Hand Over Earth's Entertainment Right Now! [03]
Hand Over Earth's Entertainment Right Now! [03]
Things have gotten quite twisted.
I messed up the first impression.
Was being too excited my mistake?
I tried to keep my cool in my own way.
But the dragon's fighting instinct kicked in.
This has never happened before.
It's embarrassing. I want to crawl into a mouse hole.
I'm a peaceful dragon!
It's too late to take it back now, isn't it?
The man looking at me had a stiff expression, and the bodyguards surrounding us aimed their guns in unison. Soon after, an electronic sound followed, along with what sounded like an urgent voice.
[Hostile action detected. Prepare for immediate response.]
[Prioritize the safety of citizens.]
[Everyone, refrain from rash attacks.]
That was just a joke.
Why don't you all calm down?
Soyeon-eonni is scary when she's angry.
I tried to make an excuse, but I was at a loss for words.
The gun barrels weren't lowered.
People dressed as Hunters stepped forward.
Someone shouted from the back with all their might.
"Deploy the barrier! Before they run away!"
Magic power bloomed from all directions.
The Hunters began to cast a barrier.
Thin, transparent membranes piled up in layers.
"Where did you learn such pathetic tricks..."
Soyeon-eonni's hand moved.
She intends to wipe them out.
I have to stop her. With just one wave of her hand...
Their lives are in danger.
A dragon's body is basically a massive lump of magic power, so if she puts even a little bit of force into it, the humans here won't be able to withstand it. Especially since Soyeon-eonni is famous for having no mercy on enemies.
"Wait a moment."
I spoke up first.
Soyeon-eonni hesitated, then withdrew her power.
Thank goodness. She still has her reason.
I took a step forward.
The gun barrels followed. I didn't care.
I can't shrink back here.
Let's resolve this calmly, like royalty.
"I wish to converse with you all."
The only response was silence.
Suffocating tension. The air felt heavy.
Only that filled the space.
What should I do? I want to resolve this peacefully if possible. When I shot a pleading look, Soyeon-eonni calmly moved her legs.
Did my feelings reach her?
The atmosphere softened significantly.
Thank goodness the immediate fire is out.
"...I will explain."
A cold voice, devoid of emotion.
It felt like the ambient temperature dropped.
Even those standing with weapons could barely support themselves.
"We have come from outside this planet. 'Extraterrestrial civilization' would be the closest description. We have no hostility. The Princess's phrasing was a bit rough, but the intention is exchange. In a direction that benefits both sides. What is your answer?"
The blonde man said nothing.
His brow furrowed, then relaxed.
"...Really an extraterrestrial civilization?"
"That is correct. We possess incredible technology that barbarians couldn't even dream of. We rule over countless galaxies and utilize them for resources."
"...If conversation is possible, there's no need to fight."
As the man raised his hand, the bodyguards stopped. The gun barrels slowly lowered. The Hunters casting the barrier also stopped their movements.
In that gap, Soyeon-eonni scanned the surroundings.
Crumbling walls. A large hole in the lawn.
Cracked pillars. Traces left by the impact of our landing.
It was hard to find anything intact.
I thought we arrived gently.
That wasn't the case. We arrived quite loudly.
Controlling my strength is really difficult, after all.
"Excuse me for a moment."
Eonni said to the man, then turned around.
And she stretched both hands forward.
As magic power gathered at her fingertips, the air changed. A heavy, pressing feeling. A white light, cold as frost, spread from Eonni's hands.
It was an unnatural light.
It was beautiful, but that beauty...
It was scary enough to give me goosebumps.
It's an immense amount of magic power, no matter how many times I see it.
The crumbling wall moved.
No. To be more precise, is it a bit different?
Rather than moving, it was being pulled.
The collapsed stones rose slowly as if being sucked into the air. One by one, back into place. The cracked pillars twisted and straightened out.
As if time were rewinding.
Everything returned to how it was.
The crowd watching that scene couldn't say a word, mouths agape. I can understand that reaction. It must be a sight Earthlings have never seen before.
Someone slumped to the ground.
Someone bowed their head as if worshipping a god.
Unable to believe the reality before them, some slapped their cheeks hard or pinched their arms.
[Abnormal reaction observed in the barrier.]
[Cannot restore!]
[No, no way. This is impossible!]
Cracks appeared in the barrier the Hunters had set up.
The gaps, thin as hairline fractures, widened uncontrollably. The cracking didn't know how to stop. The hand of the Hunter watching it right in front of them trembled.
[Magic power level unmeasurable.]
[Repeating, unmeasurable.]
[Barrier pressure detected.]
[Requesting immediate withdrawal judgment, immediate...]
Someone screamed. Two bodyguards blocked the front. One Hunter raised a hand to recast the barrier, but the barrier immediately shattered with a jjaeng-geurang sound.
Thirty seconds passed like that.
Eonni lowered her hands without a word.
As if nothing had happened. Peacefully.
The gun barrels still didn't budge.
The Hunters didn't put away their weapons either.
Instead, the air became even tighter.
People who were judging whether they could fight were now calculating what would happen if they did. It's foolish, but the fact that they aren't intimidated by Eonni is worthy of praise.
A few meters back, a man in a suit held a notebook and wrote something down. One bodyguard touched his earpiece and said in a low voice.
"When on earth is the Transcendent-class Hunter coming?"
"They received a support order, so it's hard for them to come here right now. They're struggling quite a bit too. For now, another high-ranking Hunter..."
Soyeon-eonni looked toward the blonde man.
Without a single change in expression.
It was as if she was asking something.
Asking what they would do from now on.
"Let's continue the conversation."
A fellow royal and my nanny.
Wang So-yeon was a hero who made great contributions in the galaxy conquest war. She was called the White Reaper for breaking through enemy lines alone.
Even though she's usually gentle, when it involves me, her nature from back then occasionally pops out. However, she tries to hide her cruel side.
"I hope you make a wise decision."
The blonde man didn't move.
Two bodyguards were blocking the front.
An aide lowered his body from behind and whispered.
I heard the word 'quarantine'.
And the word 'immediate withdrawal' too.
Whether he's listening to those words or not.
I couldn't tell what was inside that silence. Whether to see us as collaborators or variables.
If that ability is an ally, it's a strength; if an enemy, it cannot be controlled. It could be read in his eyes that he was judging such things.
One Hunter stepped forward.
His face was deathly pale.
Even his legs were trembling.
"Your Excellency, please make a decision."
"Wait a moment."
The man cut him off firmly.
His gaze shifted from Soyeon-eonni to me. Perhaps having finally made up his mind, he spoke with a straight posture.
"For now, please come inside."
A Hunter nearby tried to say something but stopped. They must have known too. That no matter what means they used, they couldn't stop us.
The bodyguards opened the path.
Soyeon-eonni stood right next to me.
There were some noisy incidents, but...
It seems we got through it well without any major accidents.
Let's start the real exchange from now on.
✦✦✦
The inside of the White House was quieter than expected.
Walking down the hallway, I looked around on both sides.
Photos of past presidents. Scenes of handshakes.
Large and small frames were hung in rows.
Bodyguards followed from behind.
They hadn't completely lowered their guns.
Because I could see them sneakily hiding them behind their backs.
Eonni walked beside me, then looked that way.
The bodyguards stepped back one more step.
"Please come this way."
We were guided to a room with a table.
Soyeon-eonni and I on one side.
The other side took their seats opposite us.
It looked like a formal summit.
Sitting down, I could see the aides better.
A person in a suit holding a notebook.
A person with an earpiece in their ear.
A person standing silently with arms crossed.
A person standing in front of the door, staring at us.
Soyeon-eonni put the bag on the table.
She took items out of the bag one by one.
"First, I will show you a few things."
Space Compression Capsule. Medical Recovery Capsule.
Ability Enhancement Potion. Magic Power Compression Capsule.
She placed them side by side.
"What are these items?"
The man pointed to the medical capsule.
A pill the size of a thumb, with yellow liquid sloshing inside. I picked it up.
"It is a recovery capsule. You can apply it or eat it. It shows immediate effects on any wound, so try testing it."
I said, staring straight at the man.
As a princess of the Great Empire, I had to show a dignified appearance. Proud and confident.
So I wouldn't be ignored because I'm small and young.
I must firmly imprint my presence here. That is my role.
"Is that so? Then..."
He nodded and looked back at an aide.
The aide went out and returned a moment later with someone. It was a guard with a bandage wrapped around his arm.
Soyeon-eonni placed the capsule in front of that person.
The eyelids of the guard who picked up the capsule trembled slightly. It's understandable since they were handed an object of unknown identity. Still, this man in front of me, the US President, is no ordinary person either.
To experiment right here in a place like this.
Should I call him challenging and bold?
The guard looked at the President.
Only after confirming the nod did he take the capsule. He hesitated for a moment, then swallowed it.
Ten seconds passed like that.
Light leaked out from under the bandage.
A faint green light illuminated the room.
The guard looked down at his arm.
The guard carefully unwrapped the bandage.
"Th-this! It's a m-miracle!"
It was perfectly fine.
It was so clean that I wondered if it was really the arm that had been covered in wounds. It was as if new skin had grown, and his skin was even glowing.
The guard couldn't continue his words.
He raised and lowered his hand. Clenched and opened it. He kept looking at his arm while repeating it.
The aide with the notebook began writing faster.
The person with the earpiece brought their hand to their ear as if listening to something. The aide who had been crossing his arms could no longer maintain his composure and uncrossed them.
Only after a long time did he open his mouth.
"Are you saying you can give this to Earth?"
"As much as you want, if you desire exchange."
"...What is it that you want?"
"Earth's entertainment."
A suffocating silence flowed.
He couldn't hide his bewildered expression.
Since I said I'd give such items for mere entertainment. It's not strange that he can't easily believe it.
But to me, these things have no special meaning.
What I brought are merely low-grade capsules. Still, here... that alone would be worth enough.
"Entertainment?"
"That is so."
"...One more time, please."
"It's not a joke or a prank. Earth's entertainment. Games, manga, animation. Things like that. I want those."
He stared at me for a long time.
He must have thought some more complex demand would come out. Resources, territory, or something political.
Well, no one besides me is interested in such a backwater planet anyway. The resources are nothing special either. Should I call it a blessing in disguise?
"Is that really all?"
"That is all. So, will you do it? If you refuse here, I can just go to another country."
The man leaned back against the chair.
He touched his mouth with his hand. A moment later, I saw the tension leave his shoulders. I couldn't tell if he was holding back laughter or resigning himself.
"Very well. We will provide the world's highest-level content. If there is anything you want, please just tell us."
I looked at Soyeon-eonni.
Eonni nodded slightly.
Fortunately, the deal went smoothly.
The man stood up from his seat.
He reached out his hand toward me.
"I am Joshua, President of the United States."
I stood up too.
"Wang Yeon-bi. Princess of the Great Goryeo Empire."
I shook his hand in excitement. Seeing his face wince slightly, I immediately loosened my grip. I almost caused a big problem.
"Would it be okay to take a picture?"
"It doesn't matter. As much as you like. Go ahead."
I saw a person holding a camera from behind.
Click, click, the sound of the shutter went off.
For a moment, I was conscious of my appearance.
Pink hair and pink horns. A chubby tail.
It's quite an eye-catching appearance by Earth standards.
This appearance being captured right now...
It will be revealed to the public before long.
How will everyone take it?
Should I search the internet later?
Beside me is Soyeon-eonni with white hair and white horns.
Opposite is President Joshua in a suit.
The shutter was pressed once more.
Click. Click.
Click. Click.
I don't know how far this photo will spread.
I only knew that it would remain as a record.
It could become a scene in history.
Or, no one might remember it.
Because even the gods cannot know the future.
Let's not worry about it too much.
What was important right now was something else.
What should I receive first?
An RPG game full of adventure?
Or a mystery manga?
First, shall I look at animation?
I thought about that the whole time we were shaking hands.
And at this time, I had no idea that this photo would be uploaded to social media.
✦✦✦
[NASA released alien photo]
Remember the dragon that appeared in front of the White House?
They say that's just the end of it.
But they say that dragon is an alien. Apparently, the US President met and talked with it personally. Rumor has it they're already preparing the trade goods.
ㄴ Wow... It looks super soft
ㄴ Look at its tail and cheeks. It's a baby itself
ㄴ Isn't this a Hunter cosplaying?
ㄴ No but, I admit it's cute
ㄴ With monsters and magic existing, it was weirder that there weren't aliens lol
ㄴ It's out lol. They say the alien is holding a press conference
ㄴ What, is that for real? Next week?