Ch.656Chapter 25. Let it Unfold (6)

The 17 collaborators had each equipped their awakening inscriptions.

From the moment they boarded the yacht, from the moment they put on those underboob bikinis, they were willing to be stronger even if it meant being publicly perceived as having relations with the Patriotic Master.

That clearly stemmed from their goal to rise as high as possible in the rankings as heroes of their countries—essentially aiming for first place outside of Korea’s rankings.

And who knows?

They might even defeat Armored Taejo, Cheok Jun-gyeong, and perhaps even the Battle God.

While the prevailing opinion is “no matter what, surpassing the Lord of Radiant Wings is too much,” you never know.

Who’s to say the Lord of Radiant Wings won’t fight with Nospell just because a Challenger wants to enjoy a 1:1 lane battle with a Master?

I don’t think the Lord of Radiant Wings would lose just because someone took Ignite with a shield, but if by some miracle someone did defeat him, it would be a massive upset.

For that one possibility, the collaborators gladly accepted the awakening inscriptions.

“Oh, ohhh…”

Everyone seemed satisfied with their inscriptions glowing in their own magical colors.

Especially Nadeshiko, who received the ‘DOS’ inscription, was looking at me with a somewhat sinister gaze, showing off the brightly glowing ‘Do’ character on her lower abdomen.

“Does this mean I could even devour a goblin…? Hehehe.”

She’s joking.

And being considerate.

‘I should get her one separately later.’

She wants to be someone’s ideal wife, and this is a preemptive strike to prevent other women from making advances toward me.

“Tsk…”

Indeed, several others clicked their tongues while watching Nadeshiko.

Apparently, everyone is keeping a close eye on Nadeshiko since she’s much stronger than other S-ranks, and with the awakening inscription, she could easily be considered S+ rank.

“How strong is this?”

“We’ll have to test it directly. Now, everyone close your eyes.”

I took out my goblin club and pointed it at the sky.

“To the field.”

Flash!

The world momentarily turned golden, and everyone staggered.

They all felt as if they were floating for a moment before settling back down, looking around in confusion.

“W-what? What just happened…?”

“Something like… the air around us twisting…?”

“You’ll understand when we go outside. Thunder Empress. Follow me.”

“Yes.”

I took the Thunder Empress and left the seminar room.

The collaborators followed behind us with awkward postures, and when they stepped outside, they gaped at the shocking scene before them.

“What the…?”

“Not the East Sea, but an underground fortress…?”

“How did this… Has the Syndicate already built an underground fortress in the East Sea…?”

“……”

I used a large amount of mana gold to transport “the entire yacht,” but they didn’t notice at all.

Current location: Wonsan, Hamgyeong-namdo.

This is the northern territory we’ve acquired, with the Syndicate’s secret base underground on the island.

What’s visible now is a massive cavern reminiscent of a World Cup stadium, an underground space larger than a soccer field.

[Let me introduce you. This is the Syndicate’s underground training ground, ‘Undercity Stadium’.]

This is part of the massive underground facility created by the Syndicate after acquiring the northern region, based on Chaos Seong Ji-eun’s ability, while I was refining the gifts for the Syndicate’s collaborators.

“Ah, you transformed again without us noticing…?”

[Rather than when I transformed, shouldn’t you be more concerned about the fact that I transformed at all?]

I pressed my mask firmly and took out my goblin club.

[I know you all have many concerns. S-ranks are everywhere, unknown individuals from other countries are participating, and you absolutely need to achieve good results.]

All of them have their national flags fluttering in their hearts, with the expectations and support of their countrymen weighing on their shoulders.

[You must be confused about how to utilize the power you’ve just acquired. You’re unsure how much output your awakening skills will have in actual combat, but you don’t want to practice elsewhere for fear of revealing your abilities.]

“Could it be….”

[It’s simple.]

To avoid any misunderstandings, I flew to the center of the stadium and landed on both feet.

[A night with the Patriotic Master. A passionate night with Do Ji-hwan, valued at 30 billion in the market.]

Then I rested the goblin club on my shoulder and casually beckoned to the collaborators disembarking from the yacht.

[The Goblin will be your sparring partner for one night.]

“Ah…!”

What would ability users want most?

What would World Cup participants desire most?

What would those who just gained tremendous power want?

“Are you serious? Will the Goblin really face us?”

The National Excitement King asked with sparkling eyes like a child, channeling magic power into his feet as if ready to jump at any moment.

[Of course.]

“Wow…! I can’t believe this…! Someone joked that you’d have to become a villain to fight the Goblin…!!”

[I couldn’t turn someone into a villain for such a trivial reason. Busy as I am, I can manage to face you like this on a scheduled day.]

I pointed upward with my goblin club.

[Rest assured. This place is safe even if an SS-rank explosion occurs. No earthquake concerns, and it would withstand even a nuclear bomb detonating inside.]

Because Seong Ji-eun is currently infusing it with magic power and managing it.

[And.]

I lightly tapped my mask with my finger.

[The reason I, as a man, don’t engage in what you might consider ‘patriotic acts’ is because I have no intention of having that kind of relationship with women I don’t acknowledge.]

Simultaneously, I gently pulled the Thunder Empress by her waist.

[I don’t mix flesh with women weaker than me.]

“Are you saying… Thunder Empress is stronger than you?”

“Not exactly. Instead.”

The Thunder Empress briefly clenched her fist and pointed her finger at my side.

“According to the Goblin’s standards, it’s whether one can land a hit on him or not. When considering various conditions, is there even a 0.1% chance of victory.”

[It’s not quite 0.1%.]

More like 10%.

[Well then, shall we start the patriotic party?]

“W-wait. The order—”

[When did I say I would determine the order? I already said the party has begun, didn’t I?]

I pointed my hand at each collaborator, then extended it toward the center with a slight gesture.

[There’s a man here who can handle 17 opponents with ease.]

“What…!”

No matter how they’re S-rank, S-rank is still S-rank.

No matter how I’m the Goblin, the Goblin is also S-rank.

“You’re going to face 17 S-rank heroes simultaneously, after enhancing them? Are you in your right mind…?”

[Of course. The Goblin never fights battles he can’t win.]

“Ha. So confident….”

Perhaps because their pride was scratched, the ambiguous glances they were giving each other began to bind together with a sense of solidarity.

“You know you’ll be completely humiliated if we catch you, right?”

The heroes’ sense of unity to form a united front against the Goblin, a common enemy.

Though they’ve never worked together before, they all began to draw their weapons.

“Is it okay to create weapons using the external core provided by the Syndicate without any complaints?”

Some even immediately drew mana from their awakening inscriptions, creating their unique weapons from empty hands.

“What will you do if you lose?”

[Since I won’t lose, shall we make a bet? If I were to be defeated.]

I spread my legs slightly and planted my goblin club on the ground.

[There’s one thing I’m particularly confident in, you know?]

“Ah.”

[If you satisfy me, I’ll satisfy you. I’ll fulfill those possibly vulgar desires you momentarily thought of, without anyone knowing.]

“……”

Several S-rank heroes began to lick their lips.

While being the Syndicate’s collaborators doesn’t necessarily mean they’re pure, even pure people aren’t completely disinterested in such matters.

“The true intentions of the Goblin who knocked down Korean heroes with just one goblin club…”

“The rumor that the Goblin is stronger in bed than at villain execution grounds, we could experience that directly…?”

“I can’t resist that. This could be the story of a lifetime—why would I pass up this opportunity? Hmph!”

Moreover, if the opponent is the Goblin, that’s a different story altogether.

“Since I’ll be known for being with Do Ji-hwan once I go out with the awakening inscription anyway, it’s better if it’s real! Great! I’ll claim the Goblin’s club!!”

“…Hmph. A woman who’ll collapse before even touching the goblin club.”

“What did you say?”

[Oh my, internal conflict already?]

I lightly tapped the goblin club on the ground.

[Don’t worry. To tell you the truth, I]

I slightly pulled up my mask and deliberately twisted the corner of my mouth.

“Actually find it easier to fight 17:1 in bed than in the arena.”

This is no joke.

[If you want to meet me in bed, first try to defeat the Goblin.]

Of course.

[If you can’t defeat the Goblin in the arena, how could you possibly advance to phase 2 in bed?]

“Goblin!!”

KWANG!!

“You let your guard down!”

Like light, the S-rank hero—[Quetzalcoatl] rushed forward and reached for my face, but—

[Such words.]

I avoided her hand, grabbed her face, and immediately threw her to the ground.

[Should be said.]

KWAAANG!!

[After defeating me.]

“Huh…?”

[You let your guard down.]

Magic power fills my entire body.

[You all have external cores equipped, so there’s no rule saying I can’t wear one too.]

Goblin Gold Bead.

Second form.

Six-clove garlic form.

[I told you, didn’t I? I can handle 17 people just fine.]

There’s enough mana flowing through my body to have energy to spare.

[With abundant mana, even this is possible.]

Great Hero Battle Special Ability, Form 1.

Dueoksini.

[Let’s begin the hot night.]

Click.

[Acceleration.]

[Clock Up—!!]