Chapter 48

Chapter 047

At that moment.

On a certain island, in a villa perched on a cliff, a woman with red hair, after finishing her shower, wrapped herself in a robe and sat on the sofa.

In front of her, an 85-inch large TV was glowing, and on the screen, a villain causing chaos was visible.

The villain, a counterfeit goblin, 'Dopgang.'

The design of the goblin, which was so similar yet different from the original, made one wonder why they didn't make it more sophisticated if they were going to copy the design, instead of making it crude.

It was like the distinction between 'Japanese-made figures' and 'Chinese-made figures' that one might see circulating on the internet.

Where are the Korean-made figures?

Unfortunately, Korea, except for individual sculptures, does not specialize in producing cute girl figures.

"Haa. I wonder if this is just another exaggerated hassle."

While the goblin is causing trouble, it seems natural for a goblin to appear, but the goblin must try to hide its identity as much as possible.

However, if it does appear, it would certainly be—

"Probably just passing by, as expected."

As if to save the pink-haired woman, the goblin kicked a utility pole targeting her and rushed forward. The woman, 'Gonggi,' sat on the sofa, manipulating her Taeguk watch.

"They're all here already. What, weren't they all busy working?"

[You're the one who's attending a video conference during your vacation, aren't you?]

"I can't stand the goblin transforming and getting involved in non-work situations."

Already in the video chat room, four others besides Gonggi had gathered.

The host, a woman with the nickname 'DDD,' had multiple windows open on the screen share, and these windows were live broadcasts from people on the scene using their Taeguk watches.

"President. I always wonder, do we really need to cover all angles like this?"

[ㅇ]

Though it was a short syllable, it conveyed a strong will not to be contradicted.

Not just for others, but especially for the CEO, who is enchanted by the goblin.

If asked whether it's good for the organization, well, who knows.

Every time, Gonggi worries that the organization might split into five factions and fight over one man, but she hopes that won't happen.

[Oh, he's turning into a demon.]

[Already?]

[Not quite a demon yet, but it will happen soon.]

[His mental state is already that of a demon.]

Gradually, Dopgang began to transform into a form that mixed the goblin's appearance with that of a demon.

[What? Is he pulling out a fan?]

[Is he going to come out dressed as a scholar?]

[Is something big coming?]

[!!!!]

The four were excited by the fan the goblin had unfolded to the side.

Gonggi, too, looked at the fan, imagining the goblin's 'scholar' form in her mind, and swallowed her saliva.

While a Western suit is also handsome, the goblin in a hat, mask, and flowing robe is truly his original form.

After first adopting a suit costume half a year ago, the goblin's transformation into traditional Korean clothing has been rare, almost countable on one hand. Gonggi straightened her posture reverently.

"Finally... huh?"

The goblin hesitated.

Just before transforming with the fan, he looked around at the people, tilted his head back, and looked up at the sky.

[What? Why is he doing that?]

[After checking the chat room, everyone is telling him to transform. They want him to become a Dori Rider.]

[What? Really? Why bother? Just get rid of the villain, why transform again?]

[Because they're 'men.' Hehe.]

Gonggi understood the men's feelings to some extent.

Personally, she prefers a cybernetic design over traditional ones, but this time, the Dori Rider's appearance was quite good.

Of course, the goblin's default, suit, and gentleman forms are all great, but the Dori Rider has a truly 'decisive battle weapon' image.

[Romantic.]

The moment the room leader wrote those two words.

[Transform.]

The goblin transformed into a Dori Rider.

And with the transformation, Dopgang fired a gun.

"Seriously, what the hell."

No one in the Order would ever attack an enemy during a transformation.

It's not about romance; the Order's way is to show overwhelming power by transforming and then defeating a stronger enemy.

"A Hero Academy student doing such a despicable act!!"

What if he gets hit by a bullet and injured during the transformation?

That worry turned out to be unfounded.

Swish.

A golden storm protected the goblin's body, and when the storm subsided, the goblin, now a Dori Rider, was revealed.

"...Phew."

She was genuinely worried that he might have been injured.

Not only was she worried, but she was also genuinely concerned that the other four might immediately drag their 'conspiracies' to Sejong Island if the goblin was hurt.

Fortunately, that didn't happen.

The goblin easily subdued Dopgang.

By breaking the head of the Dopgang who fired a gun during the transformation, the goblin tried to suppress him before he turned into a demon for 'guidance.'

[Ahh, sweet potato—]

[Don't they always mock without knowing? Hehe.]

[What will he think when he realizes that his own actions caused the villain to become a demon? Hehehe.]

"Ah. Stabbed from behind."

A red ranger who blocked the way had his chest pierced by the demon's hand.

And Dopgang became a perfect demon.

The situation had become irreparable, and the goblin summoned his magic to completely eliminate the demonic Dopgang.

"Look at that pink-haired one. She seems to be flirting with the goblin."

Gonggi subtly provoked the chat room.

"Is he using magic in front of the goblin to show off how heroic he is?"

[It's a cat.]

[Oh, don't say such harsh things.]

[It's not just a cat, but a fox more cunning than a gumiho. Look at her. While pretending to command the heroes, she subtly blocks the goblin's path. Not directly, but slightly diagonally.]

"That's true."

Emitting pink flames from two orbs is quite interesting.

"Yoon Eun-seon, the student council president? She's better than I thought. If it weren't for her feelings for the goblin, I'd consider recruiting her to our side."

[Are you serious?]

"Of course. Just because someone is a hero aspirant doesn't mean they can't become a villain, right?"

[.......]

Someone seemed to be irritated and made a frustrated sound.

Gonggi chuckled, poured wine into her glass, and lounged on the sofa.

"The heroes will handle it. Mr. Do, don't unnecessarily step forward—"

[I'm sorry, but.]

The goblin stepped forward, holding Yoon Eun-seon's shoulder.

The chat room froze, and Gonggi unconsciously touched her own shoulder.

Has anyone ever been touched by the goblin like that...?

[You're not using the flames correctly.]

Is he trying to teach her how to use the flames?

If so, will he show the power to burn a demon with a new method unique to the goblin?

"The goblin's flames. CEO, did you teach him anything?"

[No.]

"...Then why the flames—"

[Oh, Gonggi's hand.]

"!!"

Gonggi unconsciously grabbed her hand.

Her hand remained still, but she felt as if she had done something wrong.

[Why Gonggi's hand?]

[What? Why is the goblin saying that? He doesn't usually like to shout technique names.]

[Gonggi, what did you do?!]

"No, what did I—"

[Black Flame Tiger, Unleash.]

Boom!

Behind the goblin's outstretched hand, a black and red tiger appeared.

The tiger was Gonggi's symbol and the residual magic power manifested through her ability, and Gonggi unconsciously swallowed her saliva.

"CEO? Why is Mr. Do suddenly using a technique based on me? Yes?"

[.......]

The CEO remained silent.

It seems the goblin acted on his own, as the CEO was unaware.

[Heh. You pretended to be uninterested, but you made the goblin use such a technique?]

[They say a quiet cat is the first to jump on the stove. Is the goblin joining your team? No, right?]

[No, there's water, wind, and earth, so why fire? Teaching how to handle flames is one thing, but this is too much!]

Each of the executives had something to say, and the CEO remained silent.

Gonggi couldn't tell if the droplets running down her back under her robe were from the shower or cold sweat.

[Gonggi.]

The CEO spoke in a voice.

[Let's have a one-on-one meeting later.]

"...Yes."

Gonggi felt wronged.

* * *

The goblin used a technique based on Gonggi.

Why?

As a token of gratitude for Gonggi revealing the mastermind's identity and using it to draw me into the Order.

The overwhelming firepower that could burn even a demon.

If this much power came from a borrowed hand, anyone could imagine how strong Gonggi's inherent power must be.

[Understand? This is how you use flames. With overwhelming firepower that can burn everything.]

"...Ah."

Yoon Eun-seon nodded,