Chapter 304

〈Chapter 304〉 Part 1, Chapter 13, 21

The time I spent on equipment crafting totaled 30 minutes.

It took 5 minutes to make five pieces of A-Rank Core equipment at one minute each, and for the S-Rank gear for the remaining three individuals, it required a full 8 minutes per person.

“You’re not being too discriminatory against people, are you? The Executioner doesn’t even go into battle.”

“Still, you never know, right? They could take damage if things go south.”

I was glad I finally put into action something I’d been pondering in my mind for a long time.

“I’ll eventually upgrade all weapons to S-Rank as well. For now, we can only do protective gear.”

I distributed eight sets of clothing, each tailored to their respective owners. Most designs featured a black base with blue accents but varied widely in style: typical Hero Suit styles like Hwakwon’s martial arts-inspired gear, body-hugging bodysuits for Gongsung and Tempest Lady, military uniforms for the Executioner, Taoist robes for Pungbaek and Usa, and even flashy celebrity-style outfits for Phantom.

“So obsessed with coats, huh? What happens when this guy transforms?”

“Well, since the coat is unisex, it should just stay draped over them, no?”

“That’s fine by me, honestly.”

Deokbae picked up Callipera’s core from the table and handed it to me.

“Alright, now make one for me.”

“What nonsense is this?”

“What? Me?! Are you seriously discriminating against me?!”

“With no decorations or anything, why would you need Callipera smeared all over you? Stop talking nonsense. You’re my exclusive weapon.”

I turned Deokbae’s back into a bat-shaped weapon, dubbed “Deokbate,” which thrashed around on the floor. But I stomped firmly on its body while removing my earrings.

“Since the Executioner doesn’t need a weapon, let’s start making S-Rank ones first, shall we?”

S-Rank Light-speed Callipera—perfect for landing a decisive blow on Yasha. Though I decided to delay weapon crafting momentarily, I opened the private room door to distribute the gear. Since Tempest Lady broke the original door, I had to set up a barrier at the entrance.

“…Ahem.”

Everyone outside was waiting for me to finish. I kicked the rolling Deokbate toward the wall with my heel, dismantled the barrier, and gestured toward the room.

“One at a time, come in and collect your gear.”

The heroes followed the order without cutting in line, picking up their equipment. We had 30 minutes left before reaching Kolkata.

“Once Baegnaroh arrives, we’ll immediately scout areas where Yasha might be. Everyone, change into your armor in your rooms and prepare for battle. Spend these 30 minutes channeling magic power into your gear to get accustomed to it.”

“…You sound just like a commander.”

At Phantom’s comment while collecting their outfit, I scratched my cheek.

“…”

The Executioner, holding their uniform, looked at me with complicated eyes.

“…I’m the captain here.”

“Sorry. Old habits die hard…”

I trailed off. Everyone was staring at me in shock.

“…No comment.”

Ah, I didn’t mean to…

* * *

A little later.

After equipping the heroes, I crafted weapons from Callipera and Black Flame Dragon, then received an invitation to someone’s private quarters.

“You came quickly.”

Executioner Baek Hee-a had removed her beret and was waiting for me. After scanning her with magic power, her clothes fit perfectly despite the rigid military-style uniform, accentuating her figure nicely.

“Indeed, skin-deep.”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing.”

I waved it off. The outfits I especially customized for Park Ra-on, Cheon Gaeul, and Baek Hee-a were their actual combat suits. Unlike DLC skins that required payment, these were real in-game gears adapted to Baek Hee-a.

“Does the outfit fit well?”

“Yes, it fits so perfectly, it’s almost uncanny.”

Baek Hee-a widened her eyes at the snug waistline. Feeling uncomfortable with how revealing it was, she kept trying to create space between her body and the suit. Eventually, she sighed deeply and met my gaze.

“There are many questions I want to ask, but since I already know you won’t answer them, I’ll skip those. What I’m really curious about is our strategy against Yasha.”

“Indeed, Baek Hee-a. Your sense of duty is impeccable.”

“…Let’s focus on resolving immediate concerns first.”

“Agreed. Anything else you’d like to say?”

“…”

Baek Hee-a removed her dark-blue beret and bowed deeply to me.

“…Thank you for providing the heroes with equipment. I will never forget this favor.”

“Huh?”

Is this something worth thanking me for? I was bewildered, but Baek Hee-a’s expression remained serious.

“Director Yu Yinghuo mentioned that commanding the heroes without them getting hurt limited tactical options. Thanks to Phoenix Sir’s generosity, my available tactics have significantly expanded. Most importantly, the chances of the heroes returning safely from missions have increased.”

“That’s something that should naturally be done.”

“Yes… Unfortunately, until now, it hasn’t been properly implemented due to some punk constantly cutting the budget, claiming it could be overcome with mental strength.”

Baek Hee-a openly showed resentment toward someone. I briefly mourned the man locked up in jail before gently patting Baek Hee-a’s shoulder.

“You’ve worked hard. It must’ve been tough for you behind the scenes.”

“That’s why I’m even more grateful. These kinds of equipment aren’t easily obtainable anywhere else. Thanks to Phoenix Sir, we’ve saved nearly several billion units from the national defense budget… By any chance, is this loaned out temporarily?”

“I’ve decided not to take back what I give anymore. Take it all. Of course, if you betray me, I’ll destroy it instantly while you’re wearing it.”

The equipment I gave to the heroes is for allies who help me, not for enemies to become stronger—that’s Karna’s job. I’m merely preparing for the possibility that after Yasha, we may face Kinna-ra, Garura, or even ‘Karna.’

“…Such a thing will absolutely not happen. I will ensure it.”

But Baek Hee-a declared to me that she would manage the heroes responsibly. Despite the varied opinions of the heroes towards me, Baek Hee-a vowed as an Executioner to support me.

“One day, you’ll become a hero. A righteous hero protecting humanity’s peace.”

“…I think I’ve strayed quite far from that already.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll use whatever means necessary to make it happen.”

“Whatever means…?”

Tch. I grabbed Baek Hee-a’s shoulder and pushed her against the wall. Just like in the bathroom scene, but this time, our eye levels were similar. Leaning close to her ear, I whispered.

“If I wanted this, what would you do? Hmm? What would you-”

Clink.

“…”

My face froze at the soft touch on my cheek. I instinctively stepped back, distancing myself from Baek Hee-a.

“…Based on my judgment, spirits lack gender but can choose. However…”

Baek Hee-a wiped her lips with her thumb and smirked.

“Apparently, you seem more suited to the monster type. That’s my executioner’s assessment.”

“…Arrogant much.”

I wiped my cheek and transformed my body. My vision rose again, looking down at Baek Hee-a, but she stood straight, refusing to avert her gaze.

[Who said anyone could kiss me without permission?]

“Indeed, I prefer this version better.”

Baek Hee-a hugged my gauntlet. Her heartbeat, tense and excited, resonated clearly through the connection.

“Please always be someone I can trust and rely on.”

[…]

“Oh, by the way.”

Baek Hee-a pulled out a screen showing Yasha prominently.

“Shall we have a deep discussion about how to defeat Yasha? Let’s quickly dispose of Yasha and move on to other S-Ranks. They’re the seeds for our country’s development. Hehe.”

Ah, damn.

Who knew giving out S-Rank armor would unlock the Baek Hee-a route?

If Yun Yuhwa increases personal affection through self-interest, Baek Hee-a achieves the same by pursuing public—and national—interests.

“And you are no longer a villain but the backbone of this nation. As a dark hero paired with Seolhwa-ryeong. Hehe.”

Never expected that accumulated patriotism points would boomerang back at me like this.

* * *

“What did you two talk about that made him so cheerful?”

Phantom jabbed my side repeatedly, pointing at the grinning Executioner. Instead of fingers, sneaky tentacles emerged, teasing me.

“……We discussed how to defeat Yasha.”

Not entirely false. The Executioner and I closely strategized how to capture Yasha based on our newly enhanced capabilities.

“You heard that, right?”

“Yeah, I heard. You two took turns enthusiastically discussing.”

The Executioner and I alternated explanations to the heroes about Yasha’s characteristics, weaknesses, and strategies. While she focused on the former, I handled the latter, completing our preparation to capture Yasha. All that was left was heading to Yasha’s location.

“…Just that you finally found someone whose conversations resonate with you, isn’t it? Not me, but the Executioner.”

“You enjoyed it too, didn’t you?”

“…Are you going to keep doing this?”

I subtly caught Phantom’s tentacle trying to sneak inside my outfit. She clicked her tongue and severed it like a lizard shedding its tail.

“Tch, no lapses, no lapses.”

“Would I ever lapse? Seriously, what a dumb idea.”

“…Did something happen to you?”

“Nope.”

The Executioner, chatting animatedly with the Indian association, glanced at me with a raised corner of her mouth. Irritated for no reason, I incinerated the tentacle behind my back.

“Tch. So smug.”

“Preparations complete. Baegnaroh will autonomously land near the mountain foothills.”

The Executioner disconnected the sync. According to the pre-set system, Baegnaroh will dock safely, with Indian Air Force and heroes guarding the surroundings.

“Then let’s begin.”

Whoosh.

As soon as my words ended, the hatch opened. The strong wind blowing several kilometers above was intense, but Tempest Lady and Pungbaek created counter-winds.

“Ugh…”

I fiddled with my earring, scanning the surroundings. The heroes looked at me with hopeful eyes, while Phantom aimed magical gear at me and even filmed. The most irritating was Hwakwon clenching his fists and gleaming eyes, clearly finding my actions cool.

Does he genuinely think this is awesome? I sighed inwardly.

“Yasha will not go unpunished…”

I dashed toward the hatch and leaped out of the flying craft. Without unfurling my wings, gravity pulled me rapidly toward the ground, followed by the heroes skydiving one by one.

Though I considered pulling a fast one, I promised myself not to prank them since they trusted me enough to jump.

“Hmph.”

Really don’t want to. But my hand was already tightly gripping the earring.

“……Blazing Phoenix Revival!”

Whoosh.

KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

Below where Baegnaroh departed, the Black Flame Dragon spread its wings and roared.

* * *

The scent of prey wafts in the air.

The beast known as <Yasha> by humans lifted its head to survey the surroundings.

Sniff sniff.

The delicious aroma grows stronger, yet no matter how thoroughly it searches, there’s nothing visible. Thinking it might be an illusion, it sniffs again, but it’s certain. The smell is so rich and potent it could be described as a buffet.

Can’t wait to sink my teeth in and tear it apart. Yasha straightens its limping legs, standing tall.

■■■■■….

Purple energy emanates from Yasha’s eyes. Its grotesquely twisted arm extends, grabbing and snapping a rib bone, wielding it like a greatsword as it guards all sides.

Grrr.

Kill on sight. Just as Yasha licks its blood-dripping lips with that thought,

“Blazing Phoenix Revival!”

An explosion of azure flames erupted mid-air. Yasha’s vision was engulfed in blue and white.

* * *

As soon as the briefing concluded, Lee Seung-hyeong jumped off Black Flame Dragon, shouting “Blazing Phoenix Revival” while punching Yasha’s head.

Thus began our assault on Yasha.