Chapter 207

Chapter 207

So he’s going for the Dream Demon...

Wurgen had been about to ask if Se-Hoon was serious, but he stopped; the sincerity in Se-Hoon’s eyes and demeanor told him Se-Hoon was.

The Dream Demon, one of the oldest members of the Ten Evils, was a troublesome being Wurgen had encountered several times himself, both before and after becoming a Perfect One, but always failed to kill.

He really thinks he could kill her.

Though it sounded like Se-Hoon was just making a bold statement, there was an odd sense of certainty supporting his words. It was the same confidence he had when he claimed he could recreate the Eternal Nocturne’s Phalanx, as if he were certain because he had already killed the Dream Demon once before.

He considered it. “Is this part of Ludwig's plan?”

If it were Ludwig's idea, not the boy in front of him, then it would make more sense. Yet Se-Hoon shook his head.

“No. The Chairman has nothing to do with this. I haven’t even mentioned it to him.”

“Why not? Wouldn’t it be easier to get his help? He does owe you from before.”

Since the Dream Demon was also one of the Ten Evils who had ambushed Babel, it would be logical for Ludwig to take action if the opportunity arose.

“This is just my hunch, but... I think he wouldn't be too keen on it,” Se-Hoon said after a brief pause.

“Ludwig wouldn’t?”

“Yes. How should I explain this...?”

Se-Hoon struggled to articulate his thoughts, trying to put together the observations and experiences from before his regression.

And it was only after a bit of contemplation that he could do so.

“It’s like when someone tells you to modify a blueprint that’s already fully devised. It’s just annoying, isn’t it?”

Ludwig, who had been secretly researching the Tower of Heroes, definitely had his own plans in mind. While he might help if Se-Hoon’s plan aligned with his own goals, he would likely hinder Se-Hoon's efforts otherwise.

I can’t be too sure yet. It’s better to tread carefully.

In his previous life, the long war had claimed the lives of many heroes, compelling him to recruit even the most unruly individuals, such as the Three Dogs. Now, however, there was a surplus of strong individuals available. In that case, it was better to bring in those who were likely to become allies rather than risk disrupting the plan by trying to convince someone who was ambiguous.

“You have a point. Ludwig would indeed do that,” Wurgen said, chuckling.

“So... what do you think, Mr. Wurgen?”

Whether or not he could bring the Perfect One before him into his plan would change the entire course of the upcoming events.

“Do you have the plan fully prepared?”

“I have the rough outline, and I’m working on its groundwork step by step.”

“Tell me about it. I’ll decide after I hear everything.”

For a while, Se-Hoon carefully explained how he planned to attack the Pleasure District while Wurgen listened without interruption.

Then, once the explanation was complete, Wurgen, who had fallen into deep thought, looked straight at Se-Hoon and asked, “So, what’s in it for me?”

“Well...”

“If you’re going to talk about something like fame, forget it. I’ve got more than enough of that already.”

Though his words were annoying, they were true. As the head of UD Group, one of the most powerful organizations in the world and one of the seven Perfect Ones, what would more fame mean to someone like him?

However, Se-Hoon had already anticipated such a question and could answer accordingly. “Isn’t your fame still insufficient to take the management rights of Danger Zones from the Heroes Association?”

“...”

“Fame comes in different forms, after all.”

If the UD Group were to pressure the Heroes Association for control over Danger Zones right now, other forces affiliated with the other Perfect Ones would inevitably intervene.

Therefore, Wurgen needed justification that would compel the Heroes Association to voluntarily relinquish control—a way of making them compromise.

“If you play a significant role in capturing one of the Ten Evils, the Dream Demon especially, the Heroes Association won't be able to resist as they are now. And once you’ve got your foot in the door... well, that’s your area of expertise, isn’t it?”

Wurgen was a master of infiltrating and consuming a group from within, so Se-Hoon didn’t need to explain further.

“...You really don’t trust the Heroes Association, do you?”

“Who would dare lie in front of you?”

“You say that, but you’re lying right now.”

It was clear from his words that Se-Hoon was hiding something, but if it was a personal secret, Wurgen didn’t care.

Carefully considering the plan Se-Hoon had laid out for a while, Wurgen pointed at the Eternal Nocturne’s Phalanx floating in the air once his decision was made.

“Stay still.”

Thump!

The Eternal Nocturne’s Phalanx jabbed Se-Hoon’s solar plexus, and with a tingling sensation, something was inscribed within him.

“I’ve inscribed a spell with the Phalanx. Use it to call me when the plan begins.”

“Can I use it if something comes up before then?”

“Never overexert yourself.”

Her grip on his shoulders tightened, and her eyes burned with intensity.

“No matter what happens, don’t put yourself in danger. Do you understand?”

“...”

Her gaze was so deadly serious that Se-Hoon just knew she would tie him up to prevent him from acting recklessly if she had to. And it was under that gaze that Se-Hoon realized something.

“Of course,” he muttered.

He would have to exclude her from the operation to take down the Dream Demon.

***

In a workshop where various prosthetics hung like meat in a butcher's shop, Allen Morgan, the head researcher at Marionette Factory, finally stood up after more than ten hours of continuous work.

“Urgh...”

Even high-ranking heroes couldn’t completely avoid fatigue and stiffness. Stretching to relieve his discomfort, Allen looked at his right arm, which was in much better shape than the rest of his body.

“If only the rest could be as good as this...” He sighed wistfully, staring and caressing his right arm. It was like his arm was not a part of his body but a masterpiece of invention.

While Allen admired his arm with fervent eyes, a faint vibration suddenly shook it from within. Noticing, his eyes widened slightly before quickly acting as if nothing had happened.

He then walked over to one of the prosthetics hanging in the workshop and pulled it down.

Rumble!

Following the shaking, a section of the wall was split open to reveal a staircase leading underground. He descended the steps and entered a room filled with finished prosthetics, golem parts, and other essential components.

Taking a seat in a chair, Allen then rolled his right sleeve up to the shoulder. It revealed that his right arm was much paler than his left and also thinner and slightly longer—like a transplant from someone else.

Extending his right arm forward, he infused it with his mana.

Woong!

With mana flowing into his arm, a dawn-like glow began emanating from it, illuminating the room. Soon after, the prosthetics and golem parts scattered around began to move, assembling themselves in midair.

Click, click!

Four dolls formed, each missing one part—a left arm, a pair of eyes, a torso, and legs—which were instead replaced by the same dawn-colored light.

They were the Regions, the five executives of Dawn.

Confirming their assembly, Right Arm spoke, “So, who called the meeting this time?”

“I did,” Left Arm replied, drawing the attention of the other Regions before continuing.

“Luize Valente and Lee Se-Hoon have applied for field experience at Marionette Factory.”

“What? Are you serious?”

“Yes. According to the schedule, you’ll be the one to interact with them.”

The Regions exchanged glances. Capturing these two—who possessed the qualities of the Voice and Heart—was Dawn’s top priority. However, it wasn’t an easy task, especially now that their strength had been diminished by recent events at Babel and the Ivory Tower, putting them under close monitoring by the Emperor of Ascension.

“It’s a golden opportunity, but it’s tricky,” one of them noted.

“Moreover, we’re currently cooperating with the Dream Demon on her Expansion plan. If things go wrong, we might end up in direct conflict with her,” another added.

If they attempted to capture the two and lost the few remaining assets of their organization, they would be forced to hide in the shadows for a long time.

As the Regions debated the possibilities, one of the dolls, which had been silent until now, finally spoke. “Are you all idiots?” Vessel’s voice was filled with incredulity.

“We can just assimilate them and send them back. The Perfect Ones won’t notice as long as they don’t look too closely.”

“Do you think assimilation can be done quickly?”

“Why not use the items we’re supplying to the Dream Demon? The ones for the Expansion?”

“That’s...”

Right Arm hesitated and fell into deep thought.

Seeing him like that, Left Arm asked, “Is it possible?”

“It’s a bit tricky, but... it might work. However, there’s something I need to warn you about first.”

Recalling something the Dream Demon had mentioned recently, Right Arm warned, “For some reason, the Dream Demon seems intent on securing Lee Se-Hoon for herself. If we get to him first, she might become our enemy.”

Opposing the Dream Demon, who controlled the Pleasure District, would be no small danger.

But the Regions just exchanged glances before laughing softly.

“Right. I guess there was no need to bring that up.”

Regardless of how powerful the Dream Demon was, what mattered most to them was bringing about the One’s return. If that brought them closer to their goal, they didn’t care about who they had to oppose—even if it meant making enemies of the Ten Evils or the Perfect Ones.

“Then let’s pick out the right candidates and get started.”

Thus, the Regions began to secretly prepare their next terror attack in the underground warehouse.