Chapter 22

EP.22 Expanding Conspiracy #2

Kwaaaaang!!

The beast’s roar echoed throughout Mount Fuji.

The roar of the 3-meter-tall saber-toothed tiger was so intense that it could be described as a lion’s roar.

The problem was that it was its death cry.

I frowned and touched the communicator, asking, “Is it dead?”

-It’s done. Black blood and transparent liquid are mixed together. What the hell is this?

“Probably brain fluid… Can you stop talking about it? I can imagine it.”

-Sorry…

“Its cubs are descending all over the mountainside. If we leave them alone, it’ll be dangerous.”

-Got it.

Puhwak!

Leona, who was flying through the air, pressed one of the three buttons on her waist pouch.

With a clicking sound, the pouch opened, and three cluster bombs popped out.

Leona grabbed them with her left hand and, using her exceptional reflexes and strength, threw them at the saber-toothed tiger cubs.

Nice aim. She could make it to the major leagues.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

But… tsk tsk… cluster bombs aren’t infinite.

If you keep spraying them like that, you’ll run out of long-range suppression weapons.

You should aim and fire one at a time.

I’ll cut you some slack since you’re still inexperienced.

Kyaaang! Kwaang!

Several cubs let out painful screams and exploded.

This time, Leona pressed her palm firmly with her left middle finger.

Clank!

Something triangular, about the size of a finger joint, popped out near her wrist and chased after the cub like a homing missile.

Upon touching the cub’s torso, it suddenly disintegrated into small pieces, beginning to scorch the cub’s body.

Leona, watching the cub sizzle with an indifferent gaze, descended to the ground and began slaughtering them in earnest.

The doctor watching through the monitor grew anxious.

“Her lack of combat experience is dragging out this one-versus-many fight. If her energy runs out…”

“Let’s deploy too. You brought the fighter jet, right?”

“I wanted to see how far Leona could handle it…”

Yeah, you’ve gotten used to the name Leona, huh?

Does it roll off the tongue?

I glanced at the device charge level displayed in the corner of the monitor.

“21% left, but there are still twenty of those tigers. Oh, one just died.”

“Can’t finish in time, right?”

“Probably not. Let’s deploy.”

“Hey! Wait…”

Ignoring the doctor’s words, I fired the fighter jet’s laser cannon at the cubs far from Leona.

Pshooong-!

The condensed green energy that had hit Amducias’ shoulder earlier pierced through the cub’s forehead and caused a massive explosion on the mountain.

As I was about to press the fire button again…

Weeeing…

The cannon made a weak sound and drooped.

“You idiot! This thing’s still incomplete! Ugh… It’ll take some time to fix.”

“Then why did you bring it? To such a dangerous place…”

“I brought it as an emergency measure because of its power! Stop yapping and fire the cannon.”

“This is an emergency, so what’s the point of an emergency measure… But the cannon? Wouldn’t repulser missiles finish them off?”

“You brainless firepower junkie! That would blow the mountain away! Are you going to compensate the Japanese government? We haven’t even properly negotiated with the World Union yet…”

“Ugh, you’re so annoying… The cannon will wreck things just the same…”

Grumbling, I started firing the cannon all over Mount Fuji.

Kwaang! Boom! Kwaang!

The massive cannon, more fitting for a battleship, roared with terrifying force.

At an astonishing rate of 200 rounds per minute, the power was mediocre for its size, but enough to handle the 1-meter-tall cubs.

The Self-Defense Forces, probably rushing here excitedly, would surely be deep in thought, wondering if they’re even needed after seeing this firepower.

I fired the cannon with a triumphant shout.

Dr. Cash, watching me with a pitiful expression, spoke to Leona.

“Your remaining energy is 3%. Come back now.”

-Huh? But there are still about three left…

“That lunatic is spraying money all over the mountain. Just come back. The situation will be over soon.”

-…. Okay.

**

[This anonymous individual has referred to the sudden appearance of monsters as the Evil Gate. Evil is derived from the word “Evil,” and Alien refers to extraterrestrials…]

In the lab, I clicked my tongue while watching the news.

“Tsk… Such a cheesy name…”

Dr. Cash, irritated, smacked the back of my head.

Whack!

“Ow! Why’d you hit me?”

“Well, Mr. Song Jihyuk, who named Sehwa’s alias Leona, why don’t you come up with a name yourself?”

“…..”

“If you’ve got nothing to say, shut up and watch the news.”

“Yes.”

Sulking, I turned my gaze back to the TV. Sehwa, with an awkward smile, approached and gently patted the back of my head.

[The anonymous individual claimed to be an associate of the female hero who appeared on Mount Fuji today. The World Union Council has decided that if this claim is proven, they will establish close cooperation and sign a treaty. The incomplete treaty includes free airspace access, and…]

Dr. Cash, watching the news, exploded in frustration.

“These idiots! They clearly saw Sehwa… no, Leona, piloting the fighter jet, so why don’t they believe it? The Evil Energy Gauge could reappear and fill up quickly at any moment. Aren’t they being too complacent?”

“Leona is gradually being exposed through various analog cameras, but our faces haven’t been revealed yet. It’s natural for them to be suspicious…”

“They need proof, huh? Fine, I’ll fly to America.”

The World Union headquarters was located in America.

She must be in a real hurry.

“If you fly there without permission, you’ll be turned into Swiss cheese in the air, you know?”

“Do you think I’m as simple-minded as you? Of course, I’ll contact them first.”

“Disguise yourself. Don’t reveal your face unnecessarily.”

“Right. But I’ll reveal my name. That’ll make them trust us a bit more. And we need to increase the device’s capacity. You saw it today, right? Without the fighter jet’s firepower support, the transformation would’ve worn off. So, you weirdo, be ready anytime. It’s going to get busy again soon.”

“Understood.”

I calmly replied, but inside, I couldn’t help but cheer.

Everything’s going according to plan.

I can help modify the device, and negotiations with the World Union will progress in a few days.

This is just the beginning.

The doctor took us to a shopping mall in Yeongdeungpo where the car was parked.

After dropping off Sehwa, she gave her a silent command.

To recharge the device’s energy.

Sehwa nodded shyly.

But she’s less embarrassed than before, so she seems to be adapting well.

After the doctor left, we looked at each other and sighed.

It was a sigh for our date ending like this.

Checking the time, I said, “It’s 11. The parking lot will close soon. Let’s go.”

“Okay…”

“And your skirt’s riding up. Your underwear’s showing.”

Sehwa, startled, quickly pulled down her skirt.

While doing so, she glanced at my crotch, clearly checking if it had grown or not.

She’s really a temptress.

Heading down to the parking lot, I started the car.

As we were paying the parking fee and heading home, Sehwa spoke up.

“I’m sorry… Because of me, you’re practically living in the lab… I’m worried you might get expelled…”

“Tinkering with machines in the lab is way better than college. I’m doing this because I want to, and even if I drop out, it doesn’t matter. So stop saying sorry.”

“Ah, okay… But don’t drop out. I want to go to school with you.”

“So you want me to juggle studies and research? Sounds like you’re trying to grind me to dust.”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“I know. Just joking. Can I take a look at that device when we get home?”

“…. Sorry, but no.”

She immediately refused when I mentioned the device.

That’s how precious it is to her.

But Sehwa, the doctor said it, right? I need to be ready too.

If that doesn’t mean modifying the device together, what does?

I immediately called the doctor.

-What.

She answered coolly.

She must be really pissed at the World Union.

“Doctor, when you increase the device’s capacity, are you doing it alone? I’m helping too, right?”

-Didn’t you hear me? I told you to be ready to jump in anytime.

“I just want to check how it works, but Sehwa refused.”

-Oh? Just a scan?

“Yeah, I just want to see the internal structure. I want to study it in advance.”

-Is Sehwa there?

I gestured to the screen display.

Meaning she should answer directly.

After hesitating, Sehwa spoke.

“Um… I’m here.”

-Show the weirdo the internal structure. You know how to operate it, right?

“Ah, I do, but… This is something the doctor…”

-I said never to show it to anyone, right? But I’ll allow it. It’s annoying to say, but that weirdo is smart. The equipment I put on you today was co-developed with him. There’s no harm in showing him.

“Then… okay.”

-And explain about Aiter too, okay?

Currently disguised as Song Jihyuk, I don’t know how the device is charged.

It’s no wonder Sehwa was startled.

“E-everything?”

-I’ll leave it to your decision, but I think it’s better to be open. He’s not a stranger.

“…..”

-I’m busy, so I’ll hang up. At least show him the device.

After the doctor hung up, I acted like an innocent young man who knew nothing.

“Aiter is the transformation energy in the device, right? Is there more to explain?”

“…. Well…”

Sehwa looked extremely troubled.

After hesitating for a while, she said, “I’ll explain when we get back.”

“Okay? Alright.”

**

Sehwa eventually decided to explain about Aiter.

Sitting across the table, I pretended to be confused after hearing everything.

“So… the energy is charged through sexual excitement with someone you like…?”

“…..”

“That’s… ridiculous… Are you messing with me?”

“Absolutely not… You can ask the doctor later…”

Sehwa, deeply embarrassed, bowed her head.

She looked especially pretty and cute today, maybe because of her outfit.

After a long silence, I finally spoke.

“So… that buzzing sound from the device when we had sex last time… was that the charging sound?”

At my blunt question, Sehwa bowed her head even lower.

Fidgeting with her fingers, she answered in a barely audible voice.

“…. Yes…”

“Wow… I thought it was just a notification sound, but it wasn’t. So… does it charge if you do something sexual with Yoo Seunghyun too?”

“Probably… But I’ve never done anything like that with Seunghyun…”

“Does Yoo Seunghyun know about Aiter?”

Of course not.

“N-no…”

I’ll have to tell Yoo Seunghyun later.

I’ll make him think the device’s energy was charged because of him.

For that, it’s a bit of a shame, but… I’ll have to allow some light skin contact.

Or create situations.

“Let’s talk about this later. Show me the device first.”

The device, bound to Sehwa, couldn’t be operated by anyone else.

Even the doctor could only touch it when Sehwa was nearby.

That’s why we could only prepare the equipment but couldn’t pre-install it.

Sehwa placed her right arm on the table and manipulated the device’s buttons in a specific pattern.

Then,

Weeeing-!

A mysterious mechanical sound echoed, and a semi-transparent, enlarged structure of the device appeared in mid-air.

‘Finally…!’

Barely containing my excitement, I stared at it.

I see it. The entire structure of the device.

How it’s made is clearly imprinted in my mind.

Dr. Cash’s husband laid the foundation, right? He’s definitely a genius.

From security to everything else, it’s perfectly integrated.

But I’ll find a way to crack it.

I also see it. The rainbow-colored energy in the center.

That’s Aiter, the mysterious energy unique to Earth and the source of the Beast Slayers’ power.

I scrutinized the device with sharp eyes, memorizing every detail.

Then, I secretly opened my hand under the table.

I was sending the device’s contents to Marcella.

‘Done.’

After completing the transmission, I clenched my fist.

“Hey… Jihyuk…”

Snapping out of it at Sehwa’s voice, I shook my head.

“Huh? What?”

“I told you honestly… Um… the monsters might appear suddenly…”

She’s hinting she wants to recharge.

She’s lively during the day but shy at night, like a morning glory that blooms in the day and wilts at night.

“You’re not treating me like a phone charger, are you?”

“No! Why would you say that?”

“Okay, sorry. My ears are about to fall off.”

Getting up, I headed to the living room bathroom, saying, “You use the bedroom bathroom.”

To be continued―――――――――――――――――――――

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