Heroine Hunts Heroines-Chapter 99

“How far does your defense perimeter extend, exactly?”

“Still, Eun-ha’s right about one thing: the Shinsengumi might be dangerous, but there’s no real reason for them to join the fight. If they come to Songdo and get killed, we can broadcast it and jeopardize Ha Jung-seok’s standing.”

“What if Eun-ha uses that all-burning thing? The White Flame?”

That’s even riskier. It would reveal our true identities.

“That would be like advertising who we really are. That’s why I’ve been strengthening all of you. Reyna, just firing arrows in your Dark Elf form will make hunters hesitant to approach because of the miasma.”

“So if we fight back, the problem is one thing.”

“Our identities.”

Honestly, as long as our identities remain hidden, it’s not that big of a threat.

Reyna can keep sniping from a distance, and Han Suji can execute hit-and-run tactics just fine against anyone who isn’t a guild master.

“What if we relocate our base? With Kate, it wouldn’t be that hard.”

“Songdo is our foundation. Moving so many people at once would be difficult.”

“But if the Association truly sees us as a threat, they won’t just let us be. Songdo’s location puts us in a position to strike Seoul from below on a map, after all.”

“That’s true. It makes us a constant potential threat.”

Choi Si-woo nodded at Reyna’s words, and even Han Suji studied the map intently.

“So, Eun-ha, your idea is to fight back?”

“Yes. Senior Yoo-jung needs to focus on producing as many golems as possible, and we need to recruit villains willing to stand with us.”

Besides, dealing with the guild alliance isn’t just about brute force. If I put my mind to it, I’m sure I can think of something.

“Eun-ha, what about playing the sympathy card with a broadcast?”

Senior Yoo-jung, who had been silently listening, proposed an excellent idea.

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It was exactly what I’d been thinking.

With a few broadcasts, many people had already developed sympathy for Baekhwa, even knowing I’m a monster.

Of course, hunters were split. Those who’d followed Baekhwa so far flipped their stance the moment they heard the word “monster.”

Still, public sympathy is powerful.

What will the public think when Songdo suffers while fighting the guild alliance?

Say what you will about this country, but emotions here run deep.

Since the Great Cataclysm, most people have become even more sensitive, especially compared to the hunters.

In short, emotional appeals are entirely possible.

Human rights groups would likely rise up, demanding the attacks stop. Then we could reach a compromise.

As expected of Senior Yoo-jung. I should grind against her tonight.

“Oh, Senior Yoo-jung, you and I think alike.”

“Then how about using five of Cursed Doll Mari’s puppets as drones to stream the broadcast from all angles?”

“No, that’s overkill. It might seem too deliberate. Just one drone for a single-angle broadcast would be better.”

If multiple broadcasts stream from different angles, it could come off as absurd.

“So our job is to fortify Songdo?”

“Yes. I have something else I need to do.”

There’s a very important task I must take care of.

“What is it?”

Han Suji asked hesitantly.

“I need to make contact with Seo Ji-yeon.”

“Oh, another woman.”

“Why Seo Ji-yeon?”

“She’s the Association’s second-in-command. I’m working on recruiting her.”

I answered Choi Si-woo’s question simply.

“Isn’t that risky?”

It’s worth the risk to at least bring Seo Ji-yeon to neutrality.

“Having Seo Ji-yeon with the guild alliance is riskier. Think about it. If Seo Ji-yeon comes to Songdo and starts taking photos, what do you think will happen?”

“Ah…”

The heroines’ faces twisted in realization.

While we might just end up trapped in the mental realm, the residents of Songdo would turn into photographs and reappear in Seoul.

Even if we win, it would be meaningless.

“So, at the very least, I need to ensure she doesn’t attack.”

“And how do you plan to do that?”

“By spending some time as a man.”

The age of the cross-dressing dragon begins in earnest.

Of course, I won’t be using my tail this time.

I’ll need to spend the next few days building up my cover.

“Why does it always come to this?”

“Yeah, didn’t you promise not to cross-dress in front of us?”

Sigh. These perverted elf and fire witch heroines.

Is all you ever think about my cross-dressing sex appeal?

“Are you two degenerates? Why do you assume I’m going to have sex every time I cross-dress?”

“Well, hearing the word ‘pervert’ from you feels strange,” Reyna muttered.

Honestly, with perverts like these heroines, the baby dragon’s bones are deteriorating.

“Anyway, I’m going to ‘grind against’—no, ‘recruit’ Seo Ji-yeon.”

Originally, I was aiming for Rosaria, but the timing isn’t right.

With a bounty on my head, Seo Ji-yeon is the priority.

As a member of the Hunter Association, she’s bound to follow Choi Chul-sik’s orders. I need to color her in my hue before she changes her mind.

That way, she won’t be able to betray me.

***

Seoul

The Hunter Association issued an official guild mobilization order to attack Songdo.

The operation to subjugate Baekhwa, which had been progressing quietly, was now well-known among hunters affiliated with the Association.

After receiving orders to stand by, Baek Cheong-gang and Seo Ji-yeon left the Association and aimlessly wandered the streets.

“Haah… Hey, what do you think? You going to join the guild alliance to hit Songdo?”

“Well, if they say jump, I have to ask how high. This is exactly why I didn’t want to join the Association in the first place.”

Baek Cheong-gang let out a deep sigh as if the ground itself was crumbling beneath him.

The truth was, he didn’t want to do anything. He wanted to avoid trouble at all costs, especially if it meant being resented by the people of Songdo.

The members of Yoo Jin-seok’s generation were hailed as Korea’s heroes, known for their sense of justice. Using brute force to suppress Songdo didn’t sit right with them.

“So, what’s Yoo Jin-seok up to? Still playing house with the flamethrower and the womanizer?”

If that was true, he’d barge in and crush that flamethrower with his bare hands.

“He seems to be investigating external connections linked to Songdo.”

“What do you mean?”

External connections?

“Think about it. The fact that Songdo has functioning survival facilities suggests they’re receiving outside support. Right? Without it, how could Songdo have such advanced infrastructure and so many people?”

“That… makes sense.”

Seo Ji-yeon frowned. This was bad news for Eun-ha.

Sure, Eun-ha technically was a villain. She was openly defying the government, after all.

But as dangerous as the Sins might be, was it really impossible for Korea’s current hunter forces to handle them?

Would it have killed them to consult with the Hunter Association?

Even external support wasn’t out of the question if Eun-ha had the power to travel back and forth between Seoul and Songdo.

“This is just too much.”

Seo Ji-yeon felt torn. The idea of betraying Eun-ha by reporting her to Choi Chul-sik left her riddled with guilt.

What should she do? Should she inform the Hunter Association now?

Could the monster forces in Songdo hold their own against the guild alliance?

If the government and the Association decided to isolate Songdo completely, would there be enough supplies to sustain them?

“Why so quiet?”

“Honestly, I don’t know if I should go.”

“What?”

“It just feels like a hassle. I’d probably just get cursed out anyway.”

To be honest, it wasn’t just the hassle—Eun-ha was weighing heavily on her mind. On top of that, the fans of Baekhwa would undoubtedly tarnish the Association’s reputation.

Baekhwa had built a substantial fanbase over time. Even after it was revealed she was a monster, many fans remained loyal after seeing her protect the people in Songdo.

“Well, nothing’s set in stone yet, anyway.”

Even if not now, it would happen eventually.

“Ugh, whatever. I’m heading out.”

“Suit yourself. I think I’ll go grab a drink.”

Letting out another heavy sigh, Baek Cheong-gang turned toward a bar.

Left alone, Seo Ji-yeon scowled.

“Yoo Jin-seok, you goddamn bastard.”

She pulled a movie ticket from her pocket.

The ticket no longer had an owner. Should she just throw it away?

Originally, she had planned to go to the movies with Yoo Jin-seok on a date.

But now, at this moment, she resented his righteousness and that damned flamethrower woman more than ever.

To be fair, maybe she lacked charm as a woman.

Sure, her face was pretty, but her speech patterns? Many said they were off-putting.

But what could she do? This was how she felt most comfortable. If she didn’t talk like this, she couldn’t fully utilize her abilities.

And so, her way of speaking had become second nature.

“Hey, miss. You’re totally my type.”

While walking aimlessly through the park, some idiot decided to hit on her.

Anger bubbled up from within.

Should she just kill him? It’d be easy to make one body disappear.

Shaking her head, Seo Ji-yeon dismissed the thought.

No, she couldn’t let a little anger drive her to something so extreme.

Fine. She’d just find out who this bastard was and knock his face in.

Turning around, she glared at the man.

“What the hell? What kind of ancient pickup line is that, you filthy bastard?”

At first, she just blinked, confused.

Why was he here?

“Oh, that didn’t land? How about, ‘You look like a girl who’d be fun to take to bed?’”

“What the hell? Yoo Jin-seok? No… wait.”

Seo Ji-yeon couldn’t believe her eyes.

How could someone look so much like Yoo Jin-seok?

Then it clicked. There was only one other person who could look like this if Yoo Jin-seok’s face were feminized.

“Yoo Eun-ha? No way. Where did those mountains go? Did you pad your chest or something?”

At her words, Eun-ha’s face twisted with indignation.

“For your information, my boobs are real. It’s just cross-dressing magic, okay?”

Fine. Whatever. But why was cross-dressing Eun-ha even here?

“Did you buy these movie tickets to go with my eunuch of a brother?”

Snatching the tickets from Seo Ji-yeon’s hand, Eun-ha grinned slyly.

Then, she extended her hand toward her, almost tenderly.

“Let’s go together.”

Caught off guard by his assertiveness, Seo Ji-yeon found herself unable to refuse the hand that looked so much like Yoo Jin-seok’s.