The Beginning of the Fall of the Dragon King Squad, Irua’s Reward
"Red Dragon?" the Emperor asked, pausing in his tracks. It had worked. Ji Se-hwa felt a spark of hope that she might actually survive, and her tongue began to move even faster.
"Y-yes! The Dragon King Squad was basically a one-man team with Jung Ui-seok anyway! Jung Ui-seok was stronger than the four of us combined..."
"Blue Saber!" Shin Yu-kyung shouted her name in a panic. Only then did Ji Se-hwa come to her senses and stop talking.
"Hmm. So, you mean the red warrior. Then, where is that Red Dragon?"
"Jung Ui-seok is dea..."
"The Red Dragon is missing!" Shin Yu-kyung screamed, cutting off Ji Se-hwa’s words. Ji Se-hwa, you stupid bitch. Shin Yu-kyung cursed her internally. If she revealed that Jung Ui-seok was dead right now, it was obvious the Emperor would judge Earth to be worthless and immediately launch an all-out attack. If they couldn't even stop one Emperor, what chance did they have against his entire army? The end of the world was a foregone conclusion.
"Missing?"
"There was an explosion after the battle with Dark Arthur. We confirmed the Red Dragon crashed onto Earth, but we haven't found him yet. We are searching, but given that he hasn't returned, there is a possibility of amnesia." Shin Yu-kyung calmly fabricated the story. The Emperor wanted a battle with a strong opponent. If she told him the Red Dragon was on Earth, it would buy them time until he was found. That was the wit she had employed. Of course, since Jung Ui-seok was already dead, it was truly just a way to buy time.
"I dislike schemes. Can you swear to the Goddess of the Universe that there is not a single shred of falsehood in those words?"
What kind of god is that? If there’s a god, why don’t they do something about this bastard, damn it. Shin Yu-kyung ground her teeth.
"I swear it."
"Hmm. I cannot ignore an oath to the Goddess. Very well, silver warrior. I shall trust your statement and withdraw for today. I will give you fifty days by your time. Find the Red Dragon within that time and present him before me."
It worked. She had fooled him. Shin Yu-kyung felt a wave of relief inside.
"However." The Emperor radiated a terrifying aura. Overwhelmed by the sheer power, Shin Yu-kyung felt every cell in her body sense despair.
"If it is revealed that those words were a lie, prepare yourself to become a body that can never die, suffering the most horrific pain in this universe for an eternity. The sin of insulting the Goddess cannot be forgiven."
Shin Yu-kyung realized it instinctively. There was not a single lie in those words. Committing suicide right now was the best option left to her.
"I look forward to it, Red Dragon! If you are listening to this, appear at any time! I shall wait for you on my throne!"
A pillar of light enveloped the Emperor as he left behind a hearty laugh. The Emperor vanished. All that remained was defeat, despair, and a fifty-day countdown to extinction.
"You fucking crazy bitches!!" The Association President threw everything he could see in the hospital room onto the floor.
"What? Jung Ui-seok defeated Dark Arthur? And on top of that, Jung Ui-seok is alive? It’s spread all over the world, all over the world!! There’s a line of reporters in front of the Association!"
"Then what the fuck were we supposed to do, you prick! We would’ve died otherwise! Why don't you go out there and fight the Emperor yourself!" Ji Se-hwa shouted back from her hospital bed, not to be outdone. Shin Yu-kyung, on the other hand, was trembling with fear and couldn't open her mouth.
"How did you handle the response?" Kang Ye-rin asked in a calm voice.
"How the hell am I supposed to handle it! Am I supposed to admit it? That Jung Ui-seok defeated Dark Arthur?"
"If you hadn't done that, the Emperor would have mobilized his entire army at that very moment. A planet without a strong warrior has no value. So, let's announce to the media that we lied to the Emperor to buy time."
"Then that’s admitting the Dragon King Squad is weak! The whole world is going to think I’m incompetent!"
"Are you trying to keep everything in this situation? Don't you realize we're on the verge of losing everything?" At Kang Ye-rin’s sharp, factual point, the Association President shut his mouth.
"The Emperor cannot be defeated right now. The Dragon King Squad lied to buy time. We succeeded in gaining fifty days. In the meantime, the associations of each country must cooperate to reinforce our strength. It is true that the Red Dragon is dead. If we say this, it’s not that we are weak or incompetent, but that the enemy is simply too strong, and we chose the best possible move. We gain a justification, and we haven't actually told a lie."
"Oh, that’s right? As expected of Ye-rin. Your father is a member of the National Assembly, so your judgment is quick." The Association President began to wear a haggard smile, as if he had caught a lifeline. Kang Ye-rin felt disgusted, but she had no choice. If the Association President didn't move, it would be difficult to get the cooperation of heroes from other countries. She couldn't protect Jung Ui-seok’s honor, but right now, building the strength to fight against the Galactic Empire was more important.
"I must prepare to announce it to the media at once! You all need to get treated quickly, too! We don't have much time!"
Bang! The Association President stormed out of the hospital room.
"Can we even win if we get treated? If we fight him next time, we’re definitely going to die, right?" Ji Se-hwa let out a laugh of resignation.
"Die? I’d be lucky if I just died! I can’t even die! I’m going to be tortured for eternity because I had to clean up the mess from your big mouth, Ji Se-hwa!!" Shin Yu-kyung screamed.
"Huh? Why is that my fault? You’re the one who ran your mouth wrong. Don't pass the buck."
"It’s not your business...! Why, why am I in this state...!"
"You’re just saying that. How could there be such a thing as not being able to die forever?"
"Don't you know after seeing that power? They are on a different dimension!"
"Tsk. Hey, Choi Min-seo. The older sisters have all done their part, are you just going to sit there?" Ji Se-hwa tilted her head. Choi Min-seo was huddled in a corner, burying her face in her thighs.
"...I don't want to anymore."
"Huh?"
"...I don't want to be in the squad anymore."
"Did she lose her mind?"
"I didn't join the Dragon King Squad for this. What was it? I can't remember. There was definitely something important. The Dragon King Squad, it was something good. Why did it become like this? When did it start? I remembered it recently. Why did I forget it again?"
"This is driving me crazy, fuck. The investor meeting is tomorrow, too." Ji Se-hwa clicked her tongue.
"...I miss Ui-seok oppa." Choi Min-seo muttered in a small voice. Ji Se-hwa, Shin Yu-kyung, and Kang Ye-rin all heard the name, but they tried hard not to react.
"We really gained some time." Irua was surprised.
"How did you know?"
"If you’re surprised by every little thing, it’ll be hard to work with me in the future. I know many things."
The first battle with the Emperor was a forced defeat event. In the actual final battle, the Emperor wouldn't be as strong as that. In the game, the Emperor saw potential in the hero and gave them a month to get stronger, saying he wanted a one-on-one duel with a strong warrior. So, no matter what Ji Se-hwa or Shin Yu-kyung said there, it was highly likely the Emperor would have left anyway.
"But didn't you say a month? You declared fifty days?"
"The Emperor said that, but the actual invasion takes place in a month."
"Heeh."
"Of course, it’s a secret that I know."
"Obviously." Irua said that and sat down next to me.
"The world will find out. That Dark Arthur was defeated by the Red Dragon, and that he is alive..."
"No. It will be smoothed over soon."
"Really?"
"Since Kang Ye-rin is there, she’ll quickly come up with a scenario to deal with it."
"That... that’s too unfair." Irua clenched both her fists as if she were the one feeling frustrated.
"It doesn't matter."
"Why doesn't it matter? People don't even know who they owe this peace to. They don't even know who sacrificed themselves..."
"I didn't fight to receive such honor or gratitude. I fought only because I wanted the result of peace coming to the world."
"What is that."
"That is justice."
Irua had a face that looked like she was about to cry. She was a girl with rich sensibilities.
"Now I realize that my justice was a fantasy. I have no intention of chasing after such things anymore."
"A fantasy?"
"When there is peace, humans begin to insult each other. They crave blood. They shove those below them even further down, and those without vigilance are used as nutrients." I affirmed. "Justice did not maintain peace. It only circulated evil."
That was the conclusion I had reached in this world.
"It didn't matter if they didn't acknowledge it. But I didn't act to be insulted." The malice of the world was much filthier and dirtier than I had imagined.
"Then are you going to abandon justice?"
"I won't abandon it. I am a human who has lived for it. However, I think it needs to be redefined."
"How?"
"I don't know either. It would be nice if I found it someday." This was the truth. What is the justice of a human named Zeo? I am craving it.
"Still, I hope you get rewarded someday." Irua said that, looking up into my eyes.
"Such expectations only make a person exhausted."
"Then I’ll reward you with one thing."
"Hmm?"
"Since I slept comfortably thanks to you earlier, that’s my reward." Irua said that and slightly rolled up her skirt. Her fair thighs shimmered dreamily in the light.
"Use it as a pillow."
"I think it would be more uncomfortable."
"You don't know unless you try, right?"
"Hmm." It was late, after all. And I was tired. If it was just an experiment, I suppose.
I slowly lay down on the sofa. I lay down facing sideways, toward where Irua’s knees were visible.
"Ouch. The mask is poking me. Take that off."
"No."
"Then lie down looking up."
"Umm..."
I had no choice but to toss and turn as she said, lying down looking up. Irua had the corners of her mouth raised, staring intently into my eyes. I thought she had a thin build, but her thighs were more resilient than I expected. They were soft, too.
"Does it feel good?"
"It is soft, at least." I gave an honest impression. Irua seemed to like the answer, as she chuckled.
"Sleep well, Zeo." Irua turned off the lights. I slowly closed my eyes.
....
.......
..........
It hurts. The pain of piercing my bones, my blood vessels, my heart from the inside with a sharp blade. The pain of severing my brain, my nerves, my synapses with a thick spear. The pain of hacking my spirit, my mind to pieces over and over again with a blunt dagger.
"Ugh."
It repeats, and repeats, and repeats. It’s a sensation I’ve felt many times. I should have been used to it by now. Don't make a fuss, just go to sleep.
"Ugh. Uuuugh."
What is this? Red Dragon. Why are you glaring at me with those eyes? Are you baring your fangs at me now, too? You ate the monster, didn't you? Stay still, you son of a bitch.
"Ugh, aaaaaaaah!!"
"Zeo?!"
"Ah, aaaaaah!!"
My body is hot. Crash. There is a sound of something falling, breaking, and being ruined. Thud. I fell. It’s dark. Am I still asleep? No, there’s a scent. The scent of lime.
"Zeo."
There is a face right in front of me. The face of a woman, looking flustered, breathing roughly. A woman pinned under me, unable to even resist. Her breath overlaps with mine.
"I am not Zeo." For some reason, I spat that out. "I am Jung Ui-seok."
Her hands grabbed my face. Irua slowly caressed my face. She observes my eyes as if they were a curiosity. It seems the mask has fallen off. Her hands tighten. Irua slowly pulled my face toward hers. Breath. I don't know whose breath it is.
"I am Irua." I don't know if that voice entered through my ears or my mouth.
"Ui-seok... oppa." Irua’s voice trembled.
"...You can eat me."