Hwarang (2)
In conclusion, the Hwarang selection exam itself could be seen as an event designed to weaken the guilds and mercenary groups entrenched in Serabeol while simultaneously showcasing the city's prestige and power.
To that end, Jeong Dong-gun deployed Jin A-yeon to oversee the trials with utmost rigor, selecting a staggering number of candidates…
"With Yu-na and Seol-hwa already in place, we'll limit it to 100 per Dragon Priestess."
One hundred per Dragon Priestess. That meant selecting 200 out of a thousand. Considering Serabeol's current scale, it was precisely the number that wouldn't strain the budget—fewer than one might expect.
"Exactly. Too many would be a problem, and too few wouldn't do. We'll assign each priestess two platoons plus ten reserves."
"Not a bad setup."
"We'll proceed as discussed." But the position of Hwarang was a special one by law, and to preserve that uniqueness, only the most elite could ascend to it. Thus, the selection was brutally strict, with Bahamut himself imposing the limit of 100 per Dragon Priestess. The cabinet agreed without objection to the Dragon God's decree, and preparations moved forward.
If Bahamut were to reveal his true thoughts here…
'Making weapons and armor for the Hwarang is a real hassle.'
In truth, Bahamut was struggling with producing arms and armor for these newly selected Hwarang. He'd already crafted national-treasure-grade gear for himself, so all that remained was scaling down the prototypes for mass production. With cost reductions and designs already mapped out, it should have been straightforward.
Unfortunately…
"They're the personal guard for Yu-na and Seol-hwa!? They deserve something truly spectacular!"
The Hwarang were an elite unit born to serve the Dragon Priestesses, and some pointless artisan pride had kicked in—no way could he hand them mass-produced armor.
The initial mithril prototypes were stylish enough, but they screamed medieval fantasy rather than modern appeal. Their protection surpassed modern body armor and justified their worth, but to citizens who would see the Hwarang up close, they risked looking outdated. For Bahamut, who valued both function and form…
"Alright. Scrap the old blueprints—let's design something new!"
He ditched the originals and dove into creating modern-style armor, fired up by the challenge. All under the banner of honoring Yu-na and Seol-hwa, of course, working harder than anyone.
"This time, a bit more contemporary… or even sci-fi wouldn't hurt."
Advanced magic could pass for sci-fi without raising eyebrows, he figured, and plunged into near-future armor design.
What Bahamut ultimately produced was…
"Th-this is…"
"Incredible. Absolutely incredible."
A silver metal suit enveloping the entire body—not quite a steel suit, but a near-future mechanical steel armor. If modern tech attempted a full-plate design, this would be the pinnacle worthy of praise.
Yes, this was…
"…Maybe I should quit being commander and take the Hwarang exam myself."
"Hey, snap out of it!"
It ignited every man's fantasy. Jeong Dong-gun, who secretly harbored such dreams, now faced the embodiment of masculine longing in tangible form.
'More like a steel knight from near-future films than a medieval one.'
The Hwarang were essentially a royal guard—a knighthood. This mechanical steel armor fulfilled every knightly dream to perfection.
"It's magnificent. Truly magnificent!"
"The design is undeniable, but…"
Encased head to toe in gleaming silver metal, with mysterious mechanisms and power sources shaped to the human form beneath. No skin exposed anywhere, hugging the body like a sleek suit. But the crown jewel was undoubtedly the helmet.
Practical helmets were notoriously uncool, but this one for the Hwarang was forged in the shape of a dragon, fully enclosing the face. No clue how visibility worked, but sensing faint magic, it was surely enchanted inside for clear sight.
"Urgh. So this is Serabeol's Hwarang!"
"But how do you even wear it? Looks like a suit, but wrapped in steel and machinery—must hurt like hell putting it on."
The exterior was overwhelmingly perfect. Jeong Dong-gun shed tears of genuine emotion, while Jin A-yeon pointed out the practical issue: how to don it?
The design was flawless, no doubt. But actually wearing it? A total puzzle. No matter how Jin A-yeon turned it over, it screamed "impossible to equip comfortably."
"No need to worry."
But fret not—did they think Bahamut overlooked that? After countless trials and errors, this masterpiece before them came with a solution ready.
"Lady Yu-na."
"No worries? What do you mean, Yu-na?"
"This is just the outer form. In reality, it's a magic tool—equips instantly."
As always, one word—"magic"—explained it all. Of course, realizing it took Bahamut endless spells, errors, and toil, but still.
Completing a fantasy-packed steel mech-armor? Worth it.
"Th-then…!?"
"Yes. This makes it possible."
What Yu-na handed over was a transformation device, vital for any rider. It looked just like those from familiar shows, and Jeong Dong-gun couldn't contain his excitement.
'Could I become a rider?'
Using it would turn him into a TV hero or sci-fi protagonist.
"C-can I test it?"
"By all means."
'Whoa, his eyes are spinning. This is dangerous.'
Jeong Dong-gun's fervor was natural—the tool embodied male fantasy.
"H-henshin!"
Striking a classic rider pose, he activated the device. The suit burst forth in a flash of light, transforming him into a steel knight straight from hero shows or sci-fi epics. Emblazoned with Bahamut's dragon emblem, it exuded intimidation just standing there.
"Cool."
"Really cool. How's it feel?"
Even Jin A-yeon and Yu-na were awestruck, praising its form.
But what moved Jeong Dong-gun most was…
"…Electrifying."
His transformed self as a Dragon Knight. Trembling with emotion, his helmet muffled a choked voice, tears surely streaming inside.
"Thrilling beyond words. Yes… my dream… it's real."
"Er… that moving?"
"Yes. Deeply. I hated the apocalypse with every fiber. But right now… I'm grateful it came."
The end times had brought only suffering until now, but Jeong Dong-gun felt true thanks. Without it, he'd never have henshined like this.
Not that apocalypse for one transformation made sense, but for now, he could set aside all his resentment.
"Wow, if you mean that, I'm genuinely happy for you."
"That aside, can you tell us about its performance?"
Emotion was one thing. A pretty shell with no guts wouldn't do for Hwarang gear. Jeong Dong-gun shelved his awe and asked Yu-na for specs.
"Bahamut says it matches the protection of his own garb. Plated entirely in mithril, granting near-immunity to most curses."
"Impressive. Feels light too."
"Enchanted with body enhancements: strength, agility, stamina, and focus boosts."
The specs befitted dragon-forged armor. For his priestess guards, Bahamut poured every best enchantment available. Jeong Dong-gun nodded in satisfaction.
"Mind if I move around?"
"Go ahead."
To test thoroughly, he started with sprints, long jumps, and maneuvers. Already a superhuman, his baseline was dozens of times peak human—but now…
"This thing? It's cool and all, but… just wearing it skyrockets physical stats? Stronger than me?"
"Who knows. But right now, I'd have the edge."
"That's the scary part."
Armored, Jeong Dong-gun could edge out Serabeol's famed top fighter, Jin A-yeon, in an instant clash. In superhuman duels, that first move was everything—terrifying performance.
"Lady Yu-na, any other features?"
"Fly magic for levitation, but… needs practice."
"Flight too!? Perfect for air superiority!"
Beyond enhancements, extras like flight added appeal. In an era where skies mattered, skilled Hwarang could play fighter roles. Mobility would be insane.
"Jealous… Just for Hwarang?"
"If you want, I'll ask Bahamut."
"Please do!"
Reserving this beauty for Hwarang alone felt criminal. Jin A-yeon and Jeong Dong-gun begged for their forces too. Yu-na's okay had them bowing in thanks—no pride bruised. It was just that cool.
"Only enough armor ready for Hwarang now. Weapons pending…"
"No, this suffices."
Weapons aside, Jeong Dong-gun declared it enough. Imagine the Hwarang's thrill receiving these "mass-produced" rider suits—they'd customize personal variants at their own expense, no doubt.
"Pardon?"
"This rider su—er, steel mech-armor alone is plenty. What's it called?"
One minor issue: the name.
"Bahamut pondered but left it to us."
"Such an honor! I'll decide now!"
'This guy's way too hyped…'
Bahamut passed the glory to Serabeol. At Yu-na's words, Jeong Dong-gun shot up his hand eagerly. Jin A-yeon rolled her eyes at his glee, but secretly anticipated his pick.
"Armor for the Dragon Priestess's followers—how about Dragon Knight Armor?"
And so it was named Dragon Knight Armor.
"Kinda obvious, no?"
Too straightforward, sure.
"Hey now? Stock is the pinnacle of tuning."
As always, the ultimate mod was pure original.