Chapter 114

〈Chapter 114〉 Part 1, Chapter 6 (20)

The Oracle’s prophecies come through dreams. The possibilities of what may happen in the world are seen via ‘dreams’ as a medium, and upon waking, every single detail is recorded to predict great future dangers.

And those prophecies were always spot-on. Ever since inheriting this special ability from the previous Oracle, the prophecies had been 100% reliable.

Until two months ago.

“Is it this dream again?”

Oracle aimlessly walked through the ruins of a city. Step after step, but all around was nothing but a graveyard of concrete—no signs of life anywhere.

Cawww!

“Gah! You scared me!”

A random bird flapped its wings between buildings and flew off into the sky. Oracle calmed their racing heart and spat on the ground.

“These damn birds keep popping out of nowhere.”

A monstrous bird wreathed in blue flames. For about two months now, this pesky nuisance has been tormenting Oracle in their dreams.

Ever since the sudden appearance of the dimensional gate in Seoul and the death of Light Blade, whenever something unexpected happens that wasn’t foreseen in dreams, this monster bird would show up.

“What are you plotting now…?”

Oracle missed the previous Oracle. Astrology and dream interpretation were far too difficult for an ordinary American teenager.

“If only it wasn’t predicting the end of the world, I’d just shut up and live quietly.”

The previous Oracle—a fortune-telling woman—had given her final prophecy at the cost of her own life and passed on this special ability to the young boy.

December 25th, 2025. About five and a half years from now, on Christmas.

“‘A being from the stars will bring about the end of the world.’ …If it weren’t for being the Oracle, that’d sound like pure nonsense.”

Oracle frantically scratched their pink hair. There was no way to ask the deceased Oracle about this, so they had to figure out how these ‘dreams’ might manifest in reality.

Cawww!

Oracle froze at the sensation of something falling on their head. This feeling was definitely not imagined. They reached up and picked something off their head.

“Bird poop?!”

Oracle’s pupils dilated uncontrollably. Until now, the bird had only startled them, but this was the first time it had dared to mess with them like this. Oracle threw the green droppings to the ground and looked up.

“You little-”

Cawww! Cawww! Cawww!

Suddenly, the sky was filled with flocks of birds gliding overhead, and something began raining down from their tails like rain.

“Am I supposed to make a prophecy out of this?”

Oracle bit their tongue. There was no way they could survive getting hit by all that filth.

And just like that, Oracle died in the dream, ending the observation.

* * *

<5:13 AM, Over the Sea of Okhotsk, Oracle's Private Jet>

“AAH?!”

Oracle screamed themselves awake. Their more aggressive awakening startled Gawein, who was seated beside them in the co-pilot seat.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, uh… except I feel disgusting.”

Oracle’s crude language caused Gawein to frown disapprovingly.

“You should speak more politely. Since I inherited your father’s teachings-”

“Ah, seriously! The dream was weird! Suddenly, there were birds everywhere…”

Eeeeeeengggg! Before Gawein could lecture further, a monster alert blared. Signals were coming in from the Korean Peninsula all the way to Oracle’s private jet, indicating dozens, even hundreds, of monsters appearing on radar.

And these signals were coming from both the southern and northern ends of the peninsula.

“What, what is this?!”

“Busan, Dandong. Two places at once?”

[Leader! Things are calming down here! Ahh?! Parasites are crawling out of my arm!]

From Busan, Gale Guest, Himeji Hayate, was hacking away at parasites gnawing on their arm while screaming.

[Oh, crap! Mobydick’s inside me, and now worms are bursting out everywhere! It’ll take some time to kill them all!]

[What are you doing?! Hurry up and clean this mess you started!]

A white-haired woman zipped past Gale Guest, who swallowed hard but still slashed at another worm lunging toward them.

[Hey, why don’t you help… Damn it! Anyway, things here are done! Mobydick’s dead; we’re just cleaning up leftovers. Take your time coming!]

Gale Guest ended the call. After processing the chaotic messages, they quickly focused on the signal from China’s Dandong.

“B-class monsters numbering in the dozens, no, hundreds?!”

“But there are already A-class monsters swarming Busan! …Why are the satellites acting up again?”

Even satellite images of the night sky went dark. The concentration of magical energy near the Yalu River was so dense that it was hard to believe simple B-class monsters were spawning en masse. Gawein furrowed his brow.

“Could it be the S-class monster that emerged from Seoul?”

“What about it?”

“It appeared while you were observing. It’s like the legendary dragon Botigan-”

“If something that big showed up, you should’ve woken me immediately!”

“It just appeared five minutes ago…”

“Damn!”

Oracle cursed again and flipped through records. As Gawein had said, the Black Dragon spewed blue flames and flew northward. Oracle pointed at the map and the Black Dragon’s location, shaking their head.

“So you’re saying it flew this far already? That doesn’t make sense, either temporally or physically.”

“It seems to be unrelated events. The monster is already over Pyongyang, whereas the ones in Dandong appeared suddenly. Perhaps it’s some kind of ‘nest’ emerging.”

“What? Are you kidding me? How many unforeseen situations can pop up like this without any prophecy?”

Oracle angrily connected to Dandong’s satellite feed. Thankfully, unlike the dimension gate incidents, the video feed was clear, which only made them angrier.

Static. As the satellite swept over other regions, it captured the early morning sky over Dandong. Oracle clawed at their hair seeing the numerous monster signals emanating from what seemed to be a nest.

“Ah, this is insane.”

In the skies above Dandong, blue phoenixes soared. Each one emitted a B-class monster signal and attacked heroes indiscriminately. Oracle glanced at the clock.

“Why do prophetic dreams have to come true so fast?!”

At exactly 5:13 AM when Oracle’s observation ended, precisely two minutes later, a nest spawned in Dandong, and the birds took flight.

* * *

<At that moment, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport, Sakhalin Island>

The woman stood with arms crossed, repeatedly checking the analog wristwatch on her left hand. Unlike the smartwatch on her right, this old-school piece now read 5:15 AM.

“People sure know how to keep others waiting, huh?”

She tightened her coat. Given the urgency of the situation, she had hastily prepared in ten minutes and teleported from Moscow to Sakhalin, yet the plane meant to carry her hadn’t even arrived.

She tapped her smartwatch to contact Gawein. Luckily, he answered promptly.

“What’s going on, Leader? Is the private jet really coming this way?”

[I apologize, Undine. However, it seems Oracle and I must head to China.]

“Suddenly? Oh, because of Unjang?”

[Yes. It appears the situation isn’t normal. Oracle seems to have observed another world-ending event… Though I hesitate to share the details.]

Another world-ending prophecy? Seriously?

[Oracle has predicted the end of the world several times already. Fortunately, none have come true yet, but we can’t rule it out.]

“Got it. I’ll join you. Should I go to Busan first?”

[No, please head to China.]

Oracle appeared on screen with messy hair, looking frazzled.

[Busan will be cleared soon. Right now, there’s chaos in China due to a flock of birds.]

“Birds?”

Oracle sent related data. Upon seeing the flock of blue phoenixes, Undine spat out the vodka she was drinking.

“Huuhk, cough, WHAT IS THIS?! Why are they here?!”

[Exactly what I want to know. They just popped up out of nowhere. Not even in the prophecy.]

“…Not in your prophecy?”

Undine wiped the vodka dribbling from her lips. Her expression shifted rapidly as if deep in thought.

“…Alright. I’ll head to Busan first, then join you.”

[No, Busan is almost handled. Now China needs help.]

“Do I need permission to go to Busan? Do you know what Dad will do if he finds out I stepped outside the palace?”

[Yah! Don’t threaten people like that, you drunkard! Fu-]

[Aaaaah! Long live the Queen! Aaaah!]

As Oracle exploded with curses, Gawein awkwardly tried to cover his mouth. Meanwhile, the woman cut off the screen.

“This is already stressful enough.”

With that, Undine vanished from the airport.

* * *

<5:16 AM, Monster Nest at the Yalu River>

“Yellow Heaven has perished; Blue Heaven shall rise!”

I kicked a hero crossing the Yalu River back underwater while shouting loudly. Though I doubted they could hear me underwater, I still felt compelled to shout.

“Cough, hack!”

The man surfaced, spitting out water. But before long, a mini Phoenix perched atop his head pecked him, knocking him unconscious. The magic power in his body burned away from the flame dripping from the Phoenix’s beak.

“There! Monsters die, humans get knocked o… sorry, unconscious!”

– The core will be well consumed.

“Not that. Please bring the cores to the nest.”

Unlike using them as messengers or splitting spirits during the Seoul recovery operation, these mini Phoenixes could also serve as attack units.

Thanks to the Cube continuously producing them, their numbers had exceeded a hundred. Chinese hunters raised their guns to the sky against the unexpected falcon hunt, while the mini Phoenixes gracefully evaded attacks and hunted their prey.

Among those barely crossing the river were intercepted directly by me, Deokbae, and Phantom to prevent their crossing. We had already incapacitated 250 heroes.

It was suspicious whether all nearby border heroes had rushed out. Most were C or D class.

“Killing them endlessly never ends.”

“Hey, we’re not killing anyone, stop saying stuff that’ll confuse people.”

Phantom used a tentacle to pick up a core rolling on the ground. Near the core lay shattered rocks. I took the core from Phantom and infused it with magic power.

“Huff, huff!”

The core glowed, and Deokbae revived. Despite having given him a Spirit Stone, Deokbae had become a target for hunters and heroes while trying to cross the river to intercept them.

“Since there seem to be no more heroes attempting to cross, should we head across ourselves?”

Phantom gathered his tentacles, ready to jump. The wriggling sight reminded me of Moby Dick’s second form, sending shivers down my spine.

“Hey! Stop fooling around and fight!”

Having thrown Deokbae across the river, I grimaced recalling Anisakis while associating Phantom’s tentacles with them, then quickly explained before Phantom misunderstood.

Anisakis is a swarm-type monster where each individual counts as an A-class monster. Ultimately, they form a bonus stage offering massive experience points and cores. Tolerating a bit of disgust leads to tremendous growth potential. Of course, since this world isn’t a game, all you get are cores.

While discussing Phantom and Anisakis, I leaped across the river. Having already tossed Deokbae, I revived him, struck down heroes, and rendered them unconscious.

“Phantom! Make sure not to kill anyone!”

“I’m already doing that, okay?!”

Killing them would cause problems. Similar to the Seoul recovery operation, this battle came with the restriction of not harming the heroes attacking us.

“Move aside!”

One of Phantom’s tentacles thrashed violently, striking the ground. A dark gray fire erupted where the tentacle hit. Just as I punched a hero’s abdomen, the fiery surge sent me reeling.

“Whoa! When did you copy the Black Flame Dragon’s abilities?”

“Just before you turned it into a monster. Right now, I’m collecting A-class powers.”

“Good job. Hmm…”

I’ll have to ask Phantom later what other abilities he’s stored in his tentacles.

By now, all local Chinese heroes were subdued, and the mini Phoenixes lined up unconscious bodies by grabbing their collars. The sight resembled rows of corpses, far from pleasant.

I pressed my smartwatch to summon Lighthouse.

“Hey, Lighthouse, come out. First wave is successfully finished. Where are you now?”

[We’ve just passed Pyongyang. The Black Flame Dragon is flying at top speed.]

Without my support, the Black Flame Dragon can reach supersonic speeds, so it’ll arrive at our base—the ‘nest’—in about 15 minutes.

“Alright. Set up defenses as soon as you arrive. And remember, absolutely no killing?”

[Of course, sir. Later, during negotiations with the Round Table-]

“Obviously. You’ll handle that well. If we capture enough hostages, even the Round Table leader will fly over from England.”

[Sigh…]

Lighthouse’s sigh echoed clearly. With Heaven Castle and Architect moving openly, Lighthouse, representing the Blue Wind Sect organization, needed to play an important role. Negotiations with presidents, branch directors, and even the Hero Association president were ahead.

“Don’t worry. Knowing your enemy ensures victory, right? I know everything about the Round Table members now, so relax. Except for one person.”

“Who?”

Phantom leaned closer curiously. Both Phantom and Gaeul enjoyed hearing secrets about the world from me since gaining their special abilities. Since it wasn’t a major issue, I told them.

“A Russian noble-born hero who will die two years from now.”

“…Do you know everything about the future?”

“……I only know what I know. What I don’t, I truly don’t.”

While I knew everything about the original storyline—especially concerning the heroines—I didn’t have detailed knowledge about the past or foreign events. But I did know one thing.

“The Round Table member Penril wakes up to eat?”

Unimportant anyway. I didn’t even know their name, only that they briefly appeared as someone who had passed in the original timeline. No reason to care.

“Let’s focus on the people in front of us now.”

Transforming into my monster form, I pointed ahead and stood at the broken end of the bridge. Phantom and Deokbae backed away as if sensing something.

[Both of you protect the nest.]

“Okay.”

“Understood.”

They must have noticed too. The rumbling footsteps of a divine warrior approaching from the north shook the earth. Although the distant magical aura wasn’t as vast as Seok Harang’s, it was sharp like a finely honed blade, stinging my skin.

“Uh, could this be…?”

“Seems so.”

[They’re coming.]

With a thunderous gallop, a red-and-green-clad rider stopped at the opposite end of the bridge. A black-armored red unicorn beneath a green-robed hero.

Unjang (Cloud General), Xiao Lin (Little Forest).

After meeting for the first time upon arriving in this world, it’s been two months until we face each other like this.

“…”

Unjang says nothing. But the beard and long hair hanging below his mask tremble slightly.

[Why are you trembling?]

Is he afraid of encountering me in my monster form, or has he realized my true identity?

Either way, it doesn’t matter. I clenched my fist, drawing in magic power.

[Phoenix.]

“…”

Unjang loosened his grip on the reins. Fortunately, it seems my intentions got through; his trembling hands steadied.

“…Round Table hero, Unjang.”

No more words were necessary. The red horse pawed the ground, preparing to charge, and Unjang tightly gripped his spear, infusing it with magic to enhance his crescent blade.

Just as dawn broke over the Yalu River, a leaf drifted lazily down onto the water surface from somewhere unknown.

Three. I took a step forward.

Two. The red horse lowered its stance.

One. The crescent blade in Unjang’s hand gleamed with light.

The moment the leaf touched the water’s surface,

The monster and the hero simultaneously leapt off the bridge.

[Can you hear me? I have a question.]

When I get back, I’m going to triple-shot espresso that coffee straight into Seok Harang’s esophagus. Definitely.