Chapter 62: 21st Century Robin Hood (16)
Fwoosh!
The shadow that surged from Minjun's body spread throughout the lair like an inky flood. Cheongchong's subordinates looked up in alarm, their heads snapping toward the spreading darkness that filled the air like spilled paint. A low, rumbling breath echoed ominously from within the shadows.
There was no reason for Minjun to enter an ancient dragon's lair without being fully charged with dark magic. Although Jenkinson had helped him polymorph into a fully functional troll, most of his internal organs had been 'sacrificed' and converted into magical power.
As a result, condensed shadows were now performing the involuntary functions of muscles, mucous membranes, and blood vessels within his body.
"Hold on a moment."
Cheongchong, with a grimace on her goblin face, spoke up. A flicker of unease crossed her eyes, but there was no hint of defeat or fear that the situation had turned against her.
"So you were hiding your true power all along. Only Jenkinson knew, huh?"
Her voice even carried a trace of interest.
Rather than pondering Cheongchong's intentions, Minjun focused on how to retrieve Haeunseong—on the direction, speed, and method.
Until Cheongchong spoke her next words.
"But Jenkinson doesn't know your classification number, does he? Isn't that right, Asif-666?"
"…"
The precise term was an inmate identification number.
No matter how Cheongchong referred to it, the fact remained that she had uttered a classified detail unknown to Earthlings and forbidden for inmates to disclose.
Minjun's tone turned icy. "How do you know that?"
He was already aware that their conversation was being isolated from others. Cheongchong had set up a barrier in advance.
"Just as I've planted eyes and ears on Jenkinson, there are allies who act as my eyes and ears for affairs beyond Earth."
What he had suspected when he saw the magic circle on the 30th floor was now confirmed. It wasn't something a dragon like Cheongchong could have developed on her own. Similarly, it was unlikely she could have discovered Minjun's inmate number by herself.
In other words, there was someone behind the dragon staring at him.
Fwoosh!
The shadows covering the space began to writhe more intensely, prompting Cheongchong to speak in a soothing tone.
"Hey, alien. I only wanted to talk, not fight."
Her voice remained calm, and she raised a goblin hand.
"So how about you stop showing off your power so suddenly?"
She bared her small, neatly arranged teeth as she spoke.
"I'm sure there's a point of compromise we can find."
Invading Minjun's space within the lair was a double-edged sword. While it restricted his freedom to flee or communicate, it also forced Cheongchong to risk the chaos he might cause inside.
For example, if Minjun were to descend to the 30th floor and destroy everything in desperation, it would be a significant problem for Cheongchong.
Yet the ancient dragon was acting this way despite the risk. Why?
Either she was confident in her ability to completely subdue Minjun, or she believed they could resolve this through negotiation if necessary.
It seemed Cheongchong had already dismissed the first option.
"Think about it. Why do we have to fight here?"
"What?"
The ancient dragon spoke as if trying to persuade the alien inmate.
"From my perspective, the expected damage outweighs the benefits of hurting you. The moment the Committee finds any trace, they'll put a bounty on me. For that dreaded 'asset destruction crime.'"
Cheongchong knew many things that the general public did not.
"So I don't want to fight. What about you? Before considering how much Jenkinson promised as compensation, why not think about whether you're obligated to fight me? Why do you need to oppose me? What crime have I committed?"
"I've seen everything, Cheongchong."
"You've seen them, haven't you? The insignificant beings who cling to dragons because they have no homes to return to or can't afford three meals a day. And the dragons submerged in the nutrient solution. The souls of dragons trapped within the magic circle."
She continued in a relaxed tone.
"I know. Those things on the 30th floor could be problematic under Earth's laws. As an agent employed by Jenkinson, it would be hard for you to overlook. But I want to talk to Asif-666, not Minjun, the Earthling."
She was suggesting they drop their Earthly identities and have a candid conversation.
"Let's set aside the laws that govern Earthlings and the codes that bind dragons. Think about it. Is there any bounty on my head right now?"
The ancient dragon smiled through her goblin visage.
"I acquired legitimate Earth citizenship and came to this planet. I haven't committed any crimes and fled to another world, so the Earth government hasn't requested the Committee's assistance in any investigation. I haven't damaged any Committee assets, nor has anyone ever tried to bring me before their Ethics Tribunal."
Cheongchong was listing the conditions under which the Committee would place a bounty on someone from another world.
"So even if you fight me, all you'll gain is whatever reward Jenkinson promised. It's probably in Talants, right? But when will you ever get the amount you desire? And even if you do fight, I suggest you abandon the illusion that I'll just let you win."
"What are you trying to say?"
The ancient dragon made a proposal.
"I can offer you something Jenkinson cannot."
Cheongchong's intent was clear.
She was trying to persuade Minjun to switch sides here.
Minjun's eyes narrowed. Instead of launching an immediate attack on Cheongchong, he continued the conversation.
"Are you talking about goblin DNA?"
"Haha, the demonic goblin! I've already made my promise. I know why you want it, too. The Committee's Special Mission No. 47."
The ancient dragon spread her hands and sighed.
It was an exaggerated gesture, like a theatrical performance.
"You want to complete that mission offering a non-taxable reward of 580,000 Talants. But what's the difference between that plan and digging randomly, hoping to strike gold?"
Despite pointing out the improbability of success, she added,
"Well… if you accept my proposal, I'll make sure that promise is kept. Goblin DNA collection is ongoing at the medical center. But."
She raised a finger, smiling.
"I'd like to add one more thing to my proposal. A mission that's just above the 47th on your list—one you see right now."
Naturally, Minjun focused on the string of characters only he could see.
• Legal pathways for inmates to acquire Talants and their reward ranges are as follows:
B. Perform special missions commissioned by the organization: rewards vary per case. See details below.
.
.
.
45. Discover a method to perfectly control the abilities of a prophetic being and provide a turnkey solution for commercial use: 520,000 Talants
46. Prove the origin of ghosts: 530,000 Talants
47. Secure and provide a complete DNA sample of the following species, long thought extinct.
(1) Demonic Goblin (2) Metallic Moss Type 7 (3) Interstellar Slime, Golden Hue Variant
: 580,000 Talants per species.
48. Directly witness and report on what is happening inside Dimension #77-102, which has entered self-isolation: 610,000 Talants
Minjun's lips parted.
"Ghost?"
The ancient dragon smiled.
"Yes."
"Yes. I don't know how ghosts naturally come into existence, but I'm on the verge of identifying and experimenting with a magical method. The magic circle is already set up. If you accept my proposal, I'll share all the secrets I've researched so far. Then, you can report to the Committee and collect Talants as your reward. It's so easy, isn't it?"
Hearing this, it was natural for doubts to arise.
Why and how do ghosts come into existence? Even the Committee hasn't fully unraveled the answer to this question.
And now, this dragon, living in such an isolated dimension, claims to have nearly solved this enigma.
It's unbelievable.
"Listen, Cheongchong. I don't know if that magic circle will really work, but…"
Minjun continued the conversation by posing another question.
"I'm certain of this: you couldn't have created something like that on your own. Who did you team up with?"
Cheongchong only smiled faintly, without offering a direct answer.
Minjun then changed his question.
"So, what exactly are you proposing to me?"
"It's simple. Help me. Do you think I brought those impoverished people underground for nothing? I'll explain the details once you accept, but… you'll have to get your hands dirty too."
As expected.
The impoverished people are being used as material to create artificial ghosts.
"Abandon Jenkinson and join me. Help me evolve Ryuhō's wraith into a ghost, and then give him a new body to resurrect him."
Cheongchong was proposing to share the crime.
A proposal to become accomplices and secure mutual benefits.
The Committee likely wouldn't prosecute this action. They're not the kind of organization that would move to protect a single young dragon and a few hundred poor people from a peripheral dimension.
To even face their ethics tribunal, you'd have to commit a massacre on the scale of "Theresia."
"Hold on, do you think I'm an idiot?"
Minjun twisted his lips as he spoke.
"After going through all the trouble to help you, if the experiment fails, I'm ruined, aren't I?"
He spoke and acted as though deeply interested in Cheongchong's proposal.
"I wouldn't even get the Talants, and my relationship with Jenkinson would be destroyed… Is it really worth taking such a risk?"
Cheongchong scowled in disgust.
"I don't understand why you're so attached to that foolish old dragon. He babbles nonsense about protecting the dignity and character of humans and goblins, and offers humanitarian aid to rival dragons. By our standards, he's a personality-disordered, mentally ill dragon. Do you think other dragons aren't lining up to take his place?"
After grumbling, she continued.
"In any case, you can drop your worries about this magic circle failing. As long as the preparations are thorough, there's no chance of failure. I'm asking for your help to ensure that preparation."
"Confident, aren't you?"
What could be the reason for such certainty, especially when she hasn't even tried it yet?
"Of course. You, as a prisoner, should know this well, so let me ask: who are the best at handling souls across all dimensions?"
Instead of answering, Minjun stiffened his expression.
No way?!
"Yes, this magic circle was created with their advice."
"The Committee is pushing you to do this?"
"No, to be precise, those who are deeply connected to the Committee."
With unshakeable confidence, Cheongchong said to Minjun,
"This magic circle was provided by the Carbites."
In that instant, the horrifying image of those creatures flashed through Minjun's mind.
An ancient species that resembled linear animals, with only their heads coiled like a spiral.
Minjun swore silently in his mind.
'Those twisted bastards are behind this too!'
Suppressing his anger, he feigned a shocked expression.
"My God. An ancient species?"
"Yes! Once you accept the offer and we begin our 'work,' you won't have any more doubts."
After a brief pause, as if hesitating, Minjun responded with a wary look in his eyes.
"Don't even think about betraying me."
Cheongchong extended her hand with a gentle smile.
"Welcome, my new partner."
< 62. 21st Century Robin Hood (16) > End
She pointed to the ground, flipping the finger she had raised earlier.
For the first time, an emotion appeared in Cheongchong's eyes.
"You must have seen Ryuhō there, that poor child, haven't you?"
The dragon with the contradictory name, "Flowing Lake," had once been Cheongchong's husband.
"He became a wraith after he died."
Her eyes gleamed as she added,
"After Ryuhō became like that, I waited. The chances were slim, but there are cases where wraiths evolve into ghosts. Yes, I waited for decades, hoping we could converse like we used to. But there are still no signs. So, I have to take matters into my own hands, don't I?"
Her next words were almost a murmur.
"He required a lot of attention when he was alive, so I'll help him even after his death. I must turn Ryuhō into a ghost. In this state, we can't talk. In this state, I can't save him."
Raising her voice, Cheongchong declared,
"Yes, I will bring him back. It will happen because that's what I want."
Decades ago, as the Chinese Civil War was drawing to a close, an ancient dragon who had made his lair in Sichuan made a decisive choice.
The ideology he had recently embraced closely resembled that of Jang Taejoon, believing that dragons should stop manipulating the Chinese people as pawns to fight and die against one another.
It's unclear why his thoughts changed so suddenly, but it was certain that other ancient dragons living in China found this ideology extremely distasteful.
He declared his intention to reveal the secrets of the dragons to the Chinese people. The ancient dragons deemed this plan a violation of the Draconic Code and gathered in Sichuan to deal with him.
At that time, there were dozens of dragons in China with duties and rights similar to those of Jenkinson in Korea. Among them was Cheongchong, who had just become an adult and brought her husband to Sichuan. Many dragons criticized her, saying she couldn't hide her lust even in her old age, dragging her young husband to the battlefield.
And when her husband, caught in the disaster of Sichuan, eventually died, rumors spread that Cheongchong had brought him there intending to cause his death from the start.
They said that if she had properly protected Ryuhō, he wouldn't have died so meaninglessly. If those speculations were correct, then Cheongchong had effectively killed her ex-husband.
But now Minjun realized that the truth of that day could be entirely different.
So she's been collecting Talants all this time to bring Ryuhō back to life!
Knowing the secret of Talants made all the pieces fall into place.
She's trying to do the same thing as with Haeunseong!
Minjun had managed to steal Jiseonkyung's body while she was still alive, thanks to the power of Talants. In essence, it was akin to bringing the dead back to life. Cheongchong was trying to do the same for her ex-husband.
However, there was a difference between Haeunseong and Ryuhō…
"I learned after many long attempts. No matter how much I relied on the power of Talants, it's impossible to fully resurrect a wraith."
Jenkinson had once mentioned that several of the alien men Cheongchong had encountered had already gone missing.
But there was only one in the basement.
So, where did the others go?
"The other dragons she kidnapped… they all died when the experiments failed!"
"Yes, even after erasing the soul and possessing an empty body with a wraith, it didn't last long. Contrary to my hopes, Ryuhō couldn't regain his sanity."
The critical difference between a wraith and a ghost lies in the presence of a complete self and memory.
Cheongchong had repeatedly tried to resurrect her ex-husband in his incomplete wraith state and failed each time.
I was wrong. She's already found a way to remove the soul using Talants? But if the issue is with Ryuhō's wraith…
Ultimately, Cheongchong had turned her attention to finding a way to change Ryuhō into a "non-wraith state."
By artificial means, turning a wraith into a ghost?