Chapter 175

〈Chapter 175〉Part 1, Chapter 9

There are way too many folks trying to stick their spoons into the feast I’ve prepared. Was it a mistake that Seok Harang too easily subdued Chaos?

“Man, everyone from dogs to cows is going nuts trying to take out S-Rank monsters. Really.”

Publicly, it was reported that Seok Harang drowned Chaos using Yangtze River water. This also served as an impressive display of the overwhelming power of an SS-Rank Special Ability user who could freely manipulate the vast waters of the Yangtze.

It seems this has led to the pervasive notion: “If SS-Rank can handle monsters so easily, surely S-Rank must be simple too.”

But what was the reality?

“It’s because it’s us that we managed to hold on…!”

I went in with brute force, raking injuries all over it, while Cheon Gaeul stabbed at its weak point and extracted the Illusory Dragon. Though Seok Harang did leverage the battlefield advantage, if we were strictly comparing contributions, it would have been ‘Cheon Gaeul >> Me >> Seok Harang.’ If neither me nor Seok Harang were SS-Rank, capturing Chaos might have turned into a day-long epic battle.

“Since SS-Rank monsters are taken down easily, people think S-Rank ones must be easy too…”

Monsters that transcend human limits might find them easy prey, but most S-Rank monsters are tough enough that you’d need a full raid team to defeat them. In fact, when we took down the snake at Seoul City Hall, it required deploying the entirety of Blue Wind Sect’s forces (excluding myself) to successfully conquer it.

Yet these clueless fools keep coming near my territory, making noise. Xiao Lin, who had been quietly meditating, approached us with a question.

“What’s wrong?”

“There are some troublemakers trying to cause a fuss.”

“It’s not just one spoon…”

Seok Harang grimaced at the information flooding her watch. I, too, was shocked by what appeared on my screen.

“Now I get why those usually stuck-up dignitaries suddenly started offering support and lowering their pride…”

Hero dispatch requests were pouring in through the association. And this wasn’t just happening in Korea.

“USA, Australia, South Africa, Germany…and now even the UK? How many countries are there offering to send their heroes?”

Countless requests for spoons were coming in.

For me.

Some offered to send S-Rank special ability users to assist, while others wanted to form a bodyguard unit with 100 B-Rank heroes. With China hosting grand welcomes for 20,000 ability users, nations began competing for my favor.

“This guy’s value in Blue Wind Sect is skyrocketing. Some countries are quoting prices in the billions. Offering 100 million immediately if I make their country my next visit? Pfft. They really seem desperate.”

“Hey, you…you’re not thinking of jumping ship, are you?”

Seok Harang’s voice trembled with unease. Sensing her worry, I patted her shoulder reassuringly.

“Don’t worry. All my bases are in Korea. Why would I leave?”

“That’s a relief…”

Seok Harang seemed concerned I might leave Korea before Seongju arrives in 2025, fearing I might operate overseas during that time.

She herself has no intention of leaving Busan, so I held her hand to calm her anxiety.

“I’ll be traveling abroad more often in the future, but mostly I’ll stay in Korea. Once things wrap up in China, I’ll head back home. Initially planned for three weeks, but it looks like it’ll take less than ten days. Let’s aim to finish everything within three days and return quickly, alright?”

“…That’d be good.”

Thanks to Xiao Lin reaching SS-Rank, taking down S-Rank monsters became much easier for me.

“So you should head back to Korea first. Go calm people down and prevent anyone foolishly sticking their spoons in from embarrassing themselves.”

“…How about just bringing Korean ability users along while hunting S-Rank monsters? That way, they’d gain experience.”

“Good idea, but I’m not really interested.”

“Why?”

I crossed out a specific man among the members volunteering through the association.

“I just don’t like this guy.”

“…Is it because of Sister Gaeul that you’re rejecting him?”

Seok Harang frowned, clearly thinking I was avoiding the S-Rank Hero Hwakwon due to jealousy.

“…Let’s go with that. But actually, let me explain?”

“What is it?”

“While coming down from New Seoul, this guy was hitting on me.”

“Got it. I’ll deal with him when I get back to Korea. If he tries to fly over, just turn his plane around, alright?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Seok Harang truly was a reliable spirit. I asked her to block any unnecessary interference from those trying to stick their spoons in, and she readily agreed.

“As soon as the banquet ends, I’ll move immediately. You should head back to Korea right away. Got it?”

“Understood. I’ll fly back immediately.”

“Alright then, let’s wrap things up quickly before those pests arrive with their spoons. Xiao Lin.”

“Yes.”

“Are you ready?”

“Of course.”

Xiao Lin demonstrated her enthusiasm by raising her magic power. Seeing her reach the divine realm of martial arts filled me with reassurance.

“Then I leave it to you, Xiao Lin.”

“Yes. Hehe.”

“…?”

The moment I heard that laugh, a sudden bad feeling washed over me. My scalp tingled, and an ominous premonition crept in. I grabbed Xiao Lin’s face.

“Do you have some sort of scheme?”

“Huh? No, no, nothing like that. There’s absolutely nothing.”

Xiao Lin visibly panicked. Her previously steady magic power began to waver, and both Seok Harang and I immediately sensed something off.

“Seok Harang.”

“Got it.”

In the blink of an eye, I transformed my hands into restraints while Seok Harang froze her from behind, subduing Xiao Lin. Knowing she had something to hide, Xiao Lin willingly accepted our restraint. Lowering my tone, I threatened her.

“What are you planning? Afraid of fighting or—”

“No, that’s not it. It’s just…”

Xiao Lin smiled shyly.

“Well…thinking about fighting naked in front of people makes me feel a bit…moist-”

“Eeeek?!”

Seok Harang recoiled in shock. I released my grip on Xiao Lin and stood up.

“Sigh. So that’s how it is. You…”

“…Does that mean I can do it?”

“I’m not your master, so I can’t force you. Do as you please.”

“…Thank you. Then please look forward to my dazzling performance!”

Xiao Lin gleefully showed her excitement. To prevent any potential stripping shows, I had to take minimal precautions. Even if Xiao Lin harbored lewd desires, I wouldn’t allow other men to see her naked.

“Still, you should at least wear underwear.”

“Hiiing…”

Xiao Lin made a sad face. I shoved some underwear made from condensed magic power toward her.

“No whining.”

“…”

“No exceptions.”

“…Grrr.”

Despite her usual poise, she puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction. If she were my monster, I could issue commands to enforce compliance, but Xiao Lin had become an unusual being following the pact with the Illusory Dragon. Since the contract is tied to the Illusory Dragon but she follows me, I still have the right to request basic decency.

“…At least cover the lower part, as a courtesy.”

“But I’m a monster! Hehe.”

“Hey, stop being rebellious!”

Ultimately, I forced her to comply with brute strength. Despite Xiao Lin screaming and resisting putting on the underwear, Seok Harang and I successfully restrained her.

“You! Give me the underwear! This lunatic’s trying to make me wear it!”

“What’s it to you? We’ll put it on first and see…”

“Madness! I’ll be the one to make her wear it!”

“I will never wear it!!”

Fortunately, I cast a barrier spell, ensuring no one outside could hear the commotion. In the cramped waiting room, an SS-Rank level three-way battle ensued.

I wasted an entire hour of precious rest time trying to make Xiao Lin wear underwear.

* * *

Meanwhile, as Phoenix was causing chaos wielding Xiao Lin’s underwear, high-ranking officials in the Chinese Central Party were gathered in an emergency meeting.

“Chairman. We must swiftly capture the monsters. Lingering unnecessarily may give other countries an excuse to intervene.”

“But won’t Miss Blue Wind return to her home country?”

“Set aside personal feelings for now. Our current priority is to suppress S-Rank monsters in this country and establish agreements to place them under our control.”

Clang. Yuhwangsook pointed to the flight route of the Black Flame Dragon arriving from Seoul.

“Even if the owner goes abroad, isn’t the S-Rank monster supposed to guard the region? Miss Blue Wind would have stayed guarding Seoul without harm, wouldn’t she?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Ho ho. Chairman.”

Mo Taegyeong finally spoke up. Emperor Shi and Yuhwangsook tensed, swallowing nervously, as Mo Taegyeong waved Miss Blue Wind’s profile lying on the table.

“Shouldn’t our first step be eliminating the S-Rank monsters of this land? Securing their cores to resurrect them as monsters or making them ours can come later.”

“…Director?”

Emperor Shi couldn’t believe it. From the mouth of Mo Taegyeong, who always used every opportunity to argue for turning special ability users into standing armies amidst monster rampages, came words unimaginable.

“What exactly are you thinking?”

“Ho ho, Yuhwangsook. Isn’t this more important now? What if rogue foreigners steal our resources?”

Mo Taegyeong referred to monsters as “resources.” Yuhwangsook turned pale, challenging him.

“You’re not suggesting using monsters as tools of war, are you?”

“And what if I am? I’m merely acting to prevent our land’s resources from being plundered.”

Mo Taegyeong revealed his true intentions for the first time, twisting his lips into a smirk.

“The ability to control monsters is quite appealing, isn’t it? But…ho ho.”

Mo Taegyeong sipped his tea with a smug smile.

“Wouldn’t there be more?”

“You…surely you didn’t kidnap Miss Blue Wind but rather tried to kill her?! Seriously?”

“Think whatever you want, Yuhwangsook. However, remember this well.”

Mo Taegyeong’s gray eyes flickered ominously as he emitted killing intent.

“Would we simply stand by and watch S-Rank monsters fall so easily into her hands?”

* * *

“Our master is working diligently.”

Bonghyo chuckled while checking his watch. The possessed Mo Taegyeong, by the Illusory Dragon, cleverly disrupted the state banquet according to Bonghyo’s plan, buying time. His behavior—laughing aimlessly or speaking entirely unlike the previous Mo Taegyeong—left everyone bewildered.

Naturally, the meeting couldn’t proceed smoothly amidst such confusion. While the Illusory Dragon effectively trolled by doing nothing, Bonghyo prepared to act, snapping his neck.

“Phoenix-sama will eventually have to appear publicly, so she cannot move directly yet, correct?”

“That’s right.”

The Black Scorpion monster folded his arms, his tail poised sharply. In exchange for Xiao Lin moving under Phoenix’s command, Phoenix traded the Black Scorpion monster and Bright Flame spirits to the Illusory Dragon Group.

Though absolute command over monsters lies with each elemental spirit, the monsters follow orders from the landlord of their leased location for various reasons.

Xiao Lin does so out of admiration and respect for a stronger warrior.

And the Black Scorpion monster – Emperor Shi – for the prosperity of China.

“Even though you’ve given me the immortal body, I can’t sit idly by watching you plunder this land’s treasures. Right?”

The Black Scorpion monster raised his magic power. The 500-plus Bright Flame spirits scattered across China erased their playful expressions, sharpening their claws.

“I can’t watch as this land is pillaged. Agree?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Bonghyo dramatically raised his feather fan. Pointing it skyward, he issued commands to his subordinates.

“We have no time. While Lord Illusory Dragon keeps Phoenix-sama tied up in Beijing, we must do our jobs.”

Bonghyo aimed his feather fan at the ground, indicating the sleeping S-Rank monster – Earth Dragon – beneath the sheer cliff.

“We cannot offer the core of an S-Rank monster to foreign spirits. Correct? Yes…that’s right.”

Bonghyo covered his mouth with the feather fan, chuckling softly.

“The first one to catch the monster gets to claim it.”

The Illusory Dragon Group leapt off the cliff. Their weapons targeted the monster slumbering beneath the Dongting Lake.

* * *

Phoenix was at ease.

Having awakened the Illusory Dragon and letting it suppress Mo Taegyeong, she thought she could simply focus on capturing the monsters.

– Use the cores of S-Rank monsters to create monster servants for me! Then I’ll delegate them to Bonghyo and enjoy life!

She never imagined the Illusory Dragon would stab her in the back.

And the one who subtly hinted at this strategy to the Illusory Dragon was none other than…

“Hehe.”

Bonghyo.