I’d been waiting for some time at Lee Yoo-jin’s mansion when she finally arrived with her bodyguards.

“Well done. You may go now.”

“Yes, Miss.”

After dismissing her guards, Yoo-jin paused briefly as she entered the mansion.

“Hmm.”

It was understandable; I was sitting openly on the living room sofa.

“Look, I’ve had a few assassination attempts from villains, so I’m a bit sensitive to things like this.”

Oh, I see. Well, considering she’s practically the head of the Cheonsan Group at her age, I can only imagine.

“You don’t look like you came here to kill me. So, what’s with lounging on the sofa?”

“Well, it seems I underestimated someone who’s hired quite a few villains herself.”

No one knows what happened to those villains she hired. She probably dealt with them quietly.

“Who are you? I don’t recall meeting you before.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Dahaka, leader of the Black God Cult.”

I greeted her carefully, maintaining a nun-like appearance. Yoo-jin looked me up and down.

“Dahaka, as in the leader of the Black God Cult—is that a Japanese name?”

“For the record, I’m Korean.”

Maybe I should have gone with my full name.

“Right. Well, that’s not what’s important here. Why are you here? Are you here to threaten me for resources for the Black God Cult?”

“Threaten? Not at all. This could be mutually beneficial, you know?”

“I have no intention of making any deals with the Black God Cult.”

The Black God Cult is infamous even among villains for being one of the worst of the worst.

“How about these?”

I pulled out a few magic stones from my pocket. These were pure magic stones, made solely with my power—not artificially created. These little gems were crafted by the cute little dragon I created. Made by Azhdaha, made by the Dragon. I took pride in my work.

Yoo-jin accepted the stones, examining them with a businesslike eye, and then brought over an appraisal device to assess them. Her expression turned to surprise.

“Magic stones? Where did you find these?”

She must have been curious about where I’d gotten such high-purity stones.

“These are the purest magic stones you’ll ever find. I know the Cheonsan Group has been researching magic stones, though most of the supply gets funneled to the Association, leaving you with limited resources. Isn’t that right?”

“So, you’re proposing a steady supply?”

“As long as you provide us with the essentials we need.”

To survive and build a foundation in Songdo, I can’t rely solely on looting disobedient villains. The support of a group like Cheonsan would be crucial. I’d provide magic stones, and she’d supply the resources to keep Songdo going. It’s a win-win strategy.

“Are you planning to overthrow this country?”

“Ahaha, Korean pride, I see? Why would I? The Black God Cult could topple this country if we wanted to, you know?”

As I smirked, Yoo-jin fixed her eyes on me, and her gaze sharpened with a strange light. The Eyes of Truth—Yoo-jin’s ability to discern lies from truths. It’s a lie detector without any margin of error. She can see the truth in what I’m saying and probably realizes that the Black God Cult does have the power to overturn the country.

After staring at me for a while, her pupils quivered slightly before she regained her composure.

“Then what exactly are you planning?”

“We’re gathering people in Songdo. Those abandoned by the government—they’re too pitiful to ignore, don’t you think?”

“Why would the Black God Cult care about them? Are you trying to salvage your image? Didn’t you attack Hansung Academy through Kim Jae-su?”

Hansung Academy, where her sister, Lee Yoo-jung, attends. The cult’s attack must have damaged the Black God Cult’s image in Yoo-jin’s eyes.

“Kim Jae-su acted alone, and that doesn’t matter much now. Isn’t this enough for you?”

I pulled out more magic stones, pressing her further. Her wary eyes softened slightly as she appeared to be swayed by my offer.

“So, you’re not just a cult after all.”

“Now that the true leader has arrived, of course, we’re moving beyond being a mere cult. Think of us as a militia. You know there are villain-backed militias in China, right?”

One of those militias is the Sinful Faction. They eventually align with the Communist government, launching an invasion to take North Korea.

“So, you want me to provide resources to the quarantine zone in exchange for these magic stones?”

“Yes. Prepare them and contact me through this magic device. I’ll send over a gate operator.”

I handed her a magic device from the Black God Cult. As long as we have a deal, she wouldn’t betray me. For Yoo-jin, Cheonsan Group comes first, beyond patriotism or national interest. The key was seeing if she’d find common ground in our deal.

“I can’t believe I’m actually partnering with the Black God Cult.”

So, it’s a deal.

“You see the potential in the magic stone business, don’t you? That’s what matters.”

“Will you ever show your face?”

My face remained obscured by a veil, immune to even her Eyes of Truth.

“Haha, my face doesn’t come cheap. If you want to see it, you’ll have to become a Black God Cult devotee.”

Not just anyone can see my face. Even the cult’s executives haven’t seen it. Why would I reveal it?

“I can’t join an organization I don’t fully understand. Fine, we’ll strike this deal, but only on those terms.”

“Yes. Then, I’ll take my leave. These magic stones are the advance payment, and I’ll contact you through the magic device for further requests.”

With that, I carefully exited the mansion and took to the skies. I had considered threatening to sell the magic stones to other corporations if she refused, but it turns out Yoo-jin is more ambitious than I’d expected. She’d rather cooperate with a villain than miss the opportunity in the magic stone business. Besides, this deal benefits her: I won’t lay waste to Seoul, she’ll profit from the magic stone business, and Cheonsan Group will gain security, as we’ll be watching their back.

The real friction with China starts around the individual competitions. While the team matches are domestic, the individual matches include cadets from China and Japan. During that time, there’s conflict with Chinese Hunters, and Si-woo makes a name for herself. The Chinese Hunters see her as a dangerous figure, and the pro-Communist Hunter militias push to take North Korea before Korea grows too strong. As much as I’d like to go to China and wreak havoc myself, there’s no telling how the future will change, so I’ll bide my time.

---

* * *

---

After Yu Eun-ha left, Lee Yoo-jin exhaled deeply in her mansion.

“Well done, Lee Yoo-jin. You held it together.”

She took a deep breath, as if she’d just survived a close encounter.

There was something Yu Eun-ha didn’t know. Yoo-jin’s Eyes of Truth did more than detect lies; though different from Yoo-jung’s empathic abilities, they allowed her to perceive a person’s essence.

“No way… that Dahaka was actually Azhdaha.”

Azhdaha may not have caused chaos in Korea, but in neighboring China, her reputation preceded her. People had heard of her—a notorious figure known for mass murder, cannibalism, and inciting riots. And Yoo-jin, without hesitation, had accepted her offer and even turned down the invitation to join the Black God Cult.

“Haa… haa…”

Yoo-jin felt a strange thrill. Perhaps Azhdaha was unconsciously emitting some kind of pheromone, but it didn’t matter. Lee Yoo-jin found herself overwhelmed by both fear and excitement before this dragon. Her panties felt damp. It seemed like she’d need some time to herself.

---

* * *

---

The day of the team competition. We arrived at Goryeo Academy and went over the rules once more. It was supposed to be a capture-the-flag game, though I’d rather it be a straightforward brawl. What’s the point of capture-the-flag, anyway? Are we supposed to play keep-away with monsters someday? Villains are easy enough to handle by just overpowering them. Since the Headmaster specifically asked me to make this a decisive win, I decided to go for a speedrun.

“Whoa, that’s Yu Jin-seok’s sister, Yu Eun-ha.”

“Ah, the famous lesbian.”

“And there’s the 2nd Sacred Sword user, Choi Si-woo—wait, is she a girl?”

Who spread rumors all the way to Goryeo Academy? If I find out, I’ll make sure they regret it.

**[Hansung Academy Class A Team 1 vs. Goryeo Academy Class C Team 2]**

And right on cue, we’re up against Goryeo Academy. Since it’s Class C, they’re no match for us. I don’t believe in holding back to let the protagonist grow; besides, Choi Si-woo and the heroines are already strong. Later, I’ll make them even stronger by enhancing them into creatures. And Class C Team 2 is far weaker than us. Reina, Han Su-ji, and Si-woo won’t even need to exert themselves, and Rosaria, our healer, is here too.

The victory conditions are either capturing the flag or rendering the five members of the

 opposing team unable to fight.

“Don’t let Hansung win! Even if they’re Class A, crush them!”

“Yu Eun-ha! Don’t you dare lose to those Yankees!”

Viola’s influence must have rubbed off on them; Goryeo Academy cadets were glaring at us as if they were out for blood.

“I can’t afford to lose with Goryeo Academy’s reputation on the line, not even against Viola!”

It seemed the cadets from Goryeo were also intent on fighting rather than playing capture-the-flag. If it’s going to be like this, what’s the point?

“What's the plan?”

“Well, it’s capture-the-flag, so let’s guard the flag. Si-woo and Rosaria, you take mid, Su-ji handles top, and Reina holds bot.”

It’s not exactly the same as an AOS game. Out of five, four of us are on defense, and one is offense. If they decide to break through in a single area, our defenses could weaken.

“Why should we defend? Let’s just break through them.”

I’d like to, but Headmaster Kim Young-hee specifically told me to make this an overwhelming victory. Seeing as she personally called me, I figured she wants to see my full strength. I have to make sure Reina gets her weapon.

“Well, there’s no need to make it complicated. I’ve already looked into the opponent’s lineup. What do you think, Si-woo?”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

“Alright, I’ll go to the jungle.”

The opposing team seemed to be using a decent tactic. Whether they know they’re weaker than us or if it’s just a coincidence, it looked like they planned to break through a single point. It was the same approach used against Choi Si-woo’s team in the original.

The five opponents would start moving through the forest to ambush us before we had time to set up defenses.

So, I positioned myself as an easy target to lure them. Let’s see how many will take the bait.