Chapter 222

〈Chapter 222〉 Part 1, Chapter 10, Section 25

Once, I had a thought.

When the Chaos Dragon broke expectations and woke up earlier than anticipated to start wreaking havoc, I began to wonder if the other officers might have also started their activities much earlier—like way back before the year 2000, then went dormant again.

Just like how Rusalka met Heo Yoon-hwan at the end of 1999, these officers could’ve been active twenty years ago from the current year 2020.

But they had to go dormant…

And yet, my assumptions led me straight into the worst-case scenario. Now here I was, facing not one, not two, but *three* SS-Rank monstrosities in battle.

“Hmm, let’s start with introductions, shall we? Nice to meet you all. I am Blazing Phoenix.”

“Look at her! What’s with that weird greeting?”

Penril raised her tail high, baring sharp fangs that looked ready to tear out my throat any second now.

“Why should I introduce myself to some body-snatching witch? Hmph! But since we’ve met after such a long time, I’ll graciously allow you the honor of hearing my noble name.”

The raven-haired woman swept her long tresses aside with her hand, twirling her hair dramatically as she called out loud.

“Listen well, dullard! Bow before the regal name of the Empress of Darkness who rules over pitch-black shadows! Open your ears wide and worship! I am—”

“Maamryong Azidahaka!”

“YAAAAAAH!!”

Azidahaka shot a shadowy tendril at me, but I flicked my finger, lighting up the darkness surrounding me with a radiant blue glow.

“Annoying! This is so irritating! I’ll kill you!”

“I’m feeling the same way right now, so let’s move on.”

My gaze shifted toward a tall woman with golden-brown hair. Even in the dim light, her striking chestnut bob cut and deep amber eyes were glaring lazily at me.

“…You’re really not her, are you? Alright, if you want an introduction so badly, you’ll get it. My name is—”

“Ji Ryun Hydra.”

“…Azidahaka? Why are you introducing me?”

Hydra glared daggers at Azidahaka, but the latter just blew a raspberry without even acknowledging her.

“Hmph. Since the intro was ruined anyway, whatever.”

“Are you already fighting amongst yourselves?”

I twisted my lips into a mocking smirk as I looked at the three of them.

“You call yourselves officers, yet every single one of you seems to be missing a screw or two.”

“Dear me, can you really afford to act so smug?”

Hydra tapped her boots against the ground lightly. Sharp thorns erupted from the dirt floor, rushing toward me. With ease, I incinerated each spike aimed at my direction.

“I can act smug because I have the leisure to do so.”

“Tch, arrogant. Is this really fake or what? Your actions don’t seem all that different.”

“Ask me to explain yourself first, why don’t you?”

“Then you’re definitely a knockoff. Hey, imposter! Hand over the body and scram!”

Azidahaka mimed slicing her neck with her hand, threatening me. While I found it absurd, I raised my hand to signal for patience since there was something I wanted clarified.

“What’s the rush? This battlefield is your collaborative work anyway. We’re surrounded by enemies either way. Let’s finish our conversation first.”

“…She really isn’t her, huh? The fact that you’re trying to initiate dialogue proves it.”

What exactly has Chang-yeom done to these officers and spirits? A sigh escaped me involuntarily, but I suppressed it and held up three fingers.

“I’ll ask exactly three questions.”

“Fine. Since there are three of us, we’ll oblige.”

“Hey! Why should we? Rip her head off already!”

Azidahaka swirled dark magical energy around her body while growling menacingly. Her overwhelming killing intent made it clear that she was seconds away from severing my head from my body.

“Are you not curious, Azidahaka? How did the spirit manage to possess Phoenix’s body?”

“…”

The spiritual energy flowing through me belongs to Chang-yeom herself, but they lack the ability to distinguish between the two.

“First question: Where is Gaechonkwang?”

“…”

The first question left them speechless. Seeing Azidahaka furrow her brow immediately revealed the reason.

“Oh, so you’re not on their side? Hmph.”

“Not so fast. That lady is busy doing something else,” Penril replied curtly.

“I’ll make sure to tell her about that insult later.”

Without a doubt, she must be on a pilgrimage seeking stronger opponents. Thus, Gaechonkwang isn’t currently an enemy, meaning I only need to deal with these three in front of me.

“Next question.”

“At least answer ours first, won’t you?”

“How did you figure out ‘he’ wasn’t real?”

This question was directed at Penril. We had briefly exchanged words earlier, but my intention was clearly related to the “Prophecy” mentioned by Penril.

“Explain the prophecy, will you?”

“It’s nothing special. You basically came to warn each of us one by one before falling asleep. You warned us that when we wake up, we might no longer be ourselves.”

“…Tch.”

Though I don’t fully understand, one suspicion stands confirmed. I resolved to interrogate Chang-yeom further regarding this later and proceeded to pose my final question.

“And finally…”

I extended and retracted my three fingers with a bright smile.

“Do you three think you can defeat me?”

“Is that arrogance influenced by the Phoenix’s power?”

“That’s what I thought too… but asking for help is out of the question, so this must indeed be a fake.”

“Whatever. Real or fake, shut up and die. Let’s take care of it after we kill her.”

The trio prepared for battle. Hydra manipulated the earth beneath my feet, Penril summoned gales around her body preparing to charge, and Azidahaka concealed herself within the shadows.

“Alright, looks like we’re going to fight as officers. Fine by me.”

I stepped forward, assuming a fighting stance reminiscent of a martial artist. The sight startled the three officers.

“What? Are you planning to duke it out with fists?”

“Yes. As officers, let me show you why Phoenix holds the position of leader and coordinator among us.”

With a sly grin, I scanned the trio.

“Why Phoenix ranks highest among the officers will become crystal clear.”

For one simple reason:

“I’m pretty strong, aren’t I?”

Ah.

Not just a bit.

Extremely strong.

—

Since arriving in this world, I’ve had an intuitive grasp of my own limits.

As a humanoid, I rank at S+ level, hitting 95.

In monster form, I reach SS+, capping at 99.

While I could unleash chaos worthy of an ultimate boss from the start, I haven’t used my full power even once until now.

Against Seok Harang, who was hard-countered by my attributes, I achieved an overwhelming victory back when he was merely S-Rank, and we’ve since formed a relationship.

Against Gwanggeom, whose ultimate skills posed a challenge, I crushed his spirit to secure victory. Although I exerted some effort during the process, I never truly unleashed my full potential.

Neither Zilfonguest nor the Chaos Dragon, nor Xiao Lin, nor any other monsters I faced thus far received the full brunt of the power possessed by “Blazing Phoenix.” Instead, I relied on the strength I cultivated as the original protagonist.

Fire Fist (Hwakwon).

Not the imitation wielded by someone like Lee Seung-hyeong, but the genuine martial art used by the true great hero who sacrificed himself to stop the Nuclearian threat in Pyongyang.

However, the foes before me now aren’t worthy opponents for such martial arts.

These are beings who manipulate wind, control the earth, and ambush from the shadows using superpowers.

Therefore, I’ve decided to genuinely unleash my true power.

Let me clarify one thing.

Blazing Phoenix is the strongest pyromancer in the entire world.

Not a martial artist.

—

The air grows stiflingly hot. The parched earth cracks and crumbles into dust. The dense darkness gradually retreats under the encroachment of azure light.

“KYAAAAAAAHHH!!!”

Penril roared as she unleashed a powerful gust. Whirlwinds surged in every direction, their edges sharp enough to shred anything they touched.

“The sky is free!”

I propelled myself upward with a kick from my stationary position. The four streams of blade-like winds collided where I had stood moments ago.

“Gotcha, kitty!”

Penril stretched out her hand, pointing upward. The gathered winds formed an ascending current aimed directly at me.

“Hmm.”

I ascended faster than the rising winds, aiming to break through the barrier and escape. Unfortunately, the dark lake devoid of sunlight remains entirely within Azidahaka’s domain.

“HOHOHOHO!”

A shrill laugh pierced my ears. Azidahaka emerged from the shadows, swinging her sharp claws at me.

WHOOSH!

I swung my veil, driving Azidahaka away. However, she vanished from in front of me, reappearing behind.

“Die!”

Thud. Azidahaka’s claws pierced my back. Though seemingly triumphant, she appeared perplexed.

“Of course I let you hit me.”

I grabbed her face, infusing my hands with magic power to ignite flames.

“AGGGHHHHH!!!”

Azidahaka screamed as her face caught fire, retreating back into the shadows.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Wh-what?!”

I seized her long black hair. Before disappearing completely into the darkness, I infused her scalp with fiery energy.

“Do you think you can win just because it’s dark?”

“LET GO, YOU CRAZY BITCH!!”

“Who are you calling crazy?”

Azidahaka struggled fiercely as another gust of wind swept past. Indeed, this whirlwind was significantly more potent than the previous ones.

“Sharp!”

“EIIIIEEEEK!!”

Using her claws, Azidahaka attempted to break free from my grip. Despite my magical defense, she managed to pierce through and sink her nails into my wrist. Blood splattered onto her face.

“So this is why fools who don’t know how to fight are annoying.”

“W-what?”

Azidahaka glared provocatively at me but realized she needed to escape first. Meanwhile, Penril’s blades of wind bombarded me from all sides.

SWISH! SWISH!

The wind blades shredded my clothes, leaving shallow cuts across my body. However, before the rising wind could sever my wrist, I tightened my grip and yanked her forcefully.

SNAP.

Azidahaka stared at me in disbelief. Even though she could have escaped into the shadows, she froze, utterly baffled.

“Blame Penril for that.”

I incinerated the strand of Azidahaka’s hair clutched in my hand with flames. As Penril hesitated, a hint of fear crossed Azidahaka’s face. At that moment, the earth serpents conjured by Ji Ryun Hydra coiled around my ankles from above.

“Die already!”

With a venomous shout, Ji Ryun pulled me down to the ground. Though I tried to defy gravity and ascend, Penril and Azidahaka blocked my path from both sides.

“Die, just die already, you wicked witch!”

“If you keep cursing, I might get angry.”

“Who’s in any position to be angry?”

Azidahaka, wary of being captured again despite her rage, began to maintain distance, attacking from afar. Dense clouds of darkness enveloped my right wing.

“Typical Mint Chocolate behavior, burning things unnecessarily.”

“It was your wind blades that did the cutting.”

“That’s precisely why it’s considered cruel!”

Penril’s whirlwind sliced through my left wing. Both of my flaming wings were gradually worn down by their attacks, and I was dragged helplessly back to the ground.

“I was considering balding you.”

“Your mouth doesn’t stop, does it? Time to rip it apart and teach you some manners!”

Ji Ryun manipulated mud soaked with river water like snakes, binding my limbs tightly.

“Making this difficult, aren’t you?”

“I’ll kill you. I’ll obliterate you. No, I’ll make you my carpet for eternity so you can’t even die properly!”

Azidahaka, now sporting a short haircut, unleashed her fury with reptilian slit eyes. Ji Ryun didn’t bother restraining her, instead tightening her grip and inching closer.

“Feel like calming down now?”

“Haa.”

I couldn’t suppress the sigh escaping my lips. Whatever they interpreted my sigh to mean, one thing was certain.

“You’re useless, Azidahaka.”

“Y-youuuu!!!”

“If Gaecheonkwang were here, this would’ve been dangerous.”

“…!! Penril!”

Ji Ryun understood the implication and extended her hand. Penril, aiming to slice through me along with the bindings, thrust her hand downward.

SWISH!

My right arm was severed. A fountain of crimson blood erupted from the dirt.

“What?”

“Showing off—”

Click.

The severed right hand flicked its fingers. Simultaneously, I released the unstable magical energy accumulated in my right arm.

“The human body ultimately acts as a conductor for magical power.”

“What nonsense is this…!”

“I expected Azidahaka to try cutting my hair in anger, but this works too.”

My right arm began bubbling violently. Smiling at the trio, I gestured with my twitching arm.

“Don’t you know? Ultimate moves always come first in greetings.”

A massive burst of light erupted from the unstable right arm.

Eventually…

“BOOM! Hmph.”

Right in the middle of the Caspian Sea.

An atomic bomb detonated on the island created by Ji Ryun.

□□□□□□□□□!!!