Chapter 48
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Precious Talents (2)
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The witch suddenly felt a twinge of unease.
"...That man from earlier is nagging at me."
The man in his lavish evening attire and mask had given off the flat, unremarkable vibe typical of the weak. He was on the level of some ordinary joe who'd never even bothered with basic training.
So she'd dismissed him at first as just a lost partygoer... but the more she chewed on it, the weirder the whole situation felt.
'The timing's too spot-on, isn't it?'
Right after she'd returned to the rendezvous point, the iron-masked watcher had spotted the guy. Maybe he'd been tailing them the whole time.
If so, why hadn't she noticed?
The man's presence was faint, sure, but getting tailed without a peep was a whole different issue. It wasn't easy for a plain civilian to shadow someone that stealthily.
"...That guy from earlier. He really that weak, right?"
She voiced the question carefully, and a prickly voice leaked out from beneath the man's iron mask.
"You doubting my Insight now?"
"N-no... just checking."
She'd poked the hornet's nest without meaning to, it seemed.
Insight—the eye that pierced to the truth.
The watcher took immense pride in his extraordinary gaze. Questioning it was a surefire way to set him off.
'Not sure if it's the real deal or not... but his eye's never been wrong before.'
Like always, it'd hold true this time too.
With that conclusion, the witch pressed her lips to the watcher's nape. His hands roamed her body in response, and the pair naturally drifted deeper into the building.
...KABOOM!!
A sudden explosion rocked the alleyway. The witch furrowed her brow at the sound.
"What was that? That was way too loud."
"Did the Church Alliance catch our scent?"
"Nah... all the Holy Knights are at the banquet hall. I checked myself."
Something felt off, though.
As that thought crossed her mind...
Gleaming predatory eyes flashed from the shadows of the back alley. A man stepped out. Flashy evening wear and mask. Crimson blood splattered across his body.
The eyes beneath the mask scanned the surroundings once. Woojin smiled at his prey.
"...Who the hell are you?"
The witch demanded. The question stirred a sense of déjà vu. It was the exact same thing Woojin had hammered into someone just days ago.
What'd that bastard say in response again?
Shh, swish.
Woojin moved his hands in a trance-like gesture, like he was signing.
Understanding the signal, the witch hurled a dagger. Woojin dodged with quick steps and continued his hand signs.
Kieeeeng—!
Woojin's palms glowed red. Scarlet spheres of light shot out next. The witch flung herself sideways at the sight.
BOOM!!
The missed scorching orb slammed into the building behind the enemies. No direct hit—not ideal, but no big deal. He'd never expected it to actually tag the witch anyway.
Just a little hello.
"...Enoch?"
The witch ventured the name cautiously. It was easy to mix up. The mask hid the upper half of Woojin's face.
Might as well ask what was on his mind now.
"Daisy. Why'd you throw me away like trash?"
"Misunderstanding, Enoch. Think about it... would I ever do something that rotten to you?"
She spoke in the coaxing tone of a mother scolding a child. Woojin paused, then shot back.
"You're a bitch."
"...You've gotten smarter since we last met."
Shing—
The witch drew two daggers from her robe's sleeve. Her companions stepped forward too. The bandage-wrapped man on her arm, and the iron mask clenching his fists, glaring this way.
Whoosh!
Dark crimson energy coiled around the iron mask's fists. Woojin felt a spark of curiosity.
'This guy's vibe... kinda like Bow's.'
What was his deal?
No point asking—he wouldn't spill. Time to find out up close. Woojin gestured in the air again, prepping a new spell.
The Dark Cultists weren't about to sit idle, of course. The iron mask closed the gap in a flash and swung with all his might.
Woojin halted his gestures and met the punch with his open right palm.
BAM!!
The drum-like boom sent the iron mask flying back. As he tumbled, the bandaged man lunged to fill the gap, thrusting his hand out. A long scar ran across his palm up to the wrist.
Crack—
The scar split his arm wide open. Inside writhed a long tongue lined with razor teeth—like an alligator's maw.
'Freaky talent he's got.'
Woojin ducked the bite, then drove a fist into the guy's gut.
But there was a mouth there too. His abdomen split top to bottom, and a fang-filled trap snapped shut on Woojin's right arm.
His arm pinned, Woojin's ears rang with the witch's sultry laugh.
"Hahaha—! Die!!"
The witch kicked off the ground, daggers aimed like viper fangs. Woojin tensed his wrist in response.
Suddenly, the bandaged man's body jerked upward. Legs flailing in the air. His expression was priceless.
Woojin swung his arm, slamming the airborne witch into the man with full force.
THUD!!
The two bodies collided hard, tumbling across the dirt.
Woojin watched the spectacle, shaking the thick saliva from his hand.
Sizzle...
The droplets hitting the ground bubbled corrosively. Good thing he'd armored his skin with scales beforehand.
'This'll be an easy win.'
It wasn't just Woojin thinking that.
While his two minions bought time, the iron mask enveloped himself in red aura. The murderous intent scorched the air, sending heat haze rippling everywhere.
'Alright... time to step it up.'
Woojin sized up his foe. The guy's body looked engulfed in crimson flames.
Bang!
The iron mask exploded forward. Power and speed amplified. A barrage too fast to track hammered down.
Fists and kicks left bloody afterimages whipping through the air like burning lashes. It felt like getting swarmed and beaten by a mob.
...Nothing special.
'Similar to Bow's techniques.'
Bow had held back during spars, but raw power-wise, the iron mask edged him out. Execution was sloppier, though.
Insight-like eyes, martial prowess.
A sloppy knockoff of Bow overall. It might've thrown him off at first glance, but he'd sparred with the real deal plenty.
Woojin dodged and parried leisurely, then tossed out a casual question.
"You related to Bow somehow?"
"..."
Caught off guard? The iron mask showed a split-second opening. Woojin capitalized with a full-power haymaker.
KABOOM!!
The blast hurled him far away. He'd instinctively crossed his arms at the last second, avoiding fatal damage.
Woojin clicked his tongue.
'As expected... a cut above the others.'
Reflexes and movement were sharp. But blocking that hit left his left arm dangling limp and mangled.
'Broke his arm on the block.'
Time to finish it.
Woojin advanced. The witch and bandaged man rushed from both sides.
'...Getting real tired of this tag-team crap.'
Not a fighting game... they kept swapping to buy breathers.
'Just come at me one-on-one.'
He turned irritably. The witch flinched at eye contact and halted, hurling her dagger instead.
Thwack!
Woojin snatched the hilt mid-flight. The oblivious bandaged man charged. Scars split open, revealing vicious mouths.
The dagger in Woojin's grip spun. He gripped it hammer-style, point down, and smashed the pommel into the man's forehead.
Crack!!
The man flopped down. A dagger hilt sprouted from his brow like a seedling.
Two left.
'Now for the iron mask.'
As he moved...
Whip—
Something coiled around his ankle.
The dead man's gut-mouth had lashed out its tongue. Even lifeless, the mouths clung on.
They bellowed in chorus.
"Es—cape—!!"
Roaring, the corpse lunged. His body unfurled like a blanket, forming one massive maw. Dozens of tongues inside wrapped Woojin up.
'What kinda bullshit ability is this...'
Startled, Woojin ripped free of the relentless tongues with brute force.
But they were anemone-thick in number. Half his body was already swallowed. His footing was shot.
The iron mask and witch exchanged glances.
Tat!
They bolted in opposite directions. Woojin sighed in annoyance.
'Thought it was going smooth for once.'
Finish quick and pursue. He shoved himself deeper into the maw instead. Tiny mouths yammered nonstop.
"Let—them—go!"
"Mercy—please!"
Dead guy had a lot of demands.
Crackle!!
"Gaaahh!!"
Woojin's palms erupted in red lightning. The mouths shrieked as they fried, then fell silent.
Free at last.
'Witch first.'
Iron mask was stronger physically, but her shapeshifting posed the real threat down the line.
...Bang!
Something burst nearby. Fireworks from the banquet hall. Mages' flares lit the night sky.
Under that glow, Woojin raced on, senses hunting traces of his prey.
She entered his sight soon enough.
"...Eek!"
Sensing the chill, she glanced back—straight into Woojin's eyes. Terror-stricken, the witch accelerated.
'Why's he chasing me?!!'
She'd assumed he'd tail the iron mask. Bad call. Death loomed if this kept up.
'...Gotta gamble.'
Crunch, cruuunch—
Her body twisted grotesquely. She morphed into a sleek black panther beast.
The panther leaped onto rooftops, bounding between buildings like flight. Woojin was impressed.
'Not just people, huh.'
First time seeing this trick.
Mouse for stealth or bird to fly would've been smarter. The restraint meant limits.
'Can I end this quick?'
Had to, for the iron mask too. He pursued onto the roofs.
Bang! Boom boom—!
Higher up, the fireworks dazzled brighter.
There, the black panther stood amid the lights, staring down.
"Grrrr..."
No retreat—instead, baring fangs. Raw savagery poured out. Woojin spotted the flaw.
'...The beast's power consumed her.'
The feral predator had devoured the witch.