80. Cops and Robbers

* * *

Shinohara Main Residence

Shinohara Yuzuki watched the combat footage of Yoo Eun-ha displayed on her monitor – secretly obtained from Baekhap Guild’s glass dungeon clear.

After replaying it several times, she shook her head in disbelief.

“That white flame exceeds all expectations.”

“When I met her, she was just fast. Didn’t know she had this power.”

Shinohara Mariko’s eyes sparkled as she watched, equally amazed. Even Rosemary looked dumbfounded in the footage.

“What do you think, Mariko?”

“Absolutely incredible. Wiping out the glass peacocks instantly – no, turning the entire passage into an inferno is astonishing.”

Yuzuki mused, “Can’t even call it doping. That level of power output should be impossible without fatal consequences.”

Yet Eun-ha appeared completely fine.

“Given her popularity on Korean forums, it makes sense.”

Japanese hunter forums were equally abuzz, with threads debating:

Title: Korea’s Yoo Eun-ha vs Japan’s Shinohara Yuzuki. Who wins?

-K-NTR got me hooked. Eun-ha’s eyes own me
-Honorary Japanese would choose Yuzuki obviously
-Who’d win in a fight?
-Eun-ha’s just a student vs the shogunate leader? Compare looks instead
-If she draws that white flame, wouldn’t Thousand Swords get wrecked? lol
-Let’s recruit Eun-ha as part of Greater East Asia

“Even in these times, idle people remain plentiful,” Yuzuki sighed.

“What’s your actual assessment?” Mariko asked.

“Hard to say. Can’t guarantee victory. Better to have her as an ally. Though seeing her in person… she’s dangerously charismatic.”

Beautiful. Undeniably beautiful. At close range, that charm could make anyone fall. Yuzuki understood why Hanseong’s girls posted anonymous fantasies about Eun-ha.

“Surely you’re not also…”
“Me? I don’t fall that easily. Some attraction, but not enough to turn lesbian. Unless she saves me from a hell-level gate, maybe?”

An impossibility, unless they entered the quarantined zones.

* * *

Jin-seok visited unexpectedly, as usual. The original protagonist barged into my home grinning, producing a glowing cube from his palm – his inventory.

“What the hell is this?”

Giant shrimp tumbled out. He’d made me wait home for… this?

“Heard you haven’t been eating properly.”

I’ve been feasting constantly – women and restaurants alike. Unlike my salaryman days, I crave sweets now.

“I eat fine. What’s with the shrimp?”
“Cook them however you want. My gift.”

What kind of brother gifts shrimp? I’ve never cooked before – that’s the heroines’ job. Back home, I only drank sugar water.

“Going somewhere?” I asked, noting his outfit.

“Meeting Ji-hye at the barrier wall. Heading into quarantine zone.”

“What, dating Bulbbadda? Quarantine zone romance?”

If his girlfriend’s the fiery instructor, their dates would be… explosive.

“Not that. You know BaekhwaTV?”
“The duo streaming from quarantine?”

I’d expected government action soon. Was Jin-seok assigned this?

“Exactly. The bald guy’s getting roasted online compared to Baekhwa. We’re to retrieve her.”

If they’re deploying Jin-seok, the Association must be desperate.

“Stay safe out there.”
“I will. Be good.”

He ruffled my hair and left, abandoning the shrimp. Poor Jin-seok – this puts Songdo at risk. If discovered by him and Bulbbadda…

“Cheonsan Group could be exposed too.”

At least we got forewarning. I summoned Kate.

“Kate. Connect me to the penthouse.”

Surveying Songdo’s weather from above – disgustingly clear skies. Perfect for exposure.

“Fuck me sideways with this weather.”

I spread my wings, ascending to cloak Songdo in dense magical energy. A protective shell against detection.

“This should fool them.”

If Jin-seok’s humanity’s strongest, I’m the strongest monster. My magic will conceal Songdo completely.

Returning, Reina confronted me.

“What was that about?”
“Big bro’s hunting me as Baekhwa. Had to hide Songdo.”

She paled. “If they find us?”
“They’ll drag everyone to Seoul.”

Jin-seok would believe relocating survivors “safer.”

“We’re screwed.”
“Relax. They won’t find us.”
“But against the First Sword User…”

Did she forget I’m a dragon? The calamity that caused the Great Shift!

“There is another way,” I mused.
“What way?”

I could play tag with Jin-seok outside. But losing would damage his reputation – and I can’t have my brother looking weak.

“I’m faster than I look. I’ll just… run away vigorously.”
“What should I tell Mother?”
“You handle it. Where are Suji and Si-a anyway?”

Reina huffed. “Mother’s making snake soup. The others are monster hunting.”
“Can she stop with the damn snake soup?”

I’m a dragon – snakes are practically cousins! And eating them feels like feeding chicken to poultry.

“You should behave if you don’t want snake every night. Even I’m getting jealous of your… escapades.”
“Suji doesn’t mind! And Si-a’s technically straight!”
“Rachel spent a century alone with you in darkness! Of course she’s possessive!”

Fair point. A hundred years together would make anyone fall.

“Wait, how did we get from tag to my love life?”
“It’s all connected, you horny serpent. So you’re confident you can win?”

Honestly, playing tag alone sounds tedious. Could Dark Ganpu handle Jin-seok?

“I don’t know Jin-seok’s current level. But you two can’t face him.”
“I’m mastering full elf transformation! You know my dark elf power!”

Her corruption arrows might work against Bulbbadda, but Jin-seok?

“Can you snipe from the penthouse?”
“Yes.”

Perfect – she could provide cover fire from our concealed position.

“Let’s try it then.”

I activated Reina’s dark portal. Her body began transforming into a dark elf – purple-skinned and haughty.

She examined herself, then fixed me with a predatory gaze.

“There’s one thing about this form…”
“Yeah?”
“I want to rape you.”

Her tongue swiped across lips. Definitely targeting me.

“W-wait”””
“Resist and I won’t help. Won’t share either.”

Ignoring my protests, she threw me onto the couch. I could stop her – but needed her cooperation.

I’ll take out this frustration on Jin-seok later.