Chapter 710

〈 Chapter 710 〉 Part 2, Chapter 5, 04

Our movements have surely reached the ears of the UK Association by now. They must know I’m a Commander, but I don’t particularly plan to hide my identity.

But they will be confused.

They’ll rack their brains trying to figure out the true nature of Penris Park standing before me—this “impossible being.”

“Why are you doing that?”

“You were sneakily eyeing my shortcake with your fork.”

I swatted away her fork that was stealthily stealing from my cake.

While I was distracted for a moment, she had been quietly using her mint chocolate-covered fork to stealthily target my shortcake.

I can forgive burying it in mint, but stealing strawberries is unforgivable.

“Eat your own.”

“Weren’t these bought to share?”

“This is mine. You’ve already eaten more than half of what we supposedly bought to share!”

“Such stinginess…”

“I have every right to be stingy when it comes to strawberries.”

Park Penril muttered something under her breath and then proceeded to devour her portion of the mint chocolate cake.

Just like how in a set of fried rice noodles and sweet-and-sour pork, the sweet-and-sour pork disappears first, the food we ordered together was rapidly dwindling thanks to Park Penril.

The strawberry shortcake I chose.

The mint chocolate cake Park Penril selected.

And the one we both picked together: the “Strawberry Mint Chocolate Pie,” a solid manifestation of malice towards British cuisine.

This experimental pie, baked perfectly, mixed strawberry cream with mint chocolate, creating an indescribable flavor.

While Park Penril seemed to enjoy it, to me, it tasted no better or worse than strawberry-flavored toothpaste.

‘This isn’t food meant for humans.’

What would people think of this monstrosity, a physical embodiment of Britain’s culinary nightmares? At the very least, any normal human wouldn’t consider eating it.

Fortunately—or not—Park Penril isn’t human. She’s a strange hybrid who can savor even the most bizarre concoctions.

Possessing a human body but with the spirit of a cat yokai, food poses no problem for her.

Who would ever imagine eating a trinity cake combining mint chocolate and strawberries?

‘The one who eats such abominations is themselves a monster.’

And yet, the Hero Association is tirelessly digging into Park Penril’s background but finds themselves baffled by her diet that defies all human rationality.

How could someone who dominates British dessert shops with only mint chocolate remain so elusive?

Why does she evade detection by ‘magic power sensors,’ show up as non-existent in passport checks, and vanish instantly with me whenever the association sends someone to investigate?

“So, where are we going next?”

“We’ve tried everything around here, so it’s time to head back to the hotel.”

We’ve pulled enough aggro.

Though I called it a date, my presence as a presumed Commander in the UK has been broadcast far and wide—it’s all part of the grand plan.

Certainly, less than ten percent of my intent is about increasing Park Penril’s affection while exploring London’s strawberry desserts.

“The government, heroes, and associations will all notice the Commander’s visit to the UK, so there will definitely be trouble.”

The government and the association will want to protect the Commander.

Heroes and hunters will seek the Commander’s magic power.

Monsters and villains will attempt to kidnap the Commander to monopolize their strength.

And Dark Legion officers will aim to kill the Commander.

“Kim Penril initially came to kill me, right? If others realize the Commander is here, they’ll likely send spies or agents.”

“So you deliberately drew attention from Dark Legion officers?”

“That’s the goal of this trip.”

By staying abroad, we redirect the attention of certain overseas officers back to Korea. This ensures at least two individuals, who previously paid no attention to Korea, now focus on it.

Maamryong Azidahaka.

Ji Ryun’s Hydra.

Leaders establishing bases across Europe, Africa, and West Asia will, upon discovering the Commander’s return to Korea, devise plans to send subordinates there.

In short, the main objective of this UK trip is to draw the “Heroine’s Aggro.”

Absolutely not because I wanted to go on a date with Park Penril!

“Look. Our movements are being watched and recorded everywhere.”

“…Wow, there are so many perverts out there.”

With dozens of people secretly surveilling us and spreading our images, I grabbed the packaged dessert and took Park Penril’s hand.

“Let’s go where we need to.”

“Where?”

“Since we’re in the UK, we should do some sightseeing.”

Even though the gate opens in Manchester, it’d be a shame not to take something away from this rare visit.

“Let’s make it quick without anyone noticing. Please, Penris Park.”

“Hehe, then allow me.”

Park Penril smiled coyly, wrapped her arm around my waist, and lightly pushed off the ground.

Swish!

Leaping over 100 meters in an instant, thanks to Park Penril, those spying on us were thrown into confusion.

“Still no one noticed, huh?”

When an SS+ ranked ability user hides their presence through wind manipulation, no one catches on. Park Penril landed gracefully at my designated spot.

On top of Big Ben.

For me, this place brought various emotions, but for Park Penril, it was just another high point.

“Penril.”

“What is it, kitty?”

Perhaps feeling relieved to be out of prying eyes, Penril’s tone quickly relaxed.

“If someone burns mint chocolate here, will they fly over from the other side of the world?”

“They’d run through space from the moon if they had to, kitty.”

Of course, burning mint chocolate triggers Penril’s aggro, but it also draws attention from others.

“Park Penril, there’s something I need you to do.”

“Just tell me. Anything but burning mint chocolate, and I’ll do it, kitty.”

Muttering softly…

Since coming to London, I openly declared my intentions. After staring at me for a long while, Penril sighed and laughed helplessly.

“Are you serious, kitty?”

“Absolutely. No second thoughts.”

“You might get yourself into serious danger, kitty.”

“As long as you play your part well, no one will find out, and we’ll resolve this smoothly.”

Everything depends on Park Penril. Even if Jeolpung wasn’t involved, Officer Penril would never fail this perfect strategy.

“So…”

I pointed to the sky.

“Can you gather some cores for me?”

“…If anything happens, I’m not responsible, kitty.”

With no choice, Park Penril left Big Ben.

* * *

“The Commander missing?! What ridiculous nonsense is this?!”

“Penward, please calm down.”

“Calm down?! Do you think this is a situation to stay calm!!”

Members of the royal family began interrogating officials furiously over the disappearance of the Commander right in the heart of London. The issue was too sensitive; if anything happened to the Commander, the UK would be held accountable.

Even if bodyguards were present, the UK would still bear responsibility.

“Calm yourselves, everyone.”

A commanding voice silenced the room as a blonde woman stood up. With a cold and dignified face, she spoke haughtily.

“Have we confirmed all information about the woman who entered with him, Penris Park?”

“Yes. She’s unregistered. Neither the association, organizations, nor the Round Table has any record of this special ability user. She might be the Commander’s personal guard.”

Still, opinions varied wildly about who Penris Park truly was.

What exactly were their intentions?

Could it really be just to sample all the desserts?

“Check again on the person named Penris Park in the passport. Look for any aliases in the association or international hunter guilds. Judging from the surname ‘Park,’ she’s clearly Korean or of Korean descent.”

Everyone began listening intently to the woman’s words.

“Given that she doesn’t trigger S-rank detectors, she’s undoubtedly SS-rank or higher. But how could we not know about such an existence? There’s only one explanation.”

“The legendary secret weapon of the Commander…!”

“Yes. It seems he revealed it during this trip to the UK. What does that mean?”

The woman smirked.

“He intends to use this trip to the UK as Penris Park’s debut stage.”

“Hmph, how can we treat national calamities so casually…?”

“It’s a good thing. He’s still coming personally to solve issues.”

At the woman’s words, everyone fell silent. Her predictions were rarely wrong and provided great assistance in state affairs, akin to the powers of a prophet.

“Damn it…with so many people targeting the Commander, how can he wander around with just one person-”

Before Penward could finish his muttering—

BEEP BEEP!

An alarm began blaring. The royal radar, far superior to any other detector, started emitting warning sounds indiscriminately.

“What, what is it?!”

“……!!”

“Pattern: Green!”

The bureaucrats’ faces turned pale.

“A monster!”