Chapter 429

〈Chapter 429〉 Part 1, Chapter 18, 11

<Turkish Morning 11 AM, Atatürk International Airport.>

The heroes of the Round Table transcend borders. They had to be such beings. If they were tied to any one nation, it would go against the principles of the Round Table not to favor specific groups due to reasons like race, religion, or ideology.

Undine, who covered all of Russia through her transfer abilities, and Unjang, who covered China with his mobility as Red Earth, were special cases.

Gawein didn’t just guard the UK but also the entire North Sea region including Norway. On average, members of the Round Table protected several cities centered around their country of origin or base city.

“…….”

And among these Round Table members guarding the entirety of Southwest Asia was <Saladin>, who should have been waiting at Istanbul airport after flying 1000 km from his base city of Damascus, Syria, merely because it was the closest.

Even though an expedition team from the Blue Wind Sect had been dispatched near Syria, Turkey’s strong request for proper protocol forced Saladin himself to personally welcome the guest in Istanbul.

“…just because of this situation…”

The Blue Wind Sect brought various thoughts to Saladin’s mind. No matter how small their territory might be, did Korea really have enough leeway to pull its main force entirely out of the peninsula?

They certainly did. Wasn’t Seongju, a fellow member of the Round Table, there?

“Tsks.”

Saladin felt somewhat embarrassed about the situation since he’d subtly expressed negative opinions regarding Seongju’s induction into the Round Table. Who would’ve thought that in just four months, Seongju would grow so much?

‘Maybe they’re confident they can properly seal the Azidahaka Gate.’

Seongju’s strength was remarkable, even managing to skillfully nurture and consume the dimensional gate that opened in Gangwon-do. Though Saladin had been busy dealing with other urgent matters at the time, he later got to see a brief video of Seongju’s impressive performance.

Goo-goo-goo-goo!

Finally, the problematic guests arrived. Three visitors who had entrusted their homeland to Seongju while taking a leisurely trip abroad. Saladin adjusted his turban and waited by the airport runway for them to disembark.

“Saladin-sama, please relax your expression. Our guests aren’t swayed by oil money but are leaders in Core energy!”

The Turkish Prime Minister Mammar approached Saladin, clenching his fists tightly, and playfully farted in his direction. Though Saladin didn’t like the overly submissive attitude, he knew the guest deserved proper respect.

“…I thought Turkey didn’t have any SS-Rank Monsters?”

“But you never know, right? Like when Kinna-ra suddenly appeared in India. They must have come here knowing something.”

“Knowing something?”

Saladin chuckled dryly.

“Perhaps they’re not here for monsters but for monstrous humans.”

“Saladin-sama, haha, what a joke…”

Prime Minister Mammar nervously sweated. Saladin’s face remained dead serious.

“What, is there really some kind of monster-human around here?”

“There aren’t many people capable of becoming monstrous humans. Even you, Prime Minister Mammar…”

Keeek.

The Baegnaroh landed on the airport runway. It moved freely as if alive, showcasing its majestic presence. Saladin flicked on his smartwatch. As far as he could recall, it hadn’t looked like this when it went to Mexico.

“…a turtle?”

Its form was indescribable, resembling a flying turtle. Despite its bizarre appearance, it had traversed thousands of kilometers in less than a day, which was absurd.

Chul-chul.

The door opened, and a man stepped out. A young man dressed in a blue jacket, black shirt, and slightly torn jeans below the knees—what could only be described as a chaotic “blue-blue” fashion sense.

“…Holy shit.”

Saladin couldn’t help but curse under his breath at the sight. Prime Minister Mammar, unaware he was being filmed, covered his mouth with his hand.

“White Flame…?!”

The paragon of upright living, the epitome of gentlemanliness, wearing jeans?! Worse yet, his hair was styled with a blue streak at the ends, giving off a melancholic image associated with the color blue. The once noble image had vanished, leaving behind only a wandering youth.

“Prime Minister Mammar.”

“Yes.”

“I will also need to pay extra attention, so please do the same.”

“…Of course. Kuh, White Flame actually…! In this world! With his hands in his pockets…!”

One hand shoved carelessly into his pocket, standing casually, the young man descended the stairs without a care in the world. His every move was being broadcast live, yet he walked down with complete nonchalance.

The Executioner and Cheongnyeon followed behind him, maintaining a respectful distance with stern expressions, clearly trying to avoid association with whatever embarrassing thing he might do. Meanwhile, Lee Seung-hyeong whistled as he strutted onto the red carpet.

Thud-thud.

Walking confidently like a model, he spun around once before waiting for Baek Hee-a and Cheongnyeon to catch up. His actions seemed like those of someone whose mind had wandered somewhere else entirely.

At the end of the red carpet, facing the journalists capturing his arrival, Lee Seung-hyeong flicked his finger and winked. One female reporter dramatically clutched her chest and staggered.

“…Is he not embarrassed?”

Cheongnyeon’s muttered complaint echoed emptily. But no one dared to say anything.

Lee Seung-hyeong.

A hero, top-tier actor, and celebrity all rolled into one.

* * *

After causing a “blue-blue” fashion terror at the airport,

We followed Turkish Prime Minister Mammar and <Saladin> to the Istanbul Association in Turkey. Saladin, who should have been in Damascus, Syria, came all the way to Istanbul, Turkey, making Mammar extremely nervous.

“Why have you come to Turkey?”

“Just because.”

That was better than saying he wanted to taste local ice cream directly. The Prime Minister’s expression twisted, and Saladin’s face crumpled.

“You’re lying.”

“Haha, well, yes? Cheongnyeon likes to joke around like old friends, don’t you?”

Dodging the insult with a clever turn of phrase, I returned it in kind.

“I meant it as a friend who can visit anytime. If it offended you, I apologize.”

“…Ahem, no, it’s fine. Then…”

The Prime Minister’s face turned redder than ever. I teased him so much that even Baek Hee-a discreetly signaled me to stop. To maintain Cheongnyeon’s troublesome character, I had no choice, but I still got scolded.

‘If you’re going to scold someone, why not that guy?’

Just because I acted out doesn’t mean Lee Seung-hyeong is any different. Look at his slouching posture. Leaning casually on the table, completely ignoring the conference, folding paper cranes with napkins.

“Ho ho.”

Lee Seung-hyeong finished his perfect paper crane and giggled. Its sharp beak looked like it could stab someone. Folding paper cranes while others are working hard during a meeting—how disgraceful.

“…Young man, hang in there. Life is full of such things.”

“I’m fine.”

“…”

Saladin closed his eyes briefly. Considering his personality, he was probably silently crying over this poor soul. He too had once suffered from losing someone dear.

So no matter how much trouble I caused, Saladin ultimately viewed Lee Seung-hyeong with sympathy. Ah, this young man hasn’t recovered from having his lover stolen away; he’s still wandering aimlessly.

‘You’re doing great.’

Lee Seung-hyeong is currently fully immersed in his own escapades. Although his antics during the conference are limited to distractions, it’s still quite impressive. Anyway, Lee Seung-hyeong is putting in effort.

‘Now it’s my turn to step up.’

While I was lost in thought, Baek Hee-a had already started talking with the Prime Minister. It was formal discussion, revealing our real purpose for visiting.

“…Mr. Prime Minister, we’ve come to Istanbul to eliminate a monster.”

“Of course! Is it SS-Rank?!”

“Are you excited to see a monster emerge from your area?”

My jab made the Prime Minister raise his glass. Baek Hee-a grabbed my hand, shaking her head—it was time to stop.

“They seem to hope their local monsters will become legendary figures like Garura… monsters in Turkey…”

“Cough! Cough cough!”

Fine then. Since it wasn’t false, I raised both hands in surrender when Baek Hee-a frowned. And the moment I mentioned the monster in Turkey, the hazy look in Lee Seung-hyeong’s eyes sharpened.

“Huh? There’s a monster in Turkey…gulp…”

I poked at the dormant Blaze within Lee Seung-hyeong. Not painful enough to kill, but enough to feel like swallowing whiskey. Thanks to that, I managed to shut him up.

“…Yes. Life is bitter indeed…”

Saladin closed his eyes altogether. Having prevented Lee Seung-hyeong’s slip-up, I decided to lay my cards on the table.

“The monster is presumed to be located here.”

In the south of Turkey.

An island where humans can no longer live—Monster Island, Cyprus.

“The monster’s rank is S. Its name is….”

I glanced at Lee Seung-hyeong briefly before continuing.

“Magma Dragon.”

One of the three great generals, and a monster previously under Hydra’s command.

“There’s a Magma Dragon beneath Cyprus Island.”

Since yesterday.

* * *

<7 PM, VIP Room at the Istanbul Association>.

[Yeah, I sent it just now. Since they kept worrying, hurry up and take good care of it. When they said I had Ji Ryun inside me, they wouldn’t believe it until the end.]

“Of course. First, your power source is Hydra.”

I was in the VIP room assigned to me, communicating with Hydra. Hydra had already planted numerous monsters underground tunnels leading to Cyprus Island. These earthbound prisoners would be unleashed the moment we initiated our operation, roaming freely across the island.

And the boss of the island, <Magma Dragon>, waits beneath Cyprus for me. Unlike Garura, this monster had already begun its activities long ago, biding its time for a chance to shine as a true monster under Hydra.

Of course, like Garura, it was merely pretending. Worthy of being one of the final subordinates of Tera, despite being shackled as a monster, it retained the consciousness from its days in Tera.

– The Blazing Phoenix has already awakened as a spirit. I’ve decided to betray Seongju. There’s Ji Ryun inside me. Hey, weren’t you originally Ji Ryun’s servant? What would make you believe us?

– What nonsense are you speaking? I am Magma Dragon, a monster and minion solely loyal to Hydra-sama!! Please, do not test my loyalty, oh mighty Hydra-sama!!

Because Hydra wasn’t Ji Ryun, Magma Dragon misunderstood Hydra’s words as deceit and stubbornly insisted on being a monster until the very end. Ultimately, I’ll have to meet Magma Dragon in person and undergo a revival similar to <Blazing Phoenix Revival> to make it believe in the deal between me and Hydra.

“But seriously, do we really need THAT as the trigger to release the earth prison?”

[Hoho, what else would be more appropriate?]

“You’re deliberately trying to embarrass people.”

[It’s punishment for what happened in Rome. Hmph, just do as much as you did in Beijing. Why are you so embarrassed?]

“Ground Zero!”

[Your next Blaze Phoenix Revival. …Let’s call a truce between us.]

“Alright.”

Since we ultimately have to shout it anyway, there’s no need to hurt each other further. I confirmed that Hydra’s P-team was functioning properly. The private jet carrying Yuna and Hydra was currently flying diligently through the skies. Just flying.

“It’ll arrive at the right time. Or you can prepare beforehand.”

[Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Yuna. Hmph.]

“I’ve been curious for a while now. How exactly do the two of you sync up so perfectly?”

[Secret.]

No matter how hard I try, I can’t figure out the exact moment Hydra and Yuna clicked. Hydra’s gesture of placing a finger to her lips clearly shows she has no intention of telling me the truth.

“Sigh, fine. Anyway, thanks for the delivery. I’ll take good care of it tomorrow.”

[Alright. By the way, when does this ‘operation’ start? We’ve been eagerly waiting to see it. Yuna has already popped the popcorn.]

“In the air…please wait just a little longer. Once the sun sets completely and the moon rises.”

I raised my wine glass. It contained strawberry ade.

“My inner beast shall awaken.”

Operation Name: <SinPoter>.

Tonight, ‘Seung-Hyeong The Blaze Dancer Li’ will rise again.