The scandal of the Great Dragon Group has caused a huge stir in Korea.
However, it hasn’t become a hot topic overseas.
When you think about it, events like that are commonplace in other countries.
Even those who got the news found the Korean public’s reaction to be peculiar, and most just brushed it off.
“…This is going to be a hassle. Have they finally started meddling with the established powers?”
Of course, those who had been watching the situation from the start were the exception.
Especially if they were directly involved.
“What a pity. It’s hard to find a place that aligns with all the conditions like the Great Dragon.”
In the capital of India, New Delhi.
In the middle of a room where mandala-patterned fabrics were arranged like a maze, a brown-skinned woman lounged on a low sofa, murmuring softly.
To calm her discomfort, she kept puffing on a water pipe, releasing thick smoke.
Sky blue, pink, and light green.
With each breath she exhaled, pastel-colored vapors filled the room and rose delicately.
‘…Tch, it can’t be helped. I kind of expected this.’
As she spent some time like this, her grogginess slowly gave way to annoyance.
After all, didn’t she refrain from limiting the information going to that greedy old man?
‘It’s a shame I couldn’t put it to proper use before losing one.’
In fact, it wasn’t like she hadn’t gained anything at all.
Thanks to that, she could tell that the opponent’s influence and information-gathering capabilities within Korea far exceeded her initial estimates.
While it was still uncertain if that would hold true internationally, considering that in the future would allow for more efficient actions.
‘Let’s leave Korea alone for now. There’s no real benefit to moving in this situation.’
Lost in thought, she— the Oracle— slowly nodded.
What’s done is done.
What she needed to do now was to draw the big picture going forward.
“Phew—.”
As she lazily half-opened her eyes, a stream of light yellow smoke flowed from her mouth.
The shapeless mass of smoke danced as it swayed this way and that.
As she blankly stared at it, the focus in her eyes gradually faded.
Uung— Uung— Uung—
A torrent flowed through her mind.
All the elements that composed the world collapsed and twisted together, as various concepts that couldn’t even be defined mixed and separated in a cycle.
Mountains and seas coexisted, clouds like humans ate hammers from the sun and read foxes.
Bugs shaped like guns and elephants drinking lightning, starlight made of mud…
About an hour passed while she swam in illusions she couldn’t make sense of.
“Hmm.”
As her eyes regained focus, she naturally took the water pipe into her mouth and extended a hand to the side.
She picked up a communication device that had been laid there and immediately contacted someone.
-What is it, Oracle? This sudden call.
“Nothing much… But you said you’re in the Philippines?”
-That’s right. Those rat bastards have been such a nuisance that I was thinking of wiping them all out, but I can’t seem to find where they’re hiding. There are just too many damn islands, it’s frustrating.
“Go to Dinagat. It seems they’re trying to do something there.”
-Oho? That’s good news. If I know the location, dealing with them shouldn’t be hard. No matter how hard they struggle, they’re just a bunch of rats.
Gradually nodding at the cheerful voice of the Southeast Asia branch leader on the other end, she slowly spoke.
Of course, informing them about the resistance’s location was only a side note; the main point she intended to bring up was something else.
“And I’m planning to send the Executioner there soon.”
-…That lunatic? I heard he’s busy in Africa.
At her words, the branch leader’s tone turned sour.
While he prided himself on being no push-over wherever he went, the mention of the other party made even him feel burdened.
“Yeah, it seems we need to react more actively. You already know, right? The Yul Ryeong-ja, Duke, and Secretary have all been dealt with, and the Doctor has entered hibernation. We can’t afford to take more losses.”
Khmm, if that’s your intention, Oracle, then I can’t argue with that.
Though the Southeast Asia branch leader looked quite displeased, he conceded without protest.
After all, the superior had deliberated and made a decision; what good would it do to question it now?
Besides, he had been feeling quite uneasy himself.
After all, the formidable European branch leader, the Duke, had also met a sudden demise not long ago.
“Alright, then take care.”
Sigh, things are going to get annoying. I need to let off some steam by cracking some rat skulls.
With that, the communication ended.
The narrowed eyes of the Oracle stared quietly into the air.
As if trying to pry something invisible out of hiding.
“…Still nothing visible. But…”
Taking that excuse to overlook variables could only happen so often; if repeated multiple times, one would eventually pick up on the hints.
Though her combat ability wasn’t particularly impressive, she too had stepped into a realm beyond transcendence in this aspect.
Moreover, she had an information network that spanned the globe!
Thanks to that, deducing what the ‘enemy’ would target next wasn’t difficult at all.
‘Now, I should start getting ready.’
To prepare for the troublesome guest who had been causing all sorts of interruptions.
*
Africa, notorious for its terrible security.
Even before the existence of the Awakened, this land was one that never had a shortage of fights and had long since become a literal hell on Earth.
It was hardly newsworthy for a person to die here.
Most governments struggled to protect the capital and major cities, having practically no control over rural areas.
As a result, warlords and criminal organizations rose like mushrooms and were engaged in daily battles.
Naturally, at the center were not soldiers wielding weapons but returnees with abilities, who repeatedly fought to the death using the techniques they had learned from other realms.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this continent was the most active place for ability-based combat on Earth.
“Kugh— Kugh— Ah, demon…!”
Given that, what was occurring now wasn’t exactly common either.
For the first time in over ten years of fighting here, a transcendent Awakened being appeared terrified.
Considering that he was a psychopathic killer who could rip a person apart with his bare hands without a blink, it was a scene that was hard to believe.
But anyone would react the same way if confronted with the scene he faced.
Hwarr—
Red.
Everything was red.
Only the roaring flames and the sticky blood covering the cracked earth could be seen.
Pjik— Kwajik—
No, that wasn’t right.
There was one thing here that wasn’t red.
A figure slowly approaching him, stepping on dismembered flesh that was unrecognizable.
Could that being even be called a ‘person’?
Cloaked in blood and with both legs severed, the transcendent of South Sudan was dumbfoundedly staring up at the approaching opponent, the one wielding the greatest power in the area.
Reflecting the blazing light in every direction was jet-black scales, a massive frame towering over three meters, four sharp horns reaching to the sky from its head, a pair of bat-like wings spread from its back, and a long tail that whipped like a whip with a sharpened tip.
It was undoubtedly the shape of a demon rising straight from hell.
‘Is that truly an Awakened like me? Or is it really a being from another realm?’
Eyes glowing red gazed from shark-like teeth.
As their gazes met, the transcendent’s previously firm mental state began to sway precariously.
“Kuh, dammit!”
Pah-dak—
As he watched the slowly approaching demon, fear gripping him, his face twisted as he bit down on his tongue.
A pain that brought his mind back to reality.
Then he struggled to raise himself and adjusted his stance.
Thanks to the transcendent’s recovery, the severed ends of his legs had already stopped bleeding.
One cut off below the knee, the other halfway up the shin; not an easy balance to achieve, but not a significant problem for someone transcendent.
‘…There’s no chance of winning.’
He knew that better than anyone.
Just moments ago, his elite Awakened subordinates had been completely destroyed by that one demon, and he himself had lost his legs.
Considering that there were master-level fighters among his group, it made the situation all the more absurd.
‘But I won’t die easily.’
Grinding his teeth, he narrowed his eyes.
This was a matter of pride.
As the once-renowned butcher and strongest of South Sudan, he would not fall to a nameless adversary without leaving even a scratch.
Bursting with willpower, ether exploded, enveloping his whole being.
He paused.
At the same moment, the demon’s steps came to a halt.
It wasn’t so much because it was overpowered by his indomitable will.
Rather, a message had simply arrived from an opponent that could not be ignored.
[………]
Confirming the content of the message, he nodded slowly.
He was going to enjoy this battle a little longer, but it seemed it was time to finish things up.
Hwarr—
A bright red flame shot up from the demon’s hand, soaring high, following its vicious claws.
Just the aftershock began to distort the surrounding space, as cracks formed in the ground beneath its feet.
“Huff, huff.”
Sweat dripped down the face of the transcendent, facing the overwhelming intimidation.
Though blazing and flickering, it wasn’t actual fire.
It was a highly condensed mass of energy adorned with an image of flames.
It was the essence of destruction that had turned his subordinates into nothing but blood and had taken his own legs.
“Aaaah! Die!”
By now, there was nothing left for him.
He recklessly threw away his life, launching his final attack, using his body as a bullet aimed at the demon before him.
Immediately afterward.
[Pheuh—]
Even amid the slaughter, a chuckle escaped the lips of the demon, who had remained silent until now.
Finally, a feeling of satisfaction was palpable.
At last, a satisfactory situation had unfolded before him.
Flap—
The wings on its back spread wide.
The four horns emitted a low resonance.
Then, facing the streak of light charging toward him like a meteor, it smirked.
With its hands enveloped in bright red flames, it swung toward it.
As lightly as tearing paper.
———!
In an instant, space was torn apart.
There was no sound.
A colossal noise only reached human ears afterward.
Kugugugugu— Kwaaang—!
As the torn space began to mend, an immense shockwave burst forth, obliterating everything in its path.
The earth twisted, quakes erupted, and the clouds in the sky scattered into oblivion.
As a result, remnants of energy scattered in all directions, engulfing heaven and earth in flames.
Kugugugung— Hwaruk—
The scene left behind by overwhelming destruction was one where only the noises of shaking from the quakes and flames of the fire remained.
What remained where there had once been a person was just a massive scar on the land.
Standing there was merely the demon, dusting off its hands lightly.
[…It’s a pity.]
It gazed down at its chest briefly.
Its entire body was covered in black scales.
A few of these were cracked.
‘If I had used this much power from the beginning, it would’ve been more interesting.’
Would it find something to quench its thirst at its next destination?
Tilting its head slightly, it turned and spread its wings wide.
In the land of savagery, known for its extreme isolation and lack of information, Africa.
That place was now the destination of the Executioner, a member of the Oracle’s personal guard who had been wreaking havoc on his own.
With only memories of double-digit transcendents and countless victims left behind.
*
Inside the “Dragon Lair,” which is nothing less than an individual dimension just for oneself.
“Finally done!”
A coarse voice echoed from the workshop area set up there.
A massive forge roaring with fire and advanced manufacturing facilities including a mystical anvil.
In the middle of it all, a dwarf named Howard raised the metal gauntlets in both hands, shaking his beard and dancing joyfully.
“Hahaha! That’s right, there’s no way I can’t do this! It was nothing at all!”
He had been fully engrossed in making magical equipment to serve as a translation tool for Andrew, minimizing erosion.
He was prepared for the lengthy process due to the difficulty level, but due to various factors related to the environment, that timeframe had been significantly reduced.
‘That’s right, this “Dragon Lair” is a separate world that’s unaffected by any laws!’
This place was neither Earth, Auterica, nor the Ganghwan Realm.
Naturally, it wasn’t bound by any principles, and resources available were limitless.
Even if the materials were ones he’d never seen before from another realm.
‘Very impressive. This is the best-equipped workshop possible. Of course, with a “Savior” who disregards dimensional limitations, it’s conceivable to perform similar tasks in other worlds, but it won’t be as easy to establish an environment as good as this.’
A transcendent magical workshop prepared solely for him, that could be accessed at any time from anywhere.
Additionally, the installation of a semi-permanent time acceleration barrier utilizing the energy flow inside the “Dragon Lair” made the production environment on par with celestial levels.
Staying in this workshop allowed for almost 100 times the time available compared to Earth.
“Phew, now I can give Andrew the wings to expand his realm of activities.”
Howard beamed as he gently caressed the beautifully crafted metal gauntlets.
Imagining Andrew happy to receive them.
Of course, he didn’t consider the other party’s feelings at all.
Who would dislike receiving such a precious item in the world?
