Chapter 29: Red Dragon vs Morgan, in the form of that evil relationship

One thousand two hundred.

That’s the number of civilians who fell victim to that whip right before my eyes.

Thirty-four.

That’s the number of heroes crushed to death under those high heels.

Just recalling Morgan’s sadistic grin during the Dark Kingdom War makes the veins in my temple throb even now.

Receiving a single act of help isn’t enough for me to see Morgan as an ally or feel any sort of goodwill.

I know well how ruthless she is.

All that talk about once being human or being indebted to me—it might all have been a ploy to confuse me and execute her grander schemes.

Which is why I won’t hold back here.

If Morgan’s stats remain the same as before, I can deal with her anytime.

Evaluate my strength?

I’ll make sure she can’t speak another word by the time I’m done.

“Begin the duel!”

With the emperor’s signal, I unleashed my fighting spirit.

“Transform.”

[Up a blind alley.]

“The Red of War.”

I lunged toward Morgan, aiming to pierce her heart in one swift strike. It wasn’t at the level of using the “Blue of Death,” but the momentum was still flawless.

Yet, somehow, Morgan’s whip was already coiled tightly around my right wrist.

Unbelievable.

My arm couldn’t move an inch.

“Fufu.”

Morgan let out a sinister chuckle, placing her left hand on my shoulder and lightly lifting her entire body.

Her legs coiled around my neck in an instant, pressing against my carotid artery. Gravity shifted, and before I knew it, my body flipped downward, plummeting to the ground.

I attempted to break my fall with my still-free left arm, but Morgan’s high heel stabbed through the back of my hand.

Damage.

My hand was nearly useless now.

No matter.

I could adapt.

If I had to fight while doing a handstand, so be it.

Switching to capoeira, I prepared to leverage my reach.

Spinning my legs in a wide 360-degree arc, I unleashed a Vermelho Mola. Morgan bent her back like a shrimp to evade it.

Taking advantage of gravity, I transitioned into a Batuque. Morgan was forced to backflip, while I tumbled forward into an Avalanche, denying her any space.

But Morgan wasn’t human. She was a monster. There was a fundamental difference in our anatomy.

She had wings.

With a sudden burst of lift, Morgan twisted her body in mid-air, exploiting a brief opening to counter.

Her weapon of choice?

The whip still coiled around my wrist.

With a sharp crack, Morgan sent me crashing to the ground, using the whip to yank me down.

Damn it.

Morgan didn’t relent, rushing toward me and aiming a high heel at my cheek.

Still as sadistic as ever. So many other, more effective martial techniques, and she sticks to this.

Twisting my wrist, I blocked the attack and grabbed her ankle. At the same time, I stretched my leg out, landing a kick squarely on her jaw.

A thin red line appeared on her porcelain cheek, a single drop of blood trailing down.

Morgan’s expression changed.

Even though I landed a hit, it was nothing more than a desperate act.

The position was disadvantageous.

From just a few exchanges, it was clear that Morgan had grown stronger after gaining the Galactic Empire’s power.

Stronger than Pegasus, without a doubt.

“Aha, ahahahahaha!”

Madness glinted in Morgan’s eyes as she began whipping at me with wild abandon.

I adjusted my arm’s angle to minimize the damage, but it wasn’t enough.

Tsk.

I summoned the White of Plague. The whip dissipated momentarily, neutralized. I tried to wield it like a dagger.

“Did you really think a petty trick like that would work?”

Morgan sneered at me, releasing her aura. The neutralized White vanished without a trace.

“I won’t give you the time to cast. I know exactly how to deal with you, Red Dragon.”

This opponent was a nightmare.

Smack!

The whip lashed out again.

The whip coiled around me, lifting me into the air.

Boom!

I was slammed into the ground with such force that it cracked the earth beneath me.

The impact shattered the lower part of my helmet, exposing my jaw.

My head throbbed.

It felt like a concussion. A few broken bones, perhaps. My internal organs… still intact, thankfully.

“Fufu. To see the so-called strongest warrior in such a state.”

Morgan pulled me toward her, still bound by her whip, dangling in midair. Her amused face came closer, her cold smile practically brushing against mine.

And then, out of nowhere, I felt a sensation on my lips—cold, soft, and chilling.

“…Ugh.”

Morgan’s kiss.

It was an invitation to the underworld, laced with poisons and curses.

“Oh dear, don’t tell me you’ve become so weak? How disappointing. I’ve spent countless nights imagining playing with you until morning.”

The whip unwound from me. I collapsed to the ground, clutching my chest, gasping for air.

Morgan crouched a short distance away, watching me struggle with an amused glint in her eyes.

“The mighty Red Dragon… seems you’ve aged. I have no interest in weak men—”

Snap!

Before she could finish, my hand shot out, wrapping tightly around her throat.

I stood slowly, glaring into her widening eyes. Her delicate fingers clawed at my arm, but no sound escaped her lips.

Without hesitation, I stole her lips.

I violated and dominated that corpse-like tongue of hers for what felt like an eternity.

When I pulled away, I spat on the ground.

“You call this poison? Don’t overstep your bounds, b**ch. I’m the one who does the conquering.”

Morgan, choking and gasping for breath, couldn’t respond. I flung her aside like a rag doll.

“Cough, cough!”

She collapsed onto the ground, struggling to breathe.

The emperor, witnessing the scene, burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! To think a warrior like you would be swayed by a woman! Bold of you to throw yourself into Ursula’s instant-death poison. Truly remarkable courage!”

It was all a bluff.

Cold sweat ran down my back. My vision blurred.

To be honest, I felt like I was going to die.

But I forced myself to stand tall, steadying my legs.

I needed to maintain this facade to ensure the emperor wouldn’t suspect anything.

To him, the Red Dragon had to be an equal—a warrior of unshakable dignity.

“So, Ursula, what’s your assessment?”

“Cough… Y-Your Majesty, after crossing blades with him, I can confirm that the Red Dragon has indeed lost much of his former prowess.”

“And yet, he subdued you barehanded? Haha! Remarkable! A truly fascinating man!”

The emperor seemed delighted.

“Now leave, Red Dragon. And witness the answer I shall deliver!”

I turned and left without another word.

“Damn it.”

The Galactic Empire provided me with a return vessel to Earth.

A small assault ship that could carry about twenty people. Only after boarding did I finally let out a breath of relief.

My injuries were severe.

Not as bad as during the Dark Artha battle, but it had been a long time since I’d taken such a beating.

“Phew.”

I steadied my breathing.

The destination was the Vengeance hideout.

The vessel had optical camouflage, so I could hide it nearby and save it for later if needed.

Still, there was something strange about my encounter with Morgan.

That kiss during the fight—it could’ve been dismissed as provocation or the eccentric whim of a lunatic.

But something about it nagged at me.

“Ptew.”

I spat out a small capsule.

During the kiss, Morgan had slipped it from her mouth into mine.

I opened it cautiously.

Inside was a note filled with tiny writing and a small bead.

I read the note.

“To the esteemed Red Dragon,

I apologize for the rudeness of having to convey my intentions through writing.

I am currently infiltrating the Galactic Empire. To win the emperor’s favor and secure a high-ranking position, I

came under the guise of seeking Dark Artha. However, I am under suspicion from other officers, forcing me to use

such crude methods to communicate.

The enclosed bead is a universal remedy that heals all injuries in an instant. However, it will only work on Earth, not in space. Please use it once you’ve returned.

I am not an ally of humanity, but I am an ally of the Red Dragon.

When you deem it necessary, give me your orders. At that moment, I will become your weapon to deliver a fatal blow to the Galactic Empire, and I will obey without question.

As for the reason I follow you, perhaps I can explain it when we meet in the afterlife.”

The letter concluded with,
“Until we meet again, take care of yourself.
—–, Morgan.”

There were traces of erased words on the letter.

What could they have been?

I couldn’t begin to guess Morgan’s true intentions.

Could I trust her?

Yes.

I’d made my decision.

The orb she gave me—
I knew what it was.

It wasn’t some kind of universal recovery medicine.

Such convenient items don’t exist in this world.

[Injury Transfer Orb (After)

Effect: Works in tandem with Injury Transfer Orb (Before). When used, it transfers all injuries from the user to

the person who consumed Injury Transfer Orb (Before). However, the recipient cannot exceed their maximum

health capacity.

Description: Created with advanced alien technology, this pair of orbs is a rare item provided only to high-ranking

officers of the Galactic Empire. To prevent enemies from healing, keep an eye on its use.]

A universal cure that wouldn’t work in space?
That’s absurd.

Morgan must have intended to hide herself away, waiting until I reached Earth and consumed this, transferring all my injuries to herself.

She likely thought I wouldn’t know what this item truly was.

In doing so, she could communicate her intentions without raising suspicion while also using the duel to raise the Emperor’s trust in me.

Given her current stats, Morgan’s total health must far exceed mine. She would have no problem bearing my injuries.

Her plan was flawless—her strategy impressive.

What a fool.

Crack!

Without hesitation, I crushed the orb into powder.

“Jeo!”

As I entered the hideout, Irua’s face looked like she was the one dying instead of me.

Why does she look like that? I’m the one injured here.

Rushing over, she supported me with trembling hands.

“You there! Open the infirmary, now!
You, get Hans for emergency treatment!
And you, bring hot water!”

Commanding the subordinates skillfully, Irua practically carried me to the infirmary bed.

“Jeo, don’t worry. I’ll stay by your side.”

Seeing her worried face, I closed my eyes.

When I reopened them, the room was dark.

How much time had passed?

I felt a weight on my stomach.

Irua had fallen asleep with her face buried against me.

Gently, I brushed away the long strands of hair covering her eyes.

The pain was minimal. I seemed to have recovered quickly. This world’s advanced medical technology always amazes me.

Beep.

A notification appeared on the system window.

[Notification: The causality destruction rate of the scenario “The Song of the Final Duel Beyond the Galaxy” is now 12%.]

[Status: Adjustments complete / Progress possible.]

A message I hadn’t seen before.

Well, it just means I need to prepare for more variables.

The time allotted for the final battle has doubled compared to the original plan. Considering the risks involved, the returns were significant.

Time, after all, is the most valuable resource money cannot buy.

…Wait.

There’s something troublesome as well.

[Notification: The maintenance condition level for “The Crimson Dragon of the Apocalypse” has increased!]

[Maintenance Condition Lv. 4]

[Wrath: IRA 10/10]

[Lust: LUXURIA 10/10]

[Gluttony: GULA 7/10]

[Sloth: PIGRITIA 5/10 (NEW)]

[Unlock at Lv. 7: Form Change Available – LIEH PIGRITIA]

[The owner of the Crimson Dragon is not a being of passion. This is a creature that gains everything by succumbing to desire. Waste time. Revel in indulgence to fill the meter. Activities involving companions double the effect.]

Damn it.