Chapter 479

〈 Episode 479 〉Part 1, Chapter 20, 11

“Welcome, this is the floating island of Yuhatopia. Everything here is prepared just for you, our esteemed customer.”

The scatterbrained blonde, Yuha, appeared in a fur coat and began strutting around with airs. When Nuri and Raon left me behind to go shopping, I ended up face-to-face with this reckless owner of the floating island.

“Hey, Yuha.”

“Yes, dear customer? What is it?”

“I heard you kicked that wind horse off recently, and it caused quite a stir on SNS.”

I replayed the video from the scene via the magical gear’s hologram. In the video titled ‘Rude Customer Education by Chairman White.S.avi’, there was a blonde woman – Yuha – arguing with a young man.

“You’re banned from entering here!”

“Why are you doing this?! I’ll just do a quick broadcast and leave! This is officially Seoul! By what earthly law can you ban me from your floating island?!”

“This island was made and launched into the sky with my money! If you want to be picky, why don’t you make your own floating island? And laws? Listen carefully! This, is, Yuhatopia!!”

Pow!

Yuha kicked the young man in the chest. The S-rank wind horse didn’t even have time to dodge before exploding into starlight, plummeting toward the ground.

“Is this kind of behavior okay? You’ve gone rogue.”

“No one except the malicious wind horse supporters has said anything bad about me. There’s no need for me to act so dignified as the chairman of Yu Corp. Besides, if I had approved it, people would’ve caused an even bigger fuss. I don’t want the residents of Yuhatopia to feel inconvenienced. Who knows who that wind horse was trying to target?”

“…Alright then.”

One of the residents of Yuhatopia, and someone precious to me. If that wind horse dares to get close to him, I’ll destroy its magical gear first.

“So where are you now?”

“I knew you’d ask. Follow me. Since it’s been a while, let me guide you. It will take about 30 minutes at a leisurely pace.”

“…If I call out a puppet, we could fly there in 10 minutes.”

“I don’t like when you nitpick like that, customer.”

Ah, she dropped the honorific. Checking the time to placate the sulking Yuha, it was 8:30. With 30 minutes until my 9 o’clock work start time, I had plenty of time to relax.

“Yuha.”

I pointed at the car that Laon and Nuri had parked and left.

“…How about a 30-minute drive? Want to come along?”

“Oh, that sounds great.”

Yuha grinned happily and opened the car door—not her side, but the passenger seat.

“Get in.”

“Huh?”

She’s telling me to sit in the passenger seat? I looked around but couldn’t see any sign of Yuha’s puppet or a chauffeur. Though I suggested a drive, it seems Yuha has something else in mind.

“Let’s enjoy the beautiful weather and take a spin.”

As Yuha’s magical power sparkled like starlight around her, her skin beneath the sunglasses started to tan brown.

* * *

“When you watch F1, sometimes you wonder what it means to race like light. This is exactly what it feels like.”

The tanned blonde driver raised her sunglasses and stepped on the accelerator. Watching the surroundings change rapidly, I felt my breath catch.

“I thought Mars just passed by.”

“It’s an illusion, oh priest.”

“Nope. I definitely saw it. It’s even showing up on the magical gear map… Maybe suggesting a drive wasn’t such a good idea.”

Thinking about it, there’s no way Yuha herself would drive. But she wouldn’t turn down a one-on-one drive either. So what’s her plan? She swapped the person holding the wheel.

“While driving, if a meteor comes…”

“Then we do this. Brahmasutra!!”

Karna pressed the button below the hazard lights. The bumper shimmered, and a golden laser—Brahmasutra—shot out faster than the speed of light.

Flash.

A streak of light illuminated the destruction of a small meteorite pelting the car. My breathing hitched under the minor vibrations.

“Hikari will scold us.”

“Yet you subtly put up a protective barrier, didn’t you, priest?”

“Yeah, but bringing the car out to such a dangerous place might still get us in trouble…”

Beep beep beep.

Sure enough, a tired voice echoed from the car’s audio system. We had already circled Mars and were heading back toward Earth near Venus’ orbit.

[It’s fortunate you didn’t go all the way to Neptune. Let’s hope.]

“We’ll stay near Earth considering parking time. Don’t worry, we’ll be back soon.”

[Please consider the NASA staff too. Other people might also start asking for space tourism because of this… Anyway, please return safely.]

Unexpectedly, Hikari finished warning us rather smoothly. Karna adjusted the car’s direction to arrive on time, leaving me staring uneasily into outer space.

“…Isn’t something strange happening?”

“……Strange? What?”

“Um….”

I tried to recall, but something wasn’t coming to mind clearly.

Screech!!

“Wha-?!”

Suddenly, Karna slammed on the brakes. I tightly gripped the handle, stabilizing myself with magic to prevent being thrown forward, while Karna glared at the figure appearing in front of the car.

“Grrr….”

“The makeup session leaves only three minutes. We’re short on time.”

Baek Hee-a, wearing a black beret, opened a vertical rift in space and appeared.

“The drive is over. Please return immediately.”

“…Tch.”

Karna slowly drove the car toward Baek Hee-a’s dimensional rift.

…I still felt an odd sensation, but it didn’t bother me much.

‘It’s probably nothing.’

I just worried that the happiness given to me now might vanish.

* * *

9:30 AM, Research Lab ‘Light’.

“Something feels off today, Priest. Perhaps you should rest inside.”

“It’s only been 30 minutes since I started work. Are you suggesting I leave early? Do you think they’ll let me go quietly?”

Hikari worried about my lack of focus, but I had to keep an eye on Hyea, who was planning the next operation with a glance.

“Priest, we must capture this high ground today. If we succeed, I’ll grant you a three-day vacation.”

“Wasn’t it supposed to be a vacation anyway?”

“If we fail to capture the high ground, you’ll forfeit your vacation and push harder for the conquest, correct?”

“…That’s true.”

Hyea knew me all too well.

The objective of this operation was to capture the high ground we’ve been struggling with. It wasn’t particularly difficult, but the enemy’s deployment made it challenging.

‘This shouldn’t be that hard.’

I examined the terrain of the high ground displayed through the hologram. It seemed familiar, as if I’d seen it somewhere.

“Hyea, if we compare it to Earth, where was this place?”

“It’s Mount Baekdu. Centered around Cheonji Lake, water, earth, and fire attribute monsters gather. An S-rank monster, estimated by magical energy reactions, resides in Cheonji.”

“Indeed. A beast of Cheonji. It must be quite strong. How many personnel will we deploy on our side?”

“Considering the nerf from dimensional travel…Xiao Lin and Su Ri seem most appropriate.”

“Will their power be cut that much? Is it necessary to send both?”

“Because it’s an area where SS-rank monsters are nerfed down to A-rank. The energy around Mount Baekdu is especially strong. Unless we conduct purification operations beforehand…”

Our advisor, Tera, started giving suggestions but glanced at me.

“…By any chance?”

Purification operations.

An operation to burn away corrupted magical energy, which absolutely requires ‘one person.’ That person is currently recuperating from pollution incurred during the last purification operation. It wasn’t a situation to push them too hard.

“Denied. Deploy as weakened. If necessary, sending more personnel isn’t a bad idea.”

“Understood. I’ll assign Xiao Lin and Su Ri’s team.”

As soon as Hikari fiddled with the magical gear, holograms of Xiao Lin and Su Ri appeared in the lab.

Both were dressed in training black tank tops and spats, with Xiao Lin’s long gray hair tied neatly and Su Ri’s lion-like red hair flowing wildly. Both were drenched in sweat from personal training.

[Did you need us?]

[What’s going on?]

“Xiao Lin, first pick. Su Ri, second pick. Choose your subordinates.”

My direct order made Xiao Lin and Su Ri’s eyes sparkle.

[Are we the core of this battle?]

[I didn’t expect this. I thought you’d deploy Karna.]

“I didn’t want Karna to cause a volcanic eruption at Mount Baekdu. Plus, both of you were bored anyway. Just run a quick errand.”

Karna loves fighting just as much as Xiao Lin, and Su Ri can never stay still. Giving them leadership roles ensures the mission’s success.

[Let me shower quickly and prepare to ‘connect’.]

[Same here. When does the operation start?]

“10 o’clock. Prepare within 30 minutes. We’ll get ready here too.”

[What? Seriously? Only 30 minutes for a shower?! People have sex longer than 30 minutes but only 30 minutes for a shower?! No way! I’m soaking in bath salts-]

Sizzle.

Su Ri’s hologram disappeared. I didn’t interfere; Hyea had severed the connection and was tapping at some panels. Smiling faintly upon noticing my gaze, she spoke.

“If you’re not here by 10, I’ll replace the deputy leader.”

“…You smile but say scary things.”

“Of course, insulting the Priest is unforgivable. This leniency is already generous. Moreover, don’t we have a backup waiting in the five-minute standby group?”

“Who?”

“This body!”

As if summoned, the green-haired maid with cat ears appeared, setting down a tray full of drinks. Spreading her arms wide, pointing her index fingers at the sky, she resembled a certain champion.

“I’ve already heard everything! If Su Ri doesn’t go, this body will! Finally, it’s time for the legendary squad of the Blue Wind Sect to step out!”

“Su Ri will probably connect on time. And who says you’re a wolf pack? You’re crazy.”

“That’s a prejudice! Even if born as a wolf, if your heart is a cat, then you’re a cat! Just like how we spirits became human!”

The green-haired cat-eared maid, Kim Penril, proudly lifted her drink from the tray. The minty aroma filled the lab. She handed what seemed to be an energy drink packed with caffeine to Hikari.

“Oooh, mighty creator of machines! One who transformed spirits into humans, mocking even gods! How dare you cause trouble?”

“Thank you. I was feeling slightly tired.”

Hikari accepted the energy drink from Kim Penril with a sip. So did Hyea and I. Hyea took a rich coffee, while I got a strawberry latte filled with strawberries.

“Humans truly are wonderful. Restrictions I never knew during my spirit days are now enjoyable, to this extent.”

“She’s a homunculus though.”

“What difference does it make whether you’re artificial or not? As long as you eat, sleep, poop, and use tools, you’re human.”

Once a spirit, Kim Penril’s definition of humanity seemed skewed beyond repair yet oddly accurate from her perspective. Still, I had to refute her statement.

“My side doesn’t poop.”

“…Since yours converts food into magical energy, whereas Kim Penril…”

“Pooping can be fun too!”

“……Haa. Why endure such inconvenience…”

Hyea sighed, muttering under her breath. Though it was an embarrassing topic for young women to discuss in front of a man, I felt no shame having brought it up.

My goddess doesn’t produce waste. Isn’t that the true difference between humanity and homunculi?

“Kim Penril, why include such functionality? Surely not because you find it amusing?”

“Heavens no, even I have limits. The ultimate reason is…”

Kim Penril laughed wickedly, resembling a demon plotting mischief or a witch’s cat.

“For our Great Former Queen’s daily civet coffee!”

“……Ugh.”

Hyea recoiled in disgust, while Hikari silently chuckled. I sipped my strawberry latte in silent mourning for the former queen.

‘Sure is delicious.’

It tasted even better, reminding me of someone. If only I’d enjoyed it earlier knowing how tasty it was. Regretful that I didn’t indulge more before Earth strawberries went extinct, but other supplies exist, so no major issue.

“Then everyone, let’s hold the meeting while drinking. How are we capturing Mount Baekdu? Kim Penril, join us. If Su Ri is late, we’ll really pull her out and send you instead.”

“……You weren’t joking? I’m working part-time right now!”

“You have a younger sibling, don’t you?”

“Hmm…Even if they complain later for not taking me, it’s later! Then what do I need to do?”

Me, Hyea, Hikari, and Kim Penril—who came to deliver drinks but was suddenly drafted as a reserve member—conducted the final check on capturing Mount Baekdu. Time flew past the 30-minute mark, and at exactly 10 o’clock, I called the two.

“Are you both ready?”

[Of course.]

[…Damn.]

Xiao Lin and Su Ri were seated in ‘connection devices’ in different labs. Su Ri’s hair was still dripping wet, and she glared at me.

“Don’t swear. Hyea will pull you out if you curse once more.”

[……Shit!]

“Su Ri, you’re out.”

[Whyyyyy!!! That wasn’t cursing!!]

“Your eyes are saying ‘I knew it, you bastard.’ Have you forgotten? Who am I?”

Hyea coldly stared down Su Ri, who then dejectedly lowered her head. Seeing Su Ri, who graduated from Enha University ages ago but still acted like a wild calf, made me sigh.

“There should’ve been someone to nurture her…”

“……It’s unfortunate that such a person didn’t exist. But don’t worry, Priest. We’ll take good care of her.”

“……Is that so? Then I’ll leave it to you. Be kind to her.”

Her upbringing made her mouth rough, but her nature isn’t bad. Despite cursing and acting rashly, she’s still one of the heroines, not entirely malevolent.

If someone were there to treat her kindly—

Beep beep beep!

“Excuse me for a moment.”

A communication came in. I apologized to the others and quickly slipped out of the lab.

“Hem hem. Hmm.”

I cleared my throat and answered the magical gear’s call.

“…What’s the matter?”

[Do we only call each other when there’s an issue?]

“Ah, no. Wait. That’s not what I meant. I thought maybe there was an emergency.”

[There is an emergency.]

My heart sank hearing the holographic figure’s words. The blue-haired woman sitting in a rocking chair, cup steaming in hand, smiled gently at me.

‘[He] misses his dad and called. Isn’t that urgent, you?”

“…Yeah. It’s the most urgent thing in the world.”

I approached the woman and kissed her forehead. Though it’s just a hologram, my magical power will carry the sensation to her.

“Still, didn’t you miss seeing me, Cheongnyeon?”

“[He] too,” said the blue-haired woman, Cheongnyeon, puffing her cheeks in a huff.

“If it hadn’t been for your stubbornness, I would’ve been the one driving this morning. Did you know that?”

“That’s unacceptable.”

I stroked Cheongnyeon’s swollen belly with a stern expression. Even through the hologram, I could feel the life stirring within.

“Pregnant women shouldn’t be…”