Chapter 77
A week later, I headed to Moscow, Russia, with Cha Eun-joo. The long flight was excruciatingly boring. How could time drag on like this? Unable to endure the tedium, I twisted and turned in my seat before finally bouncing up and down.
With my patience at its limit, I turned to Cha Eun-joo. "When do we get there?"
"About two hours left."
What?! Two hours?!
No way, I can't take this. If it goes on, I might turn to stone! "Nope, can't do it. Open the hatch."
"...Pardon?"
"I'll hang on outside."
Cha Eun-joo tilted her head with a Is this okay? look, then fiddled with the dashboard to open the door.
Whooooosh! Frigid high-altitude air rushed into the airship, cool bordering on freezing. I stepped out and clung to the hull, savoring the fresh wind.
"Uheheh..."
Finally, I could breathe. I sprawled flat, gripping seams on the upper fuselage while relishing the blasting gale.
Just catch a quick nap, and we'll be there when I wake up, right?
After the interminable flight, Cha Eun-joo's airship touched down at Vnukovo International Airport. A red carpet stretched out amid an honor guard with brass instruments and rifles, flanked by a welcoming delegation in splendid uniforms. The airship's landing gusts fluttered Russia's tricolor flags alongside the Korean taegeuks.
President Alexei and his top officials rushed out barefoot in suits to greet us.
"You've had a long journey—thank you for coming. On behalf of Russia, I extend our deepest gratitude."
Alexei bowed politely.
"Ahaha... no big deal."
The fervent welcome from these national pillars felt a tad overwhelming to Cha Eun-joo, who responded with an awkward smile. She'd never received such a massive reception—not even at medal ceremonies or her Japan visit.
After shaking Cha Eun-joo's hand, Alexei glanced behind her. "By the way... where is Lady Sertina?"
"Pardon?"
Cha Eun-joo turned around, puzzled. Huh? Sertina was gone. She should have disembarked by now.
"Lady Sertina! Lady Sertina?"
No response, despite her frantic calls. The airship wasn't that big—how couldn't she hear? Realization dawned, and Cha Eun-joo's face paled.
What do I do? D-did I drop her somewhere?!
Considering Sertina's limited flight time, she might have been abandoned somewhere vast across the continent. The image of Sertina wandering lost like a stray cat...
"Aaa..."
Her mind blanked. First, she decided to unsummon the airship—if Sertina was still aboard, she'd appear.
"D-d-dismiss summon!"
Poof! But nothing remained where the airship vanished.
Then, something glutinous like sticky rice cake plopped down in front of Cha Eun-joo.
"Hnghk!"
"Ah..."
Cha Eun-joo scratched her head. She was stuck to the top...
She'd been too startled to check. Somehow apologetic, but relieved too. She let out a sigh of relief, patting her chest.
What the hell?!
Sertina, who had fallen still plastered to the ceiling, blinked her huge eyes blankly twice, assessing the situation. Moments later, locking eyes with the stunned crowd, she dusted herself off casually as if nothing happened.
Bonk!
"Ow!"
Cha Eun-joo clutched her head with both hands.
"Sorry..."
"..."
Sertina stared down at the bowed, chastened Cha Eun-joo with an expressionless gaze.
Right after my first Russia visit—and getting smacked by Cha Eun-joo—I was escorted with utmost care to the Kremlin. Dozens of security vehicles and police motorcycles formed an imposing convoy. Helicopters even buzzed overhead. Experiencing VIP treatment straight out of the media felt surreal.
"They really went all out."
Just the black motorcycles flashing lights beside my car numbered in the dozens. Moscow streets teemed with Russian citizens waving Korean and Russian flags, plus banners with my face, cheering wildly.
This treatment ain't bad.
I leaned back in the premium leather seat, taking it in. Beyond the cheering crowds, some shot uneasy glances—eyes thick with anxiety and distrust.
Well, you can't please everyone.
Such looks no longer fazed me. I knew plenty supported me. Haters come with success. Rotten skeptics lurk everywhere; no need to explain myself to them. Just a perk of nearing a winning life—I'd take their stares in stride.
"We've arrived."
"Oh."
I let out a soft gasp, admiring the building. The car stopped at the Grand Kremlin Palace, its white walls and jade-green roof exuding elegant restraint that captivated the eye.
"This way, please."
Guided by Alexei inside, the interior dazzled even more. Intricate patterns adorned marble walls and floors seamlessly; white and gold tones evoked heavenly sanctity. Like the palaces in Pandela, but modern tech elevated its beauty beyond compare.
No time to gawk—I was ushered straight to the conference room.
A military intelligence staffer pointed to a spot on the map spread over the table. "This is where the world boss was last sighted. Arazos."
"Arazos, huh..."
I tapped the desk lightly with a pinky. Sounded familiar. Oh, right—from that firepower fanatic's post. I pulled out my smartphone and opened the community forum.
Meanwhile, the staffer flipped through papers, explaining. "Arazos is a swordsman clad head to toe in black armor, wielding a massive greatsword at his waist. Known as the 'Blade God,' about three meters tall... Lady Sertina?"
All eyes turned to me.
"Um... are you listening?"
"Looking it up. This Arazos guy."
I held up my phone briefly.
"Ah, we'll provide that info from now on."
"It's fine. This has better details."
I waved off the staffer quietly and scrolled through the post. Alexei, the staffers, and Cha Eun-joo gawked blankly. The firepower fanatic had organized it perfectly—photos for clarity, detailed analysis of weaknesses and traits. Where else would you find such premium wiki material?
I checked for recent updates—nope, nothing new. Fair enough; can't post all day.
Hmm, better skip comments. Even old ones stung like needles. Wait, didn't this guy claim to be from Eterna Guild...? Gotta track him down and punish him thoroughly sometime.
"Ahem, anyway, we've detected suspicious activity recently," said the intel staffer, whose info had been outdone by a forum post.
"What?"
"Monsters... seem to be grouping up."
I tilted my head. Is that weird?
"Plenty of monsters travel in packs normally."
"True, but... this is different."
"How so?"
"Do you know monsters of different species sometimes fight each other?"
"Yeah."
Like the famous Canada world boss clash—two bosses happened to spawn nearby and brawled to scraps. Loser died; winner got cleaned up easily by waiting players. Heartwarming stuff.
"Then you'll understand quickly. The issue: hundreds of species grouping together, including many bosses."
"Huh...? That possible?"
Even during Korea-Japan cleanup, I'd seen them infight plenty. Those vicious beasts teaming up against humanity? Beyond my common sense.
But whatever. Even if true, so what?
"Don't worry."
I crossed my arms, as if daring them. Rabble either way. One truck or a hundred—equal before me.
"It'll work out somehow."