Ch.100Chapter 4. The Dignity of S-Class (8)

Kagang!

The dragon of scrap metal tears into the ceiling of the airplane.

From the outside, it looks like the dragon is coiling around the plane and attacking it, but in reality, the metals forming the ceiling of the airplane are being broken down and sucked into the dragon’s body.

Thud!

Taejo, who had been standing on top of the scrap metal dragon, landed in the aisle of the airplane.

After quickly scanning the direction of the cockpit with his eyes, he sniffed the air for a moment before dashing toward the rear of the plane.

CRASH!

Breaking down the metal door installed in the middle of the airplane’s corridor with his foot, he entered a room furnished like a hotel room, befitting a private jet, but it was empty.

The only thing there was a single carrier fixed beside a chair.

Taejo approached the carrier, reached out his hand, and used his ability to disassemble and release the locking mechanism.

Click!

“Kyaak!”

As the carrier door opened, a person jumped out from inside.

“Juliana Faygreen.”

“Hee, heek…!”

Juliana, who had been hiding in the carrier, frantically began to run away.

Her movements were so fast that she was even faster than an Olympic track athlete.

CRASH!

But when Taejo lightly flicked his hand upward, a metal plate shot up from the floor, blocking Juliana.

“Aagh…!”

Juliana slammed right into the metal plate.

If the magical energy had been applied to the metal plate even a little later, Juliana would have broken through it, but she couldn’t penetrate the metal plate infused with Taejo’s magical energy.

The power of an S-rank.

There was no way a mere C-rank like Juliana could overcome it.

“S-stop…! I, I am…!”

“Juliana Faygreen. You’re under arrest for theft.”

“What…? On, on what grounds!”

“This.”

Taejo pulled out a small box attached to the inside of the carrier.

The box, which appeared to be made of plastic rather than metal, looked quite sophisticated, and Taejo grabbed it firmly in one hand.

Crunch.

The plastic box was crushed beyond recognition in Taejo’s grip.

Small glass fragments leaked out from inside, and soon blue liquid seeped through Taejo’s fingers, dripping onto the floor.

“If you steal something from others, you should receive an appropriate punishment. Especially without consent.”

“…C-call my lawyer. And contact my grandfather…!”

“You’re finished. I’ve already spoken with Desmond Faygreen.”

“What…?”

Juliana’s pupils began to shake violently.

“I don’t know why Yimemangryang attached a goblin to you… but at least those who were considered the ‘main force’ of Yimemangryang protected Desmond Faygreen, not you.”

“W-wait. Are you saying…my grandfather…?”

“He’s disciplining his C-rank granddaughter who stole seeds. It was all a setup. Thanks to Hwalbindang’s interference, Yimemangryang stands to gain, though. Tsk.”

Taejo clicked his tongue in displeasure, though the cause was ultimately himself.

“Don’t worry. The facilities at the ability user prison are better than you think. You won’t be officially incarcerated, but you’ll be sent to Uruguay for a while to undergo ‘rehabilitation’.”

“N-no…! Th-that place…!”

“Korea’s antipode, the opposite side of the Earth.”

If the East Sea where the meteorite landed is considered a paradise for ability users, what kind of place would the exact opposite point on Earth be for them?

“You’ll experience what it’s like to have your magical energy recover five times slower than usual.”

“N-no!! S-save me! Taejo, please!”

“Save you? I’m not killing you.”

Clink.

Silver handcuffs were placed on Juliana’s hands, and magically imbued wires began to wrap around her entire body.

“Mmph, mmph!”

“I’m sparing your life and sending you to prison instead of killing you, so you should be grateful. People call women like you ‘villain-minded.’ Those whose way of thinking is completely different from normal people. Tsk.”

Taejo sighed deeply.

“I thought I’d finally made an American friend. But you went off the rails on your own.”

“……!!”

“You can’t turn back time. This is the end for you, Juliana Faygreen. ‘Iron Chest.'”

Clank!

The floor of the airplane moved, and Juliana was trapped inside a hexagonal metal plate.

Taejo ran his hand over the metal plate to create a small barred window so he could see inside, and pointed his Taegeuk Watch at the restrained Juliana.

“Consider this your Miranda rights. Villain Juliana. I’m placing you under arrest.”

“Mmph!”

“Stay put. From now on…I need to go over there too.”

BOOM!

A brilliant light exploded, causing the airplane to tilt.

Taejo supported the iron chest with his hand and turned his head.

“Keu….”

Beyond the airplane’s window.

Next to the Goblin who was fighting against Snow White, a ghost-like figure appeared, spreading red mist.

Its form was like a winged tiger.

“I can’t believe she actually showed up. S-rank… [Crimson Witch]!”

Villain, Crimson Witch.

The pinnacle of flame-type ability users, far stronger than numerous S-rank flame users like Agni, Ifrit, Surtr, and Infernicia.

“Qiongqi is here…!”

By another name, those who know call her ‘Qiongqi.’

* * *

A giant flame tiger made of magical energy and ether circles around me, protecting me.

‘I never expected the Chairman to provide this much support.’

Dawn.

After meeting with Qiongqi, I reported the situation to the Chairman.

The Chairman permitted support for Qiongqi, and naturally, with the Chairman’s permission, I helped Qiongqi as well.

If I claimed to be helping Qiongqi just because Goblin happened to meet her by chance, the other executives wouldn’t stand for it.

But I never dreamed the Chairman would provide this much support.

[Are you alright?]

[Of course. No problem.]

Qiongqi, in the form of a tiger, opened her jaws and growled at Snow White.

[Since I came to provide full support, I naturally have to give it my all.]

[This isn’t just ordinary full power though.]

[I got permission, so I’m using it.]

She’s completely different from when she’s human.

It’s not a sound that vibrates my eardrums, but more like magical energy being transmitted directly to my head.

[I’ve brought out my ‘true form’ for once. If you disappoint me, I won’t let you off later, Goblin.]

[Of course.]

That’s enough small talk.

While we were gauging the extent of power Qiongqi had been permitted to use, our opponent was also sizing up our strength and preparing.

“Are you done chatting?”

[I’d prefer if you called it strategic discussion.]

Snow White, who had been watching me closely, seemed to have decided it was time to fight, as she once again spread her ice wing to one side.

“Since you brought one more person, you don’t mind if it’s 2:2, right?”

“Oh, Noona! Perhaps!!”

“Come down if you’re done with the arrest, Taejo.”

“Woohoo!!”

Taejo, who had been in the airplane, shouted with joy as he jumped down to Baek Seol-hee’s side.

[What about Juliana?]

“Arrest complete! She just got crushed, but this is my revenge match! It’ll be different this time!”

[Different indeed.]

The scrap metal dragon that had been coiled around the airplane approached Taejo’s side.

This wasn’t some summoned creature battle, but although it was similar in size to Qiongqi, the scrap metal dragon made from motorcycles and guns was a completely different entity from Qiongqi.

“2:2. Don’t call us cowards. More heroes will arrive soon.”

[You did nothing when Hwalbindang was running wild.]

“It’s 7 AM now. It’s just the right time for them to arrive at the airport after having their morning coffee.”

[I can respect morning coffee.]

Let me make one thing clear.

What I’m engaging in now isn’t idle chatter.

One of the heroes’ rules:

When you need to buy time, deliberately go along with the villain’s conversation.

Even during this small talk with the villain, heroes are rushing toward Yangyang Airport.

“If more arrive, you’re really finished. We’ll capture not just the Goblin but the dark mage too.”

[Hmm…. I see. So this was a trap to catch Qiongqi, not me?]

“For a script improvised on the spot, it was pretty good! Though I didn’t expect the Goblin to get involved too!”

If I hadn’t brought Juliana here, Qiongqi would likely have had to face the enemies here alone with high probability.

They let the chaos continue by allowing Hwalbindang to run wild, buying time, and when Yimemangryang arrived on the scene, they would arrest Qiongqi.

[Drawing us in while cleaning up the mess a young one made. Not bad. Was it Princess Bari who set this up? Or the Lord of Radiant Wings?]

“I have no obligation to tell you.”

[It doesn’t matter. Whoever laid out this plan, they didn’t account for the Goblin as a variable.]

I couldn’t have imagined being in this situation either.

[Clearly the current situation is disadvantageous. Two S-ranks right in front of us. And with more S-ranks about to appear, plus A-ranks and below…it’s definitely a crisis.]

[But if we overcome this, we’ll also gain a lot. ‘Legally’.]

Qiongqi displays a fierce smile as she breathes fire.

“Hmph! All of that becomes meaningless once you’re arrested!”

Simultaneously, the scrap metal dragon opened its jaws wide, aiming the barrel of a K2 rifle from inside its mouth.

“Whatever deal you made with October Travel, I don’t care as long as I can arrest you! Qiongqi! Goblin! I’m placing you under arrest!”

As Snow White raised one hand high, ice feathers soared high into the sky.

[Starting already? We were just having a nice chat and haven’t even finished preparing.]

“What…!”

Snow White’s face contorted.

[Don’t get angry. Would your husband like that?]

“Ugh…! Don’t say such strange things!”

[Let me tell you something. Using conversation to buy time isn’t exclusive to you heroes…it’s a villain’s identity too.]

Kyaooo!!

Qiongqi flapped her wings widely.

The bullets from the scrap metal dragon and the ice feathers aimed at us caused a chain explosion in an instant due to Qiongqi’s wing flap.

[We haven’t even ‘transformed’ yet.]

[Spirit—!]

[Let me show you why Yimemangryang is the strongest organization.]

Qiongqi let out a great roar as she enveloped my body, and soon she rapidly seeped into my body.

“What…?!”

[Come, Qiongqi.]

[Possession—!!!]

With full power.

[[Spirit Union.]]