Interlude: Korean Dragon - Humanity's Savior or New Calamity?
The world had been flipped upside down by Yuhwa’s Absolute Zero Breath, the one that had quelled the Gate Break.
Media outlets across the globe had dissected every photograph and video from that day. Renowned professors and hunters alike scrambled to analyze the transcendent combat power of the being called Yuhwa.
One such broadcast went like this:
“To summarize the professor’s point… you’re saying it’s impossible to even imagine how durable its body must be?”
“Exactly. No land creature could grow to that size because of gravity. Whales only reach such lengths because the buoyancy of water supports them.”
“So the muscle and bone density required to withstand that kind of weight would be off the charts?”
“Correct.”
“You also mentioned it could survive a direct nuclear strike…?”
“‘Survive’ is the better word. That dragon… it would almost certainly endure a nuclear detonation.”
“That’s… unbelievable. The idea of something that doesn’t die even when hit by a nuke.”
“I feel the same way.”
Conversations like these echoed from every corner of the planet, and the conclusion was nearly unanimous.
If that dragon ever turned hostile and set its sights on a nation, that nation would be annihilated—like a catastrophe-class monster.
Faced with such overwhelming power, the world’s leaders let their greed burn openly in their eyes.
In China, inside Zhongnanhai at 174 Chang’an Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing, the Chairman slammed his fist on the table.
“You’ve seen the color and shape of those scales, haven’t you? That is undoubtedly the descendant of the sacred divine dragon our Chinese ancestors worshipped!”
The communist officials around him nodded vigorously in agreement.
“The plan is already underway. As you can see, media warnings about the dragon’s danger level have begun to appear, and we’ve funneled money to civic groups to stage protests…”
In the White House, Washington D.C., President Trump pounded his desk.
“To Make America Great Again, we must bring that dragon under the Stars and Stripes! Coins, dollars—give them whatever they want! That dragon has to become an American Dragon no matter what!”
“We will carry out Your Excellency’s will!”
Ministers and generals snapped to attention with crisp salutes.
The great powers of Europe—Britain, France, Germany—were also salivating over the dragon’s might and preparing to dispatch covert agents to Korea when—
An official top-priority document issued by the President of the Korean Hunter Association has arrived simultaneously at the offices of world leaders and the Hunter Union headquarters.
The 300-meter dragon that appeared in the sky is merely one of the many servants serving the unregistered awakener ‘Life Ruined.’
Furthermore, ‘Life Ruined’ has no desire to reveal their identity. Should any party attempt to investigate or approach them by force, the Korean government cannot guarantee what form of ‘retaliation’ that person might enact. To be precise, we lack the power to stop it.
“…!”
Every world leader who read the document drew in a sharp breath.
Trump’s forehead glistened with cold sweat. The Chinese Chairman slowly set down his teacup.
A 300-meter dragon capable of freezing an entire nation was nothing more than one servant among many?
Then what kind of power did the true master—Life Ruined, the first clearer of Extreme Difficulty—possess?
“…We must not touch this.”
“But we cannot simply give up.”
“True. For now, observe only. If we provoke them carelessly, our country… could be erased from the map.”
The leaders appeared to retreat a step, yet their greed remained unhidden.
After all, the document had said many servants.
Recruiting even one of them would be like securing the next era of power.
(A photo showed a tail gently tapping against the floor.)
The Great Dragon Must Be Revered — An Encounter with the Veiled Dragon-kin ‘Yuhwa’
Q. The whole nation is in awe of the overwhelming power you displayed, Lady Yuhwa. Especially that breath you fired into the sky… it was truly astonishing.
“Of course I know. It is only natural. It has been a while since I last used my breath; it felt refreshing.”
Q. Many already claim you far surpass National Power-class. What are your thoughts on this?
“Is that not obvious? Do not dare measure me with the crude yardstick of humans. You need only revere the great dragon.”
Q. There are rumors you are acquainted with the beautiful 60-meter silver-gray dragon that appeared over the Han River last time…
“I am her older sister. That child is an adorable and affectionate little sister. I find her quite cute.”
Q. So you are sisters! What a beautiful pair. This may be rude, but both of you are far more beautiful than even top-tier celebrities.
“Is that not obvious? Comparing perfect beauty born to the great dragon-kin with those ordinary uncles and aunties is impossible from the start.”
Q. Uncles and aunties…? Could you explain exactly what you mean?
“Dragon-kin live through eons and hardly age. In human terms, I am currently nothing more than a very small and delicate ‘baby.’”
Q. …A small, delicate… baby?
“Personally, I consider anyone from high school onward already an uncle or auntie. Up to middle school they can still be seen as children, but from high school their skin is already rotting like the elderly.”
Q. I… don’t quite follow the logic…
“Eungae.”
Q. ???
“Eungae. I’m a baby dragon. The monsters suddenly appeared and it was so scary… Bad monsters! Uuuu… it was too scary…”
Q. Is there… anything else you’d like to say?
“Uuuuuuuuung…”
Q. Um… We will now end the interview. This has been reporter Lee Woo-seok.
Kya… That was a perfect interview. Even if I do say so myself, it was flawless.
Yuhwa wore a sly smile as she scrolled through internet communities. Beside her, Yujin couldn’t hide her dumbfounded expression.
“U-um, Master…?”
“Hm? Yeah. What?”
“That… interview… was it real?”
“Of course it was real.”
“Ah… I see…”
So-i also wore an equally awkward look.
“It’s… really true?”
“I told you. Eungae.”
“…”
“Still, that seems a bit…”
“Next up is you, auntie.”
So-i’s mouth opened and closed wordlessly. But there was no need to pay it any mind.
Because it was finally time to enter the Tower again!
Would you like to enter the 2nd Floor?
Time to run hard again for the great name of Life Ruined.
I still can’t imagine just how amazing Life Ruined really is. For realz.