Chapter 34

34.

“It’s an adult dragon.”

Dry saliva slides down my throat. What kind of reward awaits ahead?

[You have entered the ‘Boss Room.’]

[Access is restricted.]

[The new master of ‘Gate: Spirit Market’ revives and spews out agony!]

Kwaaaaaa────!

The paper dragon roared.

Droplets of saliva splattered everywhere. They were actually paper models shaped like water droplets. But the sound was real.

“Finally, it’s out. I was waiting for it to show up.”

“You were waiting for something like that?”

Kang Jin-young looked at me as if I were insane. I definitely wasn’t in my right mind today. I’ve seen too much rough stuff.

The rumors about the adult dragon appearing weren’t lies. Was it Hong Seo-min’s warning?

Lee Seong-han, looking dumbfounded, took off his tie and threw it away.

‘This is going to be tough.’

He calmly assessed the situation. The excitement had subsided. In the blink of an eye, the stage backdrop tore apart, and Mirginos leaped out with a majestic posture.

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

If only this were an RTX graphics card demo… but shockingly, this is reality.

“Calling it a hatchling was a mistake. Look at that size.”

“…Seong-han. You called me to deal with something like this? Okay, I’ll give you a pass this time.”

Thanks for understanding. But what exactly are you giving me a pass for?

Lee Seong-han wanted to say that, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Mirginos.

What kind of creature is it?

Former hatchling.

Current adult dragon.

I would’ve added a footnote: ‘Already dead.’ I’m sure I killed it.

When I was in the hospital bed, Kang Mi-young said, “I was so disgusted, I gutted it completely.” So there’s no doubt.

And now it’s revived as paper?

It was as if it were carved out of marble—precise and clean.

Is this what it looks like when fully grown?

I got curious, but curiosity kills the cat.

Ding.

[A-Rank, Dragonkin]

[Paper Doll, Mirginos Lv.87]

“A-Rank?”

Lee Seong-han clicked his tongue.

If it has the potential for mass destruction, capable of collapsing an entire city single-handedly, then it’s labeled 『A-Rank』.

Considering that S-Rank is more of a formal classification, A is generally the highest rank. And now, I have to deal with this thing.

[‘Block’ negates the negative influence.]

Block shouted.

Stop whining and fight!

Yeah, calm down.

Worrying won’t help. The hatchling Mirginos is no more. Its strength is beyond imagination.

[‘■■■■ Eye (EX)’ quietly pierces through the essence.]

Flash!

[《Paper Doll, Mirginos》]

Mirginos, revived by Hong Seo-min. It’s a conglomerate of various souls. Defeating it could save the trapped souls.

Though made of paper, its strength far surpasses the original. Caution is required when facing it.

…

…

…

“Kwaaaaaa.”

The strongest paper dragon among dragons roared.

The paper dragon was ridiculously strong, the strongest among dragons.

It defeated gods and demons. Even when they ganged up, it won. The paper dragon was one of a kind. Anyway, it roared.

“Ah, damn it, let’s run!!”

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

So the balrogs ran.

[‘■■■■ Eye (EX)’ is horrified by the folklore.]

‘What kind of nonsense is this?’

While Lee Seong-han was left dumbfounded.

[『Announcement』 has arrived.]

An additional message appeared.

It’s a notice from the tower.

Whenever that shows up, something bad happens.

[※ Notice ※]

[This boss battle will begin when all three switches are pulled simultaneously.]

[- For balance, magic cannot be used in this battle. The entity ‘Mirginos’ is also subject to this restriction.]

[- Other techniques (e.g., aura, natural effects, etc.) are also included.]

“This is insane!”

Kang Jin-young’s voice exploded. Huh, telling a mage not to use magic?

Zzzzt.

Lee Seong-han locked eyes with Mirginos. Mirginos bared its fangs as if to tear him apart. You remember me, huh?

Instinctively, he could feel it. This won’t be an easy kill. But the same goes for me.

[Trait, ‘Intimidation’ activates.]

Lee Seong-han used the power of ‘Block.’

Mirginos’ folded eyes narrowed slightly.

This must be the first time its trait didn’t work. Lee Seong-han knew that too.

He’s also different from before.

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

Whoosh─

The battle hadn’t started yet, but Mirginos flapped its wings as if to hinder any approach.

As the saying goes, being struck by a dragon’s wing turns you into mush. A massive gust of wind tore through the air like it was slicing skin.

“Damn it, the wind!”

“Jin-young! Over here!”

Lee Seong-han pulled Kang Jin-young over. Soon, Kang Mi-young stepped forward as if she had been waiting.

“Iron Body.”

She activated a skill.

Her entire body hardened like steel.

“Everyone, behind me!”

“Understood.”

Swoooosh───!

Iron Body.

A technique that transforms the body into metal. Kang Mi-young drew a greatsword as big as her own body. The wind soon died down. The flapping of wings had noticeably decreased.

…

…

…

As the wind gradually subsided, Kang Mi-young skillfully gave orders.

“Kang Jin-young. Before pulling the switch, take a support position. Provide ranged projectile support.”

“But we can’t use magic?”

“Set it up beforehand. It only says we can’t use it, not that we can’t prepare it.”

Kang Jin-young snorted, clearly annoyed.

“…Fine. Let’s finish this quickly.”

Kang Jin-young zapped to the VIP seats on the second floor.

She had already secured her position using Blink.

“Sir.”

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

“Hmm.”

Kang Mi-young swallowed her thoughts.

The incident that happened on the first floor of the Great Forest must not happen again.

Especially not this time, or it would be a disaster.

S-Rank death.

National Intelligence Service section chief death.

Talent death.

A-Rank monster appearing in South Korea.

…Just thinking about it makes me shiver.

Even without magic, the opponent is an adult.

Even if elite troops were deployed, the survival rate would be around 10%. Nine out of ten would die. But we can’t back down. It’s a boss battle.

She didn’t want to retreat, nor did she want to suffer a bitter defeat.

Defeat?

Defeat doesn’t exist in Kang Mi-young’s life. Only strategic retreats and advances.

She nodded as if she had made a decision.

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

“Hmm.”

Lee Seong-han stroked his chin.

Going head-on would probably get us all killed. What if it breathes paper fire and we all get roasted medium rare?!

Ugh, my hair is standing on end. Kang Mi-young clicked her tongue as if reading my reaction.

“There’s no other way. Even if it’s paper, it’s imbued with magic. Objects woven with souls can match or even surpass the original in efficiency.”

“I know.”

“Besides, sir. You’re used to dealing with hatchlings, right?”

“That’s an adult.”

“Adult or not, just smash it to pieces, right?”

That’s a fact. A fact, but…

I’m not doing it right now, so I’m flailing around like an old man with incontinence! Lee Seong-han’s face turned pale.

No. I’d rather go all out than show this pathetic side.

“We’re screwed.”

“I know.”

“We’re really screwed!!”

“I know.”

It feels like talking to a doll. It’s not getting through.

“Seong-han. Stop talking with my sister.”

“Is there no other way?”

“We’ll have to fight first.”

Kang Jin-young, setting up magic on the second floor, stood on the railing and spoke ominously.

My bones are chilling.

That woman is weird too.

My spine is cold. What kind of backstabbing nonsense has Hong Seo-min pulled?

‘Ah, it’s probably weak.’

Bullshit.

There’s a limit to what I can believe.

If anything, it’s strong.

It can’t be weak.

[The paper doll, Mirginos, struggles while connected to strings.]

What is it?

Where’s the weak point?

Lee Seong-han’s brain is heating up rapidly.

If a mouse wants to beat a cat, it has to bite its balls off.

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

Do I really have to bite it?

Am I going to get arrested for monster sexual assault or something?! Given the country we’re in, I can’t help but feel uneasy.

No. It’s made of paper. They wouldn’t have implemented that.

Its appearance, like a stack of white A4 paper, looks somewhat pitiful─.

Anyway, if this were UFC and not WWE, I’d have to prepare properly.

“Recon!”

[‘Super-Recon’ listens quietly in the Ikari Shinji pose.]

[‘Block’ sneaks over and arrogantly snorts.]

Please! Tell me how to beat it!

Shin Chang-seop’s reboot notes, I’ll pray to the heavens if I have to! Please!!

As Lee Seong-han clasped his hands and prayed.

[‘■■■■ Eye (EX)’ glances at the core traits.]

As expected, Eye King.

You came to help!

The other traits quietly resonate.

[‘Super-Recon’ stands up, saying, ‘Ah, must I step forward?’]

[‘Block’ complains, saying it’s already worked overtime today and should be allowed to rest.]

[‘Automatic Combat’ hopes for a quick resolution!]

After waiting for a few minutes, the result finally came out.

[《Weakness》]

[Water]

[‘■■■■ Eye (EX)’ calls ‘Regeneration’ and ‘Block,’ telling the rest to figure it out themselves.]

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

[‘Block’ demands to be strengthened with a trait enhancement ticket.]

By the way.

Water?

Water… why water? And why call Regeneration? And Block?

“Ah!”

A lightbulb went off in his head.

[‘Capable Hunter’ laments having to do even the light-switching.]

Suddenly, an exclamation came out. Why couldn’t I understand that! This fool. Lee Seong-han smacked his own forehead.

That bastard.

It’s paper.

Just wet it.

The problem is where to get water. Magic is banned. If I splash it beforehand, it won’t work.

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

[‘Regeneration’ immediately starts preparing.]

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