The air was hot.

Even though the boiler wasn't on high, the room was filled with heat to the point that one might think the air conditioner needed to be turned on.

"Sigh..."

Kim Tae-sik, no, Taejo, sat down on the sofa with just his pants on.

Sweat soaked into the sofa, but he didn't care. He simply opened the lid of the canned drink on the tea table and took a sip.

Inhale, exhale.

Pleasant breathing sounds came from behind.

It wasn't the rough snoring of someone exhausted, but the even breaths of someone who had fallen asleep after a very satisfying massage, making Taejo feel immensely content with himself.

"Sigh..."

The refreshing feeling of the drink passing down his throat made Taejo feel ecstatic.

That's because he experienced a whole new world today.

"I didn't know that warming up before the main game would make such a difference."

Hyun Chul-soo, no, the man dressed as Hyun Chul-soo, had shown him a new path.

It wasn't always the answer to overpower with physical strength.

Just by mixing in some technique, it was easy to bring down the opponent.

Instead of wearing them out by force, it was better to take the time to attack their weaknesses slowly, like climbing a staircase.

"I want to see."

Pure curiosity arose.

How amazing would the person sent by Gwang Ik Gong as the special guest be?

Seeing that he brought a woman with him, it was clear he was brought for patriotic reasons, and judging by the woman's reactions, she seemed to have a very open mind. How amazing could the man disguised as Hyun Chul-soo be?

Even if he wasn't dealing with the woman, or even if he couldn't see it directly, he wanted to see how anyone could engage in a one-on-one battle in front of him.

Watching the skills of a master, whether through a recorded video or any other means, always greatly helped in personal skill improvement.

"... I'm also curious about fighting multiple opponents."

Two were basic, four was manageable, and even five could be handled.

He could probably even win the legendary 1 vs. 17 fight.

-When fighting multiple opponents, typically three attackers approach from different directions.

That's right.

Thinking back to the advice given by the man on the train about multi-opponent combat, it was actually true.

-If one man is against all women, the single man can handle about four women simultaneously. Front, side, and above.

It was indeed true.

Taejo fought against four women simultaneously, forward, sideways, and above.

Though it was somewhat exhausting and quickly wore him out, the women's stamina also wore out just as fast.

"......."

Taejo stretched his hands forward.

The man only taught him how to move his right hand, but for an S-class ability user, making the left hand mimic the actions of the right hand was no problem.

Srrrrrk.

Taejo closed his eyes and reviewed the previous battle.

Moving his hands side to side, balancing left and right well, and making sure not to focus only on his hands but using his body properly.

"... I am lacking."

Hyun Chul-soo would surely be capable.

Since he did it himself, he must have spoken from experience.

What he said wasn't just theoretical but came from real experience.

"......."

Taejo leaned back.

The four idol group members, neatly covered with a blanket, were still sound asleep.

They must have been exhausted from the explosive dance performance during the military concert.

Even though they might be nervous about being so far from Seoul, they seemed reassured just knowing that Taejo, an S-class ability user, was watching over them.

Srrrrk.

Taejo stretched his hand forward.

He fought against four opponents with lower physical strength today, but soon, when he moved up to Sinŭiju, he might have to fight two stronger ones.

With Hyun Chul-soo, it would be a 2:2 fight, and though the woman with him seemed quite strong, the other side could also summon others.

"Was it foolish to come alone? Sigh."

Taejo tilted his head back.

If he could fight the upcoming battles like he fought today, how much easier would it be?

But that was impossible.

Realistically, it was impossible.

"......."

Taejo pressed the Taeguk Watch to display the video screen.

He quickly posted a question.

"Wow, this guy is crazy."

"......."

Yumir didn't respond.

It wasn't a question meant to be answered.

It was just an expression of genuine admiration.

"Yumir."

"... Yes?"

"Taejo posted a question to Golden Wing."

"Again?"

"Yes. This time it's a really interesting question."

I showed Yumir Gwang Ik Gong's smartphone.

"'How did Yang So-yu handle all his wives?'"

"... Who is Yang So-yu? An S-class hero?"

"The main character of Guunmong."

A man's dream.

The father of all harem story protagonists.

The protagonist of the novel Guunmong.

The story ended with "Oh, it was all a dream," but ultimately concluded happily as he met the eight fairies at the end.

As the harem master who managed to handle eight women, it seemed Taejo was curious about how he managed multiple women.

"Oppa, have you ever handled eight women?"

"Not eight."

I had handled up to five.

"That's unexpected. I thought you'd be like those villains in America who rent yachts and invite 29 models for a boat party."

"I don't have such intentions."

"Really?"

"... If I had to, I'd rather deal with one Baek Seol-hee and her 28 clones."

"Then I'll learn cloning later and challenge you with 29 Yumirs."

"I'm looking forward to it. ... Hmm, that's it."

How to handle multi-opponent combat.

Considering Taejo's abilities, the best way would be 'that.'

"Taejo doesn't necessarily need the clones to look identical."

"... What are you planning?"

"Like this?"

Imagining it.

In my head, just like I subtly hinted to Yoon Iseon, I put down my smartphone and slammed the goblin club into the floor.

"......Arise, King of Ghosts."

"Wow."

Yumir looked up at my shoulder.

Reflected in her eyes was a shimmering black arm and hand.

It wasn't solid, just a form made of magic power that looked like a mist, but Yumir showed great interest, carefully touching the magical arm that had emerged from behind my shoulder.

"This is quite new... How did you do it?"

"I just shaped the magic power into an arm. And with a bit of focus, I can manipulate it like this."

Thud.

"Ouch...!"

I moved the magical arm and flicked Yumir's forehead with my finger.

"How was it?"

"Ugh, I'll get you back! I'll learn that and mess with your entire body!"

"Revenge, really."

I patted Yumir's head again and sent a reply to Taejo.

"Still, he seems to have taken my advice well. Not just as backseat guidance."

"Huh?"

"He didn't invite me."

"Oh."

Yumir checked the time and smiled slyly.

"Then..."

"Once I send this reply, he won't come up with that ability development plan again, right?"

"......."

"He won't go out. Instead."

Yumir sneaked up on me, and I deactivated the arm behind me as I lay down on the bed, clutching the smartphone.

"I'll tell you if Taejo is coming down, so do whatever you want until then."

"Yay!"

Yumir immediately threw herself at me.

"......Just the arm?"

Taejo, no, Black Wing, stared at the smartphone screen, seriously and intently.

"Just the arm...?"

Taejo immediately got up.

He stared at the canned drink in front of him for a while, then went straight to the bathroom to wash out the contents.

"Whew, whew."

With a glint in his eye, Taejo lined up the cans in a row.

"Disassemble."

Snap.

The canned drink was instantly dismantled, and Taejo manipulated the fragments with his ability.

"Attach."

Taejo stretched his hand forward and layered the disassembled metal pieces over his fingers, creating a glove.

A gauntlet identical to Taejo's hand.

It scraped his hand a bit as he took it off, but by disassembling only the wide part of the palm and removing the glove, then reconstructing the part below the hand, the gauntlet was quickly restored.

"......."

Four aluminum gauntlets floated in the air.

The long, fishing-line-like wires extending from the gauntlets were tied to Taejo's hand, and he sent magic power through the wires.

Whirr.

The hands moved freely in the air.

Though they appeared to be moving like copied images, the hands were undoubtedly moving according to Taejo's will.

"If I use this...."

"What are you doing...?"

"Oh, you're awake?"

"That..."

The sleepy woman gulped as she watched the hands dancing in front of Taejo.

"Noona. I want to test something. Can you help me?"

"...If we can assist an ability user's skill test, we should gladly help. What should I do?"

"Just lie down. And...."

Taejo pointed inside the neatly organized hanbok.

"Do you have any unused patriotic latex left? Let's use it as finger gloves."

"...You never used it in the first place."

"It's you who wanted to be patriots."

As Taejo winked and rubbed his face against hers like a puppy, the woman reluctantly petted him and headed to the bed.

"Ugh... what is it?"

"S-class ability user's skill test."

"...Oh my. You have four hands?"

"Yes."

Like that.

"With this... I can handle multiple opponents at once!"

Later.

After practicing finger manipulation until morning.

Taejo mastered a new technique using his ability.

Its name.

Based on the photos Black Wing sent.

It's called 'Asura.'

==Chapter 294: Enlightenment From Patriotism (2)==

In martial arts novels, there was something called enlightenment.

This enlightenment could be obtained from various things, and this 'various things' was really quite diverse.

One might gain enlightenment from a beggar met on the street, from the principles of nature, or through the relationship between men and women.

And here, there was a man who had gained enlightenment as an S-class ability user.

"Is that a new ability?"

"Yes. It's the first time showing it to others."

Taejo pointed to the steel hands attached all over his body.

"With multitasking, I can move up to four of them freely."

As soon as Taejo finished speaking, the four hands, excluding his original ones, started moving freely.

Seeing those movements, which were exactly like a real person moving, I couldn't help but be impressed by Taejo's newly developed ability.

"Excellent. You've gotten stronger."

"Even so... But, what about your girlfriend's energy?"

"Oh. I scolded her a bit yesterday."

Yumir silently lowered her head.

To be precise, she was leaning against my shoulder, sleeping soundly, worn out by fatigue.

Although transformed, there wasn't a single red mark or wound on her body, but it was inevitable that she was dozing off in the morning due to physical fatigue.

Last night, I had given her a long sermon about discussing patriotism in the first-class train, and Yumir promised never to talk about it again.

"Maybe she was feeling a bit weak recently, or she just wanted a new stimulus. I might have gone a bit overboard in scolding her."

"Violence is..."

"I just lightly tapped her with a stick."

"Ah."

Perhaps because he was a man, Taejo understood immediately.

"It could have been a big problem. I almost made a huge mistake by inviting her."

"When I saw them this morning, it seemed like they had all visited heaven."

"Yes. I worked hard to 'massage' the four of them. Thanks to that, my ability control has become more refined."

"A massage?"

"A massage. Loosening muscles, pressing firmly, and relieving tension."

Seeing the four steel hands moving slickly on Taejo's body again, I was convinced he was indeed S-class.

Taejo the Fingering Master.

With six hands, the possible applications of these hands would be endless.

He could wield weapons in each hand and fight like a real Asura.

If he fired guns with each hand, six bullets would fly simultaneously.

He could control the four hands remotely using wires and make them move freely.

Most importantly, the 'four' here referred to hands that could move independently, and if he used all hands the same way, the number would reach dozens.

"Mr. Hyun Chul-soo. I have a concern."

"What is it?"

"I want to officially reveal this later."

"Hmm...."

Having already shown me his ability to manipulate metal, Taejo had no intention of hiding that he was Taejo.

"Is the concern perhaps about how to present the 'trigger' for this enlightenment?"

"Yes."

Taejo's eyes started to sparkle.

As I grasped his concern immediately, he looked at me with hopeful eyes, wondering if I had the answer.

"I think people might find it laughable if I say I developed this ability out of patriotism."

Well.

In this world, the omnipotent patriotism theory worked quite well, so would people find it laughable if he said he developed his ability out of patriotism?

There might be something like that written on the Hero Wiki.

"Mr. Kim Tae-sik. I understand your concern, but there's one clear thing."

"What is it?"

"Developing an ability out of patriotism, and needing an ability for patriotism, is indeed the true progress of an ability."

I had already confirmed two cases.

One was a woman who learned teleportation with the sole purpose of sneaking into a man's room unnoticed.

Another was a woman who, out of jealousy, developed the ability to clone herself so she could always be in my room.

"It might be a bit inappropriate to mention it directly, but there are quite a few cases of developing abilities out of patriotism. They just keep the truth hidden from everyone."

I mimicked zipping my mouth shut.

"For now, ask those four to keep it a secret. But you'll have to give them regular hush injections."

"That won't be a problem...."

"......."

Come to think of it, this man seemed to have a fiancée.

Well, he'd manage.

If she were going to become a demon, she would have already turned into one during the gene thief Faygreen incident.

"And you'll need to come up with a reasonable excuse. I have two suggestions for the most appropriate explanations."

"Two?"

"Yes. One is to reveal the original source. Whether it's a movie, a novel, or a comic, you can say you developed this ability after seeing it in some media."

"The traditional method."

"Exactly."

Developing abilities through media.

If an ability user officially said, 'I got the motif from here,' it generally wouldn't cause much problem.

There was a serious copyright issue, but in this world, the use of abilities by ability users was given more importance than copyright issues.

Of course, if an ability user perfectly or 99% accurately mimicked the fictional abilities seen in media and then denied it, they would be criticized.

"Then do you have any suitable examples?"

"Yes. Doctor Octopus. Inspector Gadget. Asura Man."

"...What are those?"

"Taejo."

He was seventeen years old this year.

A boy born after the 2002 World Cup, although that event did not exist in this world.

"Mr. Kim Tae-sik. Don't look at me with that 'what the heck is that, old man' gaze. I'm just someone who studies pre-cataclysm media and has a lot of that information in my head."

"Ah, yes."

"I'm certainly not extremely old or anything like that. I'm also an ability user, born after the great upheaval."

Do Chang-nam.

I only followed classic files, but I didn't age according to those classics.

"I just mentioned old materials. Understand?"

"...So, you're saying to claim the motif came from those classics?"

"That's one way, but there's an even easier method."

I stretched my hand out to the side.

"Say you awakened your ability in a crisis. For example, if a baby was about to fall off a bridge, what would a person instinctively extend to save the baby?"

"...A hand?"

"That's it."

"Ah. So you're saying to stage a crisis and make it seem like you awakened your ability in that crisis."

"Exactly."

Taejo clapped his hands and nodded.

"I understand. Thank you for the advice. Ah, and."

Taejo extended one of his Asura hands, created by his ability, towards me.

"I look forward to working with you. I feel like we'll be meeting often."

"I look forward to it as well."

I deliberately shook his Asura hand with my ordinary hand, devoid of any magical power.

It felt hard as steel and lacked warmth, but the nervousness was evident from the hand I shook.

"......!"

"Mr. Kim Tae-sik. Let me tell you one important thing that ability users should be cautious about."

Squeeze.

Warm energy flowed from Yumir, who had extended her hand behind me, and into my hand. I infused my hand with mana without showing Yumir's influence as much as possible.

"Just because you learned a new ability doesn't mean you should recklessly show off that power."

"......."

"An ability is just an ability. No matter how innovative, remember that it can always be countered."

"You are...more remarkable than I thought."

Indeed.

Since I countered his S-class handshake effortlessly.

"Who are you? I've never heard of someone like you."

"You might have heard of me. But I'm just someone who doesn't reveal himself."

"......."

"I'm just a man invited to Sinŭiju, and this is my girlfriend."

"......."

No point in asking more details as I wouldn't answer anyway.

Under my silent pressure, Taejo finally relaxed his Asura hand and sighed.

"Haa. There are too many S-classes in this world."

"......."

That line sounded like it could lead to corruption.

"Fine. Whether there are unknown S-classes or whoever you are doesn't matter. If I get in trouble while fighting Chinese and Russian S-class beauties, I'll hand over the baton to you."

"You might end up just watching from the side."

"Even if that happens, what matters is not my pride, but the resources of this land."

Taejo fiddled with a cola can marked with a Taegeuk pattern and opened the lid.

"I don't care if my pride is shattered. What matters more is the pride of this country."

"......."

How.

How could such a righteous person be born from the villain Min Ji-young?

"Tonight, we will depart for Sinŭiju. We plan to move separately by vehicle, not by train, and we'll arrange a vehicle for you two."

"Finally."

"Yes. We've received intel that they might cross the border as early as tonight...or tomorrow."

This matches our understanding.

Indeed, as a Black Agent, Taejo wasn't just a fool.

"I have a few more things to ask you before we head to Sinŭiju, hyung."

"...Hyung?"

"You're more patriotic and knowledgeable, so I'm asking you."

"......What do you want to know?"

"That."

Taejo licked his lips and asked cautiously.

"...How did you get permission from your girlfriend to be with other women?"

"......."

Later.

"As a man with a fiancée, how should you get permission to be with other women-"

During the time heading to Sinŭiju, I gave Taejo various bits of advice about relationships between men and women.

==Chapter 295: Enlightenment From Patriotism (3)==

After a while.

In the afternoon, inside an old freight train heading from Kaesong to Sinuiju.

"Living to see the ruined old North Korean land through a train journey like this."

"Indeed."

Yumir and I took seats in a different special cabin from Taejo, preparing for what would happen in Sinuiju.

As it was discovered that we were extraordinary ability users and since Taejo was in another cabin, Yumir and I, having released our transformations and set up a barrier, sat facing each other in our original forms.

"Have you ever been here before, oppa?"

"I came once on a mission, but it was just for the mission. This is my first time taking a leisurely train trip like this."

Since coming into this world, I had experienced another new thing I couldn't in my original world.

Leaving the Korean Peninsula by train.

Of course, we hadn't left the peninsula yet, but going up to Sinuiju was a new experience in itself.

"What about you, Yumir?"

"It's my first time traveling by train with a man."

"You're subtly appealing there, but that's good."

I pulled Yumir's cheek as she sent me a suggestive smile.

"Don't do that when others are around. Only when we're alone or with women who can safely talk without masks on. Understand?"

"Uh-huh..."

"And your answer?"

"Yes, sir."

Although she showed a bit of dissatisfaction, Yumir nodded her head enthusiastically after last night's definite ranking arrangement.

"I did it because I thought you would like it, oppa."

"I don't. Make sure to remember that."

I faced Yumir.

"It may look like I freely build relationships with you and Baek Seol-hee, but I have clear boundaries too. What you suggested on the train clearly crossed that line. Got it?"

"It's complicated."

"There's nothing complicated about it. Just think simply that I'm a very selfish trash villain guy."

"A selfish trash villain... Ah!"

Yumir immediately understood the combination of words.

"So, it's okay for you to meet other women and be patriotic, but I can't even hold hands with another man?"

"Exactly."

"That's amazing. The mindset of 'I can cheat, but you all must only look at me.'"

It sounded like the epitome of a trashy guy, but I once had this perspective.

As a single reader.

From a unicorn's standpoint.

As an author who attempted to distribute heroines, I was even ready to cast an ultimate 7,800 skill rather than the 5,700 skill.

And after coming to this world.

Meeting the Chief and four executives, I didn't abandon that unicorn mindset.

"Mir."

"Yes, oppa."

"Isn't it okay for someone like me to wish for that?"

"......."

"I'm not like Taejo, who messes with dozens or hundreds of people. The number of people I've had a deep relationship with isn't even in the double digits."

"Oh, really?"

Yumir's previously ambiguous expression brightened for a moment.

"I thought all the S-classes from other countries, especially those cooperating with the society, had their gates opened by Goblin's Bat."

"No."

While I couldn't speak for the Goblin's past as a player, the women I had met since deciding to live as Do Ji-hwan could be counted on both hands.

Even just the five people from the society already filled one hand, leaving only a few fingers unoccupied. But still, it was not wrong.

"I thought you had already messed with women like Nadeshiko or Jeongguk Heungdo Wang."

"It seems you had a big misunderstanding. I'm not that promiscuous."

"I heard Nadeshiko wants the Goblin's child, so I thought it was already done."

"No."

"But if she wants it and it benefits the society, you'd do it, right?"

"Depending on the situation."

Originally, I entered the academy for the beauty strategy.

I couldn't deny that.

"But I'm a man of principles. The women I meet, I do so with permission. Unlike Taejo, who acts without any restraint and even overturns his fiancée's attire, I report everything. I even send videos."

"So, cheating with permission isn't cheating but a netorase play?"

"Where did you learn such a professional term?"

"It was detailed in the Hero Wiki during the Hyangdan incident."

"Click."

In the process of dealing with demons, I didn't hesitate to use any means, and now this karma was coming back.

Maybe that's why Yumir acted that way.

"Yumir, I'll say it again. I don't like you holding hands with another man."

"Oh my."

"I also don't like showing our contribution to the nation's birthrate to another man."

"But it's okay to show it to women who also contribute to the birthrate?"

"Yes. And... I don't want you to be with other men anymore."

As I spoke openly, Yumir's lips curled up as if they might touch her ears.

"Tell me one more thing. Something decisive, just one more thing."

"I."

Holding Yumir's shoulders, I faced her.

"I hope that the man you date in your life starts and ends with me. I wish I were the only one in your life. If another man has to settle in your heart."

I placed my hand on her chest where her heart would be.

"That should only be our son born between you and me."

"......Wow."

Yumir placed her hand over mine on her chest.

"Anyone listening might think you're the protagonist of a pure love novel. Even though you're someone who meets this girl and that girl with the permission of your main wife, sending videos of your patriotism. But."

Yumir reached her hand behind my neck and lifted her body slightly.

"That's why I like it even more."

A warmth touched my lips.

"As long as I don't look at anyone else, you'll keep looking at me, right?"

That warmth wasn't cold, nor did it taste like blood, it was just soft.

"If it's not permitted, you won't look at other women either."

"Of course."

"......I want to take it."

Yumir's eyes curved like crescent moons.

"I want the place of the woman who can hold you like this."

"It's not something you can easily get. It's not something you can have no matter what you do to me."

"It's okay. I can learn bit by bit. Then...."

Just like before, Yumir, smiling brightly, placed her hand on my shoulder and stood up.

"Oppa is in your original form, I'm in my original form, no one else is here, and we set up a barrier so no one can see us, right? Then, it's okay here, right?"

"......."

In terms of location.

There was no problem at all.

"You're addicted."

"You made me like this, oppa, so take responsibility. When I see you, it keeps throbbing here... um, how should I say it? It keeps fluttering here...?"

"......."

Ugh.

My head.

"It must be a serious addiction."

The original protagonist seemed uninterested in such things despite having a harem, but now that Yumir had known a man, she seemed to no longer be the original protagonist.

"Do you like it that much?"

"Yes. If possible, I'd want to slow down relative time and enjoy it."

"What?"

"Create a barrier where time flows faster inside than outside, enjoy everything with you, and come out satisfied to find only 3 minutes have passed outside."

"It's really serious."

"See, it's you who made me like this, oppa?"

When the person in question told me to take responsibility, what could I do?

"You're making me worried that you'll actually develop such a technique."

"I'll develop it. At a place of your choice, where 30 minutes inside the barrier feels like only 3 seconds outside. I'll call it 'Hyper Patriotism Time'."

"...Taejo developed the Asura's Hand through patriotism, now you want to become a god who controls space-time through patriotism."

"Hehe."

Seeing her laugh like a puppy, how could I say anything?

Maybe.

This was Yumir's self-defense mechanism to relieve dissatisfaction and frustration after seeing the world's evil and filth.

"Mir, have you ever thought about destroying the world?"

"What?"

"This filthy world, with a thought of mutual destruction."

"...Hmm."

Yumir twisted her lips slightly.

"Well, it'd be a lie to say no. But whenever I do."

She clutched my hand tightly.

"After being with you, I want to find better things in this world."

As expected.

I finally understood.

"Yumir, if I'm wrong about you, correct me right away."

"Yes."

"You're lewd."

"Someone awakened my true nature."

"And you like being with me too much."

"That's wrong. The phrase 'being with you' is wrong. There's no one else I do it with, so 'with you' is misleading. It makes it seem like I'm comparing it with someone else."

"You crave me all the time to the point that we have these conversations."

"Then, you know what to do, right?"

Yumir looked up at me with golden, sparkling eyes and pointed behind me with anticipation.

"The barrier is perfect. Before we reach Sinuiju-"

"...There are 10 minutes left."

"..."

Yumir's face crumpled in an instant.

Click.

It was probably an illusion, but it felt like a meteor counter went up.

"Mir."

"Yes."

"After we arrive, I'll tell Taejo we're 30 minutes late, so let's focus on work right after, okay?"

"...Hehe. Oh, by the way."

Yumir whispered to me with a slightly apologetic face.

"...If you make it feel like 10 minutes is 30 minutes, I'll endure it."

"...I need to be three times faster."

It was probably an illusion, but it felt like the meteor counter disappeared.

Yeah.

Think positively.

I was controlling the being who was able to destroy the world with the Goblin's Bat and patriotism.

"Mir, what will you do if I die or disappear?"

"...Hmm, maybe drag the sun and blow up the earth?"

"Don't."

"Hehe."

For the peace and survival of the world.

Today, I engaged in an affair.

==Chapter 296: Enlightenment From Patriotism (4)==

We were in Shinuiju, more precisely, we had arrived at our destination.

The ones who got off the special room were only around ten people, including myself, Yumir, and Taejo.

They were all staff members who came along for the idol group's unique performance, and of course, they were all 'ability users'.

[Yumir. This way.]

I used a telepathy-like ability to convey my intentions to Yumir through mana.

[Are all these people Black Agents?]

[Yes. Their ability levels vary widely... but in reality, there are only two A-rank fighters and one S-rank fighter.]

Excluding the two of us, this described the remaining eight.

Except for Taejo, who was S-rank, the only fighters among the rest were just two A-rank individuals.

[The E-rank and D-rank ones are probably all operators or support agents. If they go into combat, they'll likely use the weapons inside that container.]

One by one, without drawing suspicion, they moved towards the container.

All of them, like seasoned agents, began to gather at the container in positions where they wouldn't be caught on satellite or CCTV.

[Let's follow them.]

Yumir and I also moved to the container.

"Um?"

"Those two...?"

As soon as we entered, the others tilted their heads in confusion, and soon their eyes turned to the person responsible for resolving this situation.

"They are special guests I invited."

Even with Taejo's words, the others did not hide their suspicious looks.

Since we still appeared as Hyeon Cheolsu and Jeon Yeonghui, they would see us as D-rank and E-rank, not S-rank and EX-rank.

"Chief. Even so, bringing bodyguards...."

"They are not the real ones. They came to replace the real ones. They were personally sent by Gwang Ik Gong."

"Ah...!"

In an instant, everyone's gaze changed.

As soon as the name Gwang Ik Gong was mentioned, the suspicious looks disappeared, and they began to look at us with a mix of admiration, trust, and a bit of envy.

[Their expressions changed as soon as Gwang Ik Gong was mentioned. But why are they jealous of us? Because we're a couple?]

[Because Gwang Ik Gong sent us. Gwang Ik Gong trusted us for this mission.]

[That's really impressive. The influence of Gwang Ik Gong.]

Even unidentified people could be trusted just with a bit of endorsement from Gwang Ik Gong.

Since it was Black Taejo who said it, these agents had no choice but to trust us immediately.

[But is it okay to reveal that we're not really Hyeon Cheolsu and Jeon Yeonghui?]

[It's fine. As long as they don't find out we're members of the Secret Society. And in the worst case, even if they find out we're Goblin and Golden Priestess, it doesn't matter.]

[Because Gwang Ik Gong sent us? To borrow even a cat's paw? Shifting the blame to Gwang Ik Gong?]

[Yes.]

I didn't feel guilty about it.

He told me to use his name if necessary, and the reason I participated in this operation was, of course, because of his request.

[Later, people will accuse us. Especially from China and Russia.]

[How could they ask Goblin for support, leaving aside the Golden Priestess?]

[Yes. But if Gwang Ik Gong is involved, the story changes.]

[Ah. If Gwang Ik Gong requested help from Goblin, then the world will condemn China and Russia, right?]

[Smart.]

How could they ask Goblin for help?

Once the requester became Gwang Ik Gong, the sentence transformed into: How could they mobilize such vicious scum to do evil things that necessitated requesting the Goblin's help?

The benevolent influence of Gwang Ik Gong was absolute.

"Hmm. Everyone is gathered."

When all ten people had gathered inside the giant container box set up near Shinuiju Station, Taejo placed his hand on the command table inside the container, which was set up like a situation room, and put on a headset with a microphone.

"Ah. I have control. From now on, I, Armored Taejo, will command the Gold Mine Defense Operation."

Kim Tae-sik revealed his true identity.

The other ability users were not particularly surprised.

They probably already knew.

Unlike what we learned through intelligence, the seven agents who came here with Taejo were likely all Black Agents like him.

"Before the operation, salute the flag."

The Taegeukgi fluttered on the monitor.

Everyone placed their hands over their hearts, and no music played.

"For the endless development and glory of the nation and people."

Instead, Black Taejo solemnly recited a prayer-like statement towards the flag.

"We are the hidden guardians who protect the nation and people. We dedicate our bodies to ensure those living in the light cannot see the darkness in the deep shadows. For the future people of Korea who will live on this land."

"Honor."

Black.

They were the ones who did the dirty work of the nation, the work the nation could not do 'openly'.

Of course, there were two kinds of Black.

One was pure Black, with no impurities.

And the other was the filthy Black, mixed with all sorts of things.

If asked which side Taejo belonged to, he was closer to the pure Black.

If it were the filthy Black, I wouldn't have brought Yumir along.

When dealing with them, there would be blood and gore everywhere.

"...Then, to your positions. Ah, what will the code names for you two be...?"

"Code names, huh. Hmm."

I thought for a moment.

Looking over everyone here, there wasn't anyone particularly suspicious.

The two unidentified A-ranks and the agents were all loyal to the nation.

And sometimes, for the sake of the nation, those who did not hesitate to aim their guns at the nation's enemies.

In that case, it might be good to throw out some 'bait'.

"Since I can't give you specifics, let's call her 'Gold' and me 'Gray'."

Yumir gave me a look that said, "Why am I Gold?"

"...Why gold and gray, specifically?"

Taejo also seemed curious.

Unlike Yumir, who innocently seemed to be saying, "I'm platinum," Taejo and the others appeared to be imagining all sorts of things based on Gold and Gray.

That was likely why they asked.

"You'll understand why later. When it's our turn to step in."

They would eventually see why Yumir was Gold and why I called myself Gray.

It's not because I stood on the boundary between black and white, but simply because my name was Gray.

"Rest assured. As long as we're here, no one will die."

"...I hope it doesn't come to that. Then, let's start the operation."

Taejo grabbed the microphone and pointed at the map.

"We'll confront the enemy at the gold mine here. The enemy won't come to the surface."

Red dots were pointing towards Shinuiju from across the Yalu River.

The arrows crossed the border and penetrated deep into Shinuiju, but the northern part of Shinuiju, visible in the satellite image, was as peaceful as could be.

"Right now, they're thinking of digging tunnels to get here."

The distance from the enemy's presumed base beyond the Yalu River to the target was only 40km.

Someone might say, how could they dig a tunnel for 40km, but with ability users, nothing was impossible.

"We'll intercept them at the entrance of the gold mine, underground."

"Are we not intercepting them directly?"

"There aren't just one or two tunnels."

When Taejo snapped his fingers, the red arrows instantly multiplied.

"We'll defend directly from the gold mine, using it as a base. Once we defeat the two traitorous beauties from China and Russia, the rest will flee on their own. Now, let's begin 'No Touch Operation'."

No Touch.

Like how you shouldn't touch someone else's woman.

You shouldn't mess with another country's resources.

At that moment.

Gu-gu-gu.

The sound of a drill echoed continuously.

Dust swirled, but the ability users quickly dispersed it with a wave of their fans.

"Hey, can't you dig any faster?"

"This is already a pretty fast pace."

"Hah."

Cheonma, who had directed a sharp voice at Rasputin, rolled up her sleeves.

"Shovel."

"Ah, yes!"

The man in a suit next to her handed over a shovel, and Cheonma approached the machine digging ahead with the shovel in hand.

"Hup!"

As soon as mana enveloped the shovel, Cheonma began digging out the dirt by swinging the shovel left and right.

Faster than the excavator, a tunnel wide enough for ten people to easily pass through began to form at a pace that seemed like a blur.

"Wow, impressive. Showing off your mana? You could just leisurely leave it to the machine."

"No time. Let's hurry."

"Still got that Korean rush, huh? Why are you in such a hurry?"

Rasputin climbed onto the excavator.

"Take it easy. Take it easy. We won't be late if we go once the machine's done. Got a date in Beijing or something?"

"Need to finish quickly and get to training. Unlike you, I have to win in the national competition."

"Oh my, win?"

"Unlike you, I only need to beat two people."

"Those two being Snow White and Gwang Ik Gong?"

"Hmph. I'll win."

Cheonma continued to shovel out the dirt.

"Definitely."

"Huh. So, you're saying you can beat all the other S-ranks? What if someone like Tosin shows up?"

"If she shows up, she shows up. Do you think those under Tosin can beat me?"

"That's a few years old story."

"Hmph. I don't care what S-rank shows up. I'll win. I'm Cheonma."

"Yes, yes. Well, hope they're men."

Rasputin, legs spread wide, caressed the large, thick drill of the excavator.

"Ye-rin. If it's a woman, she's yours. If it's a man... I'll take him?"

"You crazy villain. You'll get your head smashed by the Goblin."

"Looking forward to it."

She smirked.

"If I become the first ability user to seek Goblin's favor."