Heroine Hunts Heroines-Chapter 125

The coordinates were already registered, so it wasn’t difficult to move.

In the president’s private chamber, as I had expected, Ha Jung-seok was drowning himself in alcohol, radiating defeat.

This world’s president sure lives a charmed life.

“What now? Are you here to mock me again? What do you expect me to do when all the Hunters were wiped out thanks to your little crusade?”

Why is he blaming me for that? It was a preemptive strike.

In the original story, they were used in the war, so his frustration made sense. But disarming him was necessary to weaken his power and to keep him from pulling his usual stunts.

“I’m here to make a proposal.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re well aware of the Yellow Dragon’s power. If Chinese forces tie up Korea’s main military in the north while Zhang Wei controls the Yellow Dragon to directly target Seoul, it will be devastating. The Yellow Dragon has burned areas larger than the Korean Peninsula before.”

“And?”

"And?" That’s all he has to say?

“I noticed your hands trembling during your speech. Are you scared?”

“Ha. Me? Scared?”

Ha Jung-seok scoffed, his breath heavy with the stench of alcohol. If this wasn’t fear, then what was?

“Don’t run away. If you want to continue your dictatorship and claim that Korea is yours, you’ll need to stand tall as a leader.”

“What does a child like you know?”

If I were truly a child, I might have snapped back. But I’ve been alive for over a century.

Not that I’d tell him that—I’m still forever seventeen, a dragon in my prime. Definitely not an old granny.

“Chinese Hunter forces will number at least 300,000. Korea’s military will only be able to delay them. Even if you muster every Hunter in the country, you’ll have about 50,000. I’ll add 50,000 from my Villain Corps to that. It would be ideal to stop them at the Yalu River, but considering their preparations, we might have to hold them at Pyongyang.”

“You’re offering Villains to the cause? Are you planning to stab me in the back?”

What does he think I am?

No matter how much of a villain I am, China is a worse enemy.

“Excuse me, President Ha. Villains are Koreans, too. They’re not doing this for you—they know that if China invades, things will be far worse for everyone. That’s why they’re willing to join forces with the Hunters to stop them.”

I’m not like you, you know.

“Fine. Let’s say we buy time with the Villains. But how do you plan to handle the Yellow Dragon?”

“Use the Hunter Air Force to stall it. While the unit was disbanded, the planes and pilots still exist. The Yellow Dragon is massive, making it an easy target for missiles. Bring the Air Force back online.”

In the meantime, I’ll bring in the black dragon, or deal with it myself if that doesn’t work.

“Do you really think a disbanded Hunter Air Force will hold up for long?”

If he’s asking me that, he must know just how screwed we are.

“Just focus on hit-and-run tactics. Don’t waste lives on a head-on fight.”

We’ll already lose enough on the ground. Let’s not let the Air Force fall, too.

“And if you stall, will you take care of the Yellow Dragon yourself?”

“I’ll bring in another dragon as an ally to fight it. It can understand reason, so negotiations should be possible.”

“Ha. A Villain trusting a dragon? Even if it’s real, I bet it’ll demand a high price.”

I figured he’d say that. It’s not like there aren’t conditions.

For the Villains to join the war, Ha Jung-seok’s cooperation is essential.

“The conditions are simple. Recognize the autonomy of the territories governed by Baekhwa Sect and stop treating Baekhwa Sect as villains. Call us an independent militia instead. Then we’ll fight under the Taeguk flag alongside the national military and Hunters against China.”

If we join as villains, the chaos among civilians would be inevitable.

“Do you trust me?”

As a person, no. But there’s one thing I do trust about Ha Jung-seok.

“I trust your greed for power and your desire to maintain your dictatorship.”

If Korea loses this war, there will be nothing left. Ha Jung-seok wants to rule Korea, not be reduced to a puppet or slave under Zhang Wei’s control.

“Hah. A villain running her mouth.”

“Believe me, I hate making deals with scum like you. But if you let it come to this, at least do something for the country for once.”

Ha Jung-seok sighed deeply, as if resigning himself to the situation.

“Fine. Let’s do it. But we must win—if not for Korea, then for you and your so-called Villain Corps.”

“Of course.”

As long as they can buy me time, I’ll take care of the Yellow Dragon.

They just need to hold out until then.

***

World Hunter Alliance

The world was stunned by China’s declaration of war against South Korea. In response, South Korea's allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom, convened representatives of the Hunter Alliance. Japan also participated in the emergency meeting.

Alec, the American representative and chair of the Alliance, pointed a finger at the Chinese representative in outrage.

“What in the world is this? At a time when humanity should be united, China attacks South Korea under the guise of reviving its former glory? Chinese representative, if you have a mouth, use it and explain yourself!”

“Do you still think we are the old China? It’s only natural for us to reclaim our rightful place!”

The audacity was staggering. Reclaiming their place? Attacking South Korea for dominance during such a critical time? Had they already forgotten that South Korea saved them from the Yellow Dragon once before?

“If you insist on calling yourselves a great nation, then don’t repay kindness with betrayal.”

“You insolent little island nation! A small country like yours should know its place and support a great power!”

Hiroshi, the Japanese representative, was appalled.

“A vassal state? South Korea has been a republic for decades. Are you still clinging to such outdated imperialist ideas?”

It was truly pathetic.

“Reviving outdated imperialism is laughable.”

“What did you say? Weren’t you the ones who oppressed our Sinocentrism during your imperial rule?”

Why were they dredging up ancient grievances?

“I fail to see the point of bringing up past events now. Sure, there are people in Japan who don’t think favorably of South Korea, myself included. But at least we’re not barbaric like China.”

Though Hiroshi made his disdain for South Korea clear, he couldn’t help but feel pity for their current predicament. Despite their frequent disputes, South Korea was at least a country they could reason with and had similar national strength.

Moreover, Hiroshi even found himself slightly worried about Kim Cheol-su, the Korean Hunter he had butted heads with countless times. Still, openly offering support was out of the question.

Shinohara Yuzuki had explicitly ordered Japan to maintain a position of neutrality and merely observe.

“Hah! Once Korea falls, Japan is next! Not even Shinohara Yuzuki can escape what’s coming.”

“And you think attacking Korea with the Yellow Dragon won’t provoke the West?”

Alec, rather than Hiroshi, stepped in to press the increasingly arrogant Chinese representative.

“Go ahead and send your reinforcements. They’ll die like the rest! Hahahaha! Is that so-called Joseon president too busy preparing for war to attend? What a coward! I was hoping to laugh in his face! Hahahaha!”

China’s confidence, bolstered by the Yellow Dragon, was suffocating. Yet, their claims weren’t entirely wrong.

Even if Hunters were sent to counter the Yellow Dragon, most would perish. Regular armies would fare even worse, ultimately draining their respective nations’ resources.

This wasn’t just about loyalty to South Korea. Sending Hunters to defend another country could leave their own lands vulnerable to Gates, which were already a global crisis.

The only glimmer of hope was Yoo Eun-ha, who was said to surpass even Yoo Jin-seok in potential. There was also the second wielder of the Divine Sword.

However, during the last encounter with the Yellow Dragon, Yoo Jin-seok had already gained significant experience and power. This time, it remained uncertain whether Korea could fend it off alone.

But the world had to hope they could. If China succeeded in conquering South Korea, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t target the U.S. or Europe next.

“As of today, China is expelled from the World Hunter Alliance. Furthermore, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States will sever diplomatic ties with China.”

“Hah! Do you think we care?”

China’s representative sneered and left the meeting room, unbothered by the so-called diplomatic retaliation.

With China gone, the remaining nations began discussing ways to support South Korea in their hour of need.

***

Return to the Elven Kingdom

We decided to head back to the Elven Kingdom—not for leisure, of course, but to find the black dragon, supposedly somewhere on the Lotus Continent.

“For now, I’ll leave the Villains under Elize’s command,” I said.

Rachel, having once led the resistance, seemed like the obvious choice to handle things.

“Wouldn’t it be better to leave them with Mom?” Reyna asked.

“At first, I thought about that, too. But Rachel doesn’t know enough about how things work here yet. She’s only just started learning about this world’s culture, and I can’t involve her in a war right away. Besides, she needs to come with us to the Elven Kingdom.”

“Hm. So, then we… no, that won’t work.”

Choi Si-woo trailed off, shaking her head.

“Exactly. We’re still cadets, and we could be called up at any moment. At least with the Villains, there’s a clear reason for them to go—searching for the black dragon. That’s why I’m entrusting Elize with command.”

Discussions in online communities were already buzzing with debates about whether Baekhwa would assist in the war or stay hidden. Some argued that Baekhwa wouldn’t abandon Korea, while others dismissed the Villains as selfish barbarians who’d lock themselves away in the Infiltration Zones.

But I intended to keep my promise to Ha Jung-seok. Not out of any grand sense of patriotism, but because I was determined to create a better ending than the original story and protect the world where my heroines would live.

Leaving behind a 50,000-strong Villain force while preparing reinforcements for the Yellow Dragon should be enough to convince people of Baekhwa’s support.

“That sounds like the best plan,” Reyna said.

“Rachel, where’s the black dragon?”

“According to the records, it was last seen in the northwest of the Elven Kingdom.”

We’d have to see for ourselves. For now, asking Maman seemed like the best course of action. Rachel’s world and this still-intact Elven Kingdom might have differences, after all.

“Should we come with you?” Reyna asked.

“You need to stay here and guard Songdo. I’ll probably be back before the war starts, but if something comes up, try to cover for me.”

“Got it.”

Most of the core members, including Choi Si-woo and Han Su-ji, were staying behind. Just in case, I sent a message to Seo Ji-yeon, reassuring her that everything would be fine. Guarding Songdo shouldn’t be too difficult for them.

“No, I want to come too!” Reyna insisted.

“Fine, but just you. I’ll bring the others later.”

And so, we used the Elven ruins to portal back to the Elven Kingdom. Kate had been working tirelessly to handle all the teleportation logistics lately.

It had been a while since I’d seen a proper fantasy world setting—the Elven Kingdom. The place looked like something straight out of an isekai novel, filled with breathtaking scenery and magical vibes.

But one of the rulers of this fantasy world was none other than one of my women.

The portal brought us directly to the queen’s chambers.

“It’s been a while,” I said.

Thanks to Kate’s mastery of Gate magic, getting here was a breeze. I had hoped she’d be asleep, but Maman was awake, sitting in a chair and reading a book.

Her elegant posture should’ve made her look dignified, but all I could focus on were those massive assets of hers, which were almost offensively distracting.

“Well, well. It’s been quite some time, hasn’t it, my love?” she said, looking up with a teasing smile.

“Maman!”

Read lat𝙚st chapters at fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓ Only.

At that moment, all my purpose vanished as I forgot everything else and threw myself into Maman’s enormous, pillowy embrace.