Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: Kang Inhyeok (1)
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As the red light on the camera flickered to life.
"Hellooo, everyone!"
The booming voice of hunter specialist caster Jang Yongjun echoed across the artificial island.
"Hello!"
Beauty caster Chae Siyeon flashed a radiant smile.
"Ah, what a truly thrilling day! Caster Chae Siyeon, what did you think of today's matches?"
"I completely lost track of time! Wow, flashes everywhere, trees and rocks shattering... It was more cinematic than any movie!"
Just as Chae Siyeon said, reactions from online communities and viewers were red-hot.
"Haha! Unlike the hunter exam, these are veterans, so the level was sky-high. And now, only the main event of today's show remains!"
"Yes! The S-rank showdown! Only Kang Inhyeok versus Kim Gunja left!"
With those words, holograms of Kang Inhyeok and Kim Gunja's profiles popped up.
Lord of Blood, Kang Inhyeok (22)
Gentleman Sword, Kim Gunja (29)
Beneath the profiles, listing various achievements beyond levels, were expert predictions on the winner.
9 to 1.
The experts overwhelmingly favored Kang Inhyeok.
As if proving the viewers' predictions spot-on, the casters continued.
"Some might complain it's too one-sided!"
"But there's solid reasoning behind it!"
Expert interview clips played, followed by analysis of Kang Inhyeok's unique trait: blood manipulation.
Scenes showed him shaping blood into weapons or armor, absorbing it to heal wounds and restore stamina.
On blood-soaked battlefields, he seemed invincible.
Next came analysis of Kim Gunja's abilities.
Explosive swordsmanship beyond belief, ghostly movements with daggers.
Impressive for a typical awakener, but after Kang Inhyeok's cheat-like trait, it felt a bit lacking.
Online sentiment had already accepted the outcome as set in stone.
Of course, a vocal minority always bucked the trend.
As the hype built, caster Jang Yongjun wrapped up with final remarks, signaling the friendly match was imminent.
Artificial island ruins area.
A slightly eerie vibe from shattered asphalt and buildings.
Familiar turf for Kim Gunja.
'Been a while.'
The site of his clash with Han Juyeong.
Match staff positioned on high buildings, as Kang Inhyeok casually cracked his neck.
Crack, pop.
Before broadcast went live, perhaps.
Kang Inhyeok dropped the mask.
"Heh, you actually showed up?"
"Not the type to run from dogs."
"Hah... No clue what gives you the balls."
Kang Inhyeok brushed back his bangs with a sneer.
"Can't gauge your level? Heard you were a lowly non-awakener not long ago. That it?"
Lowly.
That word conjured an unforgettable sight for Kim Gunja.
Kang Inhyeok, gleefully clamping Jintae's mouth shut.
— Shh. Don't be so crude, okay?
He closed his eyes briefly, tempering boiling rage, then asked in a low voice.
"Still don't remember?"
"What the fuck are you on about? Speak clearly."
At Kang Inhyeok's baffled tone, Kim Gunja skipped the explanation.
If he didn't know, fine.
Payback was the plan anyway.
"Hah, now you're ignoring me?"
Ignoring the babbling Kang Inhyeok.
Kim Gunja eyed the staff, counting down to start time.
Tick-tock.
Just seconds until the 5 PM kickoff.
Also the promised moment for Infinite Guild and Geum Jinung to move.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Kaisir's heart pounded fiercely.
Not excitement.
Prepping peak tension before battle.
Mana from the Infinite Vessel surged through Kim Gunja's circuits.
Body level, mana level—both rising beyond measured peaks.
The drone light flashed.
Waiting staff opened their mouth.
"Match start...!"
The word barely dropped.
Boom!
Asphalt exploded as Kim Gunja shot forward like a beam of light.
"...!"
Shock wiped the curse from Kang Inhyeok's face.
Complacency, arrogance, hidden prowess.
The combo left him flat-footed.
Heaven-Shattering Divine Art-infused fist trailed red haze, smashing Kang Inhyeok's face.
Crunch!
Nose shattered, face caved in.
Residual force hurled his body back like a rubber ball.
Bang! Bang! Boom!
By inertia's law, piercing buildings before halting.
"Hic...!"
The starter staff hiccuped in shock.
Kim Gunja slowly drew Cheyue.
Not ending here.
That punch felt heavy.
Mana-shielded defense.
'Even off-guard, S-rank confirmed.'
But same for him.
That opener? Just a greeting, proxy for face-smashed Byunghoon.
Inhale.
"Exhale."
Steadying breath.
Kim Gunja's cold eyes burned vivid.
Jintae's leg, meant for wedding aisle, twisted grotesquely.
Hangil's fingers, set to inherit family restaurant, snapped like twigs.
Giyun's jaw and teeth, shattered mid-laugh at parents' reunion news.
Debts overflowed.
"Aaaargh! You fucker!"
Boom!
Kang Inhyeok burst from concrete rubble, clutching a mid-size snake—C-rank beast.
Crunch!
Snake mummified instantly, dropped.
Conversely, his caved face regenerated.
Self-repair via trait.
Truly blessed, Kim Gunja thought.
Some bore lifelong disabilities from less.
Thus, unforgivable.
Turn that blessing to curse.
With that power, Kang Inhyeok wouldn't die easy.
Bloodshot eyes locked on Kim Gunja, Kang charged back.
Boom!
"Die!"
Blood-forged crimson sword gleamed in his grip.
Cheyue met him.
Clang! Scraaaape!
Blinding speed, dozens of clashes.
Slash! Scorch!
Aftershocks scarred buildings, asphalt deeply.
"Eek!"
Staff scrambled back in panic.
Unlucky beasts caught in fringes, died.
Corpse blood coalesced into crimson spear, targeting Kim Gunja.
Whiiish!
Kim Gunja ghosted aside, countering legs.
Cheyue deep-slashed thigh; Kang staggered wildly.
"You bastard!"
Missed spear bubbled into hammer, crashing down.
Heaven-Shattering Sword, 5th Form: Reverse Heaven
Cheyue arced from below, defying skies.
Booom!
Unbelievable clash of blood hammer and blade rocked ruins.
Relentless instant exchanges.
Suddenly, sunset-like red trails and shockwaves filled around them.
Staff watched, dumbfounded.
"Wh-what...?"
Kang-favored opinions laughed off; skills evenly matched.
Nay, opener and poise gave Kim Gunja edge.
Of course, staff unaware of his restrained power for the plan.
Shock brief.
Staff floundered on handling.
'Supposed to be friendly...'
This? Blood feud.
Hesitation-free strikes mocking "Gentleman Sword," Kang no hero either—pure scum.
'This on air? Hero Guild's thinking? Cut it?'
Glancing back unconsciously.
Boom! Crunch!
Terrain warping.
Ruined buildings collapsing, earth flipping.
...Stop that?
How?
Beyond his paygrade.
Even top-down halt impossible alone.
'Dunno. They got plans. Same guild, won't kill, right? Worst case, cut broadcast.'
Rationalized thus.
And spot-on, somewhat.
Broadcast cutoff prepped around island.
Thud!
Rebar concrete chunk crashed before his feet.
"......"
Staff nodded, retreating excessively.
For safety.
Internet: pure chaos.
Unpredicted flow crashed boards, chats.
Shock, joy, cheers at the twist.
Reversals always thrilled.
Of course.
Diverse takes, but consensus formed.
All eyes on Kang Inhyeok and Kim Gunja.
Viewership graph spiked vertically from steady climb.
In the frenzy, one video surfaced quietly.
Detailed footage spread virally like cancer via net and word-of-mouth.
Soon, cardnews zooms on featured faces flooded in.
No vague cover-up; clear identities.
The duelists fighting live.
Doubt flipped to conviction, rage—instantly.
As public gaze shifted.
Their broadcast cut abruptly.
Signal jammer activated on island.
Public oblivious.
Pouring fuel on the fire.
Obvious culprits.
Targetless fury converged.
On the guild hiding filth, wielding broadcast cutoff power.
Hero Guild.
Thus, Hero Guild forcibly railed alongside psycho Kang Inhyeok.
Kim Gunja's track: endless plunge ahead.