Chapter 229

〈 Chapter 229 〉Part 1, Chapter 10, Section 31

My 48th bout with Chang-yeom has ended.

I succeeded in destroying the two pistols Chang-yeom conjured, but as a result, I ended up submerged in the Han River and met my demise.

“So why do we have to take a bath together?”

“Because we worked up such a sweat! Isn’t it great~?”

“That’s true, but…”

Chang-yeom turned her head and smiled mischievously. The bath she manifested wasn’t just anywhere—it was the small attached bathroom of the Death Dinass ship’s captain’s quarters, a place where countless memories with various heroines had been made.

“You really are depraved.”

“What’re you talking about? Thinking about things while bathing makes *you* the pervert.”

Chang-yeom leaned her head on my shoulder and locked eyes with me. It was slightly cramped for two people in this narrow bathtub, but Chang-yeom solved the problem by sitting atop me like a sandwich.

“If that had happened, it would’ve been catastrophic.”

“100% erect, huh?”

“Exactly.”

Chang-yeom kept pressing her body against mine. Whether on the couch, during a park stroll, or even while bathing—she never ceased.

“It’s almost like real lovers, isn’t it?”

“I feel sorry for you, so I’m making sacrifices for your sake. Like nocturnal emissions… if only you could fight instead of indulging in them! Pfft.”

Chang-yeom swiped her hand over my groin from behind. According to her, spirits don’t have such things as penises—it’s a universal rule.

“It’s the same for me too.”

Chang-yeom grabbed my hand and placed it on her groin. Just like a mannequin, all she had was smooth skin without any notable features.

“A bit embarrassing, but remember, we can’t engage in such acts because this isn’t reality.”

“Why are you even telling me this?”

“I’m saying you better not try to suppress me using those dirty deeds within the spirit realm.”

“Is that so? Then let me ask one thing.”

Chang-yeom held both my hands and pulled them around her waist.

“Don’t you hate me?”

“Yes, I do. A lot.”

“Then why are you doing this? This feels like something only beneficial to you.”

“You need some outlet for your constant masturbation, right? I’m sacrificing myself here to keep you sane before you go after other spirits and drive yourself crazy. That’s why…”

Chang-yeom poked my chin with her finger.

“Right? Who knows what kind of fantasies someone might have, putting a legal core into a black dragon’s body or something.”

“…That hit close to home.”

“Which is why, as your landlord, I’ll handle these urges for you. Don’t get too depressed now.”

Chang-yeom whispered into my ear as she slightly lifted her body.

“Do you want to grope my chest?”

“Thank you.”

I was simply grateful. Slowly pulling my hands upward, I cupped her ample bosom through her petite frame.

“Hmph….”

Chang-yeom let out a moan and pressed her body against mine, as though receiving a massage.

“There are good moments about having a human body, aren’t there? At least you can feel all these sensations.”

“If you wish, call me anytime. I welcome this sort of thing 100%, too.”

“Pervert. Do you really want to do this with me?”

“Didn’t I choose to enter this world because I could be with you?”

“…Sigh.”

Chang-yeom tilted her head back and rested it on my shoulder.

“Well, I’ll admit your determination. You speak freely even when I’m right in front of you.”

“I only go straight ahead.”

I firmly grasped Chang-yeom’s breast. Even with one hand, it couldn’t fully encompass the fullness—a very pleasant experience indeed. Chang-yeom entrusted her body to my touch as if she were truly getting a massage.

“Yeah, yeah. Your words sound shiny and nice. I hope you keep them. If not…”

Chang-yeom gently pulled my hand away from her chest.

“In the future, incidents like this won’t happen again.”

“Noted.”

“Good answer. Oh, by the way…”

Chang-yeom flipped herself around to face me. Her beautiful, damp figure was laid bare before my eyes.

“You said Cheon Gaeul had the best figure, didn’t you? How does mine compare? No, among all the heroines, who ranks at the top?”

“You.”

“…No hesitation at all.”

I pulled Chang-yeom into an embrace, and she willingly reciprocated.

“Ah, good. I’m glad I decided to live.”

“This is NG. Invalid. Ah, no, it’s too stimulating.”

Chang-yeom’s face was flushed red. Her breasts pressed softly against my chest.

“This is invalid. Where did the person cracking sexual jokes go? Hmph, don’t worry. I have confidence in one thing alone—”

“Hey!”

Chang-yeom pointed her index finger at my chin. It looked exactly like she was about to fire a laser—

Bang!

My consciousness faded.

* * *

“I feel like I forgot something really important.”

“It wasn’t anything major. You were spouting nonsense again, so I erased your memory.”

Chang-yeom rolled a small orb in her hand. Her blushing face hinted that my mind, which I couldn’t recall, had done something inappropriate once more.

“Did I commit sexual harassment?”

“Yes.”

“…Sorry.”

I apologized sincerely, and surprisingly, Chang-yeom readily accepted it with a nod.

“I forgive you. It was beyond your control.”

“Did I pull off some lucky obscene act? I’m not some protagonist from a romantic comedy, you know.”

“You already played the harem game.”

“That cannot be denied. Ah, let me ask one thing.”

Snap!

Chang-yeom clapped her hands excitedly, her eyes sparkling.

“What is it that you’re so curious about?!”

“Ah, um, what happens if I meet that ‘protagonist’ guy? Would I fall for him or something? And you’re a heroine too, right? Haven’t you seen how you fell in love with the protagonist in your route?”

“……Are you thinking about someone else while being with me?”

“No. I’m worried you might steal my heart. First off, aren’t you a heroine? Haven’t you seen how you and the protagonist fell in love in your route?”

“……”

Chang-yeom stared at me for a long time before wrinkling her nose. For some reason, my response seemed to displease her, and I couldn’t understand why.

“No, why? I’m just curious. If I ever meet the protagonist, I might unknowingly fall for him or end up in some situation like that.”

“……You’ve already met plenty of them, yet you still say that.”

Chang-yeom stuck out her lips teasingly. From her words, I realized my assumptions about what was going on inside my head weren’t far off.

“Really. Those guys are the protagonists, aren’t they?”

“Yes. More accurately, they’re ‘potential protagonists.'”

Chang-yeom flicked flames to create four figurines. They were all too familiar faces to me.

“One is the original protagonist.”

“Lee Seung-hyeong, Baeg Cheongyoung, Sonja.”

Characters different from the original story, ones who never appeared in it. Each of them shared connections with the heroines, leaving me quite displeased and confirming my suspicions.

“Are these DLC protagonists?”

“Yes. They’re troublemakers trying to seduce the heroines years before the original protagonist arrives.”

Chang-yeom pointed her finger at me.

“In that sense, you’re no different! Pfft.”

“Old habits die hard, huh? Approaching women immediately upon meeting them—don’t you feel embarrassed knowing someone inside you is watching closely?”

“Can’t help it, can I? The heroines are just so overflowing with potential. Frankly speaking.”

I spread out my five fingers.

“Do you think it’s easy to find beings with SS Rank potential? And one of each attribute, no less.”

“Why do they have to be heroines specifically?”

Chang-yeom asked innocently.

“Why not look for talent elsewhere? Why are you fixated on heroines?”

“Is this your way of keeping an eye on the true heroines?”

“No. I just don’t understand why someone who values efficiency keeps entangling himself with women around him. Or…”

Chang-yeom grinned widely and mocked me.

“Is it because you feel like you’re getting cuckolded whenever the heroines get involved with other men?”

“…Can’t deny that. But honestly, shouldn’t you understand that?”

I pointed my thumb at myself and continued.

“There’s no one in this world who genuinely wishes their ex-girlfriends to find happiness with others.”

“Hope they find someone better than you and become happy?”

“That’s just pretending to be cool while secretly hoping they come back because I’ve improved.”

“Isn’t that an overly broad generalization?”

“Think whatever makes you happy.”

Continuing the conversation would only make both Chang-yeom and me uncomfortable, discussing this particular topic.

“Rather, if you had opened your heart to me, I wouldn’t have felt so conflicted. I could just focus on looking at you.”

“It sounds like you’re excusing your wavering heart because I didn’t accept you.”

“Just a temporary tantrum. Honestly…there’s no one else I’d talk to like this. And hiding doesn’t mean it hides easily.”

“Thanks for opening up so honestly. Trash.”

Now even Chang-yeom calls me trash. But there was no way to refute it.

“To save the world, I must conquer you, but then I realize how adorable you are, and despite my unrequited feelings, I can’t help but feel shaken whenever I see ex-girlfriends getting entangled with others. What do you think of someone like that?”

“An unredeemable piece of trash.”

“Yes. You.”

“There’s only one way to redeem that trash.”

“What is it?”

I approached Chang-yeom and grabbed her hand. She didn’t shake me off.

“For you to open your heart.”

“That’s just a means to save the world and reclaim your exes, isn’t it?”

“No. You’ve got it backwards.”

I earnestly declared my sincerity to Chang-yeom.

“I save the world to save you. Did you forget? There are many ways to save the world. But…”

I knelt on one knee and locked eyes with Chang-yeom.

“The world where you can survive is only one.

“True ending?”

“Yes.”

“…Ugh. I can’t believe this.”

Chang-yeom twisted her face, somewhere between laughter and tears.

“Am I not irritating you?”

“Irritating.”

“Do you not sometimes feel like killing me?”

“Occasionally.”

“Do you not sometimes think about giving up and moving on to another woman?”

“It would be lying to say no. But still, what can I do? Why do I neglect sleep and work tirelessly every day to awaken the spirits and collect cubes?”

Chang-yeom silently awaited my response. I steadied my voice and continued.

“It’s because I want you to stay in this world.”

“Sounds like a love confession till here.”

Chang-yeom took a step closer to me. She stepped on my foot, stood on tiptoe, and looked up at me.

“By the way, wouldn’t you also like to have sex with me?”

“…”

“And while saving the world, wouldn’t you also like to rescue all the heroines?”

“…”

“And maybe, since you’re saving everyone anyway, wouldn’t you also like to start a harem with 17 heroines including Chang-yeom?”

“No, not that far. Even if…”

“Then at least rescuing the heroines, right?”

“…”

Gotcha. Chang-yeom spread her wings and soared above, poking my forehead with her index finger as she mocked me.

“Alright. I’ll watch how much you struggle within yourself.”

The surroundings changed. It wasn’t the park, guest room, or penthouse anymore—it was Chang-yeom’s original domain: the temple.

“Then show me that resolve. With full strength.”

Chang-yeom ascended to the throne, picking up a staff offered by a golden eagle statue. The ceremonial weapon resembled the sun.

“…Where’s the gun?”

“That’s something I used when conquering America after coming to this world. Originally, this is my ‘true form.'”

“Huh.”

A hollow laugh escaped me.

“How much have you been hiding from me?”

“Women with secrets are naturally more charming. How about it? Am I more appealing now?”

“Regardless of what you say…”

The space shifted again. The background reverted to Yeouido Han River Park, the battlefield.

“This is our 49th battle. Are you ready, challenger?”

Chang-yeom planted her staff on the riverbank and smiled brightly. I clenched my fists and prepared myself.

“Will you give me multiple coins?”

“One coin. If you lose this fight, you’ll be trapped here forever. And…”

Chang-yeom shrugged nonchalantly.

“No matter what happens to the outside world, you’ll meet your end in my arms.”

“Guess I have no choice.”

I adjusted the magic power in my gauntlet and created a single weapon. Chang-yeom grinned widely upon seeing the weapons I held in both hands.

“Finally, you’ve started understanding me!”

“After observing 48 times, I’d be stupid not to learn.”

Clank.

“Copying the default protagonist fighting style doesn’t sit well with me.”

“He lived in America too, right? What can you do? Do you think you can survive in America without guns?”

“That’s limited to this world’s America, isn’t it?”

“Let’s say that. Now, let’s fight for real. If you win…it won’t end with just a kiss!”

Whoosh.

Three flames bloomed in the air.

Counting down, they disappeared one by one, and we gathered our magic powers, preparing to knock each other down.

“Apostle of the Sun, <Phoenix>.”

“…”

Before the last flame extinguished, I recited the name Chang-yeom gave me. Chang-yeom hesitated, smirked bitterly, and spoke.

“■…no, <Chang-yeom>. I’d like to call you that.”

Whoosh.

The final flame vanished. I raised the guns in both my hands.

“Then let’s go!”

“Ah, sorry. Did you mistake that for the countdown signaling the start of battle? Haha!”

Chang-yeom, shaking off the ominous aura, doubled over laughing.

“Ah, that was me activating my ability. Misunderstanding, huh? So cute. Hehe.”

“…Ability?”

“Yes. You know, like ‘skills’? Do you smell something burning somewhere?”

“…”

Not only could I not smell anything, but even with washed eyes, I couldn’t see a thing—

“Up.”

I looked up and was utterly astonished.

“Starting this early?”

“Using skills with long cooldowns from the beginning—I learned it from someone too~”

Chang-yeom tapped her staff on the ground twice and pointed to the sky.

“As I was saying earlier…”

A meteor enveloped in blue flames was descending from the heavens.

“Can’t you smell the world burning?”

It was too perfect to be a problem.