Chapter 256

〈 Chapter 256 〉 Part 1, Chapter 12, Section 2

The private jet of Yu-Sung, carrying the Hero, a former Villain, and six male Special Ability users, soared through the heavens.

The out-of-this-world broadcast titled <Seoul Mayor's Business Trip to Russia> became an issue that kept the entire nation awake, showing all sorts of ridiculous situations on non-commercial channels that people wouldn’t have otherwise seen.

Russia’s authorities were left flabbergasted at the unexpected visit of one S Rank member and four A Ranks—five in total including the cameraman.

The time from submitting the entry application to taking off was less than half a day. If Baek Hee-a hadn’t used Chief Administrator Yu Yinghuo’s influence, the plane might have just circled over the Korean Peninsula waiting for permission to land right after departing from Yeongjong Island.

“So, we’re sneaking in then?”

I briefly explained the plan to the girl sitting in front of me. The gray-clad Maiden still had her eyes closed, seemingly upset.

“Are you listening? You’re not sleeping, are you?”

“Stop being formal with me. Thinking about someone makes me mad.”

Illusory Dragon growled sharply at me. It was true; formality was Chang-yeom’s trait, and Illusory Dragon was quite irritated by my imitation.

“…So, like this?”

After rejecting Illusory Dragon’s confession, I spoke casually, which made them want me to drop formalities again. Since Illusory Dragon knew everything about me, there was no need to keep up Chang-yeom’s image unnecessarily.

“Yeah. Rather hear it this way. Hate your voice though.”

“…I can change my voice.”

When an unexpectedly raspy voice came out of Chang-yeom’s body, Illusory Dragon suddenly hugged me tightly.

“Let’s make a deal.”

“What is it?”

“Just follow what I say: ‘Even if the world ends, I will protect you.'”

“…You’re making me feel so embarrassed.”

How could I possibly recite the protagonist’s lines from the bonus content? The worst part was that my current voice was exactly the original protagonist’s. My real voice could only be heard by Chang-yeom, who insisted that I could only use hers or the protagonist’s.

“No.”

But I refused. Even if I had to rely on Illusory Dragon now, I didn’t want to say those words to them.

“Aww, why!”

Illusory Dragon threw a tantrum while hugging me.

“I’m helping you here, you know.”

“There are things I can do and others I can’t. There’s only one person I can say that to.”

“Tch, you keep bringing her up?”

Illusory Dragon clenched my chest in frustration but it didn’t affect me since it wasn’t really my body.

“Useless.”

“…You’re really something else. Do you even need my help?”

“Of course. Beating Seongju requires your help. All Spirits’ help.”

“But is it okay to treat me this way? Honestly, if I get annoyed, I won’t resurrect these guys.”

Illusory Dragon pointed at the backpack they were holding. Inside were 25 cores of various colors—the monsters of Blue Wind Sect and Illusory Dragon Group transported as cores.

Flying undetected at high altitudes, carrying only Illusory Dragon on my back while safeguarding their collected cores…

Phoenix Express departed from Seoul, passed over Beijing, and was heading full speed towards Moscow.

“Illusory Dragon.”

“What.”

“If you don’t want, just hand over the Blue Wind Sect cores.”

If Illusory Dragon Group disappeared, it would halve our numbers, but I wasn’t desperate enough to beg.

“Tsk. Would saying it make a difference…?”

Despite grumbling, Illusory Dragon didn’t let go.

“You’re such a bad kid. Here I am offering to sync with you.”

“I’ve already said I don’t intend to sync with you.”

“…What about this?”

Illusory Dragon grinned mischievously and poked my cheek.

“What if I sync with Gaeul? Then you can have both me and Gaeul simultaneously? Or how about that Yuna from the future who I synced with before? Should I try with her?”

“…Did you see that scene?”

Could it be that among all the bonus contents, they saw that particular one? Illusory Dragon chuckled lazily and slightly rubbed their hips against my arm.

“My body isn’t pretty solid too? Right now, I could definitely… Ah, it’s Chang-yeom’s body. Never mind, you don’t want it anyway.”

“I never did.”

That was because of Yuna. And it was done under specific circumstances in that scene, not by my own will. Also, the main reason I didn’t feel lust towards Illusory Dragon was simple.

“With a child’s body, what’s the point?”

Illusory Dragon was much shorter than Chang-yeom’s body I inhabited, with a figure close to flat that evoked no desire whatsoever.

“…I can possess other bodies, you know?”

“But your default form is this, isn’t it?”

“Hmph. How different are you from Chang-yeom… Tch, I’ll possess Gaeul then.”

“Don’t bother. Cheon Gaeul is my monster. Stop wasting your time.”

I warned Illusory Dragon. But they teased me by counting on their fingers.

“How should I help? Like what you did with Yuna, shall I possess her and we share? Or separate during it for a three-way? Or maybe you want to be penetrated as a woman? That sounds good. I’ll possess a man’s body, and if Gaeul transforms into a man, we can do it from both sides—Aiyah!”

“Pointless talk.”

I pinched their skin sharply with my sharpened nails. How dare they covet Chang-yeom when I myself hadn’t dared yet. Their nonsense was reaching an unparalleled level.

“Why? Scared? Haha, you’re afraid of me, aren’t you?”

“I have information.”

I paused mid-flight and looked down at Illusory Dragon.

“You were possessing Mo Taegyeong to fool around with Black Sandalwood, weren’t you?”

“…”

Illusory Dragon avoided my gaze. Looks like they really did indulge in some extracurricular activities with that monster, much to Baeg Cheongyoung’s potential disapproval.

“What were you practicing with Black Sandalwood for?”

“Gaeul or you… Tch, why should I embarrassingly explain this?”

“You saw all my embarrassing memories, didn’t you?”

“Then let’s just acknowledge it without shame. Pretend it happened in the future. It’ll be easier to repeat once.”

Illusory Dragon continued to show affection. Since I couldn’t keep repeating the same thing, I changed the topic.

“Once we arrive in Russia, possess a man first. Can’t be too careful.”

“Is Rasputin that dangerous?”

“He’s like an incubus. Nothing’s more annoying than recruiting a comrade only for them to betray and become an enemy.”

“That’s quite troublesome. Got it. I’ll stay hidden after reviving everyone.”

Illusory Dragon was indeed Illusory Dragon. While Seok Harang might have suggested waiting outside Rasputin’s territory, Illusory Dragon clearly wanted to send their subordinates and avoid getting involved themselves.

“Aren’t you worried about Rusalka?”

“Well, I am… But it’s not like I’ll possess any of my subordinates. I won’t bring Mo Taegyeong’s body either. Oh, then maybe I could possess Rasputin or something and… Ah. If I do that, I’d probably end up getting dominated instead…”

Mo Taegyeong was a regular person, so it wasn’t an issue, but Rasputin, being an S Rank special ability user, made Illusory Dragon fear attempting body takeover.

“If you mess up, there’s no going back.”

“Hmm… I see. Later. Hehe.”

Illusory Dragon nodded understandingly, as if they immediately grasped my situation where saving and reloading like a game wasn’t possible. Since I was also in a one-shot scenario, there was no reason to hide it.

“If you betray me, it’s the end for everyone. So you’re pressuring me silently to help, aren’t you? Right?”

“If you understand, help me like you have been.”

“Saying it outright feels weird… Fine. We have time.”

As Illusory Dragon raised their head to kiss my cheek, they gagged and pulled away.

“Ew. Kissing you feels like kissing Chang-yeom. No thanks…”

“…”

Maybe Illusory Dragon wasn’t into bad boys. Even as we approached Moscow, I couldn’t understand why they clung to me like this.

***

At the moment Phoenix and Illusory Dragon reached near Moscow.

The Vladimir family mansion welcomed an older-looking young man.

“Thank you for coming, <Rasputin>.”

Suborof faced the S Rank special ability user, Rasputin, with mixed feelings. Nationally, Rasputin was an S Rank special ability user and a member of the Round Table, <Undine>, whose marriage would prevent him from leaving Russia, making him a patriotic hero. However, as a father with a beloved daughter, he felt uneasy.

“Not at all. Anything I can do, I must.”

Rasputin bowed gently with a faint smile. Standing at 190cm, towering over Suborof, his bulky frame hidden beneath priest robes resembled a bear seated there.

“I truly apologize for forcing this marriage upon you.”

“Nonsense. I belong to God. For the Lord’s request, my honor can fall to the ground.”

Rasputin picked up the paper Suborof offered.

“Annulment…?”

“Sorry for many reasons. Leaving such a bad record for someone who hasn’t even started a family. I will surely repay you later.”

Suborof bowed deeply to apologize, and Rasputin shook his head as he placed the paper down.

“It’s fine. Truly fine. Instead, I worry about Undine. According to your plan, Undine will repeatedly engage and break engagements, correct?”

“Yes… Though my daughter hasn’t heard yet.”

Before Suborof could explain his plan, Anastasha locked the door. No matter how she requested a chance to speak, she erected an icy wall that blocked sound.

“Even if I told her, she wouldn’t listen. She’s completely smitten with that bastard.”

“Ah, that…”

Rasputin hesitated to mention the uncomfortable rumors circulating. They were awkward even for him to hear, and the person in front of him was the father of the rumor’s subject.

“It’s alright. Everyone knows it. …My daughter fell deeply in love with a young man in Korea.”

“…”

“…Not only did he take my daughter’s virginity, but he also walked her around the park on a dog leash outdoors…”

Crack. Suborof gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, while Rasputin nervously feared that anger might turn towards him. Despite being a higher-ranked special ability user, even Rasputin couldn’t withstand the wrath of a father protecting his daughter.

“They’re just baseless rumors. Surely Undine wouldn’t do such indecent acts?”

“…”

Suborof remained silent. It was hard to outright deny it since he had already heard certain things.

“…Ahem, understood. But please rest assured. I will act according to the Lord’s wishes. After sharing a meal, we can claim Undine rejected me.”

“Yes. The…reason is…”

Suborof scratched his head. It was difficult to fabricate a plausible reason for annulment despite having the perfect groom candidate in front of him.

He wasn’t lacking in appearance, wealth, or special abilities—he was at the pinnacle in Russia alongside Undine. Had he not been attached to Russia, another powerful foreign family would have likely lured him away long ago. Rasputin was a precious talent.

“Undine has this… excellent idea to reform those claimed to be promiscuous.”

“What is it?”

“It’s… When we tried marital relations, my size shocked Undine upon seeing it.”

“Will people believe that?”

Suborof waved his hand dismissively with a snort.

“My daughter is already labeled a harlot worldwide. Surprised by your size after trying to sleep together? Preposterous. Moreover, I don’t know how confident you are, but-”

“Without doubt.”

Rasputin confidently placed one hand on his bicep and gripped it.

“There is none larger than me in this world.”

Rasputin’s dark eyes gleamed with self-assurance.