. Anyway, besides my life, what else do I have to lose?”

“Don’t push it just because you’ve died once.”

“At the brink of death, you should do whatever feels right. Ah, was that too vulgar? But I’ll do as I please.”

Gaeul was stubborn. In the first place, I couldn’t force her with orders or dissuade her.

“…If you change your mind anytime, feel free to act without my permission. Even if you go to Illusory Dragon Manor and become Illusory Dragon’s apostle, I won’t blame you.”

“Yeah. If I start fearing death, I’ll do that. Hey.”

Gaeul grabbed the wings spread out behind me.

“Where are you taking me now?”

“To China. To Illusory Dragon.”

“…But I told you I’m not joining Illusory Dragon, right? And by the way…”

Gaeul shook her head seriously.

“No synchronization. It’s already decided, isn’t it? Who Illusory Dragon will synchronize with.”

“Yes. It’s finally decided to be Xiao Lin. I’m just suggesting we go watch it happen.”

“Is this out of curiosity? Well, I was curious too. Then let’s go. This way works, right?”

Gaeul tightly hugged me, unlike usual where she would be held in front of my chest. Instead, I buried my face in her chest while we embraced each other’s waists. Though quite embarrassing, considering it might be the last time, I held Gaeul and walked towards the window.

“Just today. It’ll probably be the end from now on.”

“Yeah. Then I’ll allow it tonight. Feel free to act spoiled. Hehe.”

“…Who’s acting spoiled?”

I broke the glass and flew into the sky. The night was dark, with stars twinkling above, and I flew towards Beijing, enveloped in Gaeul’s warmth.

Gaeul’s chest was incredibly soft. As I reaffirmed my resolve while flying,

‘I can’t let such a wonderful chest disappear.’

Even losing a bald head could be acceptable, but it would be unforgivable for Gaeul to vanish because of me. Thus, I must stop wavering and focus. This avoidance ends here.

‘Could I possibly get raped by heroines?’

No matter what, everyone must have some common sense, right?

“……Heh heh heh.”

…Right?

* * *

<Beijing, Illusory Dragon Manor>

“Alright, is today’s agenda a 4P branding?”

“What nonsense are you spouting as soon as we meet?”

Illusory Dragon started off with strange words. If he had said 5P, I might have taken him somewhere separately to give him a taste of Rasputin. Illusory Dragon winked at me playfully.

“Just kidding. After your identity became known, haven’t you noticed Xiao Lin’s current state? I can’t handle it either. She’s already using all sorts of top-tier cameras bought from her hero work earnings to create a room.”

“…”

I was aware of Apostle Xiao Lin’s tendencies, but it seemed the direction was heading towards quite chaotic territory. And I knew what those walls represented.

‘The masked cam room.’

It was there in the bonus scene. A scene where she got heated during training, wore a mask on her face, kept her upper body clothed, and thrashed around. It was the peak of Xiao Lin’s exhibitionist tendencies towards non-specific audiences.

…And she keeps breaking her own records even now.

“Xiao Lin, come out already.”

“I’ve been here from the beginning.”

“Don’t do anything weird and show yourself. What kind of outfit are you wearing?”

“Not much.”

With gray mist, Xiao Lin appeared. Wearing a coat similar in design to Gaeul’s, Xiao Lin had on a charcoal-gray coat. Since her legs were bare, she was clearly wearing nothing underneath. Was this not the definition of a barbarian girl?

“Why are perverts everywhere I go?”

“Considering the pinnacle of perversion, that’s not something you should say.”

“Let’s talk about our synchronization. Illusory Dragon, Xiao Lin. Have you made any progress on your synchronization?”

“Look at you changing the topic… No.”

Illusory Dragon cut straight to the point. Xiao Lin nodded. Despite fighting together in the Nuclearian battle, they still hadn’t found a proper common ground. If there was any material that could connect them, it could serve as a basis for synchronization, but their inclinations didn’t align well.

“We tried playing games together, sparring, and various activities, and I definitely felt it. Xiao Lin and I are quite different.”

“While I prefer direct approaches, Lord Illusory prefers strategy and deception to break opponents.”

“One-sided allegiance to either side isn’t easy.”

Illusory Dragon, the pinnacle of mental abilities, and Xiao Lin, arguably the peak of martial arts, faced several difficulties in synchronizing. No wonder Harbinger of Illusions, Cheon Gaeul, was Illusory Dragon’s best partner.

“Gaeul. Now that you’re here, what do you think? Are you reconsidering? They might not work out.”

“Hmm. We still have 40 days left, so not yet.”

However, Gaeul handed over the priority of synchronization to Xiao Lin. If synchronized with Illusory Dragon, Gaeul could survive even if I died. Yet, Gaeul yielded the chance for synchronization with Illusory Dragon to Xiao Lin.

“If it doesn’t happen until the last moment and I start fearing death, help me then, alright?”

“Of course, Gaeul. I’ll always welcome you. We’re a team.”

Illusory Dragon respected Gaeul’s choice. Moreover, both being entities who wouldn’t hesitate in engaging in the easiest path to synchronization via sexual acts, they had no qualms.

“I’d welcome tentacle play with Gaeul! And if Phoenix joins, that’d be even better!”

“…Sigh, I give up. And no, I don’t mean we’re doing that.”

As the end approaches, it seems the true nature of people emerges. Especially spirit beings, and wherever I go, there are countless individuals who target me or indulge in similar sexual desires.

“Understood. Please focus on synchronization during the remaining period. Next issue.”

I imbued magic power and flicked my finger. The core of Black Scorpion entered my hand from where it rested on the wall. It was still warm, as if newly born.

“Like Hydras, most monsters used the cores created in the Black Scorpion incident as nuclei. Illusory Dragon, did you find all the ones circulating in the black market?”

“Of course. Xiao Lin is busy with that right now.”

“From government officials to gangs, they’re overflowing. Even if all monsters hide completely, it’s useless. The flow of money and magic power can’t be concealed.”

Buying cores involved laundering funds, and Xiao Lin could sense the flow of magic power as she patrolled. Although the vast Chinese continent was expansive, finding thousands of cores scattered across it wasn’t difficult.

“Eventually, we’ll reach a point through reverse tracing.”

“The main body of Azidahaka, Maamryong.”

Illusory Dragon showed considerable enthusiasm. As another entity sharing the name ‘dragon,’ Illusory Dragon exhibited significant eagerness regarding securing Maamryong.

“Tell me immediately if you find it. I’ll contribute to capturing it too.”

“Yes. Meanwhile, the captured monsters are effectively preventing Azidahaka’s actions. Just eliminate them first.”

“Handling the containment of monster cores isn’t something to worry about. Bonghyo manages it thoroughly. Even if Azidahaka targets Bonghyo…”

“Rather, Azidahaka would flee in panic?”

Both Illusory Dragon and I haven’t requested otherwise, so the special anti-spirit weapon <Rasputin> remains under Bonghyo’s responsibility. If Azidahaka appears, Bonghyo will undoubtedly wield Rasputin and effortlessly eliminate the clone.

“Honestly, I wish Azidahaka would appear soon. If we could synchronize everyone and focus on one thing, wouldn’t it be much better? Sigh.”

The important discussions were over. The four of us enjoyed tea and chatted casually.

“Oh yeah. I have a question. It’s said that in the future, Illusory Dragon and I synchronized. What’s the alias then?”

“<Harlequin>?”

Harlequin. Similar to Pierrot, another term for a clown. While it sounded like a deliberate alias, the ability surpassing mere transformation and incorporating possession demonstrated overwhelming performance within the illusion category.

The ultimate being capable of observing and absorbing all psychic abilities. That’s the combination of Cheon Gaeul and Illusory Dragon.

“Then what about if I synchronize with Xiao Lin?”

“……That’s outside the given scope.”

Wasn’t the reason I was surprised when Xiao Lin became Illusory Dragon’s monster exactly this? Even then, I never imagined they would synchronize.

“Then there’s no alias? Spoil it for me. What is it?”

“……Should I just make one up for you?”

“Do you have a knack for naming?”

“No. Just something that sounds extremely powerful.”

I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“Since Xiao Lin’s specialty in Illusion Magic is the transparency of magic power, how about <Transparent Illusory Dragon>?”

“…….”

Only Bonghyo approved, and ultimately, Transparent Illusory Dragon was rejected.

Why?

This alias sounds like something even interdimensional gods would devour.