Chapter 187

Everything would be decided during dinner time.

“Ah, I shouldn’t have to say this…” White Dragon Snow spoke up for the first time. “But Manager oppa, please don’t come.”

Shadow Dragon Eddusuni was taken aback by her words and protested, “What?! You’re going out to eat with a guy, and you want to leave your manager behind? Does that make sense?”

“Sigh… Cut me some slack, Manager oppa,” she replied. “We may be minors, but we’re all Transcendents. Besides, is this even a date or anything like that?”

“But…”

Eddusuni’s hesitation was cut short by Ruby. “Listen, whether it’s ‘but’ this or ‘but’ that, if we tell you not to come, then don’t.”

“Eddusuni-oppa, watch your tone now.”

“Ouch. Why is this oppa so overly invested in his manager role? Just do it half-heartedly!”

Faced with the relentless onslaught of the five women’s criticism, Eddusuni had no choice but to surrender. Despite being minors, all members of F-D were Transcendents. In truth, subjecting a Transcendent to such personal scrutiny was absurd. After all, weren’t these beings revered as gods by civilizations beneath their own?

This whole conversation only arose because Eddusuni took their idol career far too seriously.

Moreover… there’s an even bigger issue.

Eddusuni recalled the dialogue from Dragonia:

F·D had the absolute support of the Foundation. There was even a crazy incident where Ruby wanted to ride Gigas, and a Palace-rank Gigas was provided on the same day.

Could they really be direct descendants of Lord Dragon? Well, it is unreasonable for someone to have this level of magic power at 450 years old… But if they were direct descendants of Lord Dragon, shouldn’t they be gold dragons or shadow dragons? At the very least, they should be Dragon Gods. There is no such thing as an ordinary chromatic dragon being Lord Dragon.

“By the way.”

Sapphire noticed Eddusuni was lost in thought and asked him,

“That man Jaeyeon… He isn’t one of those Dragon Lovers, is he?”

Eddusuni shook his head at her words.

“No, not at all. Just an ordinary Transcendent human.”

Dragon Lover referred to a soul with a unique disposition that could captivate dragons. Dragons didn’t care much for outward appearances, but these heroes possessed a charm that appealed to them. Such individuals were born when a hero’s qualities combined with exceptional talents to create a being who shone even more brilliantly.

Those blessed with this temperament or talent would be loved by all dragon species, becoming a social issue throughout history in Dragonia.

And why wouldn’t they? Dragon Lovers inevitably gave birth to half-dragons, which were despised by pure-blooded dragons.

Fortunately, Dragon Lover had a rather distinct presence, and Eddusuni, having encountered Jaeyeon before, was aware that despite possessing qualities befitting a hero or dragon slayer, he did not harbor the soul of a Dragon Lover.

“If he were truly a Dragon Lover, there’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed during our last broadcast. You’d spot it even with just a quick glance.”

“Huh? So you’ve seen a Dragon Lover before? But when would you have had the chance…?”

Hwakyu cut off Eddusuni’s question.

“Ah, it’s time. We’re leaving now, so wrap up your workday, bro. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“But…”

“I said it’s quitting time!”

“Agh! Why do you work so hard, seriously?!”

In the end, F-D shook off Eddusuni and headed towards the dining room.

The restaurant they had booked was a luxurious standalone house with an upscale ambiance. This place, which only catered to one team per day, was renowned as one of the top dining establishments on Earth-34.

If their guests weren’t Transcendents from the F-D Group, it would have been impossible to secure a reservation so quickly. In fact, ‘Won Jong-il’, the head chef and leader of the Cooking School, had even given up his vacation time to prepare for this event.

“It is my great honor to host such esteemed guests like yourselves,” Won Jong-il said warmly. “I am Chef Won Jong-il.”

“We appreciate you accommodating our last-minute booking,” Flower replied, striving to maintain her composure amidst mounting nerves. “We were so delighted by our previous visit that we decided to bring along some members of the group.”

Meanwhile, Jongil felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

What’s going on? The mood among them seems… off.

The restaurant he ran—Happy All Day—was a top-tier establishment favored byVVIPs. Even for those with deep pockets, a meal costing five million won per person was typically reserved for special occasions with special people. As such, the patrons who frequented the place usually had a warm and amiable air about them.

But the F·D group was different.

They’re like knights on the eve of battle…

The members of F·D sat quietly, but their aura was savage. Their intensity, reminiscent of walking atop a blade’s edge, was entirely out of place in a restaurant setting.

In contrast to their demeanor, Flower looked distressed as she spoke to Jongil:

“P-please prepare our meals. We’ll be having some confidential discussions, so you can skip the course descriptions.”

“Of course, Miss Flower.”

After Jongil retreated, F-D entered their home. Upon crossing the threshold, his gaze was immediately drawn to the central atrium that bisected the dining area. A pond occupied the heart of this space, surrounded by a harmonious arrangement of trees and foliage. This indoor garden evoked the sophistication of an imported landscape.

The kitchen and dining areas were clearly delineated around the atrium, creating a distinct atmosphere from private rooms separated by walls or doors.

As all five members filed in, they were greeted by staff who had been standing by, ready to escort them further inside.

Their destination revealed a large table set against a backdrop of Seoul’s panoramic night view.

“May you enjoy your meal.”

The staff member bowed politely and retraced their steps. As they did so, the pond, trees, grass, and stones that made up the courtyard seemed to come alive, moving to conceal the path.

“It’s too peaceful here,” Snow sighed.

Whoosh!

No sooner had Snow finished speaking than the night view vanished. In its place appeared a frozen lake so white it seemed one’s nose might freeze from looking at it. Beyond lay forests blanketed in snow. Then, as if by magic, swirling snowflakes filled the air along with a biting wind.

“That’s better,” Snow said, finally sitting down in satisfaction.

Flower timidly muttered, “Please don’t do that.”

Woooom…

As Magic Light flared again, the icy lake disappeared. It was replaced by a garden of vibrant green lawn and pale pink marble. At the center stood a neatly rectangular fountain, while behind it, a beautiful red sunset painted the sky.

“Look at this. Look around you. Don’t you feel the atmosphere?”

Hwakyu shot an annoyed glance, but Flower pretended not to notice as she sat down on a chair, gazing at the sunset.

Once everyone was seated, fragrant tea with floral notes and several appetizers appeared on the table as if they had been waiting for this moment.

Whirr.

Whirrr.

The teacups automatically refilled themselves when emptied, eliminating the need for separate service. This allowed them to enjoy multiple cups without interruption.

“You have no concept,” Ruby suddenly interjected. “Showing up late for a date with a lady after making plans?”

No, there was still an hour left before their appointed time.

“I guess being Transcendent makes you oblivious to such things.”

“Well, what do you expect when he hasn’t even bothered contacting our dear Flower once?” another voice chimed in.

“Hah! Seriously though, isn’t it absurd? What does our Flower lack that warrants such treatment?”

“She’s pretty, strong, good-natured, hardworking, and rich!”

“And her chest is huge, and her butt is…”

“S-stop it!” Flower yelled, face bright red.

“Let them in,” Ruby said, his voice deepening.

“We must maintain courtesy,” Flower replied. “Just because you lost the majority vote to watch together doesn’t mean… If you keep talking like that, I’ll leave my post!”

“Hey, we’re not kids. Don’t worry too much.”

“You’re right. Let’s talk more clearly…”

Swish.

Jaeyeon emerged through the bushes in the courtyard. At his appearance, flames erupted from Ruby’s mouth—not symbolic fire, but actual physical flames.

“Oh, you made it! What took you so long…?”

“Ah, everyone’s already here. I thought I came early.”

Jaeyeon strode forward with confident steps.

“Now, now at last…”

“Huh…?”

“What, what is it?”

“Ugh…”

The four members of F·D, who had conspired to crush his spirit, found themselves at a loss. Instead of anger, they could only muster bewilderment.

And then Jaeyeon smiled in front of them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I am Han Jaeyeon.”

”…”

”…”

”…”

”…”

Why do we find attractive people so appealing?

When seeking companionship, one would ideally choose someone who loves them, shares their goals, and has compatible interests. This truth is universally acknowledged.

Yet, what qualities define those we find ‘attractive’?

Tall stature. Symmetrical features. A well-proportioned physique…

In other words:

She was a beautiful person.

It is a well-known fact that even children who have never received any related education or been influenced by culture prefer attractive appearances. This suggests that pursuing beauty is part of instinct rather than rationality.

Those seeking to pass on their superior genes through better offspring perceive suitable mates as ‘charming beings’, in a sense obeying what could be called the ‘command of genetics’.

“Ah, h-hello there. I’m Sapphire…”

“You can call me Ruby!”

“I’m Hwakyu. Pleased to meet you.”

“I am Snow.”

The members greeted Jaeyeon one by one. He wore the suit gifted to him by Flower. The Dragon-brand black suit, more valuable than any luxury brand, paired with his hair neatly styled by the exclusive barber of the Human Empire, made him look like a successful entrepreneur.

The Transcendent Being, having surpassed ordinary human limitations through bio-energy, boasted a perfect physique that rendered his two-meter height not at all imposing.

Jaeyeon took a seat among them.

The members of F·D…

They… had intended to crush Jaeyeon. Of course, their plan wasn’t to physically attack him. Instead, they aimed to humiliate him with words, gestures, and subtle cues.

However, as soon as Jaeyeon stood before them,

the situation began unfolding entirely differently from their strategic design.

“I heard you recently ascended to the Transcendent realm. Truly impressive.”

“I’ve seen how you battle Transcendent rank monsters…”

It was like watching my dear friend go on a date with someone who seemed utterly inadequate compared to him. The guy received an expensive gift and pretended it didn’t happen, didn’t call first, yet when my friend showed signs of being hurt by this, he ended up getting scolded instead.

How could they not be furious at such behavior?

Yet…

When confronted with these scum-like men in person, it was too…

Too…

They were incredibly handsome.

It wasn’t just that they were genuinely attractive; rather, their presence instinctively captivated the women, rendering them powerless against their allure.

“Hahaha!”

“Heh-heh-heh!”

“Ha-ha! That’s hilarious!”

The conversation flowed effortlessly as each participant continuously found new topics, leaving ample room for others to contribute. They praised one another while subtly sharing personal stories about themselves.

With four individuals engaging in this manner, the dialogue inevitably took on a warm and friendly tone.

In that moment, their instincts screamed:

We must bear [its] children.

Even Flower felt the same way, Han Jaeyeon mused.

The F-D members all have great personalities. I wonder why people online described them as difficult…

Once again, one could never trust what was said on the internet.