Chapter 160
Chapter 160
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: Actions from the Past (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“That’s it, huh?”
“…Is that all?”
I poured my heart into it, but Suhyun’s reaction was lukewarm. He just sat there, his expression unchanging.
“I get it. You want to become a mage. But you’re not trying to convince me with that alone, are you? There are tons of superpowered folks dying to become mages. Give me some time, and I could round up a horde of them with even more desperate reasons. And above all, Jack—mages aren’t something you become just because you want to. Whether it’s dark elf secret arts or not, that doesn’t change.”
“We’ll see once I try.”
“I’m a mage, and you’re a superpowered user. I’d say I know more about awakening as a mage.”
Jack’s thick lips twitched. Lately, no one had spoken to him with such arrogance.
“You saying I’m not qualified?”
“Qualified? Jack, do people become superpowered because they’re qualified for it?”
“…No.”
“Then it’s the same for mages. It’s the exact same deal—why are you being so irrational just about mages?”
During the conversation, Suhyun made up his mind. It was a shame, but he decided not to scam Jack.
He’d originally wanted someone who wouldn’t cause backlash even if scammed—like those Chinese guys. But the American side was too risky. Suhyun chose not to stir up the hornet’s nest. He didn’t need to right now, and he already had plenty to deal with without making new problems.
“It’s worth it.”
“Then come back when you’re a bit more rational. I’m heading out.”
“I’m not done talking! For some reason, you’re downplaying that secret art’s effects, but I know for a fact it works somehow. It might not turn me into a mage, but it could supercharge a superpowered user like me.”
“?”
Suhyun paused mid-rise, puzzled by the sudden claim.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re not gonna say you don’t know our side’s superpowered users. Kim Chang-sik!”
“I know Kim Chang-sik. But why’s he coming up here?”
“Don’t play dumb! You know exactly what I mean! Sure, you’re a mage, but Kim Chang-sik’s powers are blatantly off the charts. You’re not gonna call it a coincidence that a guy on his level is in your team!”
Jack’s superpower was fire-based. It was relatively common, but making a name with it proved his skill.
“Ah…….”
He must’ve heard fragments about Kim Chang-sik using fake flames. If he’d seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t misunderstand like this. A master fire-user wouldn’t miss it.
But right now, Jack was dead certain Kim Chang-sik had gained that insane power through some secret method.
‘He’d die of embarrassment if he knew the truth.’
“Sorry, but that’s a coincidence too.”
“Bullshit! Eclipse or the secret art—pick one!”
“You a kid?”
Suhyun muttered pityingly as Jack stood, blocking the door with his massive frame. His artifact-laden fingers splayed out imposingly. Any other superpowered user would’ve been intimidated.
But Suhyun wasn’t the type to flinch.
“I came to talk, not to get jumped. Move, or I won’t hold back.”
“You think you can beat me? You know my name.”
“If a mage can’t beat a superpowered user, I should quit. Jack, you wouldn’t get it since you’re not a mage, but there are things you only understand once you step into this realm. Pretending to be tough in the superpowered world just looks pathetic.”
Sweat trickled down Jack’s back. He’d talked big, but his mind was a mess. Was Suhyun right? Even if not, could he win?
He’d never doubted himself against other superpowered users. His flames were the ultimate spear and shield, having felled countless monsters and users. And his artifacts? Each one fetched a fortune.
‘Back off? Or fight?’
Curiosity about mages, worry over complications—thoughts raced through his head.
Thud—
“?!”
The moment he thought to extend his arm, Jack’s thick wrist twisted impossibly. Seeing the grotesque angle, pain hit late.
“Gaaah!”
“Oh, sorry. Thought you were attacking first.”
Jack had moved unconsciously at a sound below; Suhyun, prepared, pierced his guard with telekinesis and snapped the arm.
The pain was bad, but losing first strike hit harder mentally.
“No… way…….”
“I’ll heal you.”
“I can do it!”
Green light flashed, restoring his arm. He had a healing artifact.
“Again!”
“Enough now.”
“Why!”
“Second time, I won’t hold back—I’d kill you. Even if you struck first, offing an Eclipse member here would be a hassle to clean up.”
Jack felt doused in ice water. His heated head cleared. He stepped back.
‘But you’re assuming I die?’
“Fine…… yeah.”
“No more Mr. Nice Guy? Temper showing your true colors?”
“That’s what I show when I’m having fun.”
Jack rubbed his face. The talk with Suhyun had heated him up, revealing his real self. He wasn’t usually this uncontrolled……
“By the way, did you hear something just now?”
“Hear what?”
“We don’t get sounds like that in a hotel like this.”
Suhyun opened the door. Outside, Luiril and Howard sat at a table, turning as he emerged.
“Talk over?”
“No trouble?”
“Trouble?”
As he spoke, the elevator at the hall’s end dinged open. Suhyun instinctively sensed what was coming.
Crack!
Armed masked assailants poured out. Latest guns ready, they shredded under Suhyun’s strike.
“Not just two……”
The last one collapsed without finishing. Hearing it, Suhyun realized the target.
‘Not me—they’re after him. I’m the wildcard.’
“Boss! Get back!”
“Me? Retreat? Howard, you drunk? Huh?!”
“Superpower jammer’s on! Powers won’t activate!”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Jack cracked his thick neck and advanced. Bloodied elevator ignored, armed men rushed from the stairwell beside, guns trained.
Whoosh!
From hall to stairs, thick flames swept without gap. Overwhelming heat. Jack spat, charging stairs fist-first.
“You think a jammer kills me?!”
One assailant smashed through the wall like hammer-hit, airborne. Artifact use, clearly.
‘What the?’
Suhyun watched from behind, intrigued. As a mage, unaffected by the jammer. But Jack was superpowered, strong or not.
“Jammer working?!”
“It’s… on, but…….”
“Die, you bastards!”
Bullets melted on Jack’s flame barrier; grazes ignited them. True offense-defense unity.
* * *
The rumble below was a security-bypassing explosion. But the tight assault ended fast—leaders wiped out. Amid frantic calls, Suhyun asked Jack.
“Someone you brought?”
“Probably.”
“Surprising. Thought American superpowered users stayed clear of this.”
“At our level, no enemies would be weirder. They saw me solo without Eclipse backup and thought opportunity. Idiots. Should’ve checked who I was meeting.”
“Anyway, how’d you use powers?”
Jack grinned. First edge over Suhyun today. Suhyun saw through it.
“Trying to trade on that? Skip if you don’t wanna say.”
“…As apology for today. This.”
Jack pulled a small cylindrical device, tossing and catching it.
“What is it?”
“Jammer jammer. China’s superpower jammer shocked us, but we weren’t sitting ducks. Prototype. Short time, near single-use—but enough to kill and then some.”
“…!”
Suhyun’s eyes flickered. A counter to superpower nullifiers.
‘Even in my time, this wasn’t commercialized. What? US limited use? Or the future…….’
“This info pays for my screw-up today.”
“That? Gimme the prototype at least.”
“Greedy. You’re not serious.”
“Fine, forget it. You got hurt, not me.”
“…Whatever you’re scheming with that dark elf secret art, don’t overprice it. No secret lasts forever. It could leak anytime.”
‘Not likely.’
“If selling, now’s the time. Hate to say it, but few pay more than Eclipse.”
“Charles too?”
“Ugh.”
Jack winced, continuing.
“He’s no explorer. He’ll pay well, but not as desperately as us since he’s not superpowered. …Probably.”
“Whatever. Wasn’t planning to sell to him anyway.”
“Change your mind, call this. Or join Eclipse—also fine.”
Situation cleared, Jack vanished with arriving US agents. Luiril muttered at his back.
“Like a storm.”
“Yeah, we’ll meet again. Things got messy. Didn’t bite the bait, bit the wrong guy…….”
Mask off, he’d taken a beating from Suhyun, but skill and drive were real. A top superpowered user clawing for breakthroughs meant Cameron expeditions were rough.
“Wonder who hates US superpowered enough. Hard to guess.”
“Chinese agents?”
“Nah, not their style. Their ops are different. Plenty shady groups on Cameron—tough to pin.”
Suhyun shook his head. Known facts twisting, new foes emerging. Unrivaled among humans, yet still short.
Seeing a rushing Development Planning official, Suhyun resolved to finish the dark elves’ elixir ASAP. Secret art was fake, but his elixir was real.
‘To boost time powers, need elixir— but to make it, need boosted time powers. Damn irony.’
“Let’s head back. Gotta check.”
“That device earlier—you wanted it?”
“One’d be nice…… Wait, you didn’t.”
Luiril magicked it between fingers.
“Few more in the bag. Security was lax. Put back?”
“…Speak up if you want something.”
She grinned, linking his arm.
“You’re so reasonable—I love it.”
“You never listen—that’s the problem.”
161