Chapter 31: Jeong Ui-seok and Irua’s Date

“Wow, it’s a total mess.”

Irua looked around and shared her thoughts.

Suwon Station.

It was the very place where Pegasus had fallen.

“The damage is pretty extensive, so the whole area is sealed off. But isn’t it nice that it’s quiet since no one’s here?”

“Yeah, I like it too.”

Irua had snuck into the site of the battle along with Jung Eui-seok. She found crowded places uncomfortable, so this

quiet spot suited her.

Traces of the battle lingered, but the sky was clearer than ever. If not for the biting cold that made her breath visible,

the bright sunshine would have made her want to soak it in completely.

“Judging by the remnants, even the combatant monsters seem quite formidable. They wouldn’t have been easy for

the Vengeance team to handle. We’ll need to sort through it later… hmm?”

Irua lightly punched Jung Eui-seok’s chest to stop his muttering.

“Today is a day off, remember?”

“Right.”

“I’ve never seen you take a break, Zeo. How many days has it been?”

“Hmm. The Yongwang Squad took breaks occasionally, but after that day, I’ve been hunting villains even on

holidays. So, since the latter half of the Dark Kingdom War… about five months.”

“Goodness, that’s ridiculous. No more work today. Focus only on relaxing until you go to bed, got it?”

“Hmm.”

“Promise me.”

“Alright.”

When Jung Eui-seok reluctantly nodded, Irua couldn’t help but smile.

“Then, will you show me around? I don’t even know what these places are for, even when I look at the signs.”

“Sure. Let’s start with the shopping center. I think you’ll like it.”

Jung Eui-seok led the way, and Irua followed.

Matching his stride, her arms swung slightly. From time to time, she caught glimpses of his hands peeking out from

his sleeves. The rugged fingers seemed to invite her, and she unconsciously reached out a few times but eventually

withdrew her hand each time.

As they entered the department store, the lack of electricity didn’t matter; the dome-shaped structure let in plenty of light.

“What do you think? Isn’t it pretty?”

Displayed in the showcases were clothes, bags, perfumes, and accessories.

“Is it pretty?” Irua tilted her head and asked back.

“I don’t really know.”

“Then why did you bring me here?”

“Well, women usually like this sort of thing.”

“Do they? I don’t think I get it.”

“Hmm.”

“But walking around with Zeo is fun.”

The sound of their footsteps echoed through the wide space.

Eventually, Irua stopped in front of something that caught her interest—a claw machine.

“There are so many stuffed toys. It’s like heaven.”

Jung Eui-seok explained how to use it, and Irua’s eyes sparkled as she exchanged coins. But when the claw missed on

her first attempt, her expression darkened.

After two tries, then three, and even after more than ten attempts, she finally lost her patience. She smashed the

machine’s glass window with her fist and grabbed as many stuffed toys as she could.

“You can’t do that. That’s cheating.”

“It doesn’t work properly. The person who made it cheated first. Now I’ve won.”

Irua let out a soft laugh.

“You’re surprisingly competitive. Let’s go play something else.”

“Sure. Zeo, let’s compete.”

The first place Jung Eui-seok took her was a billiards hall.

“Oh, we have one of these at the hideout. I’ve seen the subordinates play it.”

“Since it’s your first time, I’ll give you a big handicap—500 points.”

Jung Eui-seok picked up a cue stick.

Crack!

The white ball rolled in a beautiful arc, knocking the red balls in succession.

As the game progressed, Irua, now struggling, rolled up her sleeves. But no matter what she tried, she couldn’t stop

Jung Eui-seok, who steadily widened the gap.

Finally…

Crack!

The cue ball spun sharply, followed by a loud thud!

Unable to accept her defeat, Irua manipulated the yellow ball with dark matter, clearing the table in an instant.

“That’s cheating.”

“Why?”

“Using your powers is cheating.”

“But my abilities are part of my skills. If physical senses, dynamic vision, and calculation are skills, shouldn’t abilities

be included too?”

“…It’s still cheating.”

Erua pouted, her lips sticking out in protest.

Next, the two headed to the bowling alley.

Whiiing― Clang!

“Isn’t this a strike?”

“Dark matter. Cheating.”

They also visited the card room.

“White, white, white, white, Zail’s Triple Anchor, double scoring.”

“You just shaved the surface of the cards with dark matter. Cheating.”

The score ended at Erua’s seven wins, all by cheating, and no losses.

After the games, the two climbed to the rooftop for a meal. It was a packed lunch prepared by Emma. Erua stuffed

her mouth full with sandwiches and fried snacks.

“It’s delicious.”

“Emma’s cooking is timed to perfection. She probably calculated the exact moment we’d eat.”

“What game are we playing next?”

“You never get tired, do you, Lua?”

“Winning makes it fun.”

“Well… If it’s fun, that’s fine, but when you play with subordinates, follow the rules. If you summon a Shooting

Blazer Dragon without synchro summoning, they might stage a coup, even if it’s you.”

“Got it.”

Erua slurped her fish cake soup, the warmth spreading through her chest.

“Hey, Zeo.”

“Hmm?”

“When’s your birthday?”

“I’m not sure. I think it’s in the summer.”

“How do you not know?”

“It doesn’t mean much to me.”

“But then people can’t give you gifts.”

“I did receive some last summer… I think.”

Jeoh trailed off. Erua wasn’t satisfied with that answer. She wanted to give him another gift soon, but summer felt

too far away.

“Why do you ask?”

“I want to give you a present.”

“Again?”

“Yeah. Giving presents is fun.”

In truth, it was more than fun—it was a happiness she couldn’t quite put into words. But she felt too shy to admit that.

“Receiving all the time isn’t fair. Next time, I’ll give you something.”

“Really? I’ve never received a present before.”

“…I see.”

Erua’s heart thumped in her chest. She now knew the joy of giving gifts. She wanted to experience the feeling of

receiving one. And she wanted Jeoh to be the one to give it to her. No—Jeoh had to be the one.

“Lua, do you have a birthday?”

“No.”

“Then shall we decide one?”

“Can we?”

“Why not?”

“Zeo, have you always spoken like this?”

“…I suppose so.”

“Ah, that’s a lie.”

“It might be an influence of striving to become the Lord of Darkness. This way of speaking feels natural now. It’s like

I left much behind with my old body and the ruins of the Dark Kingdom.”

“What kind of person were you before?”

“There’s no such thing as the original you. All versions of yourself are you—whether enduring, complaining,

persevering, or giving up. It just depends on the time and place.”

“So even you have weak moments?”

“Of course.”

“And times when you complain?”

“Yes.”

Erua hesitated, watching Jeoh admit this surprisingly easily.

Should she ask?

Emma had said that trust in a different form was necessary over time.

That trust was clearly still lacking, but Erua had her fears.

The fear that she or Jeoh might die at any moment.

The fear that this moment, too, might end abruptly.

It was a way of thinking she couldn’t escape, having lived with it her entire life.

And above all, the fear stemming from the secret she was hiding.

Erua didn’t want to let go of the present.

“…Can’t you show me that side of you?”

Jung Eui-seok turned to look at Irua, smirked faintly, and then roughly tousled his hair.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re still young. Worry about others later. First, make sure your own legs are sturdy.”

Irua didn’t like Jung Eui-seok’s dismissive attitude.

“I heard you’ve shown someone before.”

“There was someone.”

“Did you love them?”

“Yeah.”

Jung Eui-seok admitted it without hesitation. Though his response was short, Irua felt as though every vein in her body tightened.

“What kind of person were they?”

“Someone I shouldn’t have been with.”

Jung Eui-seok said no more. Irua didn’t press further.

A moment of silence passed.

After finishing her lunchbox and tidying up, Irua spoke again.

“Let’s make it January 1st.”

“For what?”

“My birthday.”

Jung Eui-seok looked puzzled.

“It’s still six days away. Did you want your present early? Tomorrow or the day after would be fine.”

“It’s okay. I can wait a bit.”

“Got it.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Irua patted the dust off her pants and stood up.

“Hey. I must have misheard. Answer me again, properly.”

The Association Chair froze as she looked at Ji Sehwa’s expression, realizing how dire the situation was.

Ji Sehwa was the type to curse and grimace when angry. Yet now, her voice was calm, and her face was void of

emotion, pressing her relentlessly. It was terrifying.

They were in the Grade-0 secure conference room, a space completely isolated from the outside world. Present were

only the four members of the Dragon King Squad and herself.

There was no one to help her.

The Association Chair tried to diffuse the tension with a cheerful tone.

“Let’s all calm down. Jung Eui-seok surviving was unexpected, okay? I honestly didn’t know. And as for that doctor’s

claims, I’ve already spread counter-information to discredit them. They haven’t released any official statement, so

we’re at an advantage. Look at this—over 80% of public opinion still supports the Dragon King Squad. The dissenters

are just a handful!”

Indeed, the current public sentiment favored them. The truth rarely stood a chance. Public opinion typically sided

with whichever narrative was more visible, given people’s lack of deep interest in matters that didn’t directly affect

them.

“But that means over 10% still support Red Dragon, doesn’t it?”

Shin Yookyung pointed out sharply. Despite the brief broadcast, the image of Red Dragon and the current Dr. Hyun

had left a significant impact.

“Did I ask about that just now?”

Ji Sehwa’s voice cut like a blade against the Association Chair’s neck.

“I asked if you lied about Jung Uisuk becoming an SSS-class villain.”

The Association Chair swallowed nervously.

“Now, let’s be rational. You all know Jung Uisuk’s personality better than anyone. There was some risk, and while I might have exaggerated a little…”

Beep.

Kang Yerin pressed play on a portable recorder.

『 That bastard went too far! His achievements were so extraordinary that Washington’s association tried to promote him to SS-class! If he rose to SS-class, I wouldn’t be able to control Jung Uisuk under my authority anymore! What do you think would happen to this association then? Everything would fall into his hands! 』

Crash!

Ji Sehwa immediately jumped up, leaped onto the table, and kicked the Association Chair square in the face.

“Argh! Aaaaah!”

Ji Sehwa began beating the Chair mercilessly. She didn’t say a word as she unleashed her fury.

“That’s enough. She’s a civilian. She’ll die soon at this rate.”

Shin Yookyung restrained Ji Sehwa, who was panting heavily as though her lungs were punctured.

“Kang Yerin. You knew about this. Why didn’t you say anything?”

“What good would it have done? They were already badmouthing Uisuk anyway. And now, suddenly, they care?”

Ji Sehwa couldn’t refute.

“It doesn’t matter for us. Jung Uisuk won’t meet us, and even if he did, he’s lost his power. He won’t be able to help. Instead, we should focus on speeding up equipment adjustments and switch development. Don’t you agree, Yerin?”

Shin Yookyung’s suggestion.

Kang Yerin hesitated, deep in thought.

“You all are struggling too much.”

Choi Minseo rose from her seat. The other three women turned their attention to her.

“What?”

“I can meet him. Uisuk oppa.”

A low chuckle escaped from Choi Minseo as she smirked. Ji Sehwa approached her.

“Do you want to die? You’re not part of the Dragon King Squad.”

“Even if I train for a hundred days, I won’t beat even one officer. I’ll join the sorties when it’s time, but staying here… feels like a waste of time with you unnis.”

Choi Minseo smiled brightly.

“Excuse me, then. Uisuk oppa is… the only one who acknowledges me…”

Her gaze lost focus as she exited the conference room.

The room fell into a deafening silence after the door closed.