Chapter 3

〈 Chapter 3, Part 1, Episode 2 〉

The supreme leader of the nefarious Dark Legion and the root of all evil in this world—Seongju (Lord of Stars).

As a priest of the Destruction God, he summoned it to his homeworld, causing its annihilation. He then traveled across various planets, destroying them one by one. The last world he obliterated before arriving on Earth was Tera.

Tera—a world where magic power thrived instead of science—was also brought to ruin by Seongju when he summoned the Destruction God there. Afterward, he captured and brainwashed the seven spirits of Tera, using traces faintly connected to Tera to track down Earth.

Seongju immediately flew to Earth to prepare for the summoning of the Destruction God but was severely injured in a battle against twelve legendary heroes foretold by *Prophecy* and forced into retreat.

Awakened humans with superhuman abilities through mastery of magical power—these were humanity’s heroes.

Among these heroes, the strongest twelve faced off against Seongju. Though barely managing to defeat them, Seongju suffered an unexpected blow and had to withdraw. His injuries were so grave that he spent decades inside a capsule focused solely on recovery.

Unable to act personally due to his condition, Seongju dispatched the seven spirits he had brainwashed from Tera as his officers. Starting with the first officer and ending with Phoenix, once all were sent, Seongju entered a deep sleep to heal.

“So, there’s no way my movements are being noticed by Seongju.”

This was proven by the fact that Phoenix was already submerged in magma. Phoenix, the ultimate weapon deployed after immense effort and brainwashing by Seongju, was meant to be the final line of defense.

If Seongju had been awake, he would have detected my strange behavior long ago.

“Then he’d probably come down here and re-brainwash me despite the risks.”

Separate from combat strength, just making eye contact would leave me exclaiming ‘Kyaah! Master Seongju is amazing!’ That’s something I absolutely want to avoid.

“Seongju won’t awaken until the late part of the original story.”

The moment Seongju regains consciousness coincides ironically with the confrontation between the protagonist and Blazing Phoenix.

“In fact, Phoenix’s awakening partly stems from Seongju’s actions.”

Regaining awareness, Seongju fires his Brainwashing Beam to check on the status of the ultimate weapon he dispatched to Earth.

Unfortunately, during the middle of her battle with the protagonist, Phoenix gets hit again by the beam, causing massive backlash. This leads to Phoenix losing control and regaining her identity not as a monster or officer but as a spirit.

The showdown between the protagonist and Phoenix occurs in the latter half of the story. Therefore, my first task is clear:

“Time check.”

Isn’t this what time-traveling characters always do? Grabbing random passersby to ask what year it is. Right now, I need that exact moment.

“But there’s no one around.”

It’s been ten minutes since I emerged from the volcano, flying continuously in one direction. All I see is sea, sea, sea.

“I should’ve stayed at that deserted island.”

The first place I explored outside was uninhabited—an island untouched by humans.

There were nearby islands visible in the distance, but none showed signs of human presence. Eventually, I decided to fly somewhere to find a city or people.

“Judging by the distance, I must’ve flown quite far.”

Though uncertain, I estimate I’ve covered hundreds of kilometers. The scenery speeding past and the sensation of my wingbeats indicate a speed surpassing most sports cars.

“Hmm?”

A different color appears beyond the horizon.

Enhancing my vision with magic power reveals a modern port city. The acrid smoke rising from factory chimneys and the urban jungle of asphalt mimic the real world faithfully.

“If only those red flags weren’t fluttering everywhere, I might’ve let it slide.”

“China?”

I abruptly halt my flight. Having flown blindly in one direction, I somehow ended up at a coastal Chinese city.

“Where did I start from, then?”

Had I known my original location, it would’ve been easier. But I left aimlessly, seeking any city or person.

“Starting in China feels a bit excessive.”

I don’t dislike China, but I’m worried about encountering *that crazy woman* who might notice me. Since I didn’t bother hiding my magical aura…

Swish—

I retract the residual magic leaking from my body and fold my wings. Entering the city like this will definitely trigger the *Super Monster Radar*.

“Should I change direction?”

Assuming this city belongs to China, following the coastline should eventually lead me to Korea. If I spot *that area* along the way, I can deal with it later.

“To avoid the radar, I’ll sneak in via the *[Monster Path]* from what used to be North Korea.”

While technically a game setting, North Korea in this world collapsed—not due to regime or war, but because of a monster’s rampage.

Nuclearian, the monster born from nuclear energy, erased Pyongyang from the map and now sleeps somewhere in North Korea.

Of course, even Nuclearian pales compared to Phoenix, who’s ten times stronger and a hundred times cuter…

“Focus. You’re Phoenix now.”

Thinking about the game elements sometimes makes me forget I’m actually in another world disguised as a game.

Shaking my head vigorously, I quietly glide along the coastline.

“Flying straight ahead and jumping out at the right spot should work.”

History class often put me to sleep, but I played plenty of naval exploration games. Thanks to that, I know heading east from the peninsula jutting out near China—later identified as Shandong Peninsula—will bring me to Korea.

Pins and needles.

The protective barrier of magic surrounding my skin tingles. Phoenix, especially sensitive to magic among monsters, senses something.

“Am I caught? …Yeah, I’m caught.”

The hostile magical energy carried by the wind indicates the enemy has definitely noticed me.

“Should’ve been more careful.”

Fortunately, there isn’t a cloud in sight here.

Psssh—

Releasing magic power to blend with the environment, I activate Phoenix’s unique stealth technique under sunlight. While the enemy may sense the lingering magical residue, they won’t easily pinpoint my location.

“Should I flee?”

I still don’t know who the “enemy” is. But if the owner of this hostile magical energy proves dangerous enough to threaten Phoenix—or worse, is the protagonist or one of the twelve heroes…

“No. Stay positive. This is an opportunity.”

Though I’ve run countless simulations in my head, I need to gauge the strength of Phoenix’s body trapped within the magma.

Dying here could mean permanent death unlike in the game.

“Hoo… hoo…”

Taking a deep breath, I snap my fingers.

Phoenix may indeed be called the strongest without exaggeration, but currently, the person controlling Phoenix’s body is *me*.

Like a novice driver behind the wheel of a supercar, that’s pretty much how it feels.

“It’s coming.”

Now I can feel the strong wind directly on my skin. Focusing my hearing, I detect hoofbeats growing louder alongside the wind—what?

“Hoofbeats? Did I mishear?”

Confused, I squint at the distant speck approaching.

Clippity-clop, clippity-clop!

A fiery red horse galloping through the air.

And atop it rides a warrior clad in green armor. Beneath the crimson mask adorned with a black beard, his eyes are clearly searching for me.

“Ahh, crap!”

The overly powerful tutorial boss—a woman, rather—has appeared. Her magical sensitivity is even better than I expected.

Clippity-clop, clippity-clop!

Holding a crescent blade while riding—or flying—the fiery steed.

Hero name: Unjang (Yunchang).

One of China’s strongest warriors and among the twelve heroes who repelled Seongju’s initial invasion. Later renowned as the Military God.

That monster has already detected my hidden form beneath the sunlight and is preparing to swing his crescent blade—at me.

“This tutorial boss is too strong!”

I scream like a bird, enveloping myself in blue flames.

* * *

The Hangzhou Branch of the Hero Association fell into unprecedented chaos.

“Monster detected on the radar! Moving north along the coastline!”

At the report from the staff monitoring the *Super Monster Radar*, everyone in the situation room fell silent.

“Damn it! What kind of monster is it?!”

“It’s a pattern we’ve never seen before!”

“We’re checking satellite images! There’s nothing visible!”

“There’s no way! It’s S-Rank or higher! At least 20 meters tall!”

Panicked responses from subordinates made the branch director, Liu Yaohe, bite his nails.

A completely new type of monster. Successfully hunting it could significantly contribute to the association, but the size indicated on the radar was terrifying.

“Satellite?! Still nothing?!”

“My apologies! We’ve swept over the Yellow Sea, but there’s nothing…”

“There’s no way such a strong reaction wouldn’t show up! Check again!”

Under the director’s roar, those watching the satellite screens began scanning again.

Though he berated them as rookies, the spherical shape displayed on the radar was larger than any previously encountered S-Rank monster.

“Damn it.”

The director recalled.

During his rookie days, the S-Rank monster ‘Heuk Jeon-jal’ terrified the entire branch, even the whole of China. Even that calamitous creature didn’t possess this level of magical power.

“Is this even a monster?”

Literally walking fortress-sized. Considering the general rule that monster size correlates with magical power, there’s no reason it shouldn’t appear on satellites.

“If it’s invisible, then—”

Suddenly struck by an idea, the director urgently shouted.

“The sea! Underwater?!”

Some members in the situation room nodded in agreement. If the monster exists yet remains unseen, it must be located where it can’t be seen—underwater.

Based on the magical energy readings, it should be as large as an island.

“Check underwater heat sources immediately! Contact the navy!”

“Understood!”

The director resumed gnawing on his nails, lost in thought.

“So what do we do after confirming?”

Dealing with an S-Rank monster on land is tough enough. How are we supposed to handle one in the sea—or possibly even higher-ranked?

“Can our current forces handle it?”

Impossible.

Despite boasting the most heroes worldwide and having more registered heroes in each branch than other countries altogether, the sheer number of heroes here doesn’t compensate for the specialized battlefield of naval combat.

Moreover, the main forces of this branch are currently deployed inland.

“Should we contact the military?”

Since the establishment of the Hero Association, significant tensions arose between it and the Party. However, to save the millions of people in this region, we must beg for help even if it means groveling.

If the monster doesn’t continue moving along the coast and instead attacks a city—

“Redirect it toward the Korean Peninsula as per the old plan…”

Beeeeep!!

The sudden alarm startled the director.

[This is . Respond, Hangzhou Branch.]

A deep voice filled the situation room. Upon seeing the figure beneath the red mask stroking his beard, the director greeted him with a bright smile.

“Ah, Crimson Mask!”

[…I told you I dislike that title.]

Indeed, one of the twelve heroes. Calm and composed even facing a monster of S-Rank or higher. The director quickly corrected his address and explained the situation.

“…That’s the situation, Sir Yun. Where are you now?”

[Above Hangzhou. I’m here with , so we’ll arrive at the target location soon.]

The director marveled. Truly the master of the Red Horse. Although the rider now is the Military God, not the Martial God, his personal martial prowess remains unmatched as the strongest in China.

“Radar detection again! The target’s magical power is rapidly decreasing!”

“What?!”

The sphere on the radar shrank rapidly, dropping below C-Rank before vanishing entirely.

“Radar signal lost…?!”

“Unbelievable!”

There’s no way the radar malfunctioned. For the signal to disappear in mere seconds signifies only two scenarios.

Either it was defeated—

“An intelligent creature?!”

[Things have become complicated.]

Suppressing such immense magical power of S-Rank or higher suddenly. Unlike mindless monsters, this one possesses the intelligence to hide its magical presence.

Why it revealed itself upon appearing in Shanghai but chose to conceal its power now remains unclear, but the key point is that it disappeared from the radar.

“Satellites?!”

“Still nothing visible!”

“At least some shadow underwater, right?! Find it!”

“We’ll try!”

Under the director’s roar, subordinates turned back to the satellite screens, but the masked warrior shook his head silently.

[…I’ll intercept it first.]

“Wha?! What?!”

[Don’t worry.]

The calm voice of Unjang radiated confidence.

[I’ll bring back its head shortly.]

Static. The communication ended unilaterally, leaving the director staring blankly at the dark screen.