Chapter 560

〈 Episode 560 〉 [Lesbian Side Story] Chang-yeom and Phoenix 014

Pwooowww!

An alarm signaling the appearance of a massive monster rang out on the radar. A red dot that appeared in the middle of the Pacific Ocean was so dense and large it overshadowed all the others.

The monster’s size was ranked SS.

In fact, its size was comparable to that of a typical ancient dragon, enough to drive anyone insane from the moment it showed up.

When one ancient dragon appears, at least ten thousand casualties are expected.

Moreover, this wasn’t even a new monster—it was an old one that had previously shown up on the magical power radar.

“It’s the beast that sunk Okinawa.”

SS-Rank Sea Dragon, Second Form: Moby Dick.

A leviathan over several dozen meters long, it devastates entire areas by spewing massive amounts of water with its colossal body. It once erased Okinawa from the map by submerging the island.

Its ultimate skill? “Sea Water Blast.”

[Not oysters, right?]

‘It indiscriminately spews seawater, but it’s destructive enough to be considered bombardment-level.’

This monster possesses the ability to release vast quantities of seawater through the blowholes on its back, powered by immense magic energy.

And now, for some reason, it’s heading north from Okinawa—not toward the vast open Pacific or even Japan—but straight toward Busan!

[What are those crazy Japanese doing?!]

[Why aren’t they handling their own monsters?!]

[Is this a joke? There’s an SS-Rank monster heading north!]

Public outrage erupted. People were criticizing Japan for not dealing with the monster within its own territory, but naturally, there was only one response:

[We can’t control these monsters, what do you want us to do? wwww]

“That’s correct. That’s exactly what I’d say if I got hit.”

Monsters cannot be controlled. The only ones capable of controlling them are the Dark Legion, and this incident has no involvement from them.

Moby Dick simply caught the scent of delicious prey—a mix of strawberry and blueberry scents laced with concentrated magical power. He could tell that this power was something he could easily consume in one bite.

There’s only one way to lure Moby Dick.

‘Of course, bait works best.’

[Like the candy made from Phoenix and Seok Harang’s mingled tongues… ugh.]

‘Just stop saying weird things. It’s just magical power.’

I merely released a bit of my magical power and some of Seok Harang’s.

Kiikkk!!

Suddenly, monstrous birds began flying across the sky. Heroes stationed along the coastal defense lines rushed out to begin long-range attacks.

“The monsters are already starting to come ashore along the southern coast.”

All monsters inherently possess the instincts of wild animals. Especially marine creatures, which have highly developed survival instincts to escape larger predators—regardless of whether they’re mammals or birds.

Monsters are just monsters.

It’s not unusual for them to move toward land where humans reside to avoid SS-Rank monsters.

Uuuurrrrghh!!

Already, monsters resembling merfolk are crawling onto the shore like slow-moving divers.

“Busan is in this situation, but what about Jeju Island?”

[It’s screwed, right?]

“…”

Even an A-Rank monster causes damage throughout the greater Busan metropolitan area. If an A-Rank monster can cause that much destruction, what would happen if an SS-Rank monster reached Busan?

[Is Jeju Island doomed today? lol]

[Are you crazy to be laughing??]

[Mount Halla’s summit… lol…]

[Ahhh…]

The giant sea monster is akin to a typhoon. It’s safe to say its impact will affect the entire Korean Peninsula.

And whenever a typhoon hits the peninsula, Jeju Island always takes the first blow.

No matter how famous Jeju may be for its winds, no one wants to face a monster instead of a typhoon.

‘If we continue with the current regional defense strategy, Jeju Island will definitely fall.’

[Jeju doesn’t have any SS-Rank heroes.]

Jeju lies outside Seok Harang’s sphere of influence.

In fact, Tsushima Island benefits more from Seok Harang’s influence than Jeju does, which frequently suffers attacks from C-Rank to B-Rank monsters.

Although a few A-Rank heroes from Jeju form teams to defend the island in all directions, SS-Rank monsters are simply beyond their capabilities.

[Headquarters! We need backup! There are too many monsters!]

The heroes of Jeju urgently requested support. Even though Jeju is an island separated from the peninsula, it’s still a major city and region with a population of 400,000 people.

[Why didn’t you evacuate earlier if you knew this would happen?]

[Heroes, quickly lead the citizens to safety.]

[We’ll send boats.]

However, the reaction to the 400,000 residents remaining on the island was somewhat harsh.

[Are you planning to abandon Jeju?]

[If we focus on protecting Jeju, we might lose Busan.]

[Are the people of Jeju not human?]

[Evacuation warnings were issued long ago. They chose to stay despite knowing monsters are rampaging everywhere. They should’ve moved to New Seoul sooner.]

Click.

I cut off the communication line I’d been eavesdropping on among the heroes.

“Hatred abounds.”

This land, filled with malice and resentment, is also known as Hell Joseon.

Because it amplifies and emphasizes its negative aspects, it’s impossible not to feel disdain toward the state.

‘That’s why it’s such a great place for a hero to gain popularity.’

[The times demand heroes!]

A hero is needed to set the declining national fortune back on track.

For instance, someone capable of defeating the monsters landing on Jeju and taking down the SS-Rank monster crossing the Pacific Ocean!

“But not quite now.”

The location I desire for hunting Moby Dick isn’t Jeju Island. I’m guiding and waiting for the beast to reach its predetermined position.

By myself.

‘Did Seok Harang go to the Hero Association?’

[It’s probably awkward to ask for help after spending just one night together.]

‘Even without asking, she’ll likely interfere anyway.’

Moby Dick.

He will serve as the perfect beacon for my grand debut in Korea.

“Do whale oils really burn so easily?”

I flicked my fingers lightly, preparing to take flight.

“Before fighting, let’s confirm everything one last time…”

I carefully examined the magical gear radar again, then double-checked it.

“If they start claiming we should hunt in their waters because the monster originated from their land… well, they won’t dare ask for anything if we catch it inside our territorial waters.”

I waited patiently for Moby Dick to fully enter our nation’s maritime boundaries.

* * *

“Damn! Those bastards!!”

Seok Harang threw the magical pad she’d been holding.

“They said they’ll handle it if it crosses into their territory? And they don’t care about the one that came from their own land?!”

“Seo, Seolhua Princess! Please calm down…”

“What?!”

Seok Harang couldn’t contain her anger upon reading the message displayed on the pad.

“Just because we kill the monster in our waters, they claim they won’t ask for anything… nonsense! Once we defeat it, they’ll surely turn around and claim damages!”

Words carry nuances. Written language carries nuances too. No matter how polite and considerate the official statement may sound, neither Seok Harang nor anyone else is foolish enough to miss the real intent behind the words.

“You mean ‘Since it’s not our land, you guys deal with it yourselves,’ right…?”

Monsters are natural disasters.

If it comes to Korea, Korea must resolve it. That’s common sense.

We’d welcome an A-Rank monster with open arms, but for an SS-Rank monster, we’d wave goodbye with both hands.

“Damn it, regardless of catching it or not, this is—”

[Harang?]

“……?”

A familiar voice came through the magical gear. Seok Harang froze when she saw the number displayed.

“P-Phe, Phoenix?!”

“What?!”

“Did you just call me by name?!”

“So the rumors are true, huh?!”

“Hey!”

Seok Harang panicked at the voices around her and adjusted the magical gear. She quickly pulled out earphones and inserted them to ensure others wouldn’t hear the conversation.

“It’s a little inconvenient right now. I’ll call you back later—”

[Jeju Island is such a pretty place. I think building a house here would be nice.]

“…Huh?”

[V.]

A photo arrived on Seok Harang’s magical gear. It immediately appeared on the large emergency response screen at the Busan Hero Association.

[Peace.]

It wasn’t a picture. It was live-streaming coordinates. Though unnoticed initially, the heroes soon realized where Phoenix was.

“Mount Halla?!”

“What…what is this?!”

“How…?!”

[I’m flying. Can’t you see me on the satellite radar?]

At Phoenix’s words, the association hurriedly adjusted the radar.

“Woooww…”

There she was—Phoenix, spreading her azure flame wings, waving cheerfully toward the sky.

[Harang. Would you mind doing me a small favor?]

“Yes, yes!”

[Let’s count whatever I catch as your achievement, okay?]

“Wha…what?”

“Huh?!”

“……Kk-kk?”

“What are you talking about?!”

Seok Harang screamed furiously.

“You’re suggesting this counts as my accomplishment?!”

[If I catch it, eighty percent of the rewards will be taxed away.]

“……”

Everyone nodded in agreement. America’s villains fear taxes too, it seems. Indeed, this was a judgment worthy of an SS-Rank Hunter.

“But, that—”

[It’s fine. When you’re dating, you’re supposed to give everything away, right?]

“Y-you… d-dating?!”

Seok Harang trembled violently, grinding her teeth, while everyone in the emergency response team gawked in shock.

And they realized…

“…You’re worrying about taxes first?”

That Phoenix considers capturing Moby Dick a foregone conclusion.