Should I Say Something?
The world was in an uproar.
Broadcast networks and media outlets across America, China, Europe, India, and beyond were locked in fierce debate over the entity known as Life Failed.
Speculation ran wild about what he looked like, what kind of personality he had, and why he hid his identity. Conspiracy theories multiplied by the hour, shaking the entire planet.
And then a single insane interview poured gasoline on the flames.
It was an exclusive interview conducted in Korea with Japan's one and only National Power-Class hunter, Kamishiro Ayane.
Q. First of all, thank you for agreeing to this interview. There's been controversy about you entering the country without permission…
A. I am aware. However, I don't believe it's something that requires much concern.
Q. That's true. A National Power-Class awakened doesn't need to follow any nation's directives… but still.
A. I understand what you're worried about. It's fine. There's already a mountain of controversy. Adding one more won't make much difference.
Q. Understood. Then let's begin the main interview. Could you tell us why you 'entered' Korea?
A. Obviously, it was to meet Korea's unregistered awakened, 'Life Failed.' I needed to see what kind of person he was with my own eyes before making any judgments.
Q. What do you mean by 'judgment'?
A. Exactly what it sounds like. If he were the kind of person who would endanger the world… I will say no more.
Q. There are rumors that you completely wiped out the Japanese yakuza…
A. I will not answer questions on that topic.
Q. Understood. Since he might be watching this interview, would you like to say a few words to him?
A. You're mistaken about something. I have already met him.
Q. …Pardon?
A. I said I met him. With 'Life Failed.' We had a conversation. We even shared a meal.
Q. If I didn't mishear that… please give us the details!
A. That person… that person was truly. Among everyone I've ever seen, he was the most beautiful, the prettiest, and the most handsome. On top of that, he was incredibly tall, had perfect proportions, and his voice was so wonderful.
Q. …???
A. To put it simply, he possessed the most perfect appearance in the world. The moment I saw him, I fell in love at first sight.
Q. …!!!
A. And I promised to spend the rest of my life with him. No… since he rejected me, it would be more accurate to say I am harboring a one-sided love.
Q. Is this statement… something Japan has agreed to? Or did I mishear…?
A. No. It's sincere. Even though he rejected me, I could not give up. Therefore… I have sworn to become one of his servants.
Q. Whoa.
A. In other words, the Japanese archipelago is now essentially his property—kyaaak! I'm so embarrassed! I can't say any more! What are you making me say!!!
Q. …Since Miss Ayane has disappeared, we will now end the interview. This has been reporter Lee Woo-seok. I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm genuinely unsure whether what I just heard was real. Could this have been an illusion?
Just five minutes after the interview aired, the internet and every global broadcast network literally exploded.
Korea didn't know whether to celebrate this unbelievable fact as a national triumph or feel completely lost.
Japan had fallen into a pit of chaos and despair after their national symbol essentially eloped for love.
“Ahahaha… look at this, So-ah. Isn't it super cute? Look at how the priestess is blushing.”
“Big sis, you look even cuter to me!”
“You're saying such pretty words. Come here right now!!!”
Yuhwa immediately grabbed So-ah's cheeks and stretched them. So-ah let out a little “Euuung…” but still laughed happily.
Yuhwa then hoisted her onto her shoulders for a piggyback ride. Kamishiro Ayane watched the entire scene with a bright red face.
“Y-You're being too much, Master.”
“I agree. How could she give an interview like that…”
Yujin and Han So-yi both looked utterly fed up.
Ayane had curled up in the corner of the sofa, hugging her knees with a completely vacant expression, muttering to herself.
“Now… my life is over. How am I supposed to show my face to the world starting tomorrow….”
When Ayane began sniffling, Yuhwa gently patted her shoulder with her tail.
“Why are you so down? Everything you said was true, wasn't it? You swore loyalty to me. A servant should praise their master. That's only natural.”
Yuhwa watched Ayane's mouth open and close wordlessly. Hmm. Good. I've enjoyed myself enough.
“So-ah, big sis has to go somewhere for a bit.”
“Okay…”
“I'll come back and play with you again, so don't make such a sad face.”
After ruffling So-ah's hair, Yuhwa stretched and stood up.
“Alright. Servant! Let's go! Just the two of us today.”
“U-um… where are we going…?”
“Where else? It's about time I officially get one of those 'National Power-Class' titles or whatever they're called.”
Yuhwa jerked her chin toward Ayane.
“We're heading to the Association headquarters. Follow me, servant.”
Korean Hunter Association Headquarters.
The Association, which had already been thrown into chaos by Yuhwa's previous visit, was now completely paralyzed by the joint appearance of Yuhwa and Ayane.
What everyone kept thinking about was Ayane's interview.
And the rumors quietly spreading within the Association.
That Yuhwa was one of 'Life Failed's servants. That the silver-gray dragon was the same. And finally… that Ayane had sworn loyalty to 'Life Failed'….
Yuhwa and Ayane were immediately escorted to the President's VIP reception room.
Park Jin-tae, the Association President, handed over the highest-grade hunter license proving National Power-Class status with trembling hands.
Name: Yuhwa
Rank: National Power-Class (Unmeasurable)
“C-Congratulations, Lady Yuhwa…”
The President wiped the sweat from his forehead and bowed deeply.
Yuhwa casually stuffed the license into her pocket, then naturally draped an arm around Ayane's shoulders.
Ayane flinched.
She reflexively trembled at Yuhwa's touch but couldn't bring herself to pull away.
Yuhwa's tail swayed lazily. Ayane's eyes kept darting toward it, but she forced herself to look away, trying to maintain some dignity.
“President.”
“Y-Yes!”
“You saw the interview, right? About Ayane.”
“I… I did…”
“This adorable Japanese priestess has also become a faithful member of our 'Life Failed' family.”
The President could only nod mechanically, looking completely out of it.
Yuhwa could practically see the thoughts spinning in his head. Just how overwhelmingly powerful must 'Life Failed' be…?
I really have no idea who 'Life Failed' is.
How incredible must this person be to cause all this?!
At that moment, the President suddenly cleared his throat as if something had just occurred to him and spoke cautiously.
“Um, Lady Yuhwa. Actually… there is someone who has been desperately requesting to meet you.”
“Hm? Who?”
“A holy knight dispatched from the Vatican.”
“Oh…”
Yuhwa's eyes sparkled with interest.
The very holy knight who had been the only one to clear the first floor on Hell difficulty despite its absurd gimmicks.
She had thought they might meet someday, but she never expected it to happen this quickly.
“This should be fun. Ayane, you come too.”
A short while later, the reception room door opened with the heavy clank of armor, and a figure stepped inside.
Yuhwa had imagined a burly, macho man.
After all, every photo and interview had shown someone who looked at least two meters tall.
But the holy knight standing before her was a petite woman with an adorable face.
And then—
Hmm…?
The moment Yuhwa saw the holy knight's face, she unconsciously tilted her head.
Her transcendent dragon senses—the ones that could detect even the faintest pulses of life force—were subtly drawn toward the holy knight's slightly rounded lower belly.
That…
There were clearly two tiny but distinct heartbeats coming from inside the holy knight's abdomen.
Or rather, the distinct energy of two separate life forces.
Is she… pregnant?
Yuhwa couldn't hide her bewilderment as she alternated her gaze between the holy knight's face and her belly.
Don't religious people usually avoid men or have to maintain chastity? How is she walking around so openly pregnant?
Moreover, judging by the holy knight's expression and demeanor, she didn't seem to realize that a new life had taken root inside her own body.
Does she really not know she's pregnant? Should I tell her? Or is this some kind of immaculate conception like the Virgin Mary…?
Should I say something…?