Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Han River Bridge (3)
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Whether it was because my taunt with the raised sword worked, or if the hulking muscle monster was just hot-tempered to begin with, the massive brute made the first move.
"Groooaaar-!"
As it roared, a massive shockwave that seemed to shake the entire bridge crashed over us.
The eardrum-shattering noise made my head reel.
With that roar, it lumbered toward us with heavy thuds, swinging a gigantic fist our way.
The punch was fast, but the attack was far too straightforward.
Shun and I leaped lightly to the side in perfect unison, as if we'd planned it, effortlessly dodging the blow.
Where we'd been standing just a moment ago, its fist slammed down with a BOOM-!, cratering the asphalt like tofu and leaving a jagged scar.
Even grazing that thing would've shattered bones.
The instant it tried to pull its fist back, support fire kicked off from range.
"Now!"
A talisman flung by Bora and a red energy round from Hanbit's rifle hurtled toward the monster's face simultaneously.
The red bullet was aimed squarely at its eye. No matter how tough it was, its eyes couldn't be trained that hard.
Sensing the danger, the muscle monster dodged back with agility unbelievable for its size.
It barely evaded Hanbit's shot, but it overlooked one thing.
The talisman was much slower than the bullet, but once it locked on, it pursued relentlessly.
Flutter!
ZAP-CRACKLE-! The talisman finally stuck to its side, erupting in a blinding blue flash and unleashing a powerful bolt of lightning.
"Grraaaargh!"
The jolt was so intense that even the rock-hard muscle monster let out a agonized scream and staggered. Black smoke rose from its body. This was our chance. Shun and I charged without missing a beat. The stench of searing flesh wafted from the muscle monster, courtesy of Bora's devastating lightning talisman. Now it was our turn. As we closed in on the stunned beast, its colossal bulk and grotesquely swollen muscles felt all too real. Honestly, for a split second, I wondered if my fist could even dent that boulder of a body. But we weren't about to waste the golden opportunity Bora had created.
"I'll go first."
Mid-charge, Shun waved at me as if to say he was taking point, then latched onto the giant monster's leg without hesitation. David and Goliath. The size difference was straight out of that tale, but Shun grabbed one leg without a second thought. The fighter with a string of martial arts tournament wins turned his whole body into a lever, locking in a precise, powerful joint technique on the monster's leg. Since it had a humanoid form, the monster got caught perfectly in the hold.
"Krwar?"
Flailing its arms in panic from the unfamiliar agony, it was already too late. Its own massive weight amplified the joint lock's torment. The brute's enormous body lost balance, its knee buckling to the bridge first. THUD! "Now!"
Shun shouted, and I dropped into position. I instantly grasped his intent. He'd sacrificed his position to set me up for the perfect strike. Its head—that lofty skull—dropped right into punching range. To seize Shun's split-second opening, I focused every ounce of power into my right fist. Thud, thud! I stepped forward deliberately, driving my heels so hard the asphalt splintered. This was the opposite of holding back like before. With this one blow, I meant to end the grueling fight. I poured my full energy and strength into my right fist, compressing it all.
"Krwaaa-!"
Instinctively sensing danger, perhaps. The kneeling muscle monster crossed its arms in a final defense, shielding its head like a rock-hard barrier. But it was futile. Carrying my momentum, I thrust my left hand out first, ripping through its paper-thin guard like crumpling tissue. With its arms yanked down, its face was exposed. The terror that had haunted people was now terrified itself. Right at the center of that face. I unleashed my right fist with all my might, channeling every emotion into it. The moment my fist connected with its skull, the world went silent. KABOOOOOM!WHOOOOSH! A deafening explosion followed, whipping a storm-like gale across the bridge. My clothes flapped wildly, my fist throbbed. CRUNCH-! The monster's head exploded off my fist, rocketing like a cannonball. It smashed dead-on into the spherical meatball monster cowering behind, and both burst in a horrific spray, leaving no trace. The shockwave didn't end there. The headless torso couldn't withstand the impact either, skidding backward across the asphalt for a long stretch before finally halting.
"...Hah..."
Silence fell over the bridge. Panting raggedly, I slowly lowered my fist, still trailing smoke. True silence settled at last. As my boiling rage and adrenaline ebbed, I belatedly remembered Shun. Oh crap—he'd been right at the monster's feet. I whipped around in alarm, spotting him flattened on the bridge deck. Rushing over in shock, I was relieved to see him rising unharmed on his own. Brushing dust from his clothes, he explained he'd timed it perfectly, releasing the leg and rolling aside just as I swung.
"Almost got caught in your punch."
For once, he spoke crisp Korean.
"Could've died."
Shun glared at me.
"Sorry... I put more power into it than I meant to."
Embarrassed, I apologized. He stared at me and the corpse, then burst out laughing.
"Nice punch."
No sooner had he spoken than the thick fog trapping us began lifting like a lie. The hazy veil cleared, revealing Incheon's familiar nightscape and the police cars' flashing lights blocking the bridge entrance. The support team and police watching from afar realized it was over as the fog dissipated. They cheered "You did it!" and "Everyone okay?" while applauding and calling out to check on us. Feeling my extended fist still tingling, I gazed at the distant crowd cheering us on. The long subjugation mission had finally reached its end. After the Mapo Bridge chaos wrapped up and reports were filed, it was already late into the night. Dragging the physical exhaustion I hadn't felt since arriving in this world, I headed home. Strangely, though, my body ached with fatigue, yet my mind felt light as a feather. I'd been surviving on eggshells day by day, but this fight marked a shift. Now that I'd confronted my power head-on and accepted it fully, I felt confident—no more flailing in clumsy fear. Like I'd set down a massive burden from my heart, a profound calm washed over me.
"Grrr."
"Grooowl."
As I opened the front door, Leo and Daeho padded over oblivious to my mood, rubbing against my legs in greeting. Their warm presence melted my weary body and soul. Smiling, I reached to pet their heads—then did a double-take. A tiny, vivid yellow exclamation mark [!] hovered above Leo's head as he looked up at me.
"...?"
Not Shun, not Park Sunja—my housecat Leo had a sub-quest marker. I rubbed my eyes, thinking I'd imagined it, but the [!] persisted. What on earth did he want from me? Timing-wise, another quest sounded perfect. The main quest was days away, and Bora's sub-quest—perfecting her talismans—seemed far off. So Leo's marker was welcome. But— "...Leo, wanna share your troubles?"
"...Grr?"
Leo and I stared blankly at each other. No way he'd spill in fluent human speech. What the heck is your deal?