Hand Over Earth's Entertainment Right Now! [02]
Hand Over Earth's Entertainment Right Now! [02]
Packing my bags brought all sorts of worries.
I couldn't just shove anything in there recklessly.
What should I do? Survival? Combat?
Should I pack some snacks, at least?
I thought and thought.
I checked and checked again.
There can be no mistakes.
This is a hard-won opportunity.
I spread my backpack on the floor and went through items one by one. Emergency potions are a given, a cursed dagger, a defensive stone that supposedly stops planetary collisions.
I placed three [Magic Power Compression Capsules] on my palm, stared at them for a moment, then tucked them deep inside. This should be enough, right? Probably.
It was filled with things you'd only prepare for a battlefield. But emergencies happen without warning. Life is unpredictable.
The more trump cards, the better.
Just in case, let's toss this and that in too.
Might need them someday.
But would I even have a reason to use a dagger on Earth? It's an item imbued with a curse strong enough to temporarily weaken even a high-ranking dragon.
I finished packing and sat still.
I know I'm going to Earth, but what I'll do there kept tangling up in my head.
What should I see first? A bookstore?
Or should I look up the internet right away?
Wait, what year is it on Earth now?
I don't even know if it's the era of smartphones.
My memory stopped at that point.
Smartphone. That one word sparkled in my head. A palm-sized device that could show you all the games, comics, and videos.
When I was a human, I always had one in my hand.
I held it even when lying in bed, even while eating. If such a thing existed in this world, I would have made one myself.
Other races are born with telepathic abilities, so no matter how far apart they are, as long as they're on the same planet, they can communicate freely.
So, there's no need to go through the hassle of making communication devices. It's even possible in space, and the range can be extended as much as you want if you have enough magic power.
Honestly, magic power itself is a cheat-like ability.
There are too many ways to use it.
That's why it's bound to be different from Earth.
...Suddenly, I felt depressed.
I rested my chin on my backpack and tapped my fingers.
For starters.
I pondered what to eat first on Earth.
Ramen. Or a convenience store triangle kimbap.
Ordinary foods that aren't even special.
I don't know why these came to mind first.
Usually, the food in this world is much richer and tastes better. I guess I miss the atmosphere more than the act of eating.
That trivial time, sitting on a convenience store chair under fluorescent lights, eating with the lid only half-open, flashed through my mind.
I think I'll look for a convenience store as soon as I arrive.
Come to think of it, that wouldn't be too bad.
Hehe, I laughed to myself.
I looked into my bag again.
Plenty of weapons, and no shortage of potions.
I couldn't think of anything else to add.
Because Earth is a place I already know.
It's different from when I first left for an unfamiliar world.
Thinking of it that way, my heart strangely felt as light as a feather. That must be why excitement came before nervousness.
I wondered if this is what it felt like to look forward to something.
A feeling I kept forgetting while living in this world without entertainment culture. The excitement of waiting.
I gripped my backpack tightly.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Soyeon-eonni opened the door and walked in.
She scanned me, then looked around.
My luggage was spread out on the floor half-open, with potions and daggers scattered messily among them. The room was a huge mess.
I thought she might nag me again after seeing this, but she didn't react much. She slowly approached and pulled at my collar to fix what was disheveled.
Along with my messy hair.
"Eonni, is that important right now?"
"It is important."
Only after fixing my clothes did she sit next to me. Her eyes staring at me were so serious that my hands started to sweat.
"There is something you need to be briefed on."
"About Earth?"
"Yes. It's an important matter."
The atmosphere was heavier than usual.
I pushed my luggage aside and sat properly. I was very nervous, wondering what she was going to say.
"Currently, dimensional rifts have occurred there. Creatures from other worlds are flowing in through the rifts, and people are engaged in combat with them. They call them Gates."
Dimensional rifts. Creatures from other worlds.
My heart fluttered at those words.
"As the magic power flowing from the rifts mixes with the atmosphere, the constitutions of some humans are changing. People capable of using magic have emerged, and their official designation is Hunter."
Humans who use magic.
My mouth opened slightly, then closed.
It felt like puzzle pieces were falling into place.
What Grandfather said.
Earth is not quiet right now.
So this is what he meant.
The world had changed completely while I was dead. It's absurd, but it wasn't as big of a shock as I thought. It's just ironic that the genre I loved so much in my past life has become reality.
If I hadn't died and was still alive, I would have been the most excited person. It was a dream I had admired, after all.
"I don't really know, but basically, Earth is turning into a magic-filled planet like this one, right?"
"That is an accurate description."
There was silence for a while.
I looked up at the ceiling for a moment.
Then I turned my head back to Eonni.
Eonni was reading my expression too.
"How are the people? Are they struggling a lot?"
"The war situation is not good. However, they are not completely being pushed back. Governments of each country are establishing systems, and the number of people who can use magic is gradually increasing."
I see. It's tough, but they are holding on.
Human survival instincts are more tenacious than anyone else's.
They won't fall easily.
"What about the creatures that invaded?"
"Most are inferior. There are no entities that would be a threat to you, Princess. They might be dangerous by human standards, but with your capabilities, Princess, it's no problem. Still, one must not let their guard down."
"Then that's fine."
I picked up my backpack and adjusted the straps.
"Eonni, let's go."
Soyeon-eonni looked at me.
"Are we proceeding as planned, without changing the destination?"
"Yeah. No changes."
"Are you really sure?"
"Of course."
There was no hesitation.
Curiosity reached me before fear.
What is waiting for me on the changing Earth? Just imagining it makes me happy. How should I play? I want to go as soon as possible.
Eonni stood up.
And muttered very quietly.
"Earth is going to be in an uproar."
Then she took my hand.
And we left the room.
Now, shall we head to Earth?
✦✦✦
The sky was wide. A place higher than the clouds.
The world spread out endlessly beneath my feet.
Cold, fast air blew my hair back. Pure wind. It was so, so different from that place full of warmth.
I was sitting on the back of a giant white dragon. It was Soyeon-eonni's transformation. It took my breath away the first time I saw it, but now I'm used to it.
Each scale shone as hard as frost. Just spreading her wings was enough to change the air currents. Eonni's dragon form is one of the largest in the Great Goryeo Empire.
There were countless people who fell for that appearance and proposed to her. Of course, she used me as an excuse to reject all the marriage proposals.
I'll be able to become like that someday too, right?
Grandfather's words that I am still an immature dragon suddenly came to mind. Time will take care of it. No need to rush.
By dragon standards, a hundred years old is just a newborn baby. I have a long way to grow.
I looked down at the ground.
Familiar scenery and strange buildings were mixed together. The layout of the roads, various large and small buildings, etc. Things I had seen for a long time in my past life were there.
But lights were flashing here and there, and thick smoke was rising. Some areas seemed to have already collapsed.
A lot of time has passed since I died.
The world I knew was already over.
Yet, some parts remained the same. The roads were still there, and the buildings were still lit up.
Familiarity and strangeness were mixed together.
I don't know what to call this.
But those sentiments didn't last long. The peaceful sky changed in an instant. A gray flying object passed overhead.
The sharp sound of an engine pressed hard against my ears.
Wireless communication sounds came from all directions.
[Unidentified life form confirmed. Monster grade unmeasurable. Preparing for engagement. Awaiting launch orders.]
[Emergency declared. Evacuation order issued for all areas. Civilians are to evacuate immediately.]
Honestly, I felt a bit wronged.
I came here to interact, but to have my first impression be a monster? I figured it wouldn't be a welcome visit, but this is within the expected range.
Several missiles flew from fighter jets.
All of them were blocked by Soyeon-eonni's shield.
Only the sound was loud. There was no impact.
A low vibration was transmitted from the dragon's back.
It's the way Eonni conveys her intentions.
[Shall I eliminate these ruffians?]
"No."
I answered immediately.
"Just dodge. As fast as possible."
[You are not very dragon-like in many ways, Princess. You even dislike fighting.]
She banked her wings sharply to change direction.
She let the next attack pass by and lowered her altitude.
The ground got closer.
Things that were small grew larger, and their outlines became clear. The ground was right in front of us.
I saw people.
On the road, in front of buildings, at the edge of the park.
The number of faces looking up at the sky kept increasing. People pointing fingers, people frozen in place, people starting to run.
Shouts came up from below.
"What is that?"
"It's a dragon, a dragon! Run away quickly!"
"Take a picture, take a picture! Where's the camera?!"
As the altitude lowered, the commotion grew louder.
Alarm sirens blared. Evacuation broadcasts flowed from building speakers. People were clinging to every window, looking outside.
"The government said to evacuate..."
"There's a person riding on that dragon's back. A person!"
"Isn't it a monster? What's the grade, what's the grade!"
The voices mixed together.
That Earth would be in an uproar...
Eonni was right.
Although it wasn't what I wanted.
A lawn. A white building. A symmetrical structure.
It was a place I had only seen in pictures in my past life.
Although the area was already becoming chaotic.
The building itself was still intact.
A helicopter was hovering above it.
The White House in the United States.
This was the best place to start an exchange. The place where the person with the greatest decision-making power is. I hate the hassle of going around here and there.
Let's settle it here.
Soyeon-eonni dived.
The impact of the landing hit up from the soles of my feet.
The grass was gouged out in all directions. At the same time, Eonni returned to her original form and stood next to me.
Not a single hair was out of place.
I stared at her blankly.
That composure is amazing every time I see it.
A moment later, bodyguards poured out.
Black uniforms and various armaments. The numbers increased rapidly. Muzzles were all pointed this way.
"It's a humanoid monster!"
"When is the Transcendent-class Hunter coming?"
"Magic troops, deploy the barrier, hurry!"
Eonni scanned them once.
Slowly, quietly. If necessary.
With the air that she could wipe them out at any time.
"How dare you, you barbarians..."
Oh no. Eonni is angry.
If this continues, it's going to be a bloodbath.
I wanted a peaceful exchange.
I must avoid unnecessary fights as much as possible.
Can't be helped.
I have to step up myself here.
I decided to use my Reverse Scale without hesitation.
No need to use it on a large scale.
Just spreading the dragon's inherent pressure thinly is enough. Even if the humans here have changed to magic-attuned constitutions, it's still the early stages.
They are not at a level to withstand the Reverse Scale.
As gently as possible, without hurting them.
So they fall, but are fine when they wake up.
Let's adjust. This should be enough, right?
A pink flame flared briefly on my hand.
Red shadows flickered behind my back, taking the shape of a dragon. Now, I just need to roar.
Alright. One, two, three. Fire!
"Kuaaaaaang!"
...Honestly, it's a bit embarrassing.
I was expecting something like a cool dragon roar.
But what came out is this.
A sound like a baby beast.
But it can't be helped.
I am not an adult dragon yet.
So this is my limit. Really. Truly.
Thump, thump, thump.
People fell like dominoes.
Their consciousness just turned off for a moment.
There is no danger to their lives at all.
Anyway, the path opened peacefully.
Eonni walked side by side with me.
Only footprints remained on the grass.
I looked around as I passed between the fallen bodyguards. They were unconscious, but everyone was breathing evenly. I was worried because it was my first time...
Thank goodness. I controlled it well.
It was only a few dozen steps across the lawn to the building entrance. There was nothing blocking us.
Everyone was busy running away.
Ah, found him.
I can tell just by looking.
People were gathered near the building entrance.
A middle-aged man with blonde hair, surrounded by bodyguards, was looking straight at us.
His complexion was pale.
Still, he didn't avoid us.
That person must be the President.
I stopped walking.
I met the man's eyes.
He was trembling, but desperately holding himself together, and barely managed to move his mouth.
"...Who on earth are you?"
I smiled.
"This body did not come here to fight."
I paused for a moment. I unleashed the whirlwind of countless emotions I had been suppressing all this time.
I want entertainment.
Entertainment that I can enjoy!
Give it to me! Right now, in front of my eyes!
"Give me Earth's entertainment right now!"
...Huh? Did I speak too honestly?
I should have brought up the exchange first...
I did it without thinking.