Chapter 846

EP.846 [Lily Side Story] Chang-yeom and Phoenix #025

The Cube is in Daejeon.

Deep beneath Daejeon, it sits within the research facility where Hikari is being held captive.

I obtained its coordinates from the tattooist.

But simply acquiring the coordinates isn’t enough—I can’t just waltz in because *he* worries me.

Light Blade.

New Seoul, known as “Sejong” in my old world, is close enough to Daejeon that commuting by car is possible.

If I so much as slightly manifest my magic power at the Daejeon research facility, Light Blade will instantly pinpoint my location.

And then a golden greatsword will surely descend from Heaven.

I refuse to fight Light Blade.

‘Even if they’re trash, you don’t mess with the master.’

I’ve already had words with Seok Harang.

Publicly, Phoenix is an American hunter who has fallen in love with Seok Harang.

Though the Confucian blood running through my veins screams “same-sex relationship scandal!” about my bond with Seok Harang, my spirit identifies as male despite my female body—so no problem for me.

Even if our physical relationship might lean toward百合 (yuri) erotica, as long as our spirits share a Platonic love between genders, it’s all good, right?

I don’t want to hurt Seok Harang.

I don’t want my magic power detected by Light Blade.

Thus, I descend into the underground lab without using any magic power.

…

[Access Granted.]

Using the ID card I stole from the tattooist, I entered the research facility.

Though elite soldiers loyal to the tattooist are supposedly stationed inside, I easily slipped through without needing to use my magic power.

That’s because there were no elite guards present at all.

‘Those bomb-collared cockroaches—they’re not going anywhere once their leashes are cut.’

The Pine Tree Unit consists of bugs on leashes, collars rigged with explosives forcing them into loyalty.

But these bugs are always plotting ways to break free from control.

Eventually, they’ll realize the signals controlling their collars have stopped working—and the first ones to notice will be the soldiers guarding this facility.

So, I practically had VIP access as I descended deeper and deeper into the research complex.

“Pfft, who needs crawling through dirty vents?”

Crawling upside-down through filthy air ducts filled with chemicals? That’s idiotic.

…

…

…

How easy is this infiltration! Descending straight to the deepest basement level, right into the tattooist’s lair!

‘Now, down here lies the thing.’

Based on the magical memory I extracted from the tattooist, I activated all the underground equipment.

Whiiiiirrrr.

All the machines began moving in unison.

With the tattooist’s ID card in my possession, the machines recognize me as the controller—no chance of them turning against me.

“Initiating disassembly.”

At my command, the machines powered by the Core sprang into action.

Nothing can escape the concrete sphere encasing it, but now it crumbles under the sharp metallic blades slicing through it. I watched patiently as the orb was dismantled.

“Cube…”

Such a dangerous object.

Carelessly wishing upon it could result in it devouring my mind.

The Cube is the heart of an interdimensional spirit.

It possesses more than enough power to corrupt and destroy both spirits and monsters alike.

But I know how to handle the Cube.

I know how to amplify its effects, making one Cube function like dozens.

I even possess theoretical knowledge of creating infinite energy using it.

Though I haven’t tried yet, if this Cube functions as I believe it does, it will certainly grant my wish.

Crackkkk!!

The circular saw slicing through the concrete retracted back to its original position, allowing me to extract the reinforced concrete pillar—and along with it, the tiny Cube embedded inside.

Grrrrrrr.

Even though I’m suppressing my magic power, the Cube starts glowing faintly, sensing it.

Interdimensional mana.

Twisted, corrupted Tera-like mana.

In that place, yellow storms rage endlessly, seeking to obliterate everything.

Reaching out toward the Cube, which threatens to unleash such chaotic forces, I prepare myself.

The method to control the Cube…

“Gurgle gurgle.”

[…]

Its vibrations, previously erratic with raw mana discharge, gradually settle.

“Virgin.”

[…]

The light dims as strange patterns writhing across the Cube begin aligning neatly.

“Bewb.”

[…]

The Cube slowly regains its perfect cubic shape. The dark hue transitions to a radiant yellow—no, gold.

The interdimensional spirit’s Cube transforms into a divine lamp granting wishes.

With this Cube, one could rule a nation, teleport vast distances, or instantly ascend to S Rank Special Ability status.

But careless use invites mental corruption.

However, I’ve turned the Cube into what it truly is.

By leveraging the Cube’s own rules.

Pay a price satisfying both the Cube and the world, and it works.

“I am…”

Whooshhhhhh!

Dark mana bursts forth from the golden Cube, coalescing into a singular form resembling a robed ghost.

[Berrrrrr…Karaaaaa…B…]

It speaks.

At first incomprehensible, but I understand its meaning.

“Chang-yeom and lilies, bewb gurgle.”

[!!!]

The specter recoils, startled, withdrawing its shadowy claw meant for me.

“And…”

Instead, I step forward, tapping my chest.

“Add Seok Harang.”

[Byurrrrrrrr…Beeeeeeemmmm…]

“And Yun Yuhwa too.”

[KiyooooooooooTTTT…]

The entity contemplates, stroking its chin beneath the robe.

[Ummmm…]

The specter.

[If you dare interrupt my lilies, I’ll kill you.]

A clear curse accompanies its crossed hands.

[I’ll be watching, Phoenix…]

“Question: Why not just say it plainly? Why talk weirdly?”

[CooooonnnnnnCeeeeeeeeep…]

The specter vanishes.

Through the residual trace left in the interdimensional spirit’s fragment, I successfully claim ownership of the Cube.

The condition is simple:

“Henceforth, there shall be no unwelcome interruptions in my lilies.”

Swear by Chang-yeom.

Wait…

“No, rather, there shall be no unwelcome interruptions in my harem.”

Not lilies.

Harem.

Chang-yeom and the heroines will join me, and together we shall reclaim my lost purity.

This isn’t an interruption in lilies—it’s pre-existing harmony.

The interdimensional spirit warned me against interruptions, but starting with purity intact doesn’t violate the contract.

“Right?”

[Having seduced 16 heroines, a little extra is necessary sometimes. Pfft.]

The inner Chang-yeom is thoroughly satisfied.

Chang-yeom agrees, and the interdimensional spirit—a being of perverted desires—also accepts my deal.

Now, it’s time to make a wish.

“…Gurgle. I wish for the Pine Tree Unit, formerly controlled by Villain Tattooist, to return to his control.”

I made my wish upon the Cube.

Then, from the golden Cube emerged a golden-robed figure extending a hand toward me.

[Your wish shall be granted.]

The apparition reached out to me.

[But offer your price for the wish.]

Wishes granted by the Cube require payment.

[Corrupt yourself, noble one.]

The interdimensional spirit disappeared.

Simultaneously, a brilliant golden light revealed a figure standing before me, arms raised 45 degrees to the sky.

“Gurgle forever!”

“Damn it.”

The Cube enables her appearance.

She emerges, seemingly possessed by the Cube, with flowing blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, smirking seductively at me.

“A flawless plan. You’ve claimed the Cube, and the annoying Pine Tree Unit returns to Tattooist’s control. All except for your sacrifice.”

“…”

True.

Sacrifice.

I intend to sacrifice something of mine to obtain the Cube.

“Come on, Chang-yeom.”

My…

“I’m yours…!”

“…Didn’t you revert to normal speech patterns since escaping?”

“…Eh?”

Oh?

“The Cube temporarily manifests the version of me inside your mind. Pfft.”

“But why the blonde hair?”

“Well, now I’m not emerging purified through the Cube’s cleansing fire but instead directly materializing via its power.”

Chang-yeom clings to me, placing her hands on my hips.

“So, how do we proceed?”

“…Wait. You’re not thinking of artificially drilling into me, are you…?”

“Heh.”

Chang-yeom flicks her tongue over her lips and snaps her fingers.

?!

Instantly, my whole body goes limp.

I lose all strength, becoming a marionette manipulated entirely by Chang-yeom’s will.

“Useless. Your magic power was consumed granting the Cube’s wish and altering reality.”

To prevent Sun Icheol’s Pine Tree Unit from massacring civilians, I reconnected them to the Tattooist using my magic power.

“Now you’re just an ordinary girl.”

“N-no!”

“Lilies with Chang-yeom? Pfft, you set the conditions, so you must follow them, right?”

Chang-yeom, surrounded by golden light like a herald, grabs my buttocks and shoves me against the lab wall.

“Even the snail approves of this perversion, gurgle gurgle.”

Cluck.

Chang-yeom presses her lips to mine.

“Get ready for an intense experience, Phoenix.”

Damn the Cube’s specter for sanctioning this degenerate act.