Ch.47Chapter 2. Goblins Don’t Do That (3)

At that moment.

On a certain island, a red-haired woman sat on a sofa in a cliff-side villa, wearing a bathrobe after finishing her shower.

In front of her, an 85-inch large TV screen flickered, showing a villain causing havoc.

The Goblin impersonator, ‘Doppelgänger’.

A villain who looked similar yet different from the original Goblin, with a design that made her want to ask why they’d used such a crude imitation when they could have been more sophisticated if they were going to copy it anyway.

It was like comparing “Japanese figurines” versus “Chinese figurines” in internet memes—that level of distinction.

Where are Korean figurines, you ask?

Unfortunately, Korea doesn’t professionally produce anime girl figurines except for individual sculptors’ works.

“Sigh. I wonder if this is just unnecessarily troubling Manager Do.”

While it seemed natural for Goblin to step in since someone was causing trouble in his likeness, Goblin needed to keep his identity hidden as much as possible.

Yet if he did step in, that would clearly mean—

“Just happened to be passing by, of course.”

As Goblin appeared, kicking away a utility pole that was targeting a pink-haired woman, the woman—’Qiongqi’—operated her Taeguk Watch while sitting on the sofa.

“He’s already there. What’s this, weren’t they all supposed to be working?”

[Says the person joining a video conference during vacation?]

“I can’t stand it when Goblin transforms outside of work hours.”

The video chat room already had four others gathered, excluding Qiongqi.

The host, a woman with the nickname ‘DDD’, had shared multiple windows on screen, showing live broadcasts from those at the scene using Taeguk Watches.

“Chairwoman. I wonder every time—do we really need to monitor from so many angles?”

[Y]

Though just a single initial, it conveyed a strong will that brooked no argument.

Like the others, and herself too, the chairwoman was especially enchanted with Goblin.

If asked whether this was good for the organization, well…

She constantly worried that the organization might split into five factions fighting over one man someday, but Qiongqi could only hope such a thing wouldn’t happen.

[Ah, that one’s turning into a demon.]

[Already?]

[Not quite a demon yet, but soon.]

[His mental state is already demonic though.]

Gradually, the Doppelgänger began transforming from Goblin’s appearance into something that seemed to mix with a demon.

[Oh? Manager Do is taking out his fan?]

[Could Manager Do be changing into his scholar outfit?]

[Something big is coming!]

[!!!!]

The four brightened their eyes at the fan Goblin spread to the side.

Qiongqi also swallowed her saliva as she imagined Goblin’s “scholar” form.

Western formal attire was nice too, but Goblin’s true form was wearing a traditional hat, a mask below, with his traditional robe fluttering.

Since first donning his suit costume half a year ago, he had shown his hanbok attire so rarely it could be counted on one hand. Qiongqi straightened her posture reverently at the prospect of Goblin’s transformation.

“Finally… huh?”

Goblin hesitated.

Just before transforming with his fan spread, he looked around at the people, then tilted his head back to look up at the sky.

[What’s going on? Why is he doing that?]

[I checked the chat room, and everyone’s asking him to transform. They want him to become Doji Rider.]

[What? Why bother? Just eliminate the villain, why transform again?]

[‘Men’, that’s why. Pfft.]

Qiongqi understood the men’s feelings to some extent.

Personally, as someone who preferred cybernetic designs over traditional ones, she quite liked this Doji Rider appearance.

Of course, Goblin’s default, suit Goblin, and gentleman Goblin were all good, but Doji Rider truly had an image of “The Syndicate’s ultimate battle weapon.”

[Romance.]

The moment the host typed those two words.

[Transform.]

With those words, Goblin transformed into Doji Rider.

And with the transformation, the Doppelgänger fired his gun.

“What the hell.”

No one in The Syndicate ever touches an enemy during transformation.

Rather than a matter of romance, it’s The Syndicate’s way to show overwhelming power difference by defeating an enemy who has become stronger after transformation.

“A former Hero Academy student doing such a despicable act!!”

She worried that he might get injured by bullets during transformation.

But that worry was unfounded.

Flutter.

A golden storm whirled to protect Goblin’s body, and when the storm subsided, Goblin appeared as Doji Rider.

“…Phew.”

She had genuinely worried he might be injured.

Not just Qiongqi’s own concern, but she seriously worried that if Goblin got hurt, the other four would immediately drive their “battleships” into Sejong Island.

Fortunately, that didn’t happen.

Goblin subdued the Doppelgänger with remarkable ease.

Smashing the head of the Doppelgänger who had shot during transformation, Goblin tried to subdue him before he became a demon, for the sake of “guidance.”

[Ugh, so frustrating—]

[Heroes always act cocky without knowing better, right? Hehe.]

[I wonder how he’ll feel when he realizes that his interference is what caused the villain to become a demon? Hehehe.]

“Ah. Stabbed from behind.”

A red ranger who blocked the path had his chest pierced by the demon’s touch.

And the Doppelgänger became a complete demon.

The situation became unsalvageable, and Goblin drew upon his magical power to completely eliminate the demon Doppelgänger.

“My, look at that pink-haired girl. Isn’t she trying to get Goblin’s attention?”

Qiongqi provoked the chat room with a subtle voice.

“The way she’s stepping forward and using magic power in front of Goblin, doesn’t it seem like she’s showing off how heroic she is?”

[What a flirt.]

[Tsk, don’t use such harsh words.]

[Not just a flirt, she’s worse than a nine-tailed fox—a fire fox. Look at that. Pretending to direct the heroes while subtly blocking Goblin’s path. Not directly blocking him head-on, but standing slightly at an angle.]

“You’re right.”

It’s quite interesting to see pink flames spewing from two orbs.

“Student Council President Yoon Yi-seon? She seems like a pretty decent woman. Except for her attitude toward Goblin, I’d almost want to scout her for our side.”

[Are you serious?]

“Of course. Just because someone aspires to be a hero doesn’t mean they can’t become a villain, right?”

[…….]

Someone made an irritated sound.

Qiongqi chuckled as she filled her glass with wine and reclined comfortably on the sofa.

“If we leave them alone, the heroes will handle it. Manager Do shouldn’t step forward unnecessarily—”

[I’m sorry, but.]

Goblin stepped forward, grabbing Yoon Yi-seon’s shoulder.

At that sight, the chat room froze momentarily, and Qiongqi unconsciously touched her own shoulder.

Has anyone… ever been touched like that by Goblin?

[That’s not how you use flames.]

Was he trying to teach her how to use flames?

If so, wouldn’t he show the power to burn demons with Goblin’s unique method?

“Goblin’s flames. Chairwoman, did you teach him something?”

[No]

“…Then why is he using flames—”

[Come, hand of Qiongqi.]

“!!”

Qiongqi unconsciously grabbed her own hand.

Her hand remained still, but she felt as if she had done something wrong.

[Why ‘hand of Qiongqi’?]

[What’s this? Why is Goblin saying such things? He doesn’t even like shouting technique names.]

[Qiongqi, what on earth did you do?!]

“No, I didn’t…”

[Black Flame Demon Tiger, Release.]

Kuwaaang—!

Behind Goblin’s outstretched hand, a black and red tiger appeared.

That tiger was Qiongqi’s symbol and the residual manifestation of magical power through Qiongqi’s ability, and she unconsciously gulped.

“Um, Chairwoman? Why is Manager Do suddenly using a technique based on my concept? Huh?”

[…….]

The chairwoman didn’t answer.

Given that the chairwoman didn’t know, it meant this was Goblin’s independent action.

[Hmm. Acting uninterested normally, but you got Goblin to use such a technique?]

[The quiet cat climbs the stove first, they say. Is Goblin possibly joining your team? No, right?]

[Wait, there’s water, wind, and earth, so why fire power? For someone claiming to teach how to handle flames, this is too much!]

Each executive left their comments, while the chairwoman remained silent.

Qiongqi couldn’t tell if the droplets flowing down her back inside her robe were moisture she hadn’t dried after her shower or cold sweat that had unconsciously formed.

[Qiongqi.]

The chairwoman finally spoke.

[Let’s have a one-on-one meeting later.]

“…Yes.”

Qiongqi felt wronged.

* * *

I used a technique with Qiongqi as the concept.

The reason?

It was a reward for Qiongqi revealing the Tavern Owner’s identity last time, and for exposing how she tried to draw me into Hwalbindang through the Tavern Owner.

Overwhelming firepower that burns even demons.

Since that power came from Qiongqi’s hand that I borrowed, anyone could easily imagine how powerful Qiongqi’s original power must be.

[Understand? This is how you use flames. With overwhelming firepower enough to burn everything.]

“…Ah.”

Yoon Yi-seon nodded while looking at me.

She seemed slightly dazed, responding to my words unconsciously.

‘Of course.’

After seeing such overwhelming power, after witnessing flames soaring high into the sky, her heart would race if she truly was an ability user who handled flames.

While I personally handle other elements better than flames, I used this technique as both a performance and to ensure the Doppelgänger was thoroughly dealt with.

And there, the Doppelgänger had become completely charred black from the fire.

Thud.

The Doppelgänger collapsed forward and showed no further movement.

The intense flames had burned even his suit, killing the Doppelgänger, and the demon was dead.

[The fake is dead. Now I—]

“My, my, my.”

From the opposite side of the Doppelgänger.

“It was such a promising appearance of a natural demon, but to kill it so mercilessly. You’re quite an unpleasant fellow.”

The one who appeared clapping his hands was.

“I, ‘Dueoksini’, cannot help but lament.”

He wore a mask like a yaksha.

“Especially in this Sejong Island, while using techniques named in English.”

…While wearing a yellow-brown traditional Korean casual hanbok.

[Who are you?]

“I am Dueoksini.”

The man who identified himself as Dueoksini.

“One who spreads the seeds of evil.”

After taking out something like orbs with writhing tentacles from his chest.

“Thus, one who delivers the terror of evil to the world.”

He threw the demon seeds at the burned Yuk Gi-bong.

“Rise again, incarnation of evil.”

Twitch.

The burned body of Yuk Gi-bong slowly began to rise like a zombie.

And then.

Kwaaaaa——!!

He “revived,” spewing massive dark magical power from his mouth.