Chapter 197

〈 Chapter 197 〉 Part 1, Chapter 9, Section 31

The battle concluded far more smoothly than expected. Lee Seung-hyung wreaked havoc while the Three Factions provided backup, and various A-Rank Special Ability users hunted the Black Scorpions landing along the riverside.

Thankfully, there were no major incidents as I had feared. I anxiously hoped for nothing to happen, and fortunately, no serious problems arose.

Incidents such as Cheonja igniting Bright Flames to personally beat back the Black Scorpions and inspire the heroes, or Lee Seung-hyung teaming up with Cheonja to unleash twin flames that scorched the Black Scorpions, were all rather minor occurrences.

Park Ra-on, the Executioner. Despite sustaining injuries, they wiped out dozens of Black Scorpions and successfully eliminated no less than five SS-Rank Black Scorpions in collaboration with Usa and Pungbaek.

Executioner Baek Hee-a. Even though they unexpectedly found themselves at the front lines, they quickly reorganized the heroes to establish a formation and successfully dealt with the Black Scorpions.

Seok Harang, the Ice Princess. Standing atop a wall of ice overlooking the entire battlefield, she supported the heroes by firing icicles whenever they faced danger, ensuring none suffered severe injuries.

To me, whether other heroes got injured wasn’t particularly important. Watching video footage of the entire swarm of Black Scorpions being submerged into the lake brought me immense relief.

“Guess I worried for nothing.”

Surprisingly, there were no accidents. Alongside Deokbae and Gaeul, I ended up repeatedly watching recordings of their heroic exploits while enjoying late-night snacks.

Heroes destined to become villains.

Others who would simply remain villains.

There were familiar faces among them, and some yet unseen figures.

But for now, I could only directly interact with the ones who stood out, so I settled for documenting those visible individuals.

At 4:44 AM on June 15th.

After comparing what ten thousand Chinese heroes witnessed firsthand with Watch data, the core calculations for each country were finalized, marking the end of the Qinghai Lake battle.

* * *

<8:00 AM, June 15th, Association VIP Room>

“So, Miss Yun Yuhwa. How much did you earn?”

“Ho ho, don’t be surprised. A grand total of 21 S-Rank cores! And 107 A-Rank ones! There’s no need to mention the lower ranks since there were plenty.”

On-screen, Yun Yuhwa sipped his morning coffee casually. He seemed genuinely delighted by the vast number of cores Korean heroes had gathered.

“I’ll buy them all once they’re shipped to Korea. Some will go towards research, others processed and sold… Honestly, when I was assigned to this unexpected location, my heart sank.”

“Luckily, the Black Scorpions hit the Korean heroes’ position first.”

“That’s right. Who could’ve predicted they’d head straight for our poorly assigned defensive line? It turned out to be the best spot!”

“Even if it’s just a little, at least we managed to save face.”

The number of cores obtained by Korean special ability users wasn’t exactly impressive. Officially recorded, over five hundred S-Rank cores existed, but the executioners and heroes collectively managed to secure only twenty.

“It can’t be helped. With more people than Black Scorpions, that’s about all we could do. Still, considering we returned unharmed, it was quite a success.”

“Are you not disappointed? It seems different from what you planned.”

“What plan?”

“To be honest, I thought you’d kill them all yourself, gather the cores, and sell them to me.”

Yun Yuhwa expressed disappointment. Despite advocating for many special ability users to participate in the Black Scorpion extermination, he clearly regretted not obtaining the cores himself.

“But at least you got a Cube.”

“……Ah. About that…”

“Director! Can’t I study it? I’m curious!”

Next to Yun Yuhwa stood a black-haired girl with bright red eyes. Dark circles under her eyes suggested she’d been researching all night.

Himeji Hikari, the researcher heroine, showed great interest in the Cube.

“I never mentioned the Cube to Hikari, did I?”

“I did. …Though I didn’t expect her to show this level of obsession.”

“Director! Tell me who owns it! Xiao Lin’s weapons are intriguing too! Are they transparent or do they cause diffuse reflection like yours? What’s the principle? Teach me! Now! Di-rector!!”

I turned off the screen. Hikari would undoubtedly demand another call to discuss further, but discussing things with her would have to wait until after returning to Korea.

“Leave a message…”

I sent a text advising Hikari to handle herself, knowing I’d contact her later. Straightening my attire and checking my reflection in the mirror, I muttered,

“Cheon Gaeul really knows how to apply makeup well.”

Gently stroking the core tucked away in my pocket, I stepped out of the room. Outside waited two SS-Rank heroes, Seok Harang and Xiao Lin.

“You’re leaving already after not even three days, let alone three weeks?”

“That’s right.”

I signaled an approaching association staff member. Seok Harang nodded in understanding.

“Yes, yes. Since it’s formal, I’ll behave properly. If you wish, I can use honorifics. So, Beast Tamer, are you really returning home?”

“Of course.”

My leisurely travel plans were cut short. Though a locust resting in Horogwan was slightly bothersome, it wouldn’t move elsewhere if left alone, so it wasn’t a problem.

“Let’s return to Korea when we have time later.”

“Choeongnyeon!”

A young man’s voice echoed down the corridor. Running breathlessly toward us was Jucheok, also known as Bright Flame and Cheonja.

“Haa, haa.”

Dressed in a suit predominantly red, Cheonja’s hair had turned gray due to his special abilities.

“Why are you leaving so soon? At least stay for a day before going!”

“There aren’t any S-Rank monsters left to deal with. While I appreciate your hospitality, Cheonja-dong, I must politely decline.”

“Surely you must be exhausted. Why not rest for a few days before returning?”

“Cheonja-dong.”

I subtly released some magic power, slightly lifting the corners of my mouth. Cheonja swallowed nervously and took a step back.

“If ever S-Rank monsters run rampant again, please send an official request through the Korean Association. Although if there are remaining beasts here, I’d stay to finish the job. However, there are still numerous unruly S-Rank monsters worldwide.”

“That…!”

My logical rejection made Cheonja furrow his brows. Seeing him displeased, I couldn’t help but smirk, causing his expression to twist in frustration as his magic power wavered and his face reddened.

“Choeongnyeon!”

Thud.

Cheonja grabbed my hand with both of his.

“Shouldn’t I invite you again if monsters rise up?”

“…Yes, you may.”

I glared at Mo Taegyeong standing behind Cheonja.

“Ho ho.”

The Hidden Dragon within Mo Taegyeong gave me a meaningful smile and turned away. Beside him stood Baeg Cheongyoung, dressed in ceremonial robes signifying his role as Inspector General, who slightly bowed his head.

“I’ll ensure thorough investigations for any remaining monsters.”

“…Hmm.”

Yuwhangsook, standing opposite the Hidden Dragon, eyed them suspiciously. After my plane hijacking incident, Yuwhangsook switched allegiance to Cheonja, so earning his trust might take considerable time.

[If a monster appears, make sure it doesn’t cross my boundaries.]

[It’s annoying… Just fly over and catch it yourself.]

The Hidden Dragon scowled childishly. Seeing him pull such antics through Mo Taegyeong’s face made me feel nauseous. Xiao Lin beside him looked equally uneasy.

“A pity… We prepared a festival especially for you.”

“My body may leave, but my heart remains here enjoying the festivities. Apologies.”

“Hmm.”

Among all nations, China earned the most cores from the Black Scorpion party. As the creatures originally emerged from Chinese territory, the Black Scorpion extermination was a contest to see how many cores could be claimed from China’s share.

Korea ranked first, with no backlash against the outstanding performances of Hwakwon and Seoyea.

Truly, a triumphant return.

Through a deal with Baeg Cheongyoung, I successfully transferred the Earth Dragon core to Choeongnyeon, crediting both the Earth Dragon and Water Monkey cores entirely to her efforts.

“Hmm…”

Xiao Lin’s cheerful smile unnerved me.

[Hidden Dragon.]

[What?]

[Pass this on to Baeg Cheongyoung later. That… Don’t be too cruel; control yourself appropriately.]

[…Understood. I’ll handle it.]

Would the Hidden Dragon truly manage to rein in Baeg Cheongyoung? Given the possibility of Huangdi’s excessive loyalty not aligning with my intentions, I suddenly found myself trusting the Hidden Dragon.

[Then let’s endure for five and a half years. Once Seongju and the Otherworld Spirit are defeated, we’ll be fine.]

[Understood. …■.]

“What?”

I almost grabbed Mo Taegyeong’s collar. What exactly did the Hidden Dragon just say? I couldn’t hear what term he used to refer to me.

[Indeed. That’s right. Hmm. That’s what it was.]

The Hidden Dragon gave me a deeply meaningful look and smirked. I couldn’t comprehend what he meant.

[It feels like the target isn’t just Gaeul anymore; there’s another addition… Ho ho.]

“…Since when did the two of you grow so close?”

Xiao Lin frowned, interrupting my conversation with the Hidden Dragon. Though I wanted to continue talking, the Hidden Dragon coughed awkwardly and avoided my gaze.

“Then, Cheonja-dong. May I excuse myself to address issues concerning monsters stimulated near Qinghai?”

“Go ahead. Ah, then the farewell-”

“Would His Excellency personally see you off? Ho ho.”

The Hidden Dragon bowed respectfully and stepped back. Having stuck around like leeches, the Hidden Dragon silently left without a word.

“Then let’s go. Allow me to guide you.”

Cheonja hesitantly led the way. Impatient with the slow pace, I strode confidently down the corridor. Passing the conference hall, a familiar aircraft awaited on the field where the Black Flame Dragon was resurrected.

Clomp. Clomp.

Ahead, a short-haired girl wearing a white beret saluted us.

“I am Beast Tamer Choeongnyeon, Ice Princess Seok Harang, and Cloud Walker Xiao Lin. Nice to meet you. I am Captain Baek Hee-a of the <Baegnaroh>, here to escort you back to Korea.”

“…Nice to meet you.”

I briefly bowed to Baek Hee-a and boarded the aircraft without looking back.

“Eh, eh?”

“That’s… You shouldn’t board so suddenly-”

“I’m tired. I want to return to Seoul quickly.”

I shoved the obstructing Lee Seung-hyung against the wall. Murmurs followed, but I paid them no mind as I entered the cabin assigned to me.

“Hey, hey!”

Seok Harang hurriedly followed me, seemingly flustered by my brash behavior of ignoring Cheonja and giving cursory greetings.

“You’re being disrespectful! What if someone complains?”

“I want to return to Seoul quickly. No fancy ceremonies, please.”

“Ah, that guy really… I agree. Hehe.”

Seok Harang closed the door and sat down. I flopped onto the bed, and Xiao Lin phased through the wall as a spirit.

“Why are you closing the door?”

“You know how to sneak in anyway.”

“…….”

“…….”

‘I don’t know anymore.’

Whoever does whatever wherever is no longer my concern. Closing my eyes, I laid down on the bed. But sleep eluded me.

[What was the content of that earlier conversation between the two of you?]

[I’ll explain on the way.]

Seok Harang asked about the content of our conversation. I promised to explain later, though something unclear lingered in my mind.

‘…I’ll ask later.’

I checked the Cube, retrieved from the remains of a divine entity, which I entrusted to Cheon Gaeul and kept in my pocket.

‘I need to recover from being ripped off. Definitely.’

Blazing Phoenix made a promise.

Every time a spirit awakened, she would give me something. When freeing Seoyea’s Rusalka, Blazing Phoenix removed the restriction on my speech patterns.

‘Even after awakening the Hidden Dragon, I extracted a Cube from the Black Scorpions for her, but she disappeared without saying anything.’

The flight date with Chang-yeom flying from Xinjiang to Beijing ended with her fiercely punching my chest. Of course, revealing my true feelings too bluntly contributed to this, but initially, it was Chang-yeom who said she’d kill me if I lied.

‘So, I need to settle this quickly.’

Despite holding the Cube, Chang-yeom showed no intention of appearing. Thus, I needed to either discuss the Cube’s distribution with Yun Yuhwa and Hikari or find a new one soon.

“Are you asleep? Well, I’ll handle the aftermath.”

Xiao Lin phased back out through the wall. Seok Harang took advantage of the moment to lie next to me on the bed and poked my side.

“Explain it to me. What is it? What is it? What did you talk about with the Hidden Dragon?”

“Let me summarize it in one sentence.”

I grabbed Seok Harang’s finger and threw it toward the door.

“‘Na’ became ‘Ppeo’. Got it? I’m sleeping.”

“What nonsense is this, huh?!”

Shortly after.

The Core Engine roared with magic power as the aircraft ascended into the sky. With merely a few hours until reaching Korea, I fell into a deep slumber in my old “room” from the original work.

Is it the comfort of the place?

For the first time in a long while, I drifted into a deep sleep.