Chapter 563

<Chapter 563> [Lily Side Story] Chang-yeom and Phoenix 017

After having my…uh, magic power stolen by Chang-yeom…

I waited for a call from Seok Harang. Though I managed to stop Chang-yeom’s rampage as her golden daughter, we still hadn’t addressed the root cause.

“Are there really no strawberries on Jeju Island?”

[Yes, I’m sorry, but there truly aren’t any. I’ve searched everywhere…]

“Ahhh…this is maddening.”

Without strawberries, I’ll get violated again. The blue bird hovering above my head was practically praying for strawberries not to exist, while I desperately needed to find some.

“Should I really fly all the way to America?”

[P, please don’t! I’ll swim across oceans if I must, but I’ll get you strawberries!]

“Much appreciated.”

Normally I wouldn’t make such a troublesome request, but this involves my chastity!

[I will personally ensure that strawberries reach you, Phoenix-sama!]

“Thank you.”

I ended the call, now expecting a hero returning from Busan.

“…Could it be that strawberries don’t actually exist here?”

[That would be hell.]

“Should I really fly to America for strawberries…?”

There’s another country nearby, but I can’t go there. There’s too much ill-will directed at me over there.

The strawberries might be laced with sleeping pills or aphrodisiacs!

Beeep.

[Uh, Phoenix-san.]

“Ah, Harang. You can drop the ‘-san’ part, you know.”

[…Phoenix. I heard you’re searching for strawberries.]

“Yes. I basically live off strawberries. Without them, thorns grow out of my body…”

[…Is it really that serious?]

“Just kidding, kidding! Is there something else you wanted to say?”

Seok Harang seemed to be reading my mood. Naturally, I don’t want her to do that, so I threw her a topic first.

“Because of the S-Rank Core? Or the strawberries? Honestly, if it’s neither of those things…Harang calling just to talk to me would always be welcome.”

[…Would you be disappointed if it were for another reason?]

“Come on, why would I be? Just seeing Harang’s face makes me happy.”

How could my mood not improve when talking to such a beautiful woman one-on-one? Seok Harang blushed and looked around nervously.

[Th, that kind of talk…]

‘Someone’s nearby.’

If anything, that gives me more opportunities.

“Why? It’s not like you need a reason to call me, right?”

[Th, that’s true but…]

“I hope Harang doesn’t feel burdened by me. If you ask, I’d do anything for Harang. Just say the word. Did you call because you wanted to see me in person? Where are you now? I’ll head to Busan.”

[H, hold on! I’ll tell you. Please calm down.]

“In person would be fine too…”

Throwing in a little disappointment. But pushing further with Seok Harang would be gender-neutral. She appears cold due to being ice-type, but she has quite a low boiling point.

[Uh…]

Who does she resemble? Probably both.

“Alright, I’m listening.”

[Phoenix…your request has been accepted.]

Before I could ask about strawberries, I held my tongue and responded.

“About the core, right? Congratulations, Harang.”

[Thank you. Everyone’s celebrating because Phoenix brought the S-Rank Core to Korea.]

“Ah, no! I gave it to Harang, not Korea.”

I deliberately raised my voice in mock anger.

“The core belongs to Harang. I’ll get angry if you say otherwise!”

I could see Seok Harang’s expression stiffen, more from the surrounding people’s reactions than from my words.

‘That’s clearly New Seoul calling.’

A familiar structure came into view. Though I usually see the 2025 facilities, the background behind Seok Harang was unmistakably the Hero Association building I’ve seen countless times.

In other words, I had openly differentiated between an individual and the nation while dealing with Seok Harang representing government officials. It wasn’t consideration for Seok Harang, but I couldn’t forgive those trying to exploit her.

“Will they try to tax the hero getting the core?”

[Mu, of course not! Officially, it’s decided that this S-Rank Core belongs to ‘Snow Princess’. There won’t be any transfer or donation involved. It’s…acquisition?]

“As long as Harang uses it well, I don’t care where. Honestly, it doesn’t matter how much tax they take, but there are too many tax thieves everywhere.”

The nearby tax thieves coughed audibly. I hid my expression and opened one of the magical gear screens toward the barrier side.

“You can come by boat, flying, or by plane. Harang can freeze the sea and walk over. That’s a space only Harang can enter.”

Only one species can enter Chang-yeom’s barrier.

Me, or Seok Harang.

To be honest, except for spirits, nobody else can enter.

‘They probably tested infiltrating from above, below, and sneaking in at night.’

All attempts failed, which is why they accepted my demands.

I know what they did at night.

Of course, barriers surround Mobidick top to bottom. Many likely tried entering from below, but all burned to death.

[Do you know how many underwater capable members of Villain Union Mobidick died from fire? Puhhuh.]

I don’t particularly feel guilty. Villains just happened to die while sneaking around.

“S-Rank Core, Harang can take it.”

[Y, yes…so…Phoenix likes strawberries, right?]

“Don’t have any to eat.”

It’s true.

[There will be a ferry going to Jeju Island. Uh…Yu-Sung specially prepared a cargo ship…]

“Where are you now?”

I spread my wings.

[Ph, Phoenix?]

“Please thank Mr. Yu-Sung! No, I’ll thank him myself!”

I’m leaving.

“I’m going to eat now!”

Strawberries.

* * *

Clunk.

Communication with Phoenix cut off. Seok Harang looked at everyone’s rigid expressions and felt unnecessarily apologetic.

“T, that…”

“We can’t deal with Yankees like that!”

Such harsh words were spoken officially, but no one cared to criticize them.

“Rude! We should immediately-”

“What exactly do you suggest we do immediately? This is convenient. Speak up.”

“…….”

Seating. Everyone sighed.

Phoenix’s arrogance was extremely rude and disrespectful to them, but no one could criticize it.

She might leave back to America if someone gets on her bad side. How could anyone dare to argue?

Moreover, unlike other S-Rankers, there was no restraining order against Phoenix.

“We shouldn’t provoke Phoenix. She may…”

Now everyone started watching Seok Harang’s mood. With the growing fear that even Seok Harang might leave along with Phoenix, no one dared to respond.

“T, then what do we do? Since Phoenix is flying towards Yu-Sung’s ship.”

“Does Phoenix not realize the unease among Jeju residents!”

“……Sigh.”

There’s no way to control Phoenix through any means. Confusion grows regarding the existence of an S-Rank hero who cannot be controlled by law, capital, patriotism, or hostages. Meanwhile, Seok Harang received a call.

[D, do you not know Yu-Sung…^^;;?]

“Uh…”

Seeing sweat in the emoticon made Seok Harang feel unnecessarily sweaty herself.

[What, how could you not know Yu-Sung???]

“Trouble…”

Someone’s honor was tarnished due to Phoenix’s actions.

* * *

“There it is.”

I landed on the deck of the ship heading towards Jeju Island. There was no one on the ship, only cargo.

[No one’s here.]

‘Just no humans.’

Human-shaped beings abound. After folding my wings and landing gently, I quickly scanned the surroundings.

[Ah, this lovely strawberry scent.]

The containers on the ship were filled with various strawberry products. With the entire cargo ship packed with strawberries, it felt strangely like a tribute meant just for me, making me feel a bit guilty.

How much trouble did they go through to gather these strawberries? They probably confiscated them not just from large supermarkets but also small fruit shops in alleys.

Honestly, where in this world is there someone who eats strawberries like meals? While she didn’t die from lack of strawberries in her previous life, her behavior could easily be described as a strawberry ghost.

[Not that strange term, but rather call me Strawberry Farm Owner.]

Indeed, Chang-yeom sent me to set up a strawberry farm in America using the money from core sales. Not only did we buy vast lands, but we also deployed A-Rank monsters around to protect the strawberry fields.

Naturally, we installed barriers to avoid radar detection and automated factories using monsters.

Strictly speaking, they aren’t exactly monsters, but-

“Excuse me, Lady Phoenix.”

From afar, she approached. The woman dressed in black office attire with blonde hair had breasts as big as…not me, but Chang-yeom.

[Wow. Garter belt, definitely knows how to look good.]

‘I acknowledge that, but those breasts are unfair.’

[So what if they’re unfair? Even a sex android can provide sufficient sensation.]

‘Sex android.’

Facing her sex android, I bowed my head.

“Hello, Mr. Yun Yuhwa.”

“…….”

First strike victory.

Unlike someone who hesitates and tests the waters, I dislike such behavior.