Department Store Glory
Yuhwa had always believed that once a decision was made, action should follow immediately.
Hmm… no. Preparations would be necessary. After all, this was her very first trip!
“My companions are still at home, so it would be best if we packed our things and moved together.”
“If you mean your companions… you are referring to the dragon who calls herself your younger sister, correct…?”
“That is right.”
Cecilia asked cautiously, her expression troubled.
“Of course, if all of you were to visit together, it would be the greatest honor for the Vatican… but if Lady Yuhwa, your sister, and the National Power-Class shrine maiden were to leave at the same time, would that not create an enormous power vacuum in both Korea and Japan?”
Her point was valid.
One only had to recall the recent gate break that had erupted in the middle of Seoul to understand.
The entire world was currently in a state of uneasy wartime tension, never knowing when or where monsters might pour out.
Ayane’s presence here was proof enough of that.
If the power of the awakened had not surpassed modern weaponry, Ayane would have been dragged back to Japan immediately.
“Hmm…”
Yuhwa stroked her chin in thought, then recalled the memory of spending coins at the Tower’s shop.
‘Come to think of it, So-yi mentioned it. Korea is paying coins into the Tower.’
Apparently the coin allocation differed according to the size of each nation’s territory…
If a country failed to pay its allotted coins, gates would open—an utterly vicious system, or so she had heard.
In other words, if enough coins had been paid, no gates would open for the time being.
Yuhwa immediately took the elevator back down to find Park Jin-tae and asked him.
(It was one of Korea’s secrets, but for a National Power-Class awakened, this level of information was no secret at all.)
“Association President. What is the current status of gate occurrences in Korea?”
“Ah… yes. I will report immediately.”
He projected a hologram from his tablet into the air.
“As you can see, during the recent gate break incident… an enormous quantity of coins was deducted from the national allocation. According to our analysts’ readings, no gates are expected to appear for approximately one week.”
“Expected. That means it is not zero percent.”
“Nothing in this world is one hundred percent certain.”
“True enough.”
Yuhwa nodded and turned to Ayane, who stood beside her.
(Park Jin-tae had shown the data because Ayane was also a National Power-Class hunter. Nationality did not matter at that level.)
“Ayane. How are things in Japan right now? A power vacuum there would be troublesome as well.”
“Ah… well, I do not think you need to worry about Japan.”
Ayane averted her gaze and gave an awkward laugh.
When Yuhwa frowned and pressed her with a look that clearly said “That does not sound right at all,” Ayane mumbled her reply.
“Well… the truth is, Japanese citizens have never really trusted the national system. They are famous for the so-called ‘closet savings’ culture—hoarding cash, valuables, and coins in personal safes or even inside wardrobes.”
Ayane lowered her voice until it was barely audible.
“But… right after my interview aired, a strange phenomenon began. Countless Japanese citizens started voluntarily donating the coins and assets they had been hoarding to the government. Things like, ‘Hurry up and pay the coins so the gates won’t open!’ Thanks to that, Japan’s coin allocation has skyrocketed, and the gate risk level has dropped to nearly zero for the time being…”
Come to think of it, how did she know all this classified information while she was in Korea?
“…How do you know such real-time national secrets while you are here in Korea?”
Ayane scratched her cheek and answered.
“Illusion… or should I say, network magic? Haha…”
Yuhwa found it absurd, but the outcome was favorable.
Both Korea and Japan were confirmed safe for the time being, so she could head to the Vatican with a clear conscience!
“Excellent. Then all problems have been resolved, have they not?”
Yuhwa clapped her hands, shifting the atmosphere.
“Let us all go pack our things together first.”
Yuhwa recalled the black card she had received along with her National Power-Class license.
Yes. Time to spend some money!
***
Three hours later, at the most luxurious department store in Cheongdam-dong.
Everyone had insisted on coming together.
But… some things were meant to be done alone, were they not?
If one wished to enjoy oneself, one had to stand proudly alone.
Vrrr…
The moment Yuhwa stepped into the first-floor lobby, every sound inside the department store cut off as if by magic.
All eyes turned toward her at once.
Her overwhelming physique, breathtaking beauty, and the blue tail swaying behind her waist.
She had already become a global celebrity.
Moreover, she was the closest aide to the divine being known as “Life Failed.”
At her appearance, even the VVIP ladies who had been shopping and the haughty managers of luxury boutiques froze in place, swallowing hard.
‘Kya… look at all those eyes on me. Praise me more.’
Yuhwa cheered inwardly, lifted her chin, and began walking with regal poise.
While people could only steal glances and fidget without daring to approach—
“Huh? It’s Noona!”
From within the crowd, a small child raised his hand and came running toward her.
Upon closer look, it was the same boy she had saved from being trampled during the recent gate incident.
“Oh. Hello, little one.”
Yuhwa crouched down and patted the boy’s head.
His mother, who had followed behind, also recognized Yuhwa and flinched. After glancing nervously at the surrounding people, she bowed deeply.
“L-Lady Yuhwa…! Thank you so, so much for saving my child last time…!”
“It was nothing of importance. Raise your head.”
When Yuhwa replied coolly, the boy’s eyes sparkled as he thrust out a sketchbook and pen.
“Noona! I’m your fan! Could you please give me an autograph?”
“An autograph? Ah, come to think of it, what is your name?”
“Min-su! Kim Min-su!”
“Very well. I shall grant it, Min-su.”
Her lips threatened to curl upward, but Yuhwa barely managed to suppress the urge.
Doing her best to appear nonchalant, she accepted the pen.
Scratch, scratch.
She wrote “The Great Dragon, Yuhwa” in an elegant hand, then swallowed and declared proudly.
“An autograph alone is insufficient. I shall also leave behind a photograph of my benevolent draconic visage.”
“Wow! Really?!”
Yuhwa took the boy’s smartphone, made a V-sign, snapped a selfie, and returned it.
“…?”
“What is the matter?”
“Um… well, normally when taking a photo, do you not take it together?”
“No? I am only taking a picture of myself. The photo should contain only me, after all.”
“?”
Min-su accepted the smartphone. He looked at the selfie, then looked back at Yuhwa.
She merely spoke with complete confidence.
“This photograph is a family treasure and an heirloom to be passed down through the generations. Cherish it well.”
Min-su wore a slightly bewildered expression before nodding with a bright “Yes! Hehe!”
Yuhwa stood up again and surveyed her surroundings.
The people in the lobby were still holding their breath, surrounding her while whispering.
—That’s the dragon, right? The one from the news.
—Whoa, her proportions… insane. Seriously.
—She looks like she’d have a terrible personality, but she’s surprisingly good with kids? If I asked for a photo, would she take one with me too…?
Praise, admiration, and reverent gazes poured toward her.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Yuhwa lightly tapped the floor with her tail.
It was a soft sound, yet the entire lobby fell into perfect silence.
Yuhwa swept her indifferent gaze over the crowd and opened her mouth.
“Does everyone here require a photograph of me?”
Confusion and bewilderment crossed the people’s faces.
No one answered readily; they only exchanged glances.
Yuhwa raised her tail once more and struck the floor, this time with a hint of force.
Crack—!
A faint sound of the floor splitting echoed.
A suffocating atmosphere formed.
Yuhwa smiled faintly and addressed the crowd.
“Speak honestly. You are all captivated by my perfect beauty and wish to capture my benevolent form on your phones, are you not?”
A brief silence followed. The people glanced at one another.
Yuhwa smiled, and the people understood.
“We need them!”
“Of course! Please let us take just one picture!”
“It would be an honor to capture this benevolent appearance on camera before I die!”
“I will hang Lady Yuhwa’s photo in place of my own portrait at my funeral!!”
“In truth, I have lived in this world only to meet Lady Yuhwa!!!”
Haa… this was it. This was the feeling. The protagonist of this world was none other than herself, standing right here!
“You all possess excellent attitudes.”
Yuhwa wore a regal smile.
In this moment, she was happier than anyone else in the world.
***
“Ah… Master.”
Watching from afar, Yujin wore a devastated expression.
“Ah…”
“…”
“…”
“So Lady Yuhwa was that kind of person…”
“I am the one who serves such a strange… dragon?”
“I want to use Noona’s selfie as my phone wallpaper too!”
Everyone except So-yi shared the same thought.