The Fire Dragon's Head is Worth an S-Rank Hunter's Body
"Mm…."
Morning sunlight poured through the living room's floor-to-ceiling windows. The moment I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the trashed room and naked bodies sprawled everywhere.
Elina Veronica sleeping with her head on my left arm. Choi Rin with her leg draped over my stomach. Baekhyang sprawled out on the sofa like a starfish, while on the floor, Yvonah, Kang Nabi, and Cream were tangled up together in a heap.
The room reeked of night-blooming flowers and the women's mingled scents—a testament to just how fierce last night's "hierarchy sorting" had been.
Rustle—!
Sensing my movement, the first to wake was Baekhyang.
"Awake, my husband?"
She brushed back her disheveled hair and propped herself up. Her toned abs and full breasts gleamed in the bare light. A far cry from the woman who'd been wailing around my cock last night—the Heavenly Demon had reclaimed her dignified poise come morning.
"Not sleeping in?"
"A martial artist can't afford to laze through the morning. And…."
She smirked and nodded toward Choi Rin flopped beside us.
"Sleeping pressed against that one stirred up a strange competitive fire. Her night skills were impressive."
"Ugh… my back…."
Right then, Choi Rin groaned and stirred awake. She rubbed her eyes, shot Baekhyang a look, and curled her lip defiantly.
"You weren't half bad yourself yesterday? That hip action was no joke."
"Hmph. You too. Couldn't mimic that mouth work of yours. Not bad."
It sounded like praise, but sparks flew in their eyes. Acknowledgment, sure—but no way in hell were they yielding. Last night's teamwork had just been a temporary alliance against the massive enemy that was me.
"Siegurd… don't go…."
Elina stirred too, her eyes bleary as she burrowed into my chest with a sleepy mumble.
"Not going anywhere. Right here."
I patted her back, and Choi Rin clicked her tongue.
"Ugh, that clingy gumdrop. Still, she held up till she passed out yesterday. Got some grit."
Elina nuzzled my chest with more drowsy murmurs. The brutal first round was over, but rounds two and three loomed just as vicious.
Not bad at all.
I smiled, savoring the heroines' subtle power plays. It was the calm before the storm—a morning that felt like it could last forever.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The same time.
In the Jujak Guild Master's office.
Joo Hwayeon stared out the window.
"Guild Master! We've spotted the Fire Dragon's movements. Heading this way—right now! Toward Gangnam!"
Her secretary's frantic report barely fazed her.
"Issue the evacuation order. Put the hunters on standby."
"Y-yes, ma'am!"
The secretary's voice trembled. But a wry smile tugged at Joo Hwayeon's lips.
"Fire Dragon…!"
Her gaze fell on the photo frame on her desk. Her little sister beaming happily, cradling her young nephew.
Sis, I'm scared….
Auntie! Save us!
Five years ago—that nightmare resurfaced. A dungeon break right in the heart of Seoul. Amid the monster horde poured a massive, savage red calamity.
Fire Dragon, Ignis.
Its flames melted buildings and charred flesh. Back then, as an A-rank hunter, Joo Hwayeon had fought desperately—but it wasn't enough.
Right before her eyes, her sister was engulfed in fire, shielding her nephew as she burned black. The stench of melting bone and searing meat still haunted her nostrils.
She ground her teeth.
After that day, she'd scraped together money like a madwoman. Buying top gear, hiring mercenaries, building her guild. All to kill that Fire Dragon.
Her awakening to S-rank stemmed from that day's rage and despair. But even as an S-rank, hopelessness lingered. Modern weapons couldn't pierce its scales. No hunter could even scratch it.
To take it down, she needed something "off-spec."
Park Kiyong.
His face flashed in her mind. At first, just a lucky C-rank. But the traces he left in dungeons, that inexplicable power… The last dungeon test had confirmed it.
And the result? Pass. No—beyond that. He was a monster beyond reason.
"Get ready. I'll bring him here."
Joo Hwayeon's eyes burned. Not the greedy guild master's gaze, but the eyes of a vengeful ghost god.
"Make him mine."
Money, body—whatever he wanted. Her intel said he'd crave her body. She'd offer everything to forge him into her blade.
As long as she could rip out that Fire Dragon bastard's heart.
"Even if I have to throw myself at him…."
The moment she stood—
Woooong—!
Kabooom—!
A massive roar shook the building. Glass shattered, shards raining down.
"Wh-what the—?!"
"G-Guild Master! The F-Fire Dragon…!"
The secretary screamed. Joo Hwayeon staggered to the window.
And saw it: crimson flames blanketing Seoul's sky.
Earlier than expected. She sprang into action, eyes locking on the massive red silhouette crawling from the inferno amid tearing screams.
"Grraaah…!"
The Fire Dragon. The nightmare that stole her family three years ago had returned.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Maybe it was the elevated Grating, but now I could summon the heroines for longer stretches. That's how we managed a group meal even a full day later.
"Alright, breakfast is simple ramen today."
I hauled a pot brimming with ramen into the living room. Elina fumbled with chopsticks and switched to a fork to twirl her noodles. Baekhyang slurped the broth first.
"Kah… clears the gut. This 'ramen' is damn good."
"Right? Best hangover cure."
Choi Rin tore into some kimchi and nodded along. A peaceful morning meal. I was mulling a lazy day of rolling around for round two when—
Beep-beep! Ring-ring-ring!
My smartphone, Choi Rin's, and the living room TV all blared the emergency alert at once.
"Gangnam?"
Choi Rin set down her chopsticks, her eyes sharpening into hero mode. I glanced at the TV.
Helicopter footage: a massive fire pillar erupting amid the skyscrapers.
At its heart, a house-sized red dragon beating its wings, torching the city.
"Dragon…?"
Elina murmured. A colossal beast she'd never seen even in the North.
My pocket buzzed wildly. Caller: Park Hana.
"Hello?"
"K-Kiyong…! S-Sob, Kiyong! H-Help us… Hayul's hurt bad! The building collapsed… we're trapped!"
Screams and explosions echoed through the line, mixed with her tear-choked voice.
"Sis? Where are you?! Sis!"
"Aaaah!" Click.
The call cut. All that lingered: the monster's roar and crumbling building.
"……."
My mind went white.
Park Hana. Park Hayul. My women.
How dare you.
Something snapped inside me. My abilities writhed, infused with killing intent at my command. The air thickened with it—even Baekhyang flinched.
"Husband?"
"……Get ready. All of you."
I growled low. My vision tinted red. That lizard punk had invaded my turf, touched my women.
"Time to hunt."
I pulled Holy Sword Gram from my Inventory. The blade glowed red, resonating with my rage.
"Gonna strip that fucker to the bone."
The heroines rose as one. Choi Rin slipped on her gloves, Baekhyang gathered her qi, Elina hefted the sword I'd prepped for her.
Yvonah and Kang Nabi? Stay home.
Not their league.
No point risking them.
"Let's go."
I leaped out. Destination: Gangnam. Time to teach that dumb lizard the brutal cost of touching my girls.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
En route to Gangnam, I ran into Joo Hwayeon. Different vibe from usual.
"Heading for the Fire Dragon?"
Is this her real personality? I wondered but kept it to myself.
"I want to kill the Fire Dragon. Bluntly? I don't give a damn what happens to anyone else."
Sudden confession. Her sole target: the Fire Dragon.
"So don't worry about the people. Help me focus on taking it down."
What's her deal? Grudge against it?
As I pondered silently, she spoke first.
"If we kill the Fire Dragon, I'll give you everything I have."
Money, fame… even her body.
The word "body" cooled my rage. Forced it down, really.
Joo Hwayeon: older, but a fine woman. And she had Grating too.
Her offering herself? My Heavenly Phallus screamed not to waste the chance on mere "anger."
This power's will is getting stronger.
Think later.
More delays, and Hana-noona and Hayul are in deeper shit. I nodded silently and—
Thud!
Shot ahead.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Gangnam was hellscape: crumbled buildings, burning streets, screams of fleeing crowds.
"Kraaaah!"
Fire Dragon Ignis whipped a building with its tail. Concrete shards rained like hell.
"No… Hayul-ah…!"
Beneath the rubble, I cradled my bloodied, unconscious daughter Park Hayul.
She'd shielded me from the Fire Dragon's attack. Wanted to flee with her, but my legs were pinned under debris.
"Grrrh…."
The beast's massive eye locked on us. It opened wide—crimson flames roiled in its throat.
"Ahh…."
I squeezed my eyes shut. It's over.
Missed Kiyong. Of all final thoughts, my family fades, and it's him….
Fwoooosh—!
The dragon's breath erupted. I braced for the end, but it never came.
Kabooom—!!
A golden bolt lanced from the sky, shredding the breath mid-blast.
And smashed straight into the dragon's skull.
"Fuck off, you lizard bitch."
I opened my eyes. There he was—the man I'd longed for. Park Kiyong emerged from the dust cloud, sword in hand.
"K-Kiyong…?"
"Sorry I'm late, noona."
He wiped the blood from my cheek with a grin.
"Rest's on me."
Park Kiyong turned, glaring at the Fire Dragon. It roared in fury.
But his face? Unchanged. Cold.
No—mocking, almost. As if the monster was a joke.
Then he spoke.
"Baekhyang, Choi Rin, Elina. Rip its wings first."
"Got it!"
"Okey-dokey!"
"Leave it to me!"
The three women—suddenly there—kicked off and soared. Kiyong readjusted his grip on the sword.
The dragon flinched, staggering back. Bared its fangs in rage at its attacker, but cowed by his aura.
Too late.
Kiyong moved.
And the hunt began.