The Radi Gankin of the Gobi Desert
The Gobi Desert's Aether #3
KUOOOOO!! A massive lizard clad in shimmering silver scales roared from its enormous maw. Roughly nine meters long, the creature's name was Radi Gankin—a powerful C-class monster. Its body was armored in tough scales, its intelligence low, and its movements sluggish. So why was it ranked C-class? Because those scales were extraordinarily durable. Far tougher than Parax. It was the kind of monster that poured every bit of its power into defense and crushed foes with sheer body weight. A beast that could only be defeated through raw physical force. One had to wait for the moment its scales parted.
Bang! Bang-bang! The various grenades Sehwa hurled exploded around the Radi Gankin, whipping up sandstorms across the desert. They caused no damage whatsoever. If anything, they only enraged the beast further.
KUOOOO!!
"Leona! Those scales are too hard! Don't waste any more consumables—they're useless!"
Dr. Cash's urgent shout rang out. Just as Leona was about to reply, I calmly corrected the doctor.
"Flash grenades should work. If things get dangerous, detonate one near its eyes."
-Got it. I'll use only flash grenades and look for a weak point.
Leona immediately began circling the Radi Gankin, drawing its attention. Dr. Cash, who had been scanning the monster from the fighter jet, spoke in a tense voice.
"This thing looks even tougher than the high-intelligence monster that appeared in Daejeon last time. Its scales are too dense—Leona's sword can't even scratch them."
"Make it curl up."
"What are you talking about?"
"When it curls its body, the scales will spread apart and create gaps. They're dense, but not completely airtight. If we strike between them at the right moment, we can pierce its flesh."
"...You're right. Leona, did you hear that?"
-Yes, I heard. Curl it up and stab between the scales... right?
"Exactly. The problem is how to make it curl..."
-I'll try.
Leona answered confidently and tossed a flash grenade near the Radi Gankin's eyes.
Flash!
A blinding burst of light erupted. The Radi Gankin, hit directly by the glare, let out a furious roar and reared up.
At that instant, Leona's halo blazed brilliantly, and the sword in her hand doubled in size. She was about to unleash her ultimate skill.
No ultimate skill came without risk. Leona's drained a massive amount of Device energy. She was trusting my words and trying to end the fight quickly.
-Hah!
With a battle cry, Leona swung her enlarged sword at the Radi Gankin's leg. A resounding clang echoed, followed by a crunch. Several scales on one of its legs shattered. Even her ultimate skill had only managed to break a few scales. Its defense was absurdly high. Yet the Radi Gankin screamed in pain.
KWAAAAA!!
Ah... poor little Radi Gankin. Hearing its agonized cries makes my heart ache. Marcela was quite fond of you... She'll be sad if you die.
The Radi Gankin thrashed wildly, kicking up sand in every direction. Recognizing Leona as its greatest threat, it stretched its neck long and tried to swallow her whole. In that moment, Leona's eyes flashed as she drove her sword between the scales on its neck. By extending its neck so rigidly, gaps had formed in its armor. It wasn't curled up, but... this would do. My standing would rise nicely from this.
KYOOOOO!!
With the sword embedded in its neck, the Radi Gankin let out a final death cry and collapsed, its four legs splayed outward. Boom! A sand dune caved in, partially burying the monster's body. It lay motionless.
Rest in peace. Dream well in hell.
Dr. Cash stared at the dead Radi Gankin for a moment before smacking my back with her palm.
Smack!
"Ow! What was that for?!"
"Good work."
"You could've just said it. Did you really have to hit me...? How much Device energy does Leona have left?"
"Thirty-five percent. Her capacity has increased, and with her combat experience, she's got plenty of room to spare. You've been working hard."
I know that, you bitch.
While we chatted in a friendly atmosphere, Leona emerged from the portal inside the fighter jet and canceled her transformation. Dr. Cash approached Sehwa and patted her shoulder.
"Good job."
"It's thanks to Jihyuk."
"True. Oh, Song mentioned he felt a pulling force nearby. Did you sense it when you transformed earlier?"
"Yes. I'm certain it's around here."
"Then we should search. Song, don't expect to clock out early today."
I shrugged in response.
And so we spent hours combing the Gobi Desert until the sun set and the moon rose. Even after Sehwa transformed again, we couldn't pinpoint the exact location—it was a waste of energy. I already knew where the Aether was, but I pretended to search diligently so it would seem like a coincidence.
When Dr. Cash and Sehwa were visibly exhausted, I steered the fighter jet toward the southern edge of the desert. Leaning close to the monitor, I spoke.
"Doctor, there's something here."
The weary doctor shot to her feet and hurried over. She stared at the screen showing the scan beneath the sand, her pupils trembling.
"Th-that's..."
Yes. Say it. Say the name of that erratic, unrestrained energy.
"Aether...!"
**
"Demon King... It has been... a long time since I last saw you..."
"You saw me yesterday."
"But this is the first time we've spoken face-to-face like this..."
Marcela spoke in a weak, exhausted voice, her face pale. Managing the monsters and acquiring companies must have been taxing. Still, Marcela, don't overdo the dramatics.
"Is swallowing human souls not enough for you? You consumed thirty yesterday, if I recall."
"Ah...!"
Marcela's face lit up. She was delighted by my attention. Since she'd been working hard lately, I supposed I should comfort her.
I tilted my head and gestured to the throne I sat upon.
"Come sit."
"H-how could I possibly..."
"Are you defying me?"
"N-no...!"
Marcela scrambled forward and turned her back to me, lowering herself between my spread legs. Her black tail swayed right in front of my face. Annoyed, I spoke in a low voice.
"Who told you to show me your back?"
"I-I'm sorry!"
Marcela jumped up and turned around. When I narrowed my thighs slightly, she lifted her suit skirt, revealing smooth thighs. Her panties... were white. A demon wearing white—surprisingly fitting. After asking permission, she spread her legs and rested her thighs on mine. She didn't lower her hips. Was she performing some kind of invisible chair punishment...?
"Aren't you tired?"
"B-but... I can't press my vulgar body against Your Majesty's sacred form..."
I shook my head, placed both hands on her shoulders, and pressed down firmly.
"Hah!"
Marcela gasped in surprise as her hips settled onto my thighs. Her pale face flushed crimson in an instant. What a flawless, unblemished face. Her sharp nose and fox-like eyes with upward-slanting corners were captivating. The blood-red hair cascading down her back was pleasant, and those long, pointed nails pleased me as well.
After thoroughly examining Marcela's face, I gripped her waist with both hands. She trembled as if convulsing. At the same time, the center of her panties darkened and spread. I'd only touched her waist, not even her tail, and she was already about to climax.
"Hah, how absurd."
"I'm sorry..."
Marcela fidgeted restlessly. She tried to cover herself with her hands but hesitated, unsure whether to slip her arms inside mine. This was quite arousing in its own way. I was half-hard. Her eyes widened. She must have seen the bulge in my crotch.
Let's take it easy today. Even if serving me was her duty as a subordinate, I should still offer praise where it was due.
"You've worked hard for my sake."
"Not at all... Offering this body to the Demon King is my greatest joy..."
"Come to think of it, you were the one who revived me every time I died. Even though you could have sought freedom, you chose to serve me for life... That loyalty pleases me greatly."
"Kyaaah...♡"
Marcela let out a moan, and her panties became completely soaked. Love juices streamed down, drenching my thighs and the throne. Climaxing from words alone—she really was something else.
Marcela looked desperate to get off the throne. She seemed mortified by her own lack of decorum. I furrowed my brow and spoke quietly.
"Stay still."
All strength drained from Marcela's body. Releasing her waist, I unfastened my pants. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. When I removed my underwear and revealed myself, she even swallowed a gasp.
Leaning slightly forward from the throne's backrest, I took hold of myself and used the tip to nudge aside Marcela's panties.
"Hah...!"
She shuddered violently. I pressed the head just barely between her smooth, hairless folds. Then came a sudden gush—Marcela's entrance erupted with an enormous surge of fluids. The amount was staggering. It soaked the throne's seat completely and even dripped from the edges onto the floor.
Marcela clung to my shoulders without realizing it, crying out in ecstasy.
"Hiyaaaah♡"
When I looked up at her face, it was painted with rapture. I hadn't even properly entered her, yet she was already like this. How ridiculous.
"Your insides are no different from a human's. Quite pleasant."
"D-Demon Kiiing...!"
Marcela's tail stood rigid. I grabbed it and pinched the tip hard. She screamed.
"Kyaaak!"
Her body convulsed violently as if struck by lightning. She collapsed backward, her ample breasts heaving as she gasped for breath. How dare she be satisfied alone. I'd intended to go all the way, but at this point... there was no meaning in continuing. Still, something had caught on the tip earlier. Was she a virgin?
I pulled my pants back up and asked bluntly.
"Are you a virgin?"
"Y-yes... You knew, didn't you..."
She looked seductive enough to have drained a thousand men, yet she was a virgin. And now she was glaring at me? How frightening. I'd meant to be gentle, but this changed things. I couldn't let her look down on me. If she started climbing over my head, there'd be no end to it.
I grabbed her hair and forcibly pulled her upright. Marcela immediately began apologizing.
"I'm sorry...! I'm so sorry...!"
The love juices she'd spilled spread across the floor in all directions. Climaxing even in this situation—she must have really liked my cock. A virgin, huh. Good. I'd take it soon enough. If she was like this now, after I claimed her virginity she'd pledge eternal loyalty, wouldn't she?
"How dare you act spoiled toward me? I'm debating whether to punish such an ill-mannered wench."
"Demon King... Please have mercy...! Hnn...♡"
"Stand up."
When I raised my hand in command, Marcela groaned and forced her lower body upright. Her lower half was completely drenched. Love juices dripped from the hem of her skirt in an obscene display. The edge of her gown that had touched the floor was also darkened. Judging by how her limbs hung limply, she'd collapse the moment I released her hair.
I pulled Marcela's face toward mine and extended my tongue to lick her bright red lips. Her eyes rolled back, and she climaxed again. More fluids leaked from between her legs, running down her thighs and into her high heels, overflowing even then.
"You're showing quite a defenseless side today."
"Hah... D-Demon King..."
"Dr. Cash is developing a new Device. I thought I'd be involved, but she forced me to rest, saying I'd worked hard. Attach a tracking monster to her and extract the manufacturing method in detail."
"U-understood..."
"If you succeed, I'll grant you my blessing."
Marcela's crimson irises gleamed. Her gaze was filled with determination. She would perfectly replicate the doctor's manufacturing method just to receive my seed.
"I will... I will definitely find it..."
"I believe you."
I released her hair. Marcela staggered several times, gritting her teeth as she tried to maintain balance. But her heel snapped, and she toppled sideways. The sound of splashing fluids echoed.
"Tsk."
Clicking my tongue, I tousled Marcela's hair before returning to the officetel.