Chapter 12: The Begining of The fall of th Dragon King Squadron, Irua’s reward

“Red Dragon?”

The emperor stopped walking as he repeated the name.

It worked. Ji Sehwa felt a glimmer of hope that she might save her life and began speaking even faster.

“Y-Yes! The Dragon King Squad was practically a one-man team led by Jeong Uisuk! He alone is stronger than all four of us combined…”

“Blue Sabre!”

Shin Yookyung urgently shouted her name. Ji Sehwa finally came to her senses and stopped talking.

“Hmm. The red warrior, you say. So, where is this Red Dragon?”

“Jeong Uisuk is dea—”

“Red Dragon is missing!”

Shin Yookyung shouted, cutting off Ji Sehwa’s words.

“Ji Sehwa, you idiot,” Shin Yookyung cursed silently.

If the emperor found out that Jeong Uisuk was dead, he would deem Earth worthless and launch a full-scale attack. They could barely handle the emperor alone—what would happen if his entire army descended? The end of Earth was inevitable.

“Missing?”

“After the battle with Dark Arthur, there was an explosion. We confirmed that Red Dragon crashed to Earth, but he hasn’t been found yet. We’re searching for him, but it’s possible he has amnesia since he hasn’t returned.”

Shin Yookyung calmly fabricated the story.

The emperor desires battle with a strong opponent. If they claimed Red Dragon was on Earth, they could buy time while he searched for him.

It was a calculated move made in desperation. Of course, Jeong Uisuk was already dead, so it was only a temporary delay.

“I despise deceit. Can you swear to the Goddess of the Universe that there isn’t a shred of falsehood in your claim?”

What kind of deity is that? If there’s a god, why doesn’t she deal with this bastard? Shin Yookyung gritted her teeth.

“I swear.”

“Hmm. I cannot ignore a vow made to the Goddess. Very well, warrior in silver. I will trust your words and withdraw for now. By your time, I will give you fifty days. Within that time, bring Red Dragon before me.”

It worked. They had deceived him. Shin Yookyung sighed in relief.

“But.”

The emperor exuded a terrifying aura. Shin Yookyung felt her entire body tremble in despair under its oppressive power.

“If your words prove false, you will become immortal and endure the most excruciating torment in this universe for eternity. Insulting the Goddess is an unforgivable sin.”

Shin Yookyung instinctively knew there was no falsehood in his statement. Her best option might be to take her own life immediately.

“I look forward to it, Red Dragon! If you hear this, come to me anytime. I’ll be waiting on my throne!”

With a booming laugh, the emperor was engulfed in a pillar of light and vanished.

Only defeat, despair, and a fifty-day countdown to destruction remained.

“You insane b*tches!!”

The association president flung whatever he could reach onto the hospital floor in rage.

“What? Jeong Uisuk defeated Dark Arthur? And now you’re saying he’s alive? This has spread worldwide! Reporters are camped out in front of the association!”

“Well, f*ck! If we hadn’t done it, we’d all be dead! Why don’t you go fight the emperor yourself?”

Ji Sehwa shouted back from the hospital bed. Meanwhile, Shin Yookyung trembled silently in terror.

“What’s our official response?”

Kang Yerin asked calmly.

“How should I respond? Admit that Jeong Uisuk defeated Dark Arthur?”

“If you hadn’t, the emperor would have mobilized his entire army on the spot. Planets without strong warriors are worthless to him. So, announce to the media that we lied to the emperor to buy time.”

“Then it’ll seem like the Dragon King Squad is weak! Everyone will think I’m incompetent!”

“Are you trying to have it all? Don’t you realize we’re on the brink of losing everything?”

Kang Yerin’s sharp logic silenced the association president.

“We can’t defeat the emperor as we are. The Dragon King Squad lied to buy time and succeeded in gaining fifty days. In the meantime, every association worldwide must collaborate to strengthen our forces. Jeong Uisuk is indeed dead. Framing it this way makes us not weak or incompetent but instead strategic, acknowledging our enemy’s strength while making the best move.”

“R-Right. As expected of you, Yerin. You’re quick-witted, just like your congressman father.”

The association president began laughing with relief, as though clinging to a lifeline. Kang Yerin found it revolting but had no choice.

Without the president’s cooperation, it would be hard to rally support from international heroes.

They couldn’t protect Jeong Uisuk’s honor, but it was more important to prepare to fight the Galactic Empire.

“We must prepare for a press release! Get treated quickly! There’s no time!”

Bang! The president stormed out of the hospital room.

“Do you really think treatment will help? If they attack again, we’re dead for sure,” Ji Sehwa muttered, laughing bitterly.

“Dead? If only! I can’t even die! Cleaning up your mess has left me facing eternal torture!”

Shin Yookyung screamed.

“What? How is that my fault? You’re the one who couldn’t keep your mouth shut. Don’t blame me.”

“You selfish—! Why is this happening to me…?”

“Come on. Immortality? That’s gotta be an exaggeration.”

“Didn’t you see his power? They’re on another level!”

“Tsk. Hey, Choi Minseo. Everyone’s said their piece. Why are you just sitting there?”

Ji Sehwa motioned toward Choi Minseo, who was crouched with her head buried in her knees.

“I don’t want this anymore,” she whispered.

“Red Dragon?”

“…I don’t want to be in the squad anymore.”

“Has she lost her mind?”

“I didn’t join the Dragon King Squadron for this… What was it? I can’t remember. There was definitely something important. The Dragon King Squadron was a good thing… Why did it end up like this? When did it start? I remembered it recently, but why did I forget again?”

“I’m losing my mind, damn it. The investor meeting is tomorrow.”

Ji Sehwa clicked her tongue.

“…I want to see Uiseok oppa.”

Choi Min-seo muttered softly.

Ji Sehwa, Shin Yoo-kyung, and Kang Ye-rin all heard the name but tried not to react.

“Looks like we finally have time.”

Irua was surprised.

“How did you know?”

“If you keep getting surprised, it will be hard for you to work with me. I know a lot of things.”

The first battle with the Emperor was a forced defeat event. In the actual final battle, the Emperor isn’t as strong as he seemed.

In the game, the Emperor saw potential in the hero and gave them a month to become stronger, desiring a one-on-one battle with a strong warrior.

So, no matter what Ji Sehwa or Shin Yoo-kyung said there, the Emperor was likely to retreat.

“But didn’t he say it would be a month? He declared 50 days, though?”

“The Emperor said that, but the actual invasion happens a month later.”

“Huh.”

“Of course, it’s a secret that I know.”

“Of course.”

Irua said that and sat next to me.

“People will eventually find out. Dark Asher was defeated by Red Dragon, and they’ll realize he’s alive…”

“No. It will be covered up soon.”

“Really?”

“With Kang Ye-rin around, she’ll come up with a counter-scenario quickly.”

“That… that’s so unfair.”

Irua clenched her fists in frustration.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Why doesn’t it matter? People don’t even know who’s protecting the peace now. They don’t know who sacrificed…”

“I didn’t fight to receive honor or gratitude. I only fought hoping for the result—peace would come to the world.”

“What’s that?”

“That’s justice.”

Irua had a face that looked like she was about to cry. She was quite sentimental.

“I’ve realized now that my sense of justice was an illusion. I’m no longer pursuing that.”

“An illusion?”

“When there’s peace, humans start insulting each other. They thirst for blood. They push those below them even lower, and those who are careless become prey.”

I affirmed.

“Justice didn’t maintain peace. It only circulated evil.”

That’s the conclusion I’ve come to in this world.

“It doesn’t matter if no one recognizes it. But I didn’t act to be insulted.”

The world’s evil was much dirtier and filthier than I thought.

“Then, will you abandon justice?”

“I won’t abandon it. I’ve lived for that, after all. But I think it needs to be redefined.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. I hope I’ll find it someday.”

This is sincere.

What is justice to a person like me?

I long for it.

“Still, I hope someday you’ll be rewarded.”

Irua looked up into my eyes and said that.

“Expectations only tire people out.”

“Then I’ll repay you.”

“Huh?”

“Because of you, I slept comfortably last time, so this is my repayment.”

Irua said that and lightly lifted her skirt. Her pale thighs shimmered softly in the light.

“Lie down with me.”

“It would probably be more uncomfortable.”

“How would you know if you don’t try?”

“Hm.”

It was indeed late. I was tired too. If it was just an experiment, then…

I slowly laid down on the sofa, turning my face toward the side where I could see Irua’s knee.

“Ouch. It pokes because of your mask. Take it off.”

“No.”

“Then lie on your back.”

“Umm…”

Reluctantly, I turned my body as she said and lay on my back. Irua smiled slightly, lifting the corner of her lips, and stared intently into my eyes.

I had thought she was thin, but her thighs were surprisingly firm.

They were soft too.

“Feels good?”

“It’s soft.”

I gave an honest response. Irua seemed pleased with my answer and chuckled softly.

“Goodnight, Jeo.”

Irua turned off the lights, and I slowly closed my eyes.

It hurt.

The pain of a sharp knife stabbing into my bones, blood vessels, and heart.

The pain of thick blades cutting through my brain, nerves, and synapses.

The pain of dull blades repeatedly slashing at my mind and spirit.

“Ugh.”

It repeated, over and over again.

A sensation I’d felt countless times.

I should have been used to it by now.

Don’t try to make yourself feel better. Just go to sleep.

“Ugh. Uuuuugh.”

What is this?

Red Dragon.

Why are you glaring at me like that?

Now even you’re baring your teeth?

The monster already ate.

Stay quiet, you damn bastard.

“Ugh, aaahhh!!!”

“Jeo?!”

“Aah, ughhh!!”

My body…

It’s burning. Crash. Something is falling, breaking, and shattering. Boom. I’ve fallen. It’s dark. Am I still asleep? No, this…

There’s a scent.

A lime scent.

“Jeo.”

A face is right in front of me.

A woman’s face, breathing heavily and anxiously.

A woman under me, unable to resist. Her breath mixes with mine.

“This isn’t Jeo.”

For some reason, I blurted it out.

“I’m Jeo Seok.”

Her hands held my face, slowly stroking it. Irua looked at my eyes with curiosity. It seemed like my mask had fallen off.

Her grip tightened on my face.

Irua slowly pulled my face closer to hers.

Breath.

I don’t know whose breath it is.

“I’m Irua.”

I couldn’t tell whether that voice came into my ears or from my mouth.

“Uiseok… Oppa.”

Irua’s voice trembled.

“…I can do it.”