Make a Miracle Happen
Before Kim Jeongha approached Parachao Pavilion, Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol lay prone in the bushes, holding his breath. Sasaki Kasumi had hidden herself somewhere nearby as well. The two of them stared toward the house, recalling the words they'd exchanged with Kim Jeongha.
"When I give the signal, attack immediately. Wait until then."
"Who's over there that you're being so cautious?"
"The fairy who effectively rules this fairy village."
"Pardon? If what you're saying is true, Senior, is it even possible to beat something like that? A fairy has to be an immortal, right?"
Kim Jeongha had chuckled then and added an explanation.
"It's called a ga-sin—a false body. She's an immortal, sure, but it's just a fake vessel infused with a personality. Do you really think a true immortal would show up as an enemy on something like Floor 15?"
That was right. The legendary Iron Fan Fairy from the tales was nothing but a fake.
"Even so, since they've infused it with the Iron Fan Fairy's actual personality... we can't let our guard down."
"Does that mean the real Iron Fan Fairy exists somewhere separately?"
"Probably."
Kim Jeongha's final answer had carried a tone even he himself wasn't fully certain of.
Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol tried to reason it out for himself.
'Maybe the shareholder who invested in this Floor 15 is the Iron Fan Fairy.'
He knew what the branch director had said during training. Kasumi did too.
'Which means those shareholders... are entities we absolutely can't take lightly.'
Once their thoughts reached that point, the two of them simultaneously had the same question.
'Then why are the shareholders creating stages like this?'
It was something they couldn't know right now. But they could guess the way to find out.
'In the end, the only way is to keep descending these stages.'
That was the task given to them—and the only thing they could do.
'Shake off stray thoughts. Focus on the mission now.'
With that, they turned their attention back to Parachao Pavilion.
"Hoo..."
After a quiet deep breath, he checked the Gift he possessed. It was a habit before sniping someone.
Marksman of Demonic Bullets (A)
Marksman of Demonic Bullets (A): The seventh bullet fired tracks its target as a ma-tan—a demonic bullet.
A ma-tan that pursued enemies on its own. In simple terms, a guided missile.
'The activation condition is a bit tricky.'
It only applied to the seventh bullet fired. That's why he used to have the habit of pre-firing six rounds to ensure a ma-tan was chambered for the salvo.
'Back in the day.'
When he first got the Gift. But eventually, he realized it.
Pre-firing six shots every time just to guarantee a ma-tan wasn't efficient at all. After gaining tons of real combat experience and making that judgment, he dropped the habit. From then on, he just kept track of which bullet was next. He honed his adaptability to situations and his nanomachine utilization skills.
It was right at that moment when Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol pressed his eye to the sniper rifle's scope.
"Gaaahhh!"
"...!"
Lee Jun-yeol's eyes began to glow more intensely than ever.
'Would've been better with a pistol.'
Then he could have fully unleashed his Gift's power. But it was a minor issue.
Switching to Sniper Mode. Calculating target's movements and ballistics to display optimal aiming position.
The supercomputers numbering in the thousands embedded in his body served as the perfect spotter.
Soon, his brightly glowing eyes locked onto the target.
'A fairy that pretty is a rakshasa. The end times, huh.'
Of course, he didn't hesitate to pull the trigger. Compared to the horrors of the wars he'd fought, this was nothing.
He was just curious if even an immortal could dodge or block a bullet. Even if it was just a ga-sin.
At last, Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol pulled the trigger.
Taaaaang!
* * *
"Yah!"
Craaang!
The blade infused with Peak-level internal energy clashed against the Iron Fan Fairy's iron fan.
Flash!
The domineering blade sparked flames at the point of contact and pushed back the slender woman. Just one step, but that was enough. Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol would have her in his sights by now.
Soon, a heavy gunshot echoed.
Taaaaang!
"Hup!"
The Iron Fan Fairy immediately swung her iron fan wide to the right.
Whiiiiiing—!
A fierce gust of wind rushed in. The bullet struck by the gale veered wildly off course. It wasn't dodged or blocked—it was deflected by the wind. That was the Iron Fan Fairy's way.
Soon, the bullet from Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol pierced right through Parachao Pavilion's roof.
Splaaat!
Tiles shattered into pieces that scattered into the air. Getting hit by that would've spelled doom even for a country.
I was fighting the Iron Fan Fairy for the first time too. I considered pulling out the Feather Fan for a moment but decided against it. She could whip up gales like that with just her iron fan alone. No way a sorcery newbie like me waving the Feather Fan was going to produce a counter-wind.
So there was only one answer. Push forward with what I was best at!
Sssslip.
Dark Illusion Heavenly God Style: Flying Butterfly Stinging Bee Blade.
Along with my comrades, that is. Kasumi, who had closed in unnoticed, slashed down with her short sword.
Whish!
The Iron Fan Fairy swung her iron fan again, stirring up wind. Kasumi's short sword, which had seemed ready to bisect her, halted in midair.
"You filthy humans pulling parlor tricks!"
She rapidly fanned wind bullets in succession toward the fleeing Kasumi.
Taaaaang!
I pressed the Iron Fan Fairy in the gap, receiving sniper support from Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol. Exchanges flew back and forth several times. I was starting to get winded. As expected, it wasn't easy.
Of course, the Iron Fan Fairy couldn't handle us easily either. Her realm seemed like a solid Peak expert among martial artists.
The fight reached a brief lull.
Then the Iron Fan Fairy pointed her iron fan at me with a voice thick with fury.
"You bastard! You knew my true nature and still dared to stab me in the back?!"
"If the first impression had been better, I might've thought twice."
"Fine. I'll retract my promise to chew up your heart. I'll chew up your whole body instead!"
Whiiiiiing!
Taaaaang!
Claaang!
Craaaaaang!
Blades and bullets flew in from three directions. She wrapped her body in a whirlwind, deflecting every attack. When her turn came, she unleashed razor-sharp winds and wind bullets nonstop.
That's when I sensed something off. Her level was definitely Peak. How could she pour out such monstrous sorcery without a hint of fatigue? Was the internal energy gap between me and a true Peak really this vast?
I channeled internal energy into my blade to clash again. It was at that moment, feeling the energy drain from my dantian.
Lightning flashed through my mind.
"...I see. It's the efficiency of internal energy."
It was a realization thanks to the effects of my [Military Factory Manager Suit Set].
Zhuque responded to my words as if in agreement.
—Hmm. Even as a ga-sin, if she retains the enlightenment of an immortal, her sorcery efficiency would be on another level compared to mortals. Master.
I looked at the Iron Fan Fairy again. They say you see more once you know more. Her presence hit me even harder now.
"Right..."
If she was the boss of a hidden stage, this difficulty made sense. Still, I didn't feel intimidated. There was none of the overwhelming pressure I'd felt facing Lubrid in the Vampyre's Castle.
An enemy with overwhelmingly superior skill. An enemy with comparable skill but vastly superior stamina. Which was more winnable was obvious.
If this dragged into a war of attrition, we'd be at a disadvantage. I'd have to borrow Zhuque's power and go all out.
Her sorcery was the perfect counter to mine, which was why I'd hesitated until now.
Soon, my sword blade began to glow vermilion.
I glanced at the bushes. A hand rose above the foliage, flashing an OK sign.
Seeing that, I decided to trust the solution I'd come up with.
"Zhuque. Full power!"
—Got it, Master!
Thump!
Fierce fiery energy instantly overwhelmed my entire internal energy. It was the moment the fourth star of the Southern Seven Mansions, the Left of Star, awakened.
Fwoooosh!
It felt like flames enveloped my whole body. The Iron Fan Fairy's eyes widened like saucers, as if she'd grasped the potential of this power.
"A, a mere human with such divine power...? Wh-what... how could this...?"
She looked utterly unable to believe it. I understood the feeling. The power surprised even me.
"Barrier."
Hummm!
The time I could hold the fourth star's barrier wasn't long. I'd pour everything into that window.
I rose into the sky, dyeing everything red, blanketed in flames. Southern Seven Mansions, Zhuque Chapter, Fourth Star: Left of Star—Scorching Hell.
Fwoooosh!
Flames engulfed Parachao Pavilion in an instant. Those flames now surged toward the Iron Fan Fairy.
* * *
The Iron Fan Fairy's face twisted in shock.
'That is... the sun...?'
It was a metaphor, but not really. A red spherical aura surrounded it, spewing heat from the center that would incinerate everything. If that wasn't the sun, what was?
Kim Jeongha had merely unleashed the fourth star's power from Zhuque and erected a barrier, but to the Iron Fan Fairy, it looked like that. It had to.
She knew this power all too well.
'The qi of a divine beast born from a great bloodline... How, how could a mere human...? No, no way. It can't be.'
She barely suppressed the trembling awe overtaking her body. The employees were frozen too.
'Even in vision protection mode, it's hard to keep my eyes open.'
Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol pulled away from the scope.
'Such intense heat... I challenged a man like that?'
Kasumi gazed at Kim Jeongha—who had defeated her—with eyes full of profound awe.
'Damn, I can't see shit.'
Kim Hansu rubbed his eyes. How he'd ended up here was simple.
'Thought it was some wild beast hunt.'
Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol's gunshots had echoed across the whole mountain. He'd figured it was some fun game.
"Didn't expect an even more entertaining one. Heh heh heh."
He didn't know the exact identity of the woman fighting Kim Jeongha, but she was definitely an enemy.
Kim Hansu cupped his hands around his mouth.
"Hey, Jeongha hyung! Let's crank up the heat!"
He shouted, then raised a hand and snapped his fingers. Next, he flashed another OK sign. As if signaling Kim Jeongha.
With the vermilion barrier around him, Kim Jeongha might not even see it.
'If he gets it, great. If not, whatever.'
He didn't want to overthink it.
'Just gotta see how it plays out.'
At that instant, an enormous flame erupted from the mini-sun like an explosion.
"You still don't understand you can't defeat me?!"
As Kim Jeongha attacked, the Iron Fan Fairy hastily regained her composure and fanned her iron fan again.
'This ends it!'
She'd redirect the flames right back, scorching him to the bone. A perfect end for a brat who couldn't even handle his own power.
Whiiiiiing!
The fierce gale met the flames, sending the fire demon—now at least twice its size from the unexpected wind—straight back at Kim Jeongha.
The Iron Fan Fairy smirked in victory.
"Unless a miracle happens, this is the obvious outcome."
At that moment, Kim Hansu stood up.
"Then I'll make that miracle happen."
Snap!
A blue space spread from Kim Hansu, expanding rapidly.
He muttered softly.
"Reverse Gate."
The fire demon heading back toward Kim Jeongha suddenly reversed course again.
"Wh-what?!"
The Iron Fan Fairy poured out all her remaining sorcery to whip up wind. Yet the fire demon didn't budge.
'Am I... really going to burn to death like this...?'
No. There was still a chance.
'The Awakening Orb he gave me!'
If she swallowed that, she could amplify the fire demon even further and burn him instead!
As she hurriedly brought the Awakening Orb to her mouth—
"Not happening."
Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol tensed his index finger on the trigger. No need to look through the scope.
Gift activation conditions met.
Ma-tan chambered.
Please designate target.
Taang!
The bullet he fired was a ma-tan. The target: the Iron Fan Fairy's arm.
Shiiiing—!
Splooch!
"Gaaahhh!!"
The Iron Fan Fairy's left arm flew into the air, spraying chunks of flesh, blood, and the [Awakening Orb].
"No. No. No! Impossible! This can't be!!"
The beautiful rakshasa woman's face began to contort. She reflexively thrust out her right hand clutching the iron fan, but it melted away helplessly before the oncoming fire demon.
Soon, the fire demon engulfed her entire body.
At its center, a faint silhouette appeared. The tip of a glowing red sword pierced the rakshasa woman's chest.
Squelch!
"Gaaaaahhh! And now... when so little time remains...!"
The employees watching her end all stared at the empty air right in front of them.