Chapter 34: Blood is a liquid, therefore identical to water.

“An adult dragon.”

He swallowed hard. What kind of reward awaits beyond that?

[You have now entered the ‘Boss Room’.]

[Access is restricted.]

[The new master of ‘Gate: Gakryeong Market’ roars in resurrected agony!]

Roar!

The paper dragon roared.

Droplets of saliva flew in all directions. They were actually paper models in the shape of water droplets. But the sound was real.

“It’s finally here. I was wondering when it would show up.”

“You were waiting for that thing?”

Kang Jinyoung looked at him as if he was crazy. He was definitely not in his right mind right now. He had seen some rough things today.

It wasn’t a lie that an adult dragon would appear.

Should he call it Hong Seomin’s warning?

Lee Sunghan took off his tie as if he was dumbfounded.

‘It’ll be hard to deal with.’

He calmly assessed the situation. His excitement subsided. In the blink of an eye, the backdrop of the stage ripped apart, and Mirginos emerged in its majestic form.

It’s now an adult dragon, twice as big as it was when it was a hatchling.

It would be nice if that were an RTX graphics card demonstration… but surprisingly, it’s real.

“No wonder it was called a hatchling. Look at that size.”

“…Sunghan. You called me here to deal with that thing. It wasn’t for nothing. Okay. I’ll give you a pass this time.”

He’s grateful for her understanding. But what is she giving him a pass for?

Lee Sunghan wanted to say that, but his mouth wouldn’t open easily.

Mirginos.

What kind of creature is it?

Former hatchling.

Current adult dragon.

He should add ‘already dead’ as an annotation. Because he definitely killed it.

When he was in the hospital, Kang Miyoung said, “I was so annoyed that I took out all its internal organs,” so there’s no room for doubt.

How could such a creature be resurrected as paper?

It was as disciplined and neat as if it were sculpted from marble.

Is this what it looks like when it’s fully grown?

He was curious for no reason, but curiosity killed the cat.

Ding.

[A-rank, Dragon]

[Paper Doll, Mirginos Lv.87]

“A-rank.”

Lee Sunghan clicked his tongue.

Mass destruction, the ability to single-handedly destroy an entire city.

That’s when the 『A-rank』 modifier is attached.

Considering that S-rank is a formality, A is generally the highest rank. And he had to deal with such a creature.

[‘Block’ negates the negative influence.]

Block is shouting.

Stop talking nonsense and fight!

Alright, calm down.

Worrying won’t help. The hatchling Mirginos is no more. Its strength must be out of this world.

[‘(EX)’ quietly pierces the essence.]

Flash!

[《Paper Doll, Mirginos》]

Mirginos, resurrected by Hong Seomin, is a concentration of all kinds of souls. If you defeat it, you can save the souls trapped inside.

Although it is made of paper, its strength far surpasses that of the original. Caution is required when dealing with it.

“Roaaaaaaar.”

Among dragons, the strongest, the paper dragon, roared. The paper dragon was super strong, making it the strongest among dragons. It defeated gods and demons. It won against all odds. The paper dragon was one of a kind in the world. Anyway, it roared.

“Argh, damn it, let’s run!!”

The balrogs ran away. The paper dragon was the best.

That’s why the balrogs ran away.

[‘(EX)’ is startled by the story.]

‘What kind of crappy explanation is that?’

While Lee Sunghan was dumbfounded.

[『Notice』 has arrived.]

An additional message appeared.

It’s a notice from the tower.

Something bad must have happened for that to appear.

[※Notice ※]

[In this boss battle, the battle will begin when the 3 switches are pulled simultaneously.]

[-For balance, magic cannot be used in this battle. This also applies to the entity ‘Mirginos’.]

[-Other skills (EX. Aura, natural effects, etc.) are also included.]

“That’s insane!”

A shout came from Kang Jinyoung’s side. Hah, telling a magician not to use magic.

Zing.

Lee Sunghan’s eyes met Mirginos’. Mirginos bared its fangs as if it would tear him apart. You, you remember.

He could feel it instinctively. It wouldn’t die easily. That goes for him too, though.

[Trait, ‘Intimidation’ is activated.]

Lee Sunghan used the power of ‘Block’.

Mirginos’ folded eyes narrowed.

It must be the first time its trait didn’t work. Lee Sunghan knows it too.

He’s also different from before.

He’s definitely stronger than when he first faced it.

The battle hasn’t started yet, but it flapped its wings as if to stop him from approaching.

As they say, being hit by a dragon’s wings will turn you into mush, a huge gust of wind came, as if to tear his skin.

“Damn it, the wind!”

“Jinyoung! This way!”

Lee Sunghan pulled Kang Jinyoung. Then, as if she had been waiting, Kang Miyoung stepped forward.

“Ironification.”

She cast the skill.

Then, Kang Miyoung’s entire body hardened like steel.

“Everyone, behind me!”

“Got it.”

Whoosh-

Ironification.

A technique that transforms the body into metal. Kang Miyoung drew a longsword as big as herself. Soon, the wind subsides. The flapping of its wings has noticeably decreased.

…

…

…

As the wind gradually died down.

Kang Miyoung skillfully gave instructions.

“Kang Jinyoung. Before pulling the switch, provide cover and support from a distance with projectiles.”

“You said we can’t use magic.”

“We can set it up beforehand. It only says we can’t use it, it doesn’t mention anything about installed ones.”

Kang Jinyoung snorted as if she found it unpleasant.

“…Alright. Let’s get this over with.”

Kang Jinyoung, with a whoosh, went to the 2nd-floor VIP seats!

She took her position in advance using Blink.

“You.”

“Yes, Major. I’m listening. What should I do?”

“Hmm.”

Kang Miyoung swallowed a groan.

The mishap that occurred on the 1st floor of the Great Forest must not happen again.

Especially this time, it would be a disaster.

S-rank death.

Death of a National Intelligence Service section chief.

Death of talent.

A-rank monster appears in the Republic of Korea.

Just imagining it makes her shudder.

Even without magic, the opponent is an adult.

Even if a well-equipped elite force is deployed, the survival rate is around 10%. Nine out of ten will die. But she can’t back down now. It’s a boss battle, so she doesn’t want to just listen, and she hates suffering losses even more.

Defeat?

Defeat doesn’t exist in Kang Miyoung’s life. One step back, two steps forward.

She nodded as if she had made a decision.

“You. I’ll draw its attention from the front. I have no other choice. We have to deal with it head-on.”

“Hmm.”

Lee Sunghan stroked his chin.

If they go head-on, they’re all going to die. Well, won’t it just come out as a nicely done medium-rare with the paper breath?!

Ugh, his down hair stands on end. Kang Miyoung clicked her tongue as if she had read his reaction.

“There’s no other way. Even if it’s paper, it’s imbued with magic. An object intertwined with souls is equal to or more effective than the original.”

“I know.”

“Besides, you. Aren’t you experienced in handling hatchlings?”

“That’s an adult.”

“Whether it’s an adult or not, if you beat it and smash it, it’s over, isn’t it?”

It’s a fact. It’s a fact, but.

I’m shaking like an old man with a leaky bladder because I can’t do that right now! Lee Sunghan’s face turned pale.

No. If I show this kind of appearance, I should just go for broke.

“We’re f*cked.”

“I know.”

“We’re really f*cked!!”

“I know.”

It feels like talking to a doll. She’s not listening, not listening.

“Sunghan. Stop talking to my sister.”

“Isn’t there another way?”

“We have to fight for now.”

Kang Jinyoung, setting up magic on the 2nd floor. She spoke sternly while standing on the railing.

His bones feel cold.

That woman is also strange.

His spine feels cold. What kind of mischief did that backstabbing master Hong Seomin do?

‘Well, it’ll probably be weak as hell.’

Like hell.

There’s a limit to what you can believe.

If anything, it’s probably stronger.

There’s no way it’s weak.

[The paper doll, Mirginos, is struggling while connected to the string.]

What is it.

Where is its weakness?

Lee Sunghan’s head quickly heats up.

To win against a cat, a mouse can only bite its balls.

Come to think of it, is that guy male or female?

Do I really have to bite it?

Am I going to be arrested for some kind of monster sexual offense?! This country being what it is, he becomes uneasy for no reason.

No. It’s paper, there’s no way they implemented it to that extent.

Although it looks like white A4 paper stuck together, making it look somewhat shabby.

Anyway, if it’s not WWE but UFC, he has to prepare too.

“Reconnaissance!”

[‘Ultra Reconnaissance’ listens quietly in an Ikari Shinji pose.]

[‘Block’ casually walks over and snorts arrogantly.]

Please! Tell me how to defeat that guy!

Shin Changseop’s reboot cram notes, he’ll even pray with water offered to the sky! Please!!

As Lee Sunghan clasped his hands and prayed.

[‘(EX)’ glances at the core traits.]

As expected, Eye-nim.

You came to save me!

The other traits quietly respond.

[‘Ultra Reconnaissance’ stands up, saying, 『Ah, does this body have to step up?』]

[‘Block’ complains that it worked overtime today and should be allowed to rest.]

[‘Auto Battle’ hopes for a quick resolution to the situation!]

After waiting for a few minutes.

Finally, the result came out.

[《Weakness》]

[Water ]

[‘(EX)’ calls for ‘Regeneration’ and ‘Block’ and tells the rest to figure it out.]

[‘Regeneration’ has a ? above its head.]

[‘Block’ says to quickly upgrade it with trait enhancement tickets.]

By the way.

Water, huh?

Water… water, why did water come up? And why did it call for regeneration? Why block too?

“Ah!”

A light bulb went off in his head.

[‘Capable Hunter’ laments, asking if it has to do everything, even turning on lights.]

Suddenly, he exclaimed. Why couldn’t I understand that! This fool. Lee Sunghan slapped his forehead.

That f*cker.

It’s paper.

All he needs to do is get it wet.

The problem is where to get the water. Magic is forbidden. Even if he poured it first, it’s obvious it won’t work.

“Major. Can you draw some of my blood?”

[‘Regeneration’ immediately begins preparations.]