Parallel Universe Earth No. 1001.
Juhyeok visited the Awakening Management Agency after a long time.
To meet Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il.
"Have you been well all this time?"
"I'm always the same."
"Haa, I'm jealous. I want to finish things quickly and just play around."
"… I really don't know what to say. I'm sorry."
"Ah, come on. This is all something I brought on myself."
He was truly desperate.
He wanted to rest comfortably.
He wanted to play without thinking about anything.
Juhyeok was walking the exact opposite path of the resolve he'd had when he first awakened.
A small man should live like a small man.
But now his courage had grown far too large.
Who would even call him a small man anymore?
He was a super alpha male now.
"By the way, is Commander Jeon Seong-il over there doing well too?"
Jeon Gwang-il asked casually.
Since they shared the same soul, he must have been curious about his counterpart.
"He looks much healthier. I awakened him myself."
"… What?"
"His trait is Herculean Might."
"… Hahaha."
Jeon Gwang-il let out a dry laugh.
As expected of a parallel universe—why were even the traits identical?
Then did Lee Mina and Lee Minseon match as well?
"Oh! By the way, how is our Japan on Earth No. 1001 these days? Nothing unusual?"
"How could there be nothing? No matter that it's Japan, it's pitiful to look at."
The complete deletion of the Tokyo Black Tower.
Revocation of Japanese player nationality.
Suspension of high-grade magic stone mining.
Japan's stock index had crashed, the yen exchange rate had skyrocketed, magic-stone-based industries were going bankrupt across the board, and the Liberal Party's approval rating had drilled through the floor and gone underground.
It was worse than expected.
This was practically a nuclear bomb.
Despite the situation, no country tried to help Japan.
How could they?
If they made a wrong move, they might end up on the bad side of the world's strongest player.
"… Tsk tsk."
Even Juhyeok hadn't expected Japan to collapse this badly.
"The Japanese government keeps contacting us. They're begging to be spared. They say they'll even kneel publicly."
What could he do?
The water had already been spilled.
The crystal core management authority Juhyeok possessed was extremely limited.
There was a menu to delete towers, but no menu to create them.
If the White Tower's Whitey were to regain its former status as the Pure White, maybe his authority would expand—but who knew.
"I feel bad for the Japanese citizens."
"Not at all. This is the result of what they chose through elections. They reap what they sow."
That was true.
The elderly had been foolish, and the younger generation hadn't even participated in the elections.
What choices would China and Japan of Earth No. 843 make?
If they made the same ones, he'd go with a peaceful method.
"It's not like I'm a particularly generous person."
In any case, he'd met Commissioner Jeon Gwang-il, so he'd stop by home and then return to Earth No. 843.
With Juhyeok's permission, Kosak went to Pyongyang.
If summoned, Chairman Kim In-jung would rush over immediately, but this time Kosak had business to handle in Pyongyang itself.
First, he handed over the newly designed tracking-talisman molds by Gyeon Dalrae and the composite ink made by Mari using Black Dragon Heart and mirror-surface cinnabar to the factory.
"Factory Manager comrade! Even if you have to work through the night, meet the quota. I'll make sure the extra pay is generous."
"Understood! I will carry out this mission with a resolute capitalist spirit, following the will of the Minister of People's Armed Forces! Long live Juhyeok!"
"Good. Very reliable! You've become a capitalist warrior yourself, Factory Manager comrade. Long live Juhyeok!"
Then into downtown Pyongyang.
The city's appearance was changing day by day.
The old socialist propaganda slogans were nowhere to be found.
Instead, banners and posters everywhere advertised job recruitment or products.
There was only one remaining slogan.
Long live Juhyeok.
Kosak felt deeply satisfied.
Slogans of loyalty toward the Summoner Bong had spread like a catchphrase.
Next, the Presidential Palace.
When Kosak appeared, Chairman Kim In-jung sprang up from his desk.
"Minister of People's Armed Forces comrade! It's been too long. Long live Juhyeok!"
"Have you been well? Chairman comrade. Long live Juhyeok!"
Kosak returned the greeting solemnly and took his seat.
"You haven't contacted us at all?"
"Ah! I was visiting other parallel universes."
"Was it No. 675?"
"No, No. 843."
"… What?"
"Listen. The reason I came to see you today is—"
Kosak explained the situation of Earth No. 843 to Kim In-jung.
"S-so the Republic over there is still standing?"
"That's right. Shameless bastards. South Korea is suffering from Synclash Waves, and they didn't help at all."
Chairman Kim In-jung exploded in anger.
"Those damn bastards! When the great Korean Peninsula is in crisis, they turn their backs on their compatriots! Who's the leader of that Republic?"
"Uh, Chairman Kim Il-jung."
"… What? The name sounds oddly similar."
"The face too."
Kosak showed him a photo of North Korea's leader from Earth No. 843 saved on his smartphone.
"… This looks like me before I lost weight."
"Almost identical."
Now, the real purpose of his visit.
"Our Chairman on Earth No. 1001 would like you to record a video message for Chairman comrade on Earth No. 843. With the transformed Pyongyang as the backdrop."
"A v-video message?"
"We're planning to visit Pyongyang of Earth No. 843 soon. And these days, I don't like seeing blood."
"Then we need to persuade them."
Not that he disliked blood—rather, it was because the Summoner Bong wanted it that way.
Hearing Kosak's words, Chairman Kim In-jung nodded.
"Understood. I'll try persuading them sincerely."
Honestly, Kosak hoped persuasion would fail.
How nice would it be to just swing his blade freely?
Clean. No loose ends.
These days, he'd even forgotten how to tie a ribbon knot.
All preparations were complete.
Juhyeok returned to Earth No. 843 via the elevator.
He'd brought back stacks of newly printed Black Dragon–exclusive tracking talismans.
They were made by grinding down a Black Dragon Heart.
In other worlds, it was an unimaginably precious treasure.
If converted into money, how much would it be worth?
Impossible to imagine.
And now he was just scattering it into the air.
Still, it wasn't a waste.
If it meant capturing the One-Horned Evil Dragon Brakios.
First, to Crackers.
"I'm sorry to involve you in hunting a dragon of your own kind, but your role is important, Mr. Crackers."
"What? N-no, why would you say such a hurtful thing?"
Crackers looked genuinely aggrieved.
"My kind? Human police don't excuse serial killers just because they're human, do they?"
That wasn't wrong.
"It's the same for dragons. A vile dragon bastard deserves nothing but execution."
Hearing that, Juhyeok realized he'd misspoken.
"Oh! And I've changed my name as well."
"You changed it? Why?"
"I've ascended to an Ancient Dragon, so I need to go from a four-character name to a five-character one."
"Ah."
"From now on, please call me Extreme-Speed Flying Dragon Crackersus."
Extreme-Speed Flying Dragon Crackersus.
It did sound cool.
Anyway, flight began.
Through China to Central Asia, then Europe, across the Atlantic to North America, down to South America, past Africa, then to India and Southeast Asia.
That was the planned flight route.
If they didn't find him, they'd circle once more.
When the manifestation time ran out, they'd return to the White Tower.
After resting three hours, they'd resume the search from the same spot.
If the Black Dragon–exclusive tracking talisman activated?
They'd narrow the range again and again until they found him.
And then beat the hell out of him.
Ancient Dragon or not.
Their side consisted of veteran summoned beings.
They had already surpassed the combat power of an Ancient Dragon by a vast margin.
They'd passed the LSSR stage long ago.
If they had to assign a rank—
HULSSR?
Hyper Ultra Legend Special Super Rare.
Too long?
Let's just say they were close to transcendence.
Honestly, calling it transcendence wouldn't be wrong.
They didn't match the Sword Immortal or the Great Sage, but they were probably on par with the Chaotic Demon King.
Infinite turbo blink flight commenced.
Space compressed, leap movement.
Flash! Flash! Spapapapapapap!
And with every leap—
Chararararat!
Dozens of Black Dragon–exclusive tracking talismans scattered.
Like a fighter jet firing flares.
Delhi, the capital of India.
A megacity formed by Old Delhi and New Delhi.
There was a Synclash near Delhi as well.
Every ten days, wave defense wars erupted.
Because of that, the population had dropped from nearly twenty million to ten million—half.
Since the wealthy and high-caste elites had left, those remaining were almost all from the lower classes.
Delhi was crawling with players.
They were mobilized for wave defense.
Public order was a disaster.
With the boundary between the tower and the world gone, players' abilities manifested fully in reality.
Crimes committed by a few villain players.
And Indian officials turning a blind eye.
Delhi was a city of great chaos.
Which made it the perfect place for the One-Horned Evil Dragon Brakios to hide.
In truth, Brakios had initially intended to refuse the administrator's proposal.
His pride was wounded.
Leave the 90th floor of the tower?
How disgraceful for an Ancient Dragon.
Was the summoner player of Earth No. 1001 really that strong?
Even if summoned, they were just humans.
But then came the follow-up offer.
He could eat humans.
As long as he wasn't discovered.
That caught his interest.
The right to consume humans.
It was a reward usually granted only after the tower had collapsed and the world had nearly entered an apocalypse.
The contract stated it clearly.
But he could receive the reward earlier?
How exciting was that?
To be able to eat humans.
Desire comes before pride.
Isn't greed a dragon's true nature?
Harmony and balance, my ass.
Falling into a Demon Dragon, a Mad Dragon, or an Evil Dragon is, in a way, perfectly natural.
Brakios accepted immediately and left the tower.
The human flesh he had never tasted before was already dancing before his eyes.
He did hear that Partalon had been captured and died on the 89th floor, but he didn't care in the slightest.
Stupid bastard.
A dragon, of all things.
He wasn't even told to fight—just to hide quietly without being noticed—and he couldn't even manage that?
And why enter the tower in the first place?
He should've just died outside instead.
He was confident.
Confident that he could devour humans to his heart's content without ever being discovered.
First, he searched for a suitable location.
And the place he chose was Delhi, India.
Slowly seeping into Delhi, Brakios pondered.
First target?
A very small orphanage in a Delhi slum.
A place housing children who had lost their parents to the tower's collapse and monster waves.
The first meal.
Could just anyone eat it?
Tender, soft flesh of human children.
Brakios infiltrated the slum.
A Catholic-affiliated orphanage.
He had already memorized the entire layout before coming.
The priest or the nuns—he would just put them to sleep if he saw them.
He didn't kill what he didn't eat.
Click!
He opened the door to the orphanage dormitory and stepped inside.
"Finally…."
About ten children, shivering in fear.
"Shh! It'll be over soon."
What are an evil dragon's table manners?
Swallow it whole, then chew it thoroughly.
Start with the one that looks the most delicious.
That means the youngest child here.
In that instant—
Swoooosh!
Brakios's humanoid body suddenly swelled.
To eat, he needed to change his body.
Children's bodies are small.
If he ate them in his true form, he wouldn't even feel full.
A draconian polymorph was optimal.
Sssssh!
Dense black scales sprouted all over his body.
Sliiither— a tail emerged from his hips.
"Kyyaaaak!"
"Mom…."*
"P-please, save me.""
"Please, please.""
The children screamed.
But no sound escaped.
He had already sealed everything with a silence spell.
Brakios couldn't hold back any longer.
Let's swallow one first.
Craaaack!
His mouth opened wide.
Sticky saliva dripped down.
But then—
A sudden sense of ominous danger.
From above.
Brakios lifted his head.
All he could see was the ceiling, yet he felt something beyond it.
"What is it?"
That was when—
Craaaash!
The ceiling collapsed.
"Huh!"
At the same time, a massive foot slammed down on the draconian Brakios's face.
Crunch!
"…Ghk?""
His head was crushed straight into the floor.
Crunch! Crunch! Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!
The kicking didn't stop.
His head was driven deeper and deeper into the ground.
"W-what…?"
What the hell is this?
Even in draconian form, the power of an ancient dragon should remain.
And yet—so helplessly?
It hurt, yes, but more than that, it was humiliating.
This wasn't the time for this.
Even if it was an ambush.
Woooooong!
The swirling mana of the dragon heart.
"You bastard!!!"
Brakios slapped away the foot stomping him and sprang up.
"I'll melt you without leaving a trace—"
In that instant—
Shrrrrrk!
Yellow papers flew in from somewhere and stuck all over his body.
Slap! Tap tap tap tap!
"W-what is this?"
The moment the papers attached, his mana tangled.
The spell wouldn't activate.
Because of these papers?
Are you saying an ancient dragon's draconic speech won't work because of a few sheets of paper?
Grab!
His tail was suddenly seized.
Then he was slammed down hard.
Whoosh! Crash! Whoosh! Crash! Whoosh! Crash!
And the relentless kicking resumed.
"You fucking lizard bastard! Die! Ah—no, you can't die. Get beaten to just before you die."
"Don't touch him. He's mine.""
"Senior Goba, you've beaten him enough, haven't you? My turn. Light!!!"
"Everyone step back. This old man needs to cut off one of his legs."
"Dimensional farmhand, what're you doin'? Smash his head like you're mining ore!!!""
"Hoeeek!"
"Let's skin him first. Slice him up nice and thin."
"Wouldn't it be better to roast him thoroughly?""
"Kyaruruk!"
"Mannyeon, don't freeze him too much. He'll crack."
"Kosak, pry his mouth open. I'll shove a big shell in there."
"M-me too, let me hit him just once…."
"Master Bong Summoner, please stay still. This guy's filthy. Ew. Ew."
"No, Princess, don't stop me! I said just one hit!""
Brakios panicked.
Since becoming an ancient dragon—no, since being born a dragon—this was the first time he'd ever been beaten this badly.
And by humans, no less.
"Everyone! What are you doing? Huh? Protect the children first instead of beating that thing! They'll get hurt."
"I'll take care of them, Master.""
"Ms. Mackenzie, put up a barrier around the children.""
"Yes!"
"Princess Dalrae, please help too. Make sure the children don't see anything brutal."
"Understood."
In that moment—
The atmosphere loosened.
The yellow papers that had fallen off his body from all the beating.
Mana began to move again.
Now's the chance.
He'd transform into his true form and melt them all with his breath.
Wiiiiiiing!
The dragon heart vibrated.
Brakios's pupils split vertically.
Swoosh!
Wings sprouted from his back.
Creeeeak—
True-form transformation initiated.
But at that exact moment—
Whiiirrrrr!
"You bastard! Let me hit you just once too!"
A chill.
Instinctive terror.
"…What?"
It was a small wooden hammer.
It came spinning through the air.
It wasn't even fast.
But he couldn't dodge it.
His entire body was already stiff and frozen.
Thud!
"Kuh-ugh!"
White-hot pain exploded in his head.
"Yes! Direct hit!"
"As expected of Master Bong Summoner. Nice shot."
"Your hammer-handling skills improve by the day."
"Brigadier General Veronica Caliber. A hundred hits out of a hundred, Commander Bong!"
"Huh? You told us not to hit him earlier!"
"If you said you were throwing it, I wouldn't have stopped you."
Stagger.
The true-form transformation was canceled.
Brakios couldn't regain his senses.
The pain was overwhelming.
It felt like every cell in his body was being shattered to pieces.
What the hell was that puny wooden hammer?
Brakios was beaten while being grabbed by the collar.
A massive fist slammed into his mouth.
Crunch!
Clatter clatter clatter.
Teeth fell onto the floor.
Juhyeok didn't feel even a shred of pity for him.
How dare he try to eat children?
If possible, he wanted to beat him more.
But they couldn't keep beating him here.
"Brakios?""
"Answer me."
…..
"Haaah, this bastard really won't listen unless you talk nicely, huh?"
As Juhyeok frowned, Goba stepped forward.
Grab! He seized the bastard's leg and snapped it outright.
Crack!
"Kyaaaaaah!"
Brakios screamed.
Feeling more compliant now?
Good.
"Brakios!"
"Answer me.""
"F-fine, I'll answer. If… if you accept my immediate surrender…."
That's enough.
Swoooooosh! Hwaaat! Swoooosh!
The bastard was sucked into the gourd.
Now they'd take him away and beat him some more.
Slowly, this time.
After all, he was just a rat trapped inside a bottle.
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