4. Player’s Trajectory (3)

Yeom Junyeol's basic battle skill was the Fire technique.

'Remote Ignition' was a skill derived from a Fire technique by analyzing it and developing it by Yeom Junyeol himself.

The 'Remote Ignition' was literally that. It allowed to make hidden embers with supernatural power and remotely ignite them.

It was the most optimal skill to burn the hands of the bastards who were so bewitched their eyes turned white for the pure silver coins.

'I planted the embers during all those annoying greetings.'

Just planting small hidden embers was enough to melt coin-sized silver nuggets in the banquet hall.

"Auughr!"

"Aaa, aaaah! My hand! My hand!"

Screams raised everywhere.

Because those greedy people gripped their hands tightly, and said they liked it very much moments ago, I engraved Sillentium's seal and crow on their palms like an iron brand.

One of the worst types of pains humans can feel is burning.

People wearing tuxedos and dresses tasted this pain right now.

They forgot about their dignity and rolled on the dirty floor, crying.

"Gasp, ambulance, call the ambulance!"

"It hurts…Ah. Aaack."

"Hisss, hand, my hand!"

But the communication was completely blocked in this place right now.

They could do nothing but groan in pain and toss around.

'Why not let that go?'

Regardless of everything, every participant still wrapped the silver coin in a handkerchief or clothes and put it onto their precious chests.

I guess SR+++ item was only quite good at shutting those mouths.

"Little Red Dragon Yeom Junyeol! It– It's all your trick!"

Of course it was mine.

'There is no person besides me who could do that.'

Currently, the skill level of my Remote Ignition was 10.

Finding hidden embers was only possible with at least a level 10 Detection skill.

The player possessing a level 10 skill wouldn't participate in such a dubious party and have even less of a reason to work as security.

Only I could deceive everyone's eyes here at the Fantasy Auction by turning into Yeom Junyeol.

Though, this world's real Yeom Junyeol's skill isn't level 10 yet.

"Yeah, I did it."

There was no reason to hide it, so I answered.

The guards and players seemed to have a high pain tolerance as they didn't crumble and kept standing despite the sweat profusely dripping from their faces.

After a moment of hesitation, they yelled.

"Th– That arrogant son of the bitch!"

"Don't even think you're going to leave alive…!"

They glared at me, holding their weapons and preparing to use supernatural powers, but they didn't dare to attack me.

Because even if they held a numerical advantage and had the possibility of overpowering me, at least a dozen of people who will rush at me first will have to prepare to be burned alive.

The professional philosophy of the security company that was willing to take on a job in such a dirty place and the guts of the rotten players, who precipitated in this auction, were only this much.

"You may start to think about excuses because people will come soon."

I bluntly provoked Byeon Sunhoe.

At this point, even Byeon Sunhoe who was hesitating, was so angry his voice pitch raised.

"Ha, people? No one can come in here! The communication is cut off. I have already talked with the local police station! Even if you call someone here, 100 bodyguards can use you as a hostage…"

⟨Using the active character's Gwangrim 'Summoning of the Red Dragon'.⟩

⟨Using the active character's skill 'Remote Ignition'.⟩

Paaaa—.

At my gesture, the velvet curtains blocking the windows were instantly set on fire.

The curtains straight up disappeared in the burning fire.

However, behind the glass of windows where the curtains disappeared, the fire pillar… no, the wall of fire stood ablaze and covered the entire building.

"No…!"

When using the Gwangrim 'Summoning of the Red Dragon', Yeom Junyeol's Remote Ignition skill's scope and power all rise.

Before entering a convention center.

I looked around it and put the hidden embers outside of the guards' alert range.

"People celebrating the new year are still awake. This fire wall will be easily seen from the Air Hotels floating above the Han River. The number of reports going to the fire station only will be over three digits."

Byeon Sunhoe's face turned pale.

Likely all the fire reports were coming up in the security intranet.

Only the convention center was wrapped in the thin fire wall like a dome.

'From the outside, it will look like it was caught in a very big fire because of the flames and smoke.'

From there, they will mistake it for an extremely urgent situation because the communication was completely cut off in this place.

Though, it was urgent in a sense.

"It's not a problem to call for support even if the communication around here is cut off."

This world's bad ending couldn't be simply blocked by bringing down the one pulling the strings from the darkness.

Numerous evil intentions and desires, incidents, mistakes, misfortunes, and misunderstandings, etc. add up and intertwine, resulting in this world's bad ending.

'I can't depend on the Gwangrim and skills only.'

Because, even if I received a powerful Gwangrim like the 'Player's Trajectory', I'll obviously reach a limit someday.

Just like in chess, no matter how powerful the queen piece is, the queen cannot win alone.

While I was skipping school, I researched this world to increase the number of usable pieces.

I searched for everything that didn't show up in the setting book. The world's philosophy, traditions, legal system, etc. Everything I could exploit for that.

And today I used one of the things I found during my research.

'Even in this world, there exist fire emergency response levels.'

Expected casualties beyond 2 digits.

Expected time to go out beyond 8 hours.

This scale middle-sized disaster is treated as a level 2 response.

At the 2nd level response, the fire station would call a prior contracted professional player team to quickly end the situation and rescue people, or in cases when the fire outbreak is assumed to be caused by supernatural powers.

"Within 5 minutes, the rescue teams of about 400 people will come here. Including at least 2 professional player teams. And add swarming reporters, gathering news about this year's first fire incident."

In response to Yeom Junyeol's Gwangrim, the enormous burning Red Dragon appeared from the subspace crack.

Red Dragon gently circled around me and put its nose on my shoulder, spouting out a fire breath.

However, with Dragon King's blessing 'My fire won't burn you', not only my body didn't burn, I didn't even feel the heat.

Weewooweeewoo—.

Dozens of ground and air fire tracks' sirens cried out and shook the convention center, mixing with the party participants' wailing.

"Do you understand the situation now?"

Even when I tossed provocative words, Byeon Sunhoe and the other bodyguards were quiet.

As I ran and got up on the stage, Byeon Sunhoe hesitantly stepped back.

"Then let's get a paycheck for the Dragon Live Show."

The item cards, put in boxes on the stage, gathered in my hands one after one.

Pat—.

When I melted and opened the boxes with a small flame, the item card's ownership was transferred to me.

Byeon Sunhoe had a face like he was about to faint at that sight, but even so, he couldn't approach me, because I walked with Red Dragon beside me.

⟨Obtained the 'East wind calling fan'.⟩

⟨Obtained the 'Ghost door[1] seeing lenses'.⟩

⟨Obtained the 'Tears with the breath of a mermaid'.⟩

⟨Obtained the 'Rusty tiara of a noble knight'.⟩

⟨Obtained the 'Blind cultivator's fan's charm.⟩

…..

…..

…..

The inventory list increased one line after another.

The cards disappeared in the menu item window with dozens of system notifications.

"Hahaha!"

My smile grew when I saw Byeon Sunhoe.

As expected, it feels the best when you are ripping off the bad guys.

'It also felt very good when I robbed the Fantasy Auction in the game.'

Even in the game's Fantasy Auction event, you could obtain items after turning everything upside down and searching the stage.

Currently, unlike in the game, it would be difficult for me to actively conquer otherworlds like towers, dungeons, castles and gardens, so they'll be valuable war funds and pieces.

"This–this thief!"

"Are you introducing yourself?"

I kindly replied to Byeon Sunhoe's nonsense.

A majority of things on the Auction were item cards related to supernatural powers or otherworlds.

'There are also things that couldn't be cardified.'

I was dumbfounded when I skimmed through the treasures that couldn't be changed into cards.

Byeon Sunhoe, you robbed until you robbed even the graves.

"Why are there national cultural assets that have been thought as lost here? You stole so many even. I'll treat them well."

After confiscating those national treasures, I must throw them to the Cultural Heritage Administration.

The treasures entered the inventory even though they weren't cards.

Byeon Sunhoe was outraged at the sight, but he didn't seem to think it was strange. He probably thought I was using a skill or item to pack the goods.

Though it wasn't exactly a wrong idea as it was the result of using the Exclusive menu skill.

Byeon Sunhoe shouted as if throwing blood.

"Do you think the Ung tribe will stay quiet…!"

I naturally considered the existence of the Ung tribe.

"Do you think the Ung tribe is quiet because they don't know? This situation is more fun to watch, so they will leave it alone."

After I broke up with Sawol Seemin.

It caught my eye when I came back to the banquet hall and was activating the status window.

Among the numerous 'not registered in the database', I saw Jin's status window.

Her eyes showed persistent boredom.

I didn't see even a bit of interest in the Fantasy Auction ahead.

'You'll know that attitude when you see it. The simple item seller and bystander.'

I was certain after seeing her in person. I won't be in trouble even if I crush this disgusting auction.

"It's your end."

As if understanding my words, Byeon Sunhoe's eyes filled with despair.

"Aaaaah!"

Byeon Sunhoe lost his mind and suddenly threw himself at me.

When Red Dragon moved to turn him into charcoal.

Pang!

"Huaak!"

"Serves you right! You bastard!"

The female bodyguard, who broke herself free and stood up, kicked Byeon Sunhoe in the solar plexus.

It seemed she dislocated her joints and waited for a chance while quietly pretending her hands were tied up.

Puk, puk! Puk!

"Kugh, kuk!"

She stomped on the fallen Byeon Sunhoe's solar plexus and stomach.

Byeon Sunhoe didn't have her fortitude and kept screaming like a pig.

"I'll rather be a rat bastard than an ugly pig bitch like you!"

While she was beating up Byeon Sunhoe, I manipulated Red Dragon and melted the lock of Sawol Seeum's birdcage.

Chink—.

When the door opened, Sawol Seeum threw away broken shackles and staggered towards Sawol Semin.

Sawol Semin's face was full of bruises. Even in this pandemonium, he didn't open his eyes.

"Uncle…"

Sawol Seeum sank to his knees before Sawol Semin and carefully raised him a bit.

"Uncle…I was wrong… I won't go to school… Don't die…"

While Sawol Seeum completely bowed his head in remorse and mumbled, Sawol Semin slowly opened his eyes.

In his flickering consciousness, he discovered Sawol Seeum and then the focus in Sawol Semin's eyes returned.

He blinked, mistrusting his own eyes, then smiled brightly.

"…Seeum. You're safe, thank goodness."

Sawol Semin lightly tapped Sawol Seeum with his unbroken arm.

At those words, Sawol Seeum smiled with his eyes filled with tears.

Behind the two, the siren sound gradually drew near.

'Looks like it's over.'

I took the items, so there is nothing to do.

If I wait, the support will come, but it'll be problematic if I'm seen.

Also, if Sawol Seeum is seen.

'No, not that.'

Sawol Seeum is this country's last dynasty's king's freed messenger successor in this world.

Someday he will be revealed to the world.

'He is still too young.'

He can't appear before the people in such a weak state.

"Let's run."

Wuu! Chink! Chink!

Following my order, Red Dragon broke a window.

I put my fingers on the foreheads of Sawol Seeum, Sawol Semin and the bodyguard of unknown name and gave them a blessing, so they wouldn't be caught in Red Dragon's flames.

Sharing the blessing with other people drastically decreases the time usage of Gwangrim, but I didn't have a choice to leave them here and escape alone.

"I gave you a blessing for 10 minutes. Please ride along."

I had around 30 minutes left to use Yeom Junyeol's Gwangrim.

I should hurry.

After I climbed up, the three helped each other out and rode along.

As disguise and protection, I wrapped the four of us in flames. After that, I ordered Red Dragon to fly into the night sky.

Paaaat—!

At the same time, the fire wall wrapping around the convention center was lifted.

From the outside, it would look as if the fire wall ascended into the sky as one.

When we rose above the clouds, the moonlight brighter than usual shined through the gaps of flames.

"Where is your home?"

"Ah, Seodemun district, Yeonhui neighborhood…"

Sawol Seeum replied without hesitation.

I was happy that my intentions weren't questioned, but should the successor of the king's messenger reveal his headquarters so easily?

'I roughly know where the Yeonhui neighborhood is from the game.'

Following my guidance, Red Dragon soon arrived at the place Sawol Seeum mentioned.

It was the entrance to a hidden mansion in the corner of a neighborhood park of Yeonhui and Gung.

"Thank you for saving me! Yeom Junyeol, right?"

"I'm not Yeom Junyeol."

Real Yeom Junyeol should be about now in the middle of the party in the air hotel with the Red Lion and allied teams and great politicians and business tycoons, the S classes of social world.

I specifically choose a character who had a perfect alibi, and on whom the Fantasy Auction's tricks won't work.

And…

'Today was also for Yeom Junyeol.'

At the Fantasy Auction, there was only one person who received the representative nomination and successfully entered the National Assembly.

That member of the National Assembly created an opportunity for Yeom Junyeol's death.

"You weren't in that place. No one saw anything. Bodyguard-nim should also not return home for the time being and hide here."

"What? But those piggy bastards…!"

"They will be punished by law. The evidence left, the testimonies of the rescue teams and professional teams entering that place, the journalists' gathered material, the brand engraved on their hands. There is a lot of evidence and witnesses. It's enough even if not everyone comes forward."

And I also laid some groundwork.

Adding to that groundwork, I fully provoked Byeon Sunhoe.

'Byeon Sunhoe will pick up a fight with someone who shouldn't be touched.'

The bodyguard heard my explanation and coolly nodded with a convinced face.

Sawol Seeum didn't have any intention of going out from the beginning, but he only looked up at me quietly while perking up his exhausted body from crying so much.

Sawol Semin opened his eyes with difficulty and just thanked me with a dying voice.

"…Um, thank you. Please let me repay you someday, by all means."

When I was preparing to leave with Red Dragon, Sawol Seeum spoke.

Repayment.

With today's event, I erased a few foreshadowings of the bad ending.

In addition, the price of the item cards I robbed from Byeon Sunhoe only easily exceeded a billion, but embarrassingly…

I replied to waiting Sawol Seeum.

"You don't need to repay me. As a compensation, try reconsidering going to the Eungwang School again."

In the game, rescued Sawol Seeum experienced a school life for a short time.

Sawol Seeum's first meeting with the outside world was delightful, because he didn't know anything.

A joke thrown by the teachers sometimes during a class.

A simple time of chatting with other students.

The menu of the day in the student cafeteria, etc.

He used to chirp like a bird whenever he appeared in the story, fascinated by something very trivial.

When the successor of the freed king's messenger, Sawol Seeum smiled brightly, simply happy about those small things, he was just like an ordinary kid.

I didn't want him to be locked inside the birdcage again this time.

"If you decide to come, talk only to the Head Teacher Jegal Jaegeol-nim. He is a trustworthy person."

I spoke while giving Jegal Jaegeol's device code.

There were a few more trustworthy teachers, but I didn't obtain their contact information yet.

'I don't have much time left to use Gwangrim.'

After dictating the device code, I immediately climbed on Red Dragon.

I left the last words for Sawol Seeum, who looked up at me.

"See you at school."

***

For the majority of the story, there were tumor-like beings.

The benign tumors were annoying, but they are harmless as long as you leave them alone, and they don't become extremely large.

The problem types were malignant tumors and cancers.

If left alone, that cancer erodes the story and infects characters until they die.

'If you eliminate that cancer lump now, other cancer cells you don't know about will form afterwards without you noticing!'

… such a thinking will exist.

So leave it alone?

That's a suicide.

In this world, the cancer-like elements had to be removed for certain, no matter the cost.

I decided to make a dangerous trade to obtain that elimination method.

"You arrived on time, human child."

The ones with the most records among the Ung tribe are the Eight Immortals.

One of them, Ungnyeo of Grief, was waiting for me.

*~*~*

[1] Ghost door – The 'northeast' to be exact. It's considered to be an ominous direction, because it's where the ghosts enter the underworld in Buddhism. Literally called the 'ghost gate/door'.

Translator's note: No idea what half of the sounds in this chapter were. Also, should I change Red Dragon to Hongryong(means literally Red Dragon)? It's kinda their name… Also I don't know how I should refer to them… it? They? He? I don't think it's a she… The existential problems of being a walking dragon shaped fire…. Well, you can tell me your opinions on discord.

After release translator's note: The dragon name will stay Red Dragon. Also, after this translator remembered something from far away future chapters, they decided to just use 'it' for the dragon, though if you really have to know they think 'he' is also appropriate .