Ch.1212. The Beginning of the Dragon King’s Downfall, Irua’s Repayment

“Red Dragon?”

The Emperor stopped walking as he questioned.

It was working. Ji Se-hwa felt hope rising that she might save her life, and began moving her tongue even faster.

“Y-yes! Dragon King Sentai was practically Jung Ui-seok’s one-man team from the start! He’s stronger than the four of us combined…”

“Blue Saber!”

Shin Yukyong called her name urgently. Only then did Se-hwa come to her senses and stop talking.

“Hmm. The red warrior, you say. So, where is this Red Dragon?”

“Jung Ui-seok is dea—”

“Red Dragon is missing in action!”

Shin Yukyong shouted, cutting off Se-hwa’s words.

Se-hwa, you stupid bitch. Shin Yukyong cursed violently in her mind.

If they revealed that Jung Ui-seok was dead now, it was obvious the Emperor would judge Earth to have no value and immediately launch a full-scale attack.

They couldn’t even stop one Emperor, but what if his entire army invaded?

Earth’s end would be inevitable.

“Missing in action?”

“There was an explosion after the battle with Dark Arthur. We confirmed that Red Dragon fell to Earth, but we haven’t found him yet. We’re still searching, but given his failure to return, memory loss is possible.”

Shin Yukyong calmly fabricated the story.

This Emperor wanted to fight against a strong opponent.

If she said Red Dragon was on Earth, they could buy time until he was found.

That was the quick thinking behind her words.

Of course, Jung Ui-seok was already dead, so it was really just buying time.

“I despise deception. Can you swear to the Space Goddess that there is not a shred of falsehood in your words?”

What kind of goddess is that? If gods exist, they should do something about this bastard, for fuck’s sake. Shin Yukyong gritted her teeth.

“I swear.”

“Hmmmm. I cannot ignore a vow to the Goddess. Very well, silver warrior. I shall trust your statement and withdraw for today. I will give you fifty days by your time standard. Find Red Dragon within that time and present him before me.”

It worked. She fooled him. Shin Yukyong felt relief inside.

“However.”

The Emperor emitted a terrifying aura. Shin Yukyong was overwhelmed by its power, detecting that every cell in her body was despairing with fear.

“If your words prove false, prepare to become an undying body that will suffer the most terrible pain in this universe for all eternity. The sin of insulting the Goddess cannot be forgiven.”

Shin Yukyong sensed it.

That there was no falsehood in those words.

That suicide right now might be the best option left to her.

“I look forward to it, Red Dragon! If you hear these words, appear at any time. I shall be waiting on my throne!”

The Emperor left behind a hearty laugh as a pillar of light enveloped him. The Emperor disappeared.

All that remained was defeat and despair.

And a doomsday countdown of 50 days.

◈ ◈ ◈

“You fucking insane bitches!!”

The Association President threw everything in sight onto the hospital room floor.

“What? Jung Ui-seok defeated Dark Arthur? And not only that, Jung Ui-seok is alive? It’s spreading worldwide, worldwide!! The media is lined up outside the Association!”

“Well what the fuck should we have done, you bitch? We would’ve died! Why don’t you go fight the Emperor yourself!”

Ji Se-hwa shouted back from her hospital bed just as fiercely. Meanwhile, Shin Yukyong was trembling with fear, unable to speak.

“How are we responding to this?”

Kang Yerin asked in a calm voice.

“How should we respond? Should I acknowledge it? That Jung Ui-seok defeated Dark Arthur?”

“If you hadn’t done that, the Emperor would have mobilized his entire army at that moment. Because a planet without strong warriors has no value. So let’s announce to the media that we lied to the Emperor to buy time.”

“But that’s admitting that Dragon King Sentai is weak! The whole world will think I’m incompetent!”

“Are you trying to have everything in this situation? Don’t you realize you’re about to lose everything?”

The Association President fell silent at Yerin’s sharp facts.

“The Emperor is unbeatable right now. Dragon King Sentai lied to buy time. We successfully gained 50 days. During that time, associations from each country should cooperate to strengthen our forces. Red Dragon is indeed dead. This way, we’re not weak or incompetent—the enemy is just too strong, and we chose the best option, right? We gain justification and haven’t actually lied.”

“Y-you’re right! As expected of Yerin. Your father being a congressman has given you quick judgment.”

The Association President started to display a haggard smile as if he’d found a lifeline. Kang Yerin was disgusted inside but had no choice.

Without the Association President’s cooperation, it would be difficult to get help from heroes of other countries.

She couldn’t protect Jung Ui-seok’s honor, but gathering strength to fight against the Galaxy Empire was more important right now.

“I need to prepare for the media announcement right away! You all hurry up and recover! We don’t have much time!”

Bang! The Association President left the room.

“Will recovery help us win? We’ll definitely die next time they attack, right?”

Ji Se-hwa let out a self-deprecating laugh.

“Die? Dying would be fortunate! I won’t even be able to die! I’m going to suffer eternal torture cleaning up after your big mouth, Se-hwa!”

Shin Yukyong screamed.

“What? How is this my fault? You’re the one who said the wrong thing. Don’t shift the blame.”

“Like it’s not your problem…! Why, why am I in this situation…!”

“That’s probably just talk. Eternal undying torture? How could such a thing exist?”

“You saw his power and still don’t understand? They’re on a completely different level!”

“Tsk. Hey, Choi Minseo. All your sisters have said something, are you just going to stay quiet?”

Se-hwa tilted her head. Minseo was crouching, burying her face in her thighs.

“…I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“What?”

“…I don’t want to be in the Sentai anymore.”

“Has she lost her mind?”

“This isn’t why I joined Dragon King Sentai. What was it? I can’t remember. There was definitely something important. Dragon King Sentai was something good. Why did it turn out like this? When did it start? I remembered recently. Why did I forget again?”

“This is driving me crazy. And we have the investor meeting tomorrow.”

Ji Se-hwa clicked her tongue.

“…I miss Ui-seok oppa.”

Choi Minseo muttered in a small voice.

Se-hwa, Yukyong, and Yerin all heard the name but deliberately tried not to react.

◈ ◈ ◈

“We really got some time.”

Lu-a was surprised.

“How did you know?”

“If you’re surprised by every little thing, it’ll be hard to work with me in the future. I know many things.”

The first battle with the Emperor is a forced defeat event. The Emperor in the actual final battle isn’t this strong.

In the game, the Emperor sees potential in the hero and wants a duel with a strong warrior, so he gives a month to grow stronger.

So regardless of what Se-hwa or Yukyong said there, the Emperor was likely to leave.

“But didn’t you say a month? He declared 50 days.”

“The Emperor said that, but the actual invasion happens a month later.”

“Huh.”

“Of course, the fact that I know this is a secret.”

“Obviously.”

Lu-a said that and sat down beside me.

“The world will know now. That Dark Arthur was defeated by Red Dragon, and that he’s alive…”

“No. It will be covered up soon.”

“Really?”

“With Kang Yerin there, she’ll quickly come up with a scenario to deal with it.”

“But… that’s so unfair.”

Lu-a clenched both fists as if she felt indignant.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“How can it not matter? People don’t even know who’s responsible for the peace they’re enjoying right now. They don’t know who sacrificed…”

“I didn’t do it for honor or gratitude. I fought only for the result of peace coming to the world.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That’s justice.”

Lu-a looked like she was about to cry. She’s a sensitive one.

“Now I’ve realized my justice was an illusion. I don’t intend to pursue such things anymore.”

“An illusion?”

“When it’s peaceful, humans begin to insult each other. They crave blood. They push those below them even lower, and those without vigilance become their nourishment.”

I declared with certainty.

“Justice didn’t maintain peace. It only perpetuated evil.”

That’s the conclusion I’ve drawn in this world.

“I didn’t mind not being acknowledged. But I didn’t act to be insulted either.”

The malice of the world was much dirtier and filthier than I had thought.

“So you’re going to abandon justice?”

“I won’t abandon it. I’m a human who has lived for it. But I think it needs to be redefined.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. I hope to find out someday.”

This is sincere.

What is the justice of a person like me?

I yearn to know.

“Still, I hope you get rewarded someday.”

Lu-a looked up into my eyes and said that.

“Such expectations only tire people out.”

“Then I’ll give you one reward.”

“Hmm?”

“Since I slept comfortably thanks to you before, this is my reward.”

Lu-a said that while slightly rolling up her skirt. Her fair thighs glistened dreamily in the light.

“Rest your head here.”

“It seems like it would be more uncomfortable.”

“You won’t know unless you try, right?”

“Hmm.”

It was getting late anyway. And I was tired. If it’s just an experiment…

I slowly lay down on the sofa. I lay on my side with my face toward Lu-a’s visible knees.

“Ouch. Your mask is poking me. Take it off.”

“No.”

“Then lie on your back.”

“Mmm…”

With no choice, I shifted my body as she said and lay facing upward. Lu-a was looking intently at my eyes with the corners of her mouth turned up.

I thought she had a thin build, but her thighs had more elasticity than I expected.

They were soft too.

“Does it feel good?”

“It is soft.”

I gave my honest impression. Lu-a seemed pleased with the answer and chuckled.

“Sleep well, Geo.”

Lu-a turned off the lights. I slowly closed my eyes.

….

……

……..

It hurts.

Pain like a sharp knife stabbing my bones, blood vessels, and heart from within.

Pain like a thick spear severing my brain, nerves, and synapses.

Pain like a blunt dagger hacking away at my mind and soul over and over.

“Ugh.”

It repeats, and repeats, and repeats.

A sensation I’ve felt many times.

I should be used to it by now.

Stop making a fuss and just sleep.

“Urgh. Urrrgh.”

What is this?

Red dragon.

Why are you glaring at me like that?

Are even you baring your teeth at me now?

I already ate the monster.

Stay still, you bastard.

“Aaah, aaaaaaah!!”

“Geo?!”

“Aaah, uaaaah!!”

My body is hot. Crash! Something falls, breaks, and shatters. Thud. I fell. It’s dark. Am I still asleep? No, there’s a scent.

A lime scent.

“Geo.”

There’s a face right in front of me.

A woman’s face, breathing roughly as if startled.

A woman pinned beneath me, unable to resist. Her breath overlaps with mine.

“I’m not Geo.”

For some reason, I blurted that out.

“I am Jung Ui-seok.”

Lu-a’s hands grasped my face. She slowly caressed my face.

She observed my eyes with curiosity. My mask must have fallen off.

She puts strength into her hands.

Lu-a slowly pulled my face toward hers.

Breath.

I don’t know whose breath it is.

“I am Lu-a.”

I’m not sure if her voice entered through my ears or my mouth.

“Ui-seok… oppa.”

Lu-a’s voice trembled.

“…You can eat me.”