Chapter 434

〈 Chapter 434: Part 1, Chapter 18, Scene 16 〉

“Jade, Jade, Flame!!”

“Whew, whew.”

Ultimately unable to bear the discomfort any longer, the Executioner bit their lip. Hwakwon soared forward, hands clasped together as they unleashed a blazing punch while shouting out various technique names. I tapped the Executioner on the shoulder.

“If it catches fire, you lose. If you get too serious, you lose.”

“I know. I do. Sigh….”

For an Executioner who must always maintain seriousness, this was a situation where frustration could not be avoided. Additionally, those who felt uncomfortable with Hwakwon’s behavior of treating monster hunting like a game began to increase one by one.

“Some people are saying, ‘Hey, is monster hunting really a joke?’ and others are commenting, ‘There are people who have actually been killed by monsters, so it’s kind of offensive.'”

“That’s only natural.”

What the Executioner wanted to point out was exactly that. They preferred to handle missions professionally and seriously rather than making monster hunting look like some variety show. They were quite against such antics because if imitated incorrectly, it could lead to fatal accidents.

“Sigh, if only it wasn’t for Azidahaka…”

“I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but that very discomfort is the key to overcoming Azidahaka.”

I finally realized the Executioner had reached an important point.

“Crossing the line or staying within bounds. Right now, Hwakwon is clearly crossing it—pretending to be someone lost in heartbreak but going way overboard. When someone crosses that line, people naturally feel the urge to criticize or interfere.”

And that’s also the way to tackle Azidahaka. I revealed the final piece of the puzzle to the Executioner.

“You might think enjoying things moderately is good, but when someone goes overboard, don’t you feel like telling them to stop? Of course, if that were common sense, it would be understandable. But what if you’re the only one feeling uncomfortable about something everyone else finds fine? Especially if it completely contradicts what you know?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“It’s about picking different fights. While there are people like you who critique based on seriousness, there are others in the world who nitpick over weird, random things.”

Just then, Hwakwon took down the last monster heading underground.

“Rising Dragon Fist!”

“Look at that.”

I pointed to Hwakwon raising both arms high into the sky. The sight of spinning around with a fist thrust upward resembled a dragon ascending to the heavens. I gestured toward the live chat flooding with “kkk” laughter.

“If you keep doing this, sooner or later, something will stick, hohoho.”

* * *

“Is that supposed to be burning a ghost…?”

Azidahaka stopped swaying altogether.

“Rising Dragon Fist? What moron said Rising Dragon Fist?! Obviously, rising while on fire in place is called ‘burning a ghost’…”

Azidahaka lifted their body off the dildo underneath and grabbed the monitor. The couch, immobilized, remained stationary.

“No, what have you been doing since just now?! Everything’s all messed up!!”

Azidahaka growled at Seongju on the screen.

“I’ve gotta catch that guy! Once I knock him down, I’ll thoroughly teach him a lesson!!”

Azidahaka’s eyes began to blaze with fury.

* * *

With the hope that something would stick, we’ve been pulling wide-range aggro for about an hour now.

Arriving deep inland of Cyprus Island, with the help of Hwakwon and the Heroes, we descended deep underground. Although Cyprus isn’t a volcanic island, the deeper we went, the harder it became to breathe, as expected.

“We’ve arrived.”

Standing at the forefront of the group, I stopped in front of an ancient temple located deep underground, following Mini Phoenix’s guidance.

“A temple down here…?”

“This can’t be. This place has never been discovered before. How?”

In reality, I merely followed the path given by Hydra while guiding Mini Phoenix, but those following me and watching via livestream mistakenly believed I possessed some divine power to reach here. Lifting my robe slightly, I knelt.

“The Sun’s guidance.”

It was Hydra’s guidance. Hydra chased away the S-Rank Monster located beneath Cyprus Island and planted the Magma Dragon instead. No matter how much Hydra nagged, they refused to believe I wasn’t part of their higher-ups.

“Hmph, then let’s begin.”

I stood alone on the altar of the temple. Unlike Hwakwon, who loudly shouted technique names, I had to rely on memories from the original story, reciting lines while wishing I could just show my back.

“On a day with bright sunlight, beneath this land dark as mud, greetings from Cheongnyeon.”

[It’s me.]

My voice echoed through the temple. Blue magic power spread throughout the space, forming a giant magic circle enveloping the entire temple. In reality, it was a trick to transfer my magic power to the Magma Dragon.

“The sunlight you bestow cannot be evaded by any sinner.”

[Hydra wasn’t lying, so hurry up and show yourself.]

Gurgle.

The ground began to shake. The Heroes who followed trembled with fear, but no one interrupted the ritual.

“Behold, followers of the interdimensional monster!”

[Smash its head.]

BOOM!

The Magma Dragon thrust its massive head into the center of the temple. The colossal worm made entirely of magma stared at me for a while before bowing deeply. It smashed its head.

“Fear the light of the sun!”

I raised both hands high into the sky. Behind me, some copied my gesture, but I ignored them and shouted toward the heavens.

“Blazing Phoenix Revival!”

Whoosh!

Blue flames enveloped the Magma Dragon. Simultaneously, its massive body began to merge into a blue magical egg.

Crunch, crunch.

As the ground filled in, the egg gradually shrank, similar to Garura’s time. Lowering my hands raised high, I spread them out to my sides.

“Together, let us advance under the sun, Magma Dragon.”

Creak, crack. The fiery egg shattered, revealing a tall woman with albinic white hair and red eyes. Though her face was identical to mine, she was significantly taller, requiring me to look up at her. The woman-Magma Dragon knelt before me with one knee on the ground, completely naked. I draped the veil I had around my neck onto her.

“It’s nice to meet again, <Salamander>.”

“…It really is you.”

The Magma Dragon, whose real name is Salamander, bowed her head with tears welling up in her eyes.

I welcomed Salamander, the true second Apostle after Garura, on Cyprus Island.

* * *

After turning the Magma Dragon Salamander into an Apostle, we quietly returned to our lodging. The Turkish Prime Minister showed considerable interest in Salamander, named as an Apostle. However, I immediately brought Salamander back to the VIP room.

“Hmm…”

“Ma, Master?”

“Is this what maturity looks like?”

If Garura was once Gaechonkwang’s subordinate who gained the Fire Attribute, Salamander was Ji Ryun’s subordinate who obtained the Fire Attribute. The enormous Sandworm, stretching over 1km long, survived until the end and came under the protection of the Blazing Phoenix, receiving a magma armor to serve as a central figure in underground defense.

“Heaven’s Garura, Earth’s Salamander.”

“…I haven’t heard that name in such a long time. But, Master, um, was what Hydra-sama said true?”

“Yes. Call me Phoenix until I defeat Seongju.”

“…I apologize. I am weak.”

Salamander lowered her head. Though there was no need to shrink back, she blamed herself for the failure of the Cosmic Defense.

“It’s alright. From here on, it’s your chance to prove your strength. So, Salamander, what is your role?”

“To protect this young lady with my life.”

Salamander nodded solemnly toward Baek Hee-a sitting beside her. Baek Hee-a extended her hand to shake with Salamander.

“That’s right. Even if not with your life, please protect the Executioner well. I’m about to start an infiltration mission.”

“…Please be careful, Lady Phoenix. Complacency is forbidden, no matter how weak the opponent may seem.”

“Complacency? That word feels billions of light-years away from me. Understood. I’ll be careful.”

After patting both of their shoulders, I grabbed my coat and stepped out of the VIP room. Outside, Seong Hyung, dressed in his usual trendy fashion, leaned against the wall waiting for me.

“What were you doing?”

“I was observing people’s reactions for a moment.”

I checked the community responses handed to me by Seong Hyung. There, numerous self-proclaimed experts were analyzing every misdeed he committed on Cyprus Island, comments pouring in like a fountain.

“…Is this truly the way to conquer Azidahaka?”

“Of course. Imagine if someone called you the son of Sun Icheol, how would you feel?”

“I think I just understood how these people feel. They’d probably dig up your family tree to verify it.”

“Exactly. Azidahaka likely has some hobbies too. At most, they might play fighting games, always progressing through story mode against CPUs. Now, give me your business card. We’re going to start the conquest.”

I received a business card marked with Azidahaka’s kiss from Seong Hyung. This card served as a keycard.

“This is the key to enter the Black Bible.”

Each round, the entrance to Azidahaka’s sanctuary changes randomly. The sanctuary, created by Azidahaka through the Cube, is an alternate dimension where the main entity, Maamryong, hides. Azidahaka moves solely as a puppet externally.

“The entrance to the alternate dimension via the Black Bible can be accessed with this business card.”

Thus, without knowing the entrance known only to Azidahaka, there’s no way to enter the Black Bible, the Dark Sanctuary. Moreover, even that entrance is accessible only to those invited by Azidahaka.

“Why does calling me an ‘invited man’ sound so strange?”

“It means a man who has been invited. It’s not wrong.”

Seong Hyung received the invitation card to the Black Bible. Its meaning was singular.

“This means Azidahaka intends to seduce you physically. Congratulations, you’ve been chosen as Azidahaka’s sex pro.”

“I refuse. Ultimately, they plan to corrupt me, use my corpse to open a Dimensional Gate, right? Teacher, no matter what, that’s-”

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell you to cheat on Garura either. Think of it as an undercover operation. You’re working with me on a mission.”

I returned the business card to Seong Hyung. From now on, my job is to thoroughly track Seong Hyung. Though I have a rough idea of the location of the Black Sanctuary, finding it holds no meaning unless Azidahaka personally reveals it.

“Don’t forget. Starting tonight, you’ll wander around freely, and eventually, someone will suggest going there. That person is the culprit. Got it?”

“Yes. I won’t panic, so don’t worry, teacher.”

We looked at each other, nodded, and began the operation. Grabbing our coats, we slipped out into the corridor of the VIP room.

“Excuse me.”

Just before leaving, a deep male voice called out to us from behind.

“I have a proposal.”

“…What is it?”

“Ah, Miss Cheongnyeon. My request concerns Hwakwon. Nothing else.”

One of the Round Table members, <Saladin>, awkwardly pointed outside.

“If you allow, would you like to enjoy some leisure time?”

“……”

Seong Hyung and I looked at each other again. Though the situation seemed unbelievable, we had to accept it.

“Can I come along?”

“That’s difficult. Women are prohibited from entering that place.”

“Why?”

“The law dictates it. Please understand. We men must go alone. So, Hwakwon, if you’re interested, would you come with me?”

Once more, let me emphasize, the Round Table Hero and S-Rank Hero <Saladin> proposed to Seong Hyung.

“Since I feel you might need some comfort, I’ll take you somewhere nice.”

…You’ve definitely pulled enough aggro now.