Chapter 505

〈Chapter 505〉 Part 1 NORMAL ENDING – 1

The world had been saved.

Earth, which had been pushed to the brink of destruction, was now in a better situation than before—perhaps even improved—and the world became more peaceful. Like how the situation changes when you go into and come out of the bathroom, people cheered as the <Master of Pluto> died. However, as time went on, doubts began to arise about the seven beings who had saved the world.

Were they truly gods?

On December 25th, 1999, during what almost became humanity’s “Week of Blood,” exactly seven were wreaking havoc. And those monsters exhibited features strikingly similar to the seven goddesses.

Each attribute had its one ultimate being.

High-ranking officers of the Dark Legion.

Some shared names or aliases.

It was a perfect setup for conspiracy theories.

– Was it actually a rebellion by the high-ranking officers of the Dark Legion?

– Were the seven goddesses really the ones behind the Week of Blood?

– Are the personalities of the officers and the goddesses separate?

Amidst all sorts of rumors floating around like fake news, people focused on the whereabouts of the seven goddesses.

They had saved the world from danger.

But the powers they individually displayed struck fear across the globe. It was an overwhelming and immense power for any single person to possess.

One could break through the atmosphere alone, creating a pillar of fire reaching from Earth to the Moon.

One could freeze the entire Pacific Ocean.

One raced through the sky at near-light speed.

One recreated a satellite the exact size of the destroyed moon.

One’s casual arrow carried the destructive force of a nuclear bomb.

One folded space and possessed their own alternate world.

One was invisible.

Some were widely known, while others remained shrouded in mystery. People couldn’t help but pay attention to them.

– Seriously, if 설화령 loses it and evaporates all the water on Earth, what then?

– Seriously, if 개천광 shoots an arrow into the Earth’s core, what happens?

– Seriously, if 얄다바오트 drops the moon they created onto Earth, what do we do?

A lunatic with no common sense holding the nuclear button is already a big threat to world peace. But what if that situation goes beyond just World War III and leads directly to the apocalypse?

Among them, the most threatening existence was <Blazing Phoenix>.

A former hero.

Someone who had already shown their heroic side.

Someone who seemed to have ulterior motives but had never harmed Earth.

In contrast, Blazing Phoenix wasn’t a hero but claimed to be a villain, and had actually killed people.

Thus, 석하랑 imprisoned her in 백영도 with a barrier. But when people found out she was still going outside, naturally they felt uneasy. Was 석하랑 protecting her, or secretly collaborating with her?

Regardless of the situation, two things became clear:

One.

청화. 석하랑. 이유나. 은유하. 백희아.

Out of the seven goddesses celebrated, five of them had ties to Korea. Of course, some concealed their identities, but there are no perfect secrets in the world.

As such, all eyes turned to Korea. Already drawing attention since 석하랑 achieved SS rank, South Korea was now considered a powder keg ready to explode anytime.

And again, everyone’s gaze fell on Korea, even more intensely this time.

With increasing numbers of illegal immigrants trying to enter the peninsula, planes attempting to land nearby, people using special abilities to cross borders, or even foreigners squatting in North Korea shouting about “Korean unification,” these issues were all minor compared to the scale of the main players involved.

– We demand the truth from 석하랑!

– Are you stupid? If you piss off 석하랑, they’ll evaporate all the water in the Pacific! What then?

– …We demand the truth from South Korea!

And two.

The world learned about the existence of “Tera.” The most publicly known <Executioner> among the seven goddesses, 백희아, revealed the truth about Tera and the monsters.

The seven spirits guarding Tera were under the control of the evil 성주.

Some awakened spirits tried their best to protect Earth from 성주.

When 백희아 explained, “They were actually good guys,” no one dared to argue. They knew arguing would get them thrown into the abyss.

The root of all evil is 성주.

Everything is because of 성주’s fault.

Phoenix going berserk, 아지다하카 seducing men, the dimensional gates opening, and monsters appearing—all caused by 성주.

But now, the mastermind is gone.

Phoenix has become Blazing Phoenix and stopped rampaging.

아지다하카 was reportedly killed by Phoenix.

Dimensional gates no longer open.

Monsters no longer appear.

– Uh… so where do we get cores now?

…

Time passed since the world was saved by the seven goddesses, and it was now December 24th, 2020, the peak of winter.

The era had arrived: the era of Core Shortage.

* * *

<December 24th, 2020, 10:00 AM, Beijing, Illusory Dragon Manor, China.>

“Give me the core.”

“I shall. How much would you like?”

“Not necessary.”

I visited the only place that regularly supplied S-rank cores. Here, I met 白靑英 (Baek Cheongyoung), also known as <Bonghyo>, who always welcomed him but now greeted “me.”

“Nice to meet you, Lady Blazing.”

“I’m Phoenix.”

“I’m pretty perceptive, so lying won’t work. I already know you two are different individuals.”

My lie was immediately exposed. Unfortunately, Baek Cheongyoung realized I was not who he thought I was.

“Was it 환룡? Did 환룡 tell you?”

“No. Just speculation and intuition.”

Baek Cheongyoung held up three fingers.

“While assisting 혼돈 and 환룡, I directly understood that the two of you are different. I also know that every spirit is divided into officer and spirit personalities. Lastly…”

“Just intuition?”

“Just intuition.”

Baek Cheongyoung gave a bitter smile.

“The way you look at me now is like looking at a caterpillar crawling outside your house, whereas before, it was definitely different.”

“…Interesting. Tell me, how did he see you?”

“Can I speak freely?”

“Of course.”

“He looked at me like someone looking at a smart but crazy pedophile.”

“…That’s oddly specific.”

“Well, you didn’t hide that look. Though I protest—I’m not a pedophile; I’m just a loyal servant. If I must talk preferences… someone like Xiao Lin.”

“Incestuous creep.”

“My half-sister, but she’s so lovely! Without the whole sibling thing, maybe I could’ve been rivals with that person? Next life, I’d wish to meet without even sharing blood. She’s my sister, but she’s so charming!”

“…You’re a genius wasting your brain on incestuous thoughts.”

“Ahaha.”

Baek Cheongyoung gleamed at me.

“You’ve heard this, right? It’s said that couples start to resemble each other.”

“…Excuse me, though I may be different from him, ultimately, it’s still the relationship between Blazing Phoenix and Phoenix.”

“Eh, I know that too. Phoenix-sama, you weren’t Phoenix, were you?”

“…Really can’t let my guard down.”

Maybe because he assisted 환룡, he knows everything.

“Then you must know the term ‘murderous rage,’ right?”

“Ouch, threats of death sound just like your partner. Hmm, that person debated killing me multiple times before eventually trusting me. You will trust me too, Blazing Phoenix. Why?”

“That might apply to him, but you don’t have anything to threaten me with. SR-6974.”

“Ah, that footage is really erased. That copy your lord holds is the last existing version in the world.”

“But you’re the incest creep, right?”

“Even if I weren’t family, Xiao Lin is attractive enough to consider—but she’s my half-sister, practically a real sister. I’m a normal person who feels no sexual attraction towards her.”

…I decided to give him one chance. I lowered my guard. His magical energy showed no lies.

“Hmm, you trust me just like him.”

“…What? Did your perception of me change?”

“Yes. Initially, you were like a former boyfriend guarding his ex-girlfriend from another guy nearby, but then you realized that guy was actually her older brother, showing relief mixed with unease.”

“…”

Speechless, I stared at him. Baek Cheongyoung smiled knowingly.

“Blazing Phoenix-sama. If you marry 환룡 and Xiao Lin together, will you do it in syncro state, or will all three of you marry?”

“Are you kidding? Why would I marry them?”

“While you might have a romantic relationship with 환룡, you don’t seem to dislike Xiao Lin, right? Even though you were enemies with both, Blazing Phoenix…”

“I’m a woman!”

“And a living god! What does same-sex marriage matter? If the ruler marries Blazing Phoenix, who among the 1.3 billion Chinese would dare oppose it? Hehe.”

“…You reveal your inner thoughts quite easily.”

“To those who prefer honesty, I simply show it. Of course, rejection is fine. I know exactly which side to take.”

Clap clap clap.

Baek Cheongyoung clapped twice. Then, a bookshelf tilted open, revealing a black-haired woman dressed scandalously.

“…What’s the intention here?”

“It’s 환룡’s taste.”

“Destroy it immediately.”

“Yes sir. Black Scorpion, undress.”

“What?! But I’m not wearing anything underneath…!”

“Hmph.”

Baek Cheongyoung ordered coldly.

“When did I ever need to command you twice?”

“B-but…!”

Black Scorpion glanced at me, then lifted her head arrogantly. She wore a revealing outfit typical of a Dark Legion officer, reminiscent of Tera’s aesthetic.

“I heard from a member of the Illusory Dragon Group yesterday! There’s nowhere else to get cores except from you now! Kill me if you want, or annihilate me!”

“…Sorry for exposing you to such an unpleasant sight.”

Baek Cheongyoung bowed to me. For someone who values recognition of their abilities, having to humiliate themselves in front of me must feel like hell.

“Hmph! Kill me if you can! Or better yet, completely erase me! Like the moon! You call yourself a god! Hahahaha!”

“Even if I turn you into a complete disciple, I could still resurrect you after killing you.”

“Guh.”

Black Scorpion froze.

“Looks like spending over half a year getting pounded 24/7 has filled your brain with semen. Do you think a god can’t handle that?”

“H-hiieeek…!”

“…If you think you’re safe because dimension gates no longer open and cores can only come from you, you’re mistaken. Did you think we didn’t anticipate this when we saved the world?”

We spent twenty years together in magma, mentally preparing manuals for every possible post-world-saving scenario.

“Ho? So you claim there’s another source of cores besides Black Scorpion?”

“Of course. Not as efficient as her, but we can manage as before.”

“…Then, would you mind waiting a moment?”

Baek Cheongyoung gestured, calling someone. From inside the chamber, the dark monster known as 흑전갈 appeared, bowed to me briefly, then took Black Scorpion inside, twisting her breast.

“Ahhhng?!”

“Let me conduct some ‘education’ and return shortly.”

Baek Cheongyoung picked up a long jewel box and walked inside. The box, about 60cm long, clearly hinted at its contents. I sipped the tea placed before me.

“……Hm.”

The rich coffee aroma filled my mouth. My tongue felt slightly coated, but it wasn’t bad.

“……Where’s that squeaking sound coming from?”

I stretched leisurely, waiting for Baek Cheongyoung’s “lesson” to end. Fortunately, he returned quickly.

“Premature ejaculation?”

“I left it to Black Scorpion. Ahem.”

Baek Cheongyoung’s face was still red as he adjusted his posture and pointed inward.

“…As proof of renewed loyalty, I offer this. Or rather, return it to you. Isn’t this what you need most now, Blazing Phoenix-sama? Whether for 환룡 or Xiao Lin—if you intend to penetrate—”

“I already told you, I’m not him.”

I raised my cup, proposing a toast.

“He’s the penetrator, but I’m the one getting penetrated. Puhehe.”

“……You seem greater than him.”

“Why yes. Oh, and one more thing.”

I set the cup down and drew a line across my throat with my thumb.

“There’s only one person in the world who can penetrate me, so don’t get any funny ideas.”

Upon leaving China, I made sure to bring along Rasputin.