Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Fame (4)
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Flap!
Han Yongjin spread his wings, formed from red membranous flesh, and soared high into the night sky.
In an instant, the people below looked like ants, and the city lights sprawled dizzyingly far beneath his feet.
His eyes, yellowed from the aftereffects of his physical transformation, turned toward Choi Seyeon in his arms.
"……."
Surprisingly, Choi Seyeon wasn't screaming or struggling. She stayed perfectly still.
The corner of Han Yongjin's mouth curled into a sinister grin.
"You're surprisingly calm."
"I'm not dumb enough to provoke a kidnapper like that."
It was hard to believe she'd just been abducted—her expression and voice were remarkably composed.
There was no trace of fear, anxiety, or tension on her face.
But she couldn't hide her body's reactions.
A faint tremor transmitted through Han Yongjin's arms, which cradled her.
"Heh heh, so you are scared."
"……It's my fear of heights. If you could just lower the altitude a bit, I'd probably be fine…."
Han Yongjin's eyes gleamed at Choi Seyeon's subtle act of feigned distress.
Smart girl.
She's found the best possible play in an unavoidable situation.
That makes me want her even more.
"If you try any tricks, I can always knock you out and carry you like that."
"……."
Choi Seyeon bit her lip at Han Yongjin's threat.
Seeing the frustration rise on her beautiful face sent a thrill through his body.
Heh heh, finally in my grasp.
With no real resistance, he figured savoring the view on the way wouldn't be so bad.
No need to shock a precious test subject just to knock her out.
His desire to rip into that flawless skin and peer inside was boiling over when—
"Stop! You bastard!"
Han Yongjin's gaze snapped around.
As expected, Sin Yeji—the owner of the Demon Eye that allowed flight—was chasing him.
"Hmph."
He wasn't particularly surprised; he'd anticipated this.
Flight required such precise mana control that even among S-rankers, only a few could manage it.
Unlike him, who had gained free flight through physical transformation with wings, an A-rank maintaining flight while engaging in proper aerial combat was...
"……!"
Han Yongjin's relaxed expression twisted.
He'd been flying straight when he banked his wings sharply, veering off course dramatically.
Whoosh, whizz!
Bundles of blue flashes streaked past him.
Even after dodging, they looped back aggressively, targeting his wings again.
"……Tch."
The speed and power were impressive.
Dodging alone wouldn't end it, so Han Yongjin swung his clawed foot out of necessity.
Clang, claaang!
The result was nothing like he'd expected, leaving him dumbfounded.
"……!"
He'd swung to shatter the weapons Sin Yeji had unleashed.
But they didn't break—instead, they ricocheted back toward her.
As if they possessed a will of their own.
A host of swords floated around Sin Yeji like blooming lotus petals.
It was one of the top-tier artifacts owned by the Shadow Lord Stein: the Illusory Thousand Swords.
"You damn bitch…!"
An unexpectedly powerful artifact not in his calculations.
Escaping with Sin Yeji behind him wouldn't be easy.
Deciding to deal with her quickly instead of fleeing, Han Yongjin charged back at her.
Sin Yeji, spotting this through her Demon Eye, hardened her expression.
At least A-rank, maybe higher….
A homunculus capable of physical transformation.
Remembering how ridiculously strong Jin Garyul had become in the past, she couldn't take it lightly.
Handling both flight and the Illusory Thousand Swords at once was a heavy burden even for her with awakened Demon Eye, so her odds in aerial combat weren't great.
—I don't know when or if something might happen. But if it does, respond swiftly—and remember one thing.
"You're not alone…."
A faint smile bloomed on Sin Yeji's lips as she murmured Kim Gunja's words.
Though this unexpected aerial battle had broken out, she knew her uncle would come to help.
No matter what it took.
Sin Yeji deployed the Illusory Thousand Swords and began her aerial clash with Han Yongjin.
Roooar—!
Kim Gunja's bike roared up the arch of the bridge over the Han River, scattering colorful lights below.
Flight, huh….
He'd suspected a homunculus, but one capable of flight was unexpected.
And bold enough to pull this during a public event.
Kim Gunja's gaze lifted to the night sky.
There, two tiny dots—Han Yongjin and Sin Yeji—were locked in combat.
They've climbed high.
A height even most Awakeners couldn't easily reach.
But Kim Gunja, having calculated on the approach, moved without hesitation.
Illya.
Mana poured from the Master Ring at his call, whipping up gusts around him.
—The Master Ring's owner can surpass an Awakener's limits.
Words he'd heard from Mongjiro when they first met.
An Awakener's limits.
That referred to their unique trait.
No matter how strong, non-reawakened Awakeners had only one unique trait.
But the Master Ring's owner could wield abilities beyond that through contracts.
Like now.
Kim Gunja twisted the bike's throttle to full.
Vroooom—!
Riding Illya's gale, the bike exceeded its speed limit.
The arch's peak.
Without slowing, the bike launched high into the night sky.
Whoosh!
Defying gravity, it reached its apex.
Kim Gunja stood, bent his knees deeply, and kicked off the bike.
Thud!
The bike, used as a launchpad, shattered and plummeted into the river.
Illya's winds boosted Kim Gunja's leaping form once more with an updraft.
Screee—!
His figure shot upward rapidly.
The two distant specks grew closer in form.
Still a considerable distance.
Zarathu.
Hummm—
Black haze rose from Kim Gunja's left foot, enveloping Zarathu.
His narrowed eyes fixed on Han Yongjin battling Sin Yeji.
Timing it perfectly, his hand flashed like lightning.
Thwack—!
Zarathu, infused with thick dark mana, trailed a long tail as it rocketed toward Han Yongjin.
Clang! Boom! Screee!
Choi Seyeon felt the world spinning before her eyes.
The insane battle at such a vertigo-inducing height was enough to trigger motion sickness.
Yet even in that chaos, she refused to close her eyes.
Biting her lip until it bled, she fought to stay conscious.
Someone's come to save me!
She might not help, but she wouldn't hinder—at least.
No, perhaps she could even offer a small assist.
Closing her eyes or passing out now would be utterly foolish.
And that chance came sooner than expected.
Scraaape! Slash!
"Urk!"
Blood sprayed from Sin Yeji's shoulder.
Her inexperience with simultaneous flight and Illusory Thousand Swords control drained her focus rapidly.
That lapse let Han Yongjin's diving claw graze her.
Ah…!
With little real combat experience, this injury in a mana-intensive scenario hit Sin Yeji hard.
Pain shattered her concentration; the defensive Illusory Thousand Swords slowed noticeably.
Enough gap for Han Yongjin, boosted by transformation-enhanced physical levels.
As he pulled up sharply for a killing blow—
"Die alr—!"
Smack!
Han Yongjin's head snapped sideways, and Choi Seyeon let out a short groan after slapping him.
Striking a homunculus's reinforced body barehanded couldn't leave her unscathed.
His murderous glare shifted to her.
"How dare you…!"
As Han Yongjin reached for her, having lost his golden opportunity—
Kim Gunja, using Zarathu for Shadow Walker, rose like a ghost behind him.
"……!"
Crimson Moon in Kim Gunja's hand traced a red arc across the night sky.
Heaven-Shattering Sword, Fifth Form: Reverse Heaven
Slash!
Crimson Moon, carrying his ascent speed and Heaven-Shattering Divine Art's destructive power, neatly severed one of Han Yongjin's wings.
"Gaaahhh!"
The cleanly amputated wing tumbled away, throwing Han Yongjin off balance.
Illya!
Whoooosh!
A fierce gale enveloped Kim Gunja's form.
His terrifying upward momentum slowed rapidly.
At this height, no need to worry about onlookers—he fully unleashed Illya.
His halted figure reversed into a vertical plunge, Crimson Moon drawing another red trail.
Heaven-Shattering Sword, Fourth Form: Collapse Heaven
Panicked, Han Yongjin grabbed Choi Seyeon's neck, raising her as a shield.
"Mmph…!"
But Kim Gunja was positioned above him.
With the full moon at his back, his shadow loomed over Han Yongjin.
Such obstacles meant nothing to him.
Shadow Walker.
His plummeting form slipped past Choi Seyeon like a phantom afterimage.
A red line etched across Han Yongjin's remaining wing.
Slash!
"Gaaahhh!"
Reason fled Han Yongjin in agony; he released Choi Seyeon.
"Ah…!"
As she plummeted toward the ground, Han Yongjin channeled mana into his claws, slashing at Kim Gunja's back.
"Grrr!"
Twisting midair, Kim Gunja faced the attack with a faint chuckle.
As if grateful.
"……?!"
Boom!
Kim Gunja blocked the claw with upright Crimson Moon, using the recoil to pursue the falling Choi Seyeon.
Han Yongjin had his own opponent.
Pierce! Scraaape!
Blades impaling flesh—the battle reignited.
No worries there.
Wingless and falling, Han Yongjin was perfect prey for the Illusory Thousand Swords.
Leaving the cleanup to Yeji, Kim Gunja called out to the rapidly descending Choi Seyeon.
"Choi Seyeon!"
She'd briefly blacked out from the high-altitude drop but now opened her eyes.
A man in a fluttering coat reached for her as he fell,
—I'll protect you!
Overlapping with the boy she'd seen as a child.
Truly… he hasn't changed a bit.
"You okay?"
Kim Gunja asked lightly, scooping her up.
"…Yeah. Thanks."
Confirming her safety, his gaze turned upward.
Sin Yeji's Illusory Thousand Swords pierced the bastard's throat.
To reassure the non-Awakener Choi Seyeon, Kim Gunja spoke.
"Don't worry. I'll land us safely."
With the roaring wind and sheer drop, it was impossible not to worry.
Yet Choi Seyeon smiled faintly, as if trusting him completely.
"I'm not worried."
Kim Gunja smiled back.
They righted themselves from their inverted plunge with Illya's aid.
As the ground neared, he gradually eased Illya's power.
Timing it so Yeji could reach them perfectly.
Wouldn't do for people to notice Illya's power.
As he focused, Choi Seyeon wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
"Hm?"
Kim Gunja looked puzzled.
Not fear, judging by her expression.
Before he could ask, she grinned.
"This makes for a better shot."
"Shot?"
"Forgot? I'm kind of a famous actress."
As if he could forget.
"I know, but…."
What did that have to do with anything? The thought was fleeting.
The glittering cityscape rushed up, revealing countless cameras aimed from above.
Now he got her "shot" comment.
Photo or video.
Any record-worthy angle.
A helpless laugh escaped him.
…No wonder she's a top star.
Thinking of framing even now.
Impressive professionalism.
"Whoa, they're landing here!"
"This is huge!"
"Don't miss a thing! Get it all!"
Cheers, shouts, and whistles echoed.
Under the night sky's glow,
Choi Seyeon, ethereal in her gown, cradled in Kim Gunja's arms as they descended—like a living painting.
Cameras poised for the event swiveled; flashes erupted in a storm.
Choi Seyeon beamed, mouthing silently.
"What're you waiting for? Smile. Come on, say cheese."
"Haha…."
Kim Gunja could only manage an awkward grin.
The next day.
News of top actress Choi Seyeon's attempted kidnapping and her Hunter rescuers spread like wildfire.
"Hey? Kim Gunja. That's the guy from the gate break last time…."
"Oh yeah! And Sin Yeji too."
"Wow, they're incredible. How do they always dive in so fearlessly? Must be the name value."
"Honestly, even if other Hunters vary, these two earn respect."
"Exactly."
The reaction was explosive.
Most impactful? Naturally, the photo of Kim Gunja holding Choi Seyeon as they fell.
"Whoa, but this pic is insanely cool."
"Thought it was a movie poster at first."
"Choi Seyeon's beauty real? Insane."
"Kim Gunja looks so awkward smiling."
"Why? I like the innocent vibe. Good guy Hunter who does real deeds. Suits her."
"Fair…."
Thanks to top actress Choi Seyeon's influence, Kim Gunja's awkward smile plastered domestic media and communities.
More spectacularly than ever.