Ch.129129. A Brief Date

In front of me, Ariel looked upset.

“I swear, I don’t know what he’s doing. Barging into other people’s appointments. Right?”

“Well…”

“Right?”

True to her personality, Ariel gave me a pointed look.

“He must have his reasons. Besides, seeing that Lee Chaerin is with him, they probably just ran into each other by chance.”

“Is that so?”

Ariel took a step back and glared at me.

“But why are you defending him?”

“…”

This kind of reaction was within my expectations.

“I’m not defending him, just assessing the situation. Besides, those two aren’t our objective. We should focus on what we’re here for.”

“That’s exactly it, Du Jonghyun. You’re finally becoming useful.”

Ariel clapped her hands, making the bag she was holding swing along with the motion.

Inside was the Dol Hareubang figurine set I had bought her, swaying back and forth.

“You’re still carrying that around?”

“What do you mean ‘still’? It’s a souvenir. You should be grateful. Honestly, I could have gotten something much better.”

“Thank you.”

When I answered obediently, Ariel fell silent for a moment. Then she looked triumphant.

“Of course you should be grateful.”

“You’re even treating me to dinner to cheer me up. I wonder how I should repay you.”

“You don’t need to pay me back. This much is nothing… though it’s not exactly cost-effective. You should give me something too, Du Jonghyun.”

“Like what?”

“Something that will make me happy! Isn’t that obvious?”

Something to make Ariel happy? That’s beyond my financial means. I should give her a heartfelt gift like the Dol Hareubang.

“Hmm, something to satisfy you? Honestly, expensive gifts are a bit much. I guess I’ll have to repay you with my body.”

“Your body? What are you saying, you pervert! We’re not even dating, and you say something like that!”

Ariel’s face turned bright red. I snickered.

“No, I mean I’ll satisfy you with my physical efforts.”

“That’s exactly what it sounds like!”

“What does it sound like?”

“…”

Ariel’s face was completely red, all the way to her ears.

“You pervert, Du Jonghyun!”

“I’m joking. I meant I’ll put in the legwork and effort.”

“Hmph, I knew that.”

“You knew? You weren’t misunderstanding in a weird way?”

“That place over there is where I made reservations. It may not look like much, but it’s a three-Michelin-star restaurant. You probably couldn’t afford to come here in your lifetime.”

Ariel avoided answering my question.

“By the way, Jonghyun, are you okay now?”

“If you mean about the Cheongi incident, I’m fine. It would be a lie to say I’ve overcome it, but I have things I need to do.”

“Things you need to do… Sounds like you have some big goal.”

“Dismantling all the gates and bringing peace to humanity.”

That’s my ultimate goal. It’s similar to their destruction, but anyway, as long as humanity doesn’t suffer at their hands, it’s OK.

“That’s everyone’s dream, but there are also people who don’t want the gates removed.”

“This industry has developed because of them, but they still need to be closed.”

“Then, Jonghyun, what if I were to side with those who want to maintain the gates?”

It was an unexpected question, but my mind remained unchanged.

“You? I’d still close them.”

“Even if I stood on the other side and we had to fight each other?”

“I’d either persuade you or force you to stand on my side.”

“That’s quite forceful… You’re speaking with unusual determination for Du Jonghyun.”

Despite it being an answer she should dislike, Ariel didn’t seem to mind.

And so, as Ariel planned, we ate very elegant dishes at the Michelin restaurant.

“The seasoning is bland.”

“Try to adapt your low-class palate to something more refined. It’ll be good for you in the future too.”

The dishes clearly used top-quality ingredients, and even the smallest herbs were incredibly fresh.

It’s just that the seasoning was so subtle that the taste seemed bland.

Ariel seems to be enjoying it just fine.

This kind of course meal comes in small portions served frequently.

I start eating very elegantly with a fork and knife.

Our eyes meet across the table.

“Want me to teach you? You look like you need some table manners.”

“I would appreciate your guidance.”

“Good attitude, Jonghyun. I’ll teach you everything from the beginning.”

Ariel diligently taught me table manners, from fork placement to eating habits and arm movements.

“You should be grateful. You were at a completely uncivilized level.”

“Thank you.”

“Hmph. You need to know table manners so that later I can…”

“You can what?”

“Nothing.”

Ariel was being evasive. Well, it’ll become clear later.

She’s a rather simple type, after all.

After finishing our meal and leaving in good spirits, Ariel suddenly grabbed my ear.

“Are you hiding something from me?”

“Hiding something?”

Yes, I definitely have something to hide. I pretended not to know.

“I don’t know? People naturally have many secrets.”

“I’d prefer if you were more honest. Because I can understand you.”

Her response was somewhat unsettling. Ariel had a serious attitude.

This wasn’t a mood to brush off with jokes.

“I’ve been suspecting and thinking about this while watching you lately. You’re hiding something, aren’t you? Like, a side of yourself you can’t show.”

“Don’t joke around, Ariel. I have secrets, but nothing grand.”

“Really?”

I absolutely can’t tell her. Regardless of whether Ariel trusts me or not, it’s a risk that could destroy everything in an instant. I need to avoid this at all costs.

Why is Ariel suddenly…? Is she suspicious of me? Has she noticed that I transform into a monster?

My heart started racing.

How should I deflect Ariel’s questions? I racked my brain and barely managed to utter a response.

“…Even if there was something like that, I can’t tell you now. When the time comes, I might be able to tell you. Maybe?”

“You’re a coward, Du Jonghyun.”

Ariel stood up from her seat.

“Why don’t you try being honest with me? I think I’ve been quite honest with you.”

“I appreciate that. But I don’t really have anything to talk about.”

“So that’s your mindset? Fine, let’s end it here today. I’m not in a good mood anymore.”

Ariel walked past me.

“Don’t contact me until I contact you first!”

“But you will contact me, right?”

“I don’t know! Idiot!”

And with that, Ariel left.

“I have no choice.”

What can I do? For now, perceptions need to change more. Feeling sorry for Ariel, I headed to the busy downtown area.

Just then, my phone rang.

“Ah, noona. Don’t laugh at me!”

I see a string of “ㅋ” messages from the security team noona who was watching.

This is why I can’t even enjoy a date in peace! In the end, Ariel left, and I was wandering the streets alone.

Since it’s come to this, I might as well do some shopping. Should I buy gifts for my parents? Or is there something Ariel would like?

After walking around for about 15 minutes, I suddenly saw a woman running from somewhere. Before I knew it, Mina noona was standing in front of me.

“You’re not an ordinary guy.”

“What did you say?”

At that moment, I looked at the path this woman had come from. There was a person lying on the ground, bleeding.

Just then, the running woman’s body began to transform.

She changed into an A-class Rock Ogre with a stone-like body and started attacking the people around her.

‘A monster-human?’

At that moment, I thought about Lee Chaerin and Seol Yuhwa coming out earlier.

Why did those two come out?

Thinking about it, the answer was already there. They came to this area because something was happening.

Just then, the Rock Ogre’s body was deflected right in front of my eyes.

Mina noona’s magical power was strengthening her entire body.

With each powerful blow, the Rock Ogre’s abdomen was pierced.

It was too fast for me to catch, but I could tell from the Rock Ogre’s destruction that she was unleashing a fierce attack.

As the commotion continued, something suddenly fell behind Mina noona.

“Noona!”

But soon what might have been a monster was hit by Mina noona and deflected away.

She’s really strong.

Let’s see, that one is an armored cyborg? A weak monster-human.

[Krak! Krak!]

The area where it was hit was already blown open.

I was backing away with the other people.

At this point, becoming a hostage would be dangerous. And suddenly, flames were rising from two blocks away.

What’s going on? Why so suddenly today?

Just as I was trying to get as far away as possible, a diamond-like brilliant monster appeared before my eyes.

It’s similar to a Rock Ogre… but with a different material?

It grabbed a person in front of me and put them into its circular mouth.

Blood was splattering everywhere.

Just as I was reaching for my card in surprise, something flew through a broken window and sent the monster flying.

“Get back!”

“Noona! It looks like a Rock Ogre but it’s unusual! Be careful!”

As I hurriedly escaped to another location, I felt a shockwave behind me.

With the sound of breaking glass behind me, I went outside and saw something strange.

The Rock Ogre and the armored cyborg. The two creatures were stuck together.

I thought it might be Mina noona’s work, but it wasn’t. The creature was getting up, squirming.

And red powder was falling, sparkling.

“Shit.”

Recalling the incident with Lee Myunghyun, I was about to retreat when the creature looked around.

Its stretched body was reattaching itself, becoming grotesquely bizarre.

A strange combination of armor and stone.

[I’ve become stronger.]

Its laughter and gaze were directed at me. Today is really an unlucky day.

But then.

Something white jumped out in front of me.

A Rock Ogre with a diamond-like material.

As it rolled on the ground, the monster-human shouted.

[I’ll join in!]

Soon a 2:1 battle began, but Mina noona was still at a disadvantage.

I was about to hide in an alley when I heard a scream from above.

On the rooftop of a building, a monster-human was holding a person and shouting.

[I have a hostage! If you move carelessly, the hostage dies.]

People were running through the alley, and I quietly took out my card.

Mobility to fly through the air + hardness, and strength to cut.

Yes, there’s only one choice.

[Main Card]

-Half-Dragon Asura

[Sub Card]

-Evolution

[Insect Asura]

In front of my eyes, my body transformed into a 4m giant and instantly leaped over the building.

Coming face to face with the monster-human holding the hostage took only a moment, and I went straight up to the rooftop.

[Uh… what?]

The creature was surprised only briefly before I stabbed its abdomen with my jaw.

[Kugh!]

It let go of the hostage, and I lifted it up and closed my jaw.

Blood poured over my head, and I headed back down.

Just as Mina noona was being attacked and falling, that’s when it happened.

[Sand Storm]

I attacked the creatures’ vision with the sub card Sand Storm for an instant.

[Tyrant of the Forest]

-All stats increase by 1 rank

[Enhanced Detection]

-Regenerative ability confirmed in enemy entity

-Currently completed preparation to emit outer shell

“What?”

In my vision, I could see the diamond-like armor of the white creature gradually emerging.

Is it going to scatter that everywhere?

I flew in an instant.

[Skill]

-Jaw Crusher

-Wing Wave

I equipped one of the five new cards I had obtained recently.

[Shockwave Generator]

-Adds a shockwave to skills to negate opponent’s skills.

A small mechanical device was attached to my body, but there was no time to look at it.

My body was already charging toward the creature.

At this very moment when I was charging at full power, spikes were about to be fired from the Rock Ogre’s body.

In an instant, my timing was faster and I pierced the creature.

[Trait]

-Cutting Effect

As the creature’s body was being crushed by my jaw, the shockwave activated.

I saw the spikes coming from the creature’s body turn to ash in an instant due to the shockwave generator.

I had blocked the creature’s skill.

[Aaaaargh!]

After cutting it apart completely, the remaining one took damage from my wing wave and collapsed.

What remained was Mina noona, but in this state, all I could do was ensure she would be rescued by people.

I went back up to the rooftop to assess the situation. I could see Seol Yuhwa and Lee Chaerin, and even a strange yeti weakening attacks.

“A debuff, huh.”

It was taking a hostage and fleeing, but I wasn’t about to let that happen.

I flew toward the yeti.

I switched cards.

[Sub Card]

-Fierce Advance

You’re applying a debuff? Don’t worry. My Fierce Advance ignores that.

The creature noticed me but could only show me the hostage while trying to escape.

Of course, I just had to avoid that.

With the effect of Fierce Advance nullifying the debuffs applied to me, I sliced through the creature’s body in one go.

[How…?]

I got up again, leaving the creature that was rapidly shrinking.

While I was putting the hostage down on the ground, the creature was attempting to regenerate.

Should I use spatial cutting to make sure it can’t regenerate?

As I was about to fly back, Enhanced Detection alerted me.

Something powerful was coming.

A flash.

A flash of light passed before my eyes and blew away the monster-human.

“…”

It vanished without even being able to regenerate.

With this level of power…

As I turned my head, I saw Lee Chaerin aiming at me with an arrow of magical power.

I could see her accurately tracking and destroying the fleeing monsters.

But I couldn’t stay here.

I set off a smoke screen and hurriedly hid.

*

Seol Yuhwa was focusing on the insect monster. The insect monster disappeared into the smoke without flying.

[Yuhwa. I’ll track the rest. You track that insect monster. Whether it helps humans or not, our guild’s job is to exterminate monsters. Find out where it’s headed, no matter what.]

“Yes.”

Even though it had helped her several times, as a White Dragon Guild member, there was no room for compromise when it came to monsters.

Regardless of how it would be dealt with, she had to identify the insect monster as a guild member.

‘I’m sorry.’

Seol Yuhwa wished they had never met.

As she was tracking its position with Brisingamen, she saw something running.

“…It’s small? Not a monster.”

But compared to the monster’s size, what she detected with Brisingamen was somehow different.

‘Did I miss it? There’s no point in looking at humans.’

Still, just to check, Seol Yuhwa moved in that direction.

“Huh? Jonghyun?”

Surprisingly, Du Jonghyun was there, panting heavily.

“Seol Yuhwa?”

“Jonghyun, what are you doing here? Where’s Ariel?”

“She got angry and left. She’s really difficult.”

Du Jonghyun shrugged his shoulders.

“Anyway, I don’t want to experience being taken hostage by a monster again. Our security team noona is injured right now.”

“Ah… you were a hostage?”

Seol Yuhwa’s expression changed, more concerned about the fact that he had fought with Ariel than this information.

“Our guild members would have found her by now. So you were taken again?”

“Yeah. But the insect monster killed it and left. Underground.”

“R-really? I hadn’t thought about underground.”

It’s certainly a possible escape route if the monster has high intelligence. However, Seol Yuhwa recalled her previous trip to the gate with Du Jonghyun.

Du Jonghyun had emerged from the direction where the monster had appeared.

And now again.

‘No, that’s impossible. Jonghyun is… no way.’

She didn’t want to believe it. It’s not like Du Jonghyun was the only one here; there were many people around.

[Monsters must be killed. No matter what!]

Besides, wasn’t the security team usually by his side?

‘The probability is low. That’s all.’

For now, she decided to trust Du Jonghyun. Besides, there was something more important.

‘I can do this.’

“Jonghyun. Are you free on December 31st?”

“It’s vacation, so I have plenty of time.”

“Really? Then…”

Seol Yuhwa gathered her courage.

On this day, Seol Yuhwa finally succeeded in confirming the person she would bring to Lee Chaerin.