Chapter 423

〈 Chapter 423 〉 Part 1, Chapter 18, Section 5

Gaeul said she’d spend the night with the Illusion Magic combo. She wanted to talk about various things, and since Gaeul was now a proper S-Rank, she could handle crossing the sea on her own.

“If need be, I can send a private jet.”

It was rather embarrassing flying over the Yellow Sea and Chinese mainland while buried in Gaeul’s chest. Doing that again would be too much, so next time I should send Garura instead.

“So, I made up my mind and came over tonight…”

Of all times, they happened to both be here simultaneously. I got caught by the two people staying in the penthouse of Yu-Sung Hotel next to our Blue Wind Sect hideout. Like a snake eyeing a sparrow, they waved at me.

“…Why are the people who should be in New Seoul and Busan here?”

I smoothly climbed through the window. They were casually sipping beer without any concern. I knew they were close, but this was the first time I’d seen them drinking together.

“Na’s settled down in Seoul now. There was an uproar among the hometown folks, but considering it’s the center of the Korean Peninsula, Seoul makes sense.”

“I’m just passing through Seoul on a business trip. Thought I’d drop by for a bit.”

Seok Harang and Yun Yuhwa. What’s more, Yun Yuhwa had even brought his true form. I nearly choked when I saw the golden earrings hanging from his ears.

“…This isn’t some synchronized bargain sale, is it?”

“Now we’re on the same level as you, customer. Aren’t you proud? Thanks to you, Yun Yuhwa, once just a rogue merchant, has become the strongest of the Light Speed attribute.”

“Yes. I’m proud… Let me ask one thing before we start talking.”

I lifted the glass of ice they naturally handed over. Seok Harang made the ice glass, and Yun Yuhwa poured the beer from the draft machine. I raised the glass filled with beer.

“It doesn’t have any drugs in it, does it?”

“……”

“…….”

They remained silent. I considered dumping it, but decided to accept their gesture despite everything.

“Not like it’s anything special. We kinda added something out of support for you and sis…”

“Did you put blood in it?”

“A little magic power. We thought it might help with your synchronization.”

Thankfully, it was just magic power. I raised the glass, and the three of us clinked our icy glasses together. The cold, refreshing draft beer slid down my throat.

“You won’t change no matter how much magic power you drink. For example, you won’t fall in love or anything. So stop looking at me with those hopeful eyes.”

They genuinely looked disappointed. I grabbed Yuha’s glass and poured her another beer.

“Congratulations. It must’ve been tough synchronizing between the two of you.”

“Our esteemed customer already laid out the conditions for us. Regarding sexual intercourse, we’ve been practicing beforehand, so there’s absolutely no problem. Hehe.”

Yuha covered her mouth and giggled quietly. Harang, who suddenly learned about Yuha’s private activities, had a flustered face but didn’t know the extent of those activities yet.

“T-Then, did you and Karna…?”

“Yeah. We rubbed against each other.”

“……”

Harang turned red from head to toe. As expected, he had no tolerance for such topics. Of course, Yuha was teasing him right now.

‘Like male dolls with Karna, or female dolls with male-form Karna. Or maybe group practice with Bio-Roids designed to look like Blue Wind Sect members.’

Even without seeing, it’s obvious. I sighed as I took a sip of beer.

“Y-Yuha, what exactly did you do…?”

“……Heh.”

Yuha quietly placed her index finger on her lips. It seemed better not to ask further. At that moment, a message arrived on my Magical Gear.

[YU☆HA: I was just playing around while thinking of you, customer. Hehe.]

“Haa.”

A sigh escaped me involuntarily. Somehow, I felt self-loathing that I had more lewd thoughts in my head. I tapped on my Magical Gear so Yuha wouldn’t feel embarrassed.

“Does this get transmitted through magic power?”

“Yes.”

“All text messages with Seok Harang can be scanned.”

“……!”

Yuha covered her mouth and bowed her head. Harang, whose face had turned bright red, pulled his body slightly back with a blank expression.

“…Harang.”

“Yes, sis.”

“Do you understand me, Harang?”

“I’ll understand if you say you did it with Karna for world peace.”

Harang raised both hands and shook his head. Pretending to not care about such matters seemed slightly cunning, but I was in a position where I had to tread carefully around Harang for now.

I’d still win in an all-out fight. But if I let my guard down or give her an opening, I’d be at a disadvantage. If it wasn’t a fight to the death, Seok Harang has grown strong enough to defeat me.

‘What if she pounces on me because I won?’

…I worried again. Seok Harang is a hero. Would the woman who represents not just the nation, but the world, really pounce on me after defeating me?

“……”

Look. Her gaze, clouded by magic power and alcohol, lazily staring at me. That elegant smile directed at me—she’s not a celestial maiden, but a seductress.

…No, she isn’t. Supporting the theory of Seok Harang as a celestial maiden, I threw out a topic.

“So, Miss Yun Yuhwa, what happens after syncing with Karna?”

“Talking about ability manifestation? It depends on which one takes the lead, but if Karna leads, we just become extremely powerful. The already strong spirits grow even stronger. You wouldn’t easily defeat me either, right?”

“Hooh.”

Definitely, influenced by the alcohol, she’s making provocations she usually wouldn’t. This shows how confident Yuha has become after syncing with Karna. Unfortunately, that level isn’t enough to beat me.

“I have a hidden ace too, so don’t worry.”

“Pfft, sure.”

“Miss Yun Yuhwa, if Karna judged that they could defeat me, they would’ve already attacked and subdued me afterward, wouldn’t they?”

“……That’s true.”

She hasn’t reached perfection in sync yet. Clearly, Yuha lacks in combat compared to others.

“And one more thing. Besides Karna’s enhancement, there should be another aspect you haven’t experimented with, right?”

“Another one?”

“Yes. You haven’t tried it, huh? Here’s what I mean—”

“Stop.”

Yuha pressed her finger against my lips. Ever since Hikari, the number of people touching my lips seems to be increasing. Knowing Yuha’s nature well, I brushed her finger aside with the icy glass and continued.

“You can link Xroids and Bio-Roids. One hundred Karnas. Each Xroid becomes an A-Rank Karna. However, none of these Karnas will reach above S-Rank.”

“…Spoiled it. Haa.”

Yuha felt defeated. She probably tried to discover another latent ability herself but ran out of time.

“Don’t be too disheartened. Since synchronization has already occurred, sooner or later, within a few days, you would’ve realized it anyway.”

“What about the epithet?”

“Gaechonkwang.”

Just as he’s proud of his name, Gaechonkwang remains Gaechonkwang even after synchronization. Harang gave a hollow laugh.

“What? Is the spirit’s name its epithet? Nothing changes from now.”

“Next is <Seoyea>.”

“When did you call me <Selling Flowers> before!?”

“Blame the Regent Yu Yinghuo if you’re going to nitpick. He named you, after all. Did you forget? Yunsa, Usa, Pungbaek, Hwakwon, etc.—all the epithets given by him are two Chinese characters.”

Thus, Seok Harang became <Seoyea>. Given the Regent’s knowledge of global situations, it was undoubtedly a deliberate choice.

And thus, Seolhyeoryeong disappeared, and Seok Harang truly became Seoyea. It’s rumored that the original Seoyea, <Rusalka>, rejoiced that her daughter inherited her name and playfully pinched her husband.

And so, currently.

I recruited <Seoyea> and <Gaechonkwang> as comrades. Including Yalda Baot, that makes three gods. Excluding the Dragon Combo set for temporary synchronization, only three spirits remain.

Maamryong.

Jeolpung.

…And Chang-yeom.

“One of the former Cardinals, Adolf Wilhelm, was revealed to be a monster, reducing the influence of the old council members significantly. Thus, Yu Yinghuo practically controls the Council now. The issue is…”

Drinking while discussing work ruins the taste of alcohol, but since the topic came up, we needed to briefly delve into serious matters.

“The Regent himself can’t locate Azidahaka’s current position. Completely, thoroughly hidden away. It’s like they’re preparing something.”

“Pre-storm calm.”

“Then, customer, could it be something like this?”

Both Yuha and Harang dispelled their alcohol-induced haze with magic power and spoke seriously.

“Perhaps Azidahaka intends to completely disappear like Hydra.”

“Azidahaka is too exhibitionist to hold back.”

“Or maybe aiming for a big move? Lately, people have been causing quite a stir trying to find Azidahaka.”

“Could be.”

It’s highly likely they’re planning a major strike. Considering Azidahaka’s nature, who knows what kind of mischief they’ll pull. Beyond imagination.

“…Sorry for bringing up such a gloomy topic. With everything happening, it’s hard not to worry.”

“Because finding Maamryong basically ends everything we can possibly achieve. It’s impossible not to be concerned.”

“True. But you should relax. Don’t rush into anything and mess it up. Honestly, now that we find it, it’ll be the end, right?”

Harang confidently leaned back.

“Where are all the kids you’ve messed with? If they all unite, they could probably conquer the world.”

“That’s not entirely wrong. With our current strength, conquering Tera is feasible.”

“Oh ho, that sounds intriguing.”

Yuha showed considerable interest in new lands. But I quickly crossed my fingers in an X shape.

“Don’t covet other people’s land. It belongs to me since I defended it from space invaders. The ultimate owner is me.”

“Customer, are you trying to reclaim your planet lord title by capturing Seongju?”

“Just a joke. If you don’t make comments like this, you’ll start asking questions like the size of Tera, whether humans can live there, and try terraforming, naming the star ‘Yu-Sung.'”

“No.”

Yun Yuhwa rested her chin on her hand and tilted her head upward.

“It’s obviously going to be named ‘Yun Yuhwa.’ Haven’t you heard? A high school student who discovered a star named it after herself as a hobby.”

“Still greedy with names.”

If Hikari builds an orbital elevator, she’ll definitely engrave ‘Yun Yuhwa’ in big letters on it. Now she actually has the capital to do so—it’s frightening.

“Anyway, the Tera issue comes after dealing with Seongju.”

Having a direct conversation cleared my mind considerably. I closed my eyes and reclined in the chair, then immediately sensed something strange.

“……Hold on.”

Hmph. My instincts are still sharp.

“Why does it feel like you two are conspiring?”

“……”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

As they were about to stand up, they awkwardly sat back down. What reason could they have to rise simultaneously? So, I preemptively countered.

“You’re not planning to pounce on me, are you? Surely not, right? You’re a hero, and the President of the Great Yu-Sung Group.”

“…Pfft, why would I waste effort pouncing on you? Your worrying is part of your fate.”

“Customer. Are you dodging us with such trivial excuses? Disappointing.”

“……”

Are they reaching myth-level abilities, making it harder to read emotions via magic scans? But recalling the routes I’ve tread, I scrutinized their expressions carefully.

“Looking at me like that makes me uncomfortable.”

“Seok Harang is genuinely planning to defeat me in battle and then pounce…”

“H-Huh.”

Harang opened his mouth wide in surprise. Yuha covered her face during this gap. But I already know.

“Yun Yuhwa will request a transformation from me, scan it immediately, and produce a Bio-Roid for practice.”

“Practice? What kind of practice?”

“Harang. This is provocation. We’re falling into a trap laid by the customer.”

Yuha stiffened her expression and asserted her innocence. But I know well. The case I mentioned is merely one of Yun Yuhwa’s countless plans.

Yun Yuhwa would do that. And judging by her reaction, Yuha seems to have thought about it too. That’s why she acts like she’s pricked.

“Phew. It’s pitiful how gods scheme to attack a poor bird…”

The end times, indeed.

“If you tell me your plans now, I’ll at least consider leniency. Go ahead and share. When I gain more power later, I’ll accommodate as much as I can.”

“Really?”

“……Just a moment.”

After some strategic discussion, they spilled all their desires to me without reservation.

I effortlessly uncovered the essence of the triangular alliance.

Not attacking until after defeating Seongju is the first rule of the alliance…

…

There’s one more reason to synchronize.