Part 1 Chapter 9-11

I was had.

I was thoroughly had.

I should have carefully chewed over the meaning of what I had said.

-The monstrous humans of the Phantom Dragon do not obey my commands.

That’s why Bonghyo rebelled against me. Actually, it’s even ambiguous to call it a rebellion. If you look at it from a slightly different perspective, it’s no different from an act of trying to catch the monsters first to show excessive loyalty to someone at the top of the power pyramid.

‘That can’t be.’

But the possibility of that was extremely low. Rationally, reasonably, and given the way this world operates, it was clear that Bonghyo had stabbed me in the back.

“They’re trying to snatch up the S-rank monsters first for themselves.”

Or perhaps they’re trying to show off the Phantom Dragon Corps’ might and stage a show of force against me. While their momentum for the Phantom Dragon is admirable, it was inevitable that my grand plan would be disrupted.

“It’s quite a commotion right now, Phoenix-nim?”

Xiaolin relayed the reactions from the network with her newly issued watch. In the hero communities, three main reactions emerged after seeing the video of me storming out of the Central Party Headquarters.

-The class of storming out immediately after saying you need to defeat monsters LOL. You really spat right in Mao Zeping’s face, didn’t you?

ㄴ Possible

ㄴ What’s possible, you crazy bastard?

ㄴ Cheonghwa-nim’s holy water… I will gladly receive it.

-To step up to save people even after being hijacked, they’re nothing short of an angel

ㄴ Don’t be fooled, she’s a bitch.

ㄴ It’s blasphemy!

“The decisiveness of storming out during the meeting. The sense of justice to go and subdue the rampaging monsters. These are mainly the reactions of ordinary citizens and heroes. And.”

-Wow… they’re really resurrecting the Black Flame Dragon? Is resurrection possible with just a Core?

-They’re a walking tactical nuclear weapon. Do you think it’s right to keep such a talent in the Far East?

-Isn’t there a limit to how many they can control at once? Frankly, even if they gathered and controlled just 10 S-rank monsters, they could conquer a country immediately.

-A walking dimensional gate LOL

“These are mainly the opinions of associations and experts. They seem quite curious about the true nature and limits of Cheonghwa-nim’s abilities. And…”

Xiaolin blushed and tried to hold back her laughter.

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

Azure Flame Formation!!!! LOLOLOLOLOL

Ah LOLOLOL I would’ve killed myself LOLOLOL

Cheonghwa-yang is so pitiful… If the Black Flame Dragon dies, they’ll have to keep shouting that… sniff sniff

Seok Harang is at fault for this

Pitch-black (rest omitted)

It’s even more embarrassing because they shouted it so proudly. Do they have no shame?

“Everyone… *gasp*… Phoenix-nim’s… *cough*, incantation… Hahaha!”

In the end, Xiaolin burst out laughing too, clutching her stomach. My mental state wasn’t scratched at all. Not at all. Really. Not a single scratch, not even 1cm.

“Xiaolin.”

“Yes… *gasp*…”

“If you want to reach SSS, you’ll have to do worse than this. We’ll see then.”

“……Huh?”

Xiaolin was dumbfounded. While the Black Flame Dragon flew towards Dongting Lake, I provided Xiaolin with a clue to reaching SSS.

“The human limit is Affinity Rate 99. It doesn’t go higher than that.”

Reaching SS as a human is already a considerable achievement. Although Seok Harang is a half-human, half-spirit and Xiaolin is a monstrous human, they haven’t yet left the human category.

“Yes. I have a hunch about that.”

Xiaolin calmed her laughter at my serious voice and began to listen attentively.

“What more do you mean is needed to go beyond SS?”

“……There are only exactly seven spots.”

“Huh?”

“It’s possible by embracing a Spirit. Reaching the realm of a god as an ability user. …No, never mind. It’s not important to talk about that right now.”

“No, I feel like I just heard something incredibly important-“

“We’ve arrived.”

The Black Flame Dragon flew through the sky, boosted by my mana. I turned my eyes downwards to Dongting Lake, where mana was fiercely surging.

“Damn it.”

Kieeeeh—!

The Branch Dragon let out a death rattle. With the combined techniques of the Phantom Dragon Corps’ monstrous humans and the Phantom Flame Spirits, plus the S-rank monstrous human, the Emperor, joining in, it seemed the Branch Dragon couldn’t hold out much longer.

Kyahahaha!

It wasn’t clearly visible from afar, but the five hundred Phantom Flame Spirits rampaging were perfectly clear.

“To catch a water-resistant guy with mental damage.”

“Huh?”

“……Deokbae!!”

Feeling frustrated, I resurrected Deokbae. The Core I pulled from my embrace and threw shimmered with a clear brown light.

“Aren’t you not supposed to call me until I go to Korea… Ugh?!”

Deokbae screamed as he realized he was hundreds of meters above the ground, on top of the Black Flame Dragon. I immediately opened Deokbae’s back and turned him into a ‘Deokbaetro’.

“Black Flame Dragon.”

[Yes, my god.]

“……You, turn northeast and go catch the Water Guardian first. The coordinates are here.”

I pointed out the location of the S-rank monster, the Water Guardian, to the Black Flame Dragon. The Huai River. The Water Guardian was sleeping deep within the river, also known as the Huaisu River.

“I’ll beat those damn bastards and then join you.”

[My god. If so, one request.]

“What is it?”

[May I… catch and kill them first?]

The Black Flame Dragon bared its fangs, showing confidence. Perhaps its pride was severely wounded from being utterly defeated by Seok Harang, as it was burning with fighting spirit.

“…As much as you want, if you can.”

I leaped down from atop the Black Flame Dragon. Thanks to the sunlight shining in the sky, I could hide myself in the light, and the Black Flame Dragon, thinking ‘perfect!’, turned its direction towards the Huaisu River.

“Do you think the Black Flame Dragon will lose?”

Xiaolin, falling alongside me, asked. Even though she was free-falling towards the ground, Xiaolin remained calm.

“Because it’s at a disadvantage in terms of elemental compatibility.”

“Judging by the name ‘Water Guardian’, it seems to be a water-element monster.”

“Yes. It’s a terrifying creature that even sprays lightning.”

Most of the Azure Flame-type monsters, which are primarily Fire/Flying types, are inherently at a disadvantage against Water/Electric types. Still, I had to dispatch the Black Flame Dragon before I lost the initiative again. That way, Cheonghwa would mistakenly think I went to defeat a new monster.

“Are we there…!”

Now the ground is slowly becoming visible. I transformed my body into a monstrous human form and poured mana into Deokbae.

□□□□□?!!?

I poured mana into Deokbae’s Core until it was on the verge of overheating and bursting, and my Phantom Flame Spirits, who were frolicking in the air, were startled and tried to flee.

Kiiiiiik!!

The Branch Dragon noticed my presence and let out a monstrous shriek. Good. It seems it’s not dead yet.

[Then I’ll just land the finishing blow and snatch it!]

Just before reaching the Branch Dragon, I spun my body and slammed Deokbae into it.

Kuu———aang!!!

The Branch Dragon’s massive body, over 30 meters long, collapsed. My club-like strike to its shell turned the Branch Dragon’s insides into a mess. Deokbae, imbued with my frustration, succeeded in delivering a finishing blow by greatly denting the Branch Dragon’s back.

[Puhuhu, the last hit is mine-]

Heoeeoeo.

A soul escaped from the Branch Dragon’s mouth, which was slammed into the ground. It wasn’t a metaphorical expression; a gray ghost truly slipped out of the Branch Dragon’s mouth.

“I’m sorry!”

The moment that Phantom Dragon Corps member, who had turned into a ghost, prostrated himself, I realized.

I caught wasn’t the Branch Dragon, but a ghost monstrous human possessing the Branch Dragon.

[…These damn bastards?!]

“I, I was just-“

[Get out of the way!]

I grabbed the member by the collar and threw them into the river. Since the Core was their objective, it was naturally missing, and as expected, a sharp needle hole was pierced in their heart area.

[……It’s not this one.]

There’s no trace of the Cube. The Core was taken, but the Cube is still alive. Even if Bonghyo doesn’t know the true nature of the Cube, they would know its effects, having heard about them from the Phantom Dragon.

[Even if they don’t know if the Cube is there, they’ll realize its existence the moment they catch it.]

I immediately spread my wings and soared into the sky. While I was wasting time with the Branch Dragon’s corpse, the culprits had already vanished and were moving quickly.

[Half to the northwest, half to the northeast…!]

Are they trying to pull off a diversionary tactic? Perhaps because there’s a Black Scorpion monstrous human, they intend to secure at least two out of three first, then gain an advantage in negotiations with me.

Or the Phantom Dragon might come out themselves, like me, and claim to be a Beast Tamer.

[As expected, this won’t do.]

“What do you mean?”

Xiaolin radiated mana downwards and stopped beside me. Since the Phantom Dragon was suspicious, naturally, his monstrous human, Xiaolin, was also suspicious.

[Tell me honestly. Are you sticking with me to interfere?]

“Not at all. If anything, I’ve been excluded from this operation. I wanted to catch the monsters in my own territory myself.”

It seemed Xiaolin also wanted to show off her strength. I decided that Xiaolin was at least in a neutral position for now, and gave orders to the Phantom Flame Spirits.

[Possess as many as possible and move along the riverbed. I’ll come later to dismantle the byproducts and retrieve them. And that guy.]

I pointed at the Phantom Dragon Corps member who had possessed the Branch Dragon and tricked me.

[Take turns with him until he dies from overexertion. If you can’t do that, I’ll let you ascend to nirvana.]

“Yes, yes!!”

“Wait a minute! Azure Syndicate Leader-nim! I was just following orders!”

The Phantom Dragon Corps members pleaded desperately with pale faces. The Phantom Flame Spirits, holding his arms on both sides, looked pitiful yet alluring, licking their lips.

[Don’t worry.]

I deliberately went down to him, patted his shoulder, and gave a thumbs-up.

[If you want to live, you just need to beat five hundred of them. Simple, right?]

“L-Leader-nim(?!!”

I encouraged him and immediately soared into the sky.

“You seem to be playing a bit too much.”

[I was just going to beat him to death, but I let him off. …Don’t worry.]

I wrapped my arm around Xiaolin’s waist and pulled her into an embrace.

[I have no intention of playing such tricks on you.]

“……You know after all. Did you see it? You saw it, didn’t you?”

[No. Even without seeing it, doesn’t it come up if you search?]

I held Xiaolin close and flew through the sky at full speed.

[Don’t be shy. With the hilt, you can-]

Thwack.

“Shut up…!”

[……Isn’t SR Shaolin? Your name Xiaolin is-]

Thwack thwack. Thwack thwack thwack.

While flying, I couldn’t say a single word.

***

A short while later. Upon arriving at the Huaisu River, I witnessed the Black Flame Dragon, the Phantom Dragon Corps, and the Water Guardian engaged in a three-way battle.

“Catch it quickly! The Egg Breaker is coming!”

“If you don’t want your eggs to burst, you have to kill it quickly!”

“They’re attacking us from above and below, what are we supposed to do?!”

The Phantom Dragon Corps was in a dilemma due to the two monsters’ combined attack. The Water Guardian, resembling a giant ape, threw water bombs condensed from mana, while the Black Flame Dragon flew overhead, spewing fire.

On the surface, it looked like the two monsters were clashing, but in reality, the Black Flame Dragon was subtly attacking only the Phantom Dragon Corps. The Black Flame Dragon realized that the troublesome Phantom Dragon Corps needed to be eliminated first.

[Breath. With full power.]

As soon as my command fell, the Black Flame Dragon gathered mana in its mouth. I threw Xiaolin onto the riverbank and hid myself in the sunlight.

Kaaaaaaa–!!

The Black Flame Dragon’s breath struck the lake surface. The breath, which swept over both the Water Guardian and the Phantom Dragon Corps, was easily blocked by them, but it was enough to disrupt their vision for that brief moment.

[Bonghyo isn’t here.]

Every single one of them was familiar, the bastards whose eggs I burst and whose pillars I broke. For now, in a hurry, I slipped past them and burrowed under the Water Guardian’s belly.

■■■?!

The Water Guardian was flustered to see me emerge from its shadow. Before the Water Guardian could even sense my mana, I sharpened my claws and plunged my hand into its heart.

Thud.

A heart as massive as a human head was grasped in my hand. True to an S-rank monstrous human, even with its chest pierced and heart seized, the Water Guardian gripped me as if to tear me off.

Kyaaaak?!

So I willingly let go of its body. Instead, before being thrown, I plunged my other arm into its heart and split the heart vertically.

Pshuuuuuuut!!

A fountain of blood gushed from the severed heart’s blood vessels. The Water Guardian, trying to grab and throw me, shrieked in agony from its split heart.

And I saw.

Inside the heart, clearly visible through the wind tunnel that reached all the way in, a small S-rank Core beating frantically.

Kyaaaak!!

The Water Guardian fled into the water. It was probably trying to hide and bide its time to recover its stamina. I willingly let the Water Guardian go.

[A bust, then.]

There’s no Cube in the heart. Ultimately, by process of elimination, the remaining Cube’s whereabouts must be with the S+-rank monster-the Black Scorpion.

[I’ll have to fly for a long time again.]

The place where the Black Scorpion was sleeping was the desert region northwest of Xi’an City, where I had encountered the Phantom Dragon.

[Black Flame Dragon. You-]

“Uwaaaaaaah!!”

One of the Phantom Dragon Corps members plopped into the water. The other members began to follow him. I clenched my fist at the sight of them rushing towards the Water Guardian, having become ethereal bodies rather than physical ones.

[So they can’t control it, but they can make it rampage. Tsk, what an annoying ability, typical of a phantom-attribute monstrous human.]

■■■■■!!!

As I expected, seven ghost monstrous humans possessed the Water Guardian and began to make it rampage. The mana of the ethereal bodies began to fill the wind tunnel in its heart that I had cut. Since the Phantom Dragon Corps members had failed to hunt the monster before I arrived, it seemed they had possessed the Water Guardian, prepared to die.

[Black Flame Dragon.]

[Yes.]

[…Subdue the rampaging Water Guardian! Kill it!]

[Understood.]

The Black Flame Dragon’s eyes glowed gray as it flew towards the charging Water Guardian. I descended to Xiaolin and wrapped my arm around her waist.

[Xiaolin.]

“……Yes.”

[We’re going to Xinjiang.]

“…Yes.”

Xiaolin hugged my waist without a word.

“Um… did you happen to see it?”

[What?]

“My… video. You saw it, right?”

[No. I only heard about it.]

I spoke honestly. The video, befitting the word ‘legend’, was an Easter egg that wasn’t even implemented in the original work, only remaining as a text setting.

“Do you want to see it?”

[……I am curious.]

“Then… I’ll tell you the incantation for victory.”

Xiaolin wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me tightly.

“The original… Bonghyo oppa probably has it.”

One more reward was added to the mission.

I spread my wings and soared into the sky.

Towards the Black Scorpion, China’s strongest monster, sleeping in Xinjiang.

Emergency Quest

Stop Bonghyo’s Conspiracy

Reward

3 S-rank Cores

1 Cube – Date Ticket with Azure Flame

SR-6974.avi – New!!