Dokkaebi Doesn't Pull That Shit (3)
At that moment, in a villa perched on a cliff on some remote island, a red-haired woman finished her shower, threw on a gown, and sank into the sofa. An 85-inch massive TV flickered in front of her, the screen showing a rampaging villain.
The Dokkaebi impersonator, 'Doppelganger'. He looked so similar yet so different from the original Dokkaebi—a design so crude it made her want to complain, if you're gonna rip it off, at least make it classy, not this cheap knockoff. It was like distinguishing "Japanese figures" from "Chinese figures" in those internet memes. And where were the Korean ones? Regrettably, Korea didn't specialize in figurines beyond individual sculptures—especially not the cute girl kind.
"Sigh. Hope he's not dragging the Deputy Director into unnecessary trouble again."
Dokkaebi stepping up when someone was cosplaying as him seemed like the natural progression, but Dokkaebi had to keep his identity hidden as much as possible. If he did emerge anyway, it could only mean—
"He just happened to be passing by nearby, as expected."
Like he'd saved the pink-haired woman earlier by kicking aside the utility pole targeting her, Dokkaebi leaped forward. The woman—'Gung-gi'—manipulated her Taeguk Watch while lounging on the sofa.
"He's already there? What, weren't you all supposed to be working?"
"I can't stand by when Dokkaebi transforms for something outside work."
The video chat room was already packed with the other four executives minus Gung-gi. The host, under the nickname 'DDD', had screen-shared multiple windows—live feeds from Taeguk Watches broadcasting on-site.
"Ma'am. Every time I think this, do we really need to monitor from all angles like this?"
It was a curt single consonant, but it radiated unyielding will—no arguments allowed. The others felt it too, and she did as well, but especially Chongsu was utterly enchanted by Dokkaebi. Was it good for the organization? Well... She always worried they'd splinter into five factions fighting over one man someday, but Gung-gi just hoped it wouldn't come to that.
Doppelganger slowly morphed from Dokkaebi's form into something blending devilish traits.
The four executives' eyes lit up at the fan Dokkaebi unfurled sideways. Gung-gi, too, stared at it, salivating inwardly as she pictured Dokkaebi's 'scholar' form. The Western suit was cool, sure, but wasn't Dokkaebi at his truest with a gat hat, mask below, do po robes billowing? It had been rare since he debuted the suit costume half a year ago—his hanbok transformations were few and far between. Gung-gi straightened her posture reverently.
"Finally... Huh?"
Dokkaebi hesitated. Right before transforming with the fan spread, he scanned the crowd, tilted his head back, and gazed at the sky.
Gung-gi got the guys' mindset somewhat. Personally, as one who preferred cybernetic designs over traditional, she dug this Doji Rider look. Dokkaebi's default, suit, or gentleman forms were great, but Doji Rider screamed 'Imae Mangnyang's ultimate weapon'—that was the appeal.
The moment the room leader typed those two words—
—Dokkaebi transformed into Doji Rider. And with the transformation, Doppelganger fired his gun.
"What the fuck."
No one in Imae Mangnyang touched an enemy mid-transformation. It wasn't just romance; crushing a powered-up foe post-transformation showcased their overwhelming superiority—that was their style.
"A former Hero Academy student pulling that lame shit?!"
Worried he'd get hit and injured mid-change? Unfounded fears.
Flutter.
A golden storm swirled, shielding Dokkaebi's body. When it cleared, Doji Rider emerged unscathed.
"...Phew."
Gung-gi had genuinely fretted over injury—not just for him, but lest the other four drag their "accusations" to Sejong Island and wreck shop if Dokkaebi got hurt. Thankfully, no such drama.
Dokkaebi subdued Doppelganger effortlessly. Smashing the head of the fool who'd shot mid-transformation, he aimed to "enlighten" before full devilhood.
"Ah. Stabbed from behind."
A red laser hero blocked the path, only for a devilish claw to rip through her chest. Doppelganger fully devolved into a devil.
Irreversible now. Dokkaebi ramped up his mana to obliterate the devil Doppelganger completely.
"Oh my, check out that pink-hair. Acting all chummy with Dokkaebi?"
Gung-gi teased the chat slyly.
"The way she's stepping up, flaunting her heroism with mana—doesn't it look like she's showing off to Dokkaebi?"
"True that."
Pink flames from her two orbs were intriguing.
"Student Council President Yoon Isun? Seems decent enough—we'd scout her for our side, minus the Dokkaebi fangirling."
"Obviously. No rule says hero wannabes can't turn villain, right?"
Someone irritably tsked. Gung-gi chuckled, poured wine, and reclined lazily.
"Heroes'll handle it if we leave 'em be. Deputy Director Do shouldn't step up needlessly—"
Dokkaebi grabbed Yoon Isun's shoulder and advanced. The chat froze; Gung-gi unconsciously touched her own shoulder.
Anyone Dokkaebi had physically touched like that...?
Flames aren't used like that.
Teaching her flame control? If so, maybe Dokkaebi's unique way to incinerate devils.
"Dokkaebi's flames. Ma'am, did you teach him anything?"
"Then why flaunt flames—"
Come forth, hand of Gung-gi.
"!!"
Gung-gi clutched her hand instinctively. It was still, yet felt like she'd done something wrong.
"I didn't do anything..."
Black Flame Demonic Tiger, release!
Kuwaaaang—!
Behind Dokkaebi's extended hand materialized a black-red tiger. It was Gung-gi's symbol, the mana afterimage of her superpower—and Gung-gi swallowed hard without realizing.
"M-Ma'am? Why's Deputy Director Do basing a technique on me all of a sudden?!"
No reply from Chongsu—meaning Dokkaebi's solo act.
The executives chimed in; Chongsu stayed silent. Gung-gi couldn't tell if the droplets trickling down her back under the gown were leftover shower water or cold sweat.
Chongsu finally spoke aloud.
"...Yes, ma'am."
Gung-gi felt wronged.
* * *
I'd used a technique themed around Gung-gi. Why? As thanks for her exposing Jumo's true identity last time—and her plot to use Jumo to lure me into Hwalbindang.
Overwhelming firepower that incinerated even devils. Borrowed from Gung-gi's hand alone—anyone could imagine her true power.
Got it? Flames are used like this—with firepower that burns everything away.
"...Ah."
Yoon Isun nodded at me, a bit dazed, reacting instinctively.
'Yeah, thought so.'
After witnessing that dominance, that soaring pillar of fire, her heart wouldn't race unless she wielded flames. I handled other elements better, but this was performance, cleanup, and technique demo rolled into one.
And there—Doppelganger charred to a crisp black lump.
Thud.
He toppled forward, motionless. The blaze consumed even his suit; the devil was dead.
The fake is dead. So I—
"Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear."
From Doppelganger's opposite side.
"A fine natural devil emergence, ruined so pathetically. What an unpleasant fellow."
The newcomer clapped.
"This 'Du Eok Sini' cannot help but sigh."
He wore a yaksha-like mask.
"And on Sejong Island, no less—using an English skill name."
...Dressed in ochre everyday hanbok.
[Who are you?]
"I am Du Eok Sini."
The man declaring himself Du Eok Sini.
"Spreader of the Devil's Seeds."
Pulled out an orb writhing with tentacles.
"Thus, the one who spreads the terror of evil to the world."
He hurled the devil seed at the charred flesh lump.
"Revive, incarnation of evil."
Wriggle.
The burnt flesh lump slowly rose like a zombie.
And—
Kwaaaaa—!!
Belching massive black mana from its maw, it 'revived'.