Shocking Display of Power: The Investigation Begins
-Baaaaang-!
Last Bullet
Consumes all currently loaded bullets to fire a single, overwhelmingly powerful shot.
Due to the Amplification effect, the power of Last Bullet has risen dramatically.
Receiving the Legendary-grade Gunner trait bonus, additional damage is applied.
The bullet, amplified by the Amplification effect and bolstered by the Legendary Gunner trait, erupted from the barrel with catastrophic force in the blink of an eye.
Just what... is that thing?
Yoo Hanbeom had operated the Artemis Guild, assembled labyrinth exploration teams, and witnessed countless gunners throughout his career. He had even seen those who reached the so-called limit of their class—the Epic grade. Yet he could declare with absolute certainty that he had never witnessed a bullet like the one before him now.
It wasn’t simply because of its raw power. Lee Hyunseung’s bullet radiated a sticky, repulsive aura that felt almost alive. It carried the same chilling energy that emanated from monsters—the foul presence known as demonic energy.
-Cracklecracklecrackle-!
The bullet he had fired possessed far greater power than anticipated. Even so, Lee Hyunseung was a man who had awakened only a few months ago. No matter that Yoo Hanbeom had restricted his C-grade magic to ten percent output, there was simply no way the boy could withstand the attack. That was what he had believed.
Is that bastard seriously planning to meet it head-on?
In truth, Yoo Hanbeom had fired the skill directly to observe how Lee Hyunseung would respond. Had the boy attempted to dodge, he would have adjusted the spell to slow its speed. Instead, Lee Hyunseung had chosen to clash with it directly.
Having just fired his gun, Lee Hyunseung’s feet, waist, and upper body were all locked in position. He stood completely exposed. If the bullet were pierced by the magic, he would take a direct hit from Yoo Hanbeom’s Lightning. Such an outcome could easily inflict a fatal wound.
Is he not afraid?
For the briefest instant, Lee Hyunseung didn’t even blink as he watched his own bullet fly forward. His eyes burned with absolute conviction—the certainty that he would destroy the incoming attack without fail.
An overwhelmingly disadvantageous gap in power. Just where did this young man’s confidence come from? Yoo Hanbeom found himself genuinely curious.
-Crackle-!
The Lightning, surging forward at terrifying speed, was now a hair’s breadth from colliding with Lee Hyunseung’s bullet. As an exceptional mage, Yoo Hanbeom could still adjust the power and velocity of his magic even after releasing it. He had been about to reduce the Lightning’s output below ten percent after seeing the boy’s reaction; he had no desire to inflict serious injury.
But the moment he saw the resolute look on Lee Hyunseung’s face, Yoo Hanbeom withdrew that intention.
And then—
-Piiiing-!
The instant the bullet and Lightning made contact, a blinding white light flooded the room. Immediately afterward—
-Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaang-!
-Rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble-!
A colossal explosion tore through the space, accompanied by violent tremors. Anyone unfamiliar with the situation might have mistaken it for an earthquake.
-Shhhhhhhhh-!
The blast filled the area with thick smoke, obscuring all vision.
Then—
-Paang-!
The bullet continued its flight, hurtling straight toward Yoo Hanbeom without losing momentum.
This is impossible...!
Yoo Hanbeom swiftly raised his left hand to block the incoming shot.
-Tiiiing-!
Because he had never imagined the bullet could pierce his magic, he had gathered only the barest trace of mana in his palm. Even that small amount proved sufficient to stop it.
His shock at the bullet penetrating the Lightning lasted only a moment. Something far more important remained.
Lee Hyunseung’s condition. What state was the boy in right now?
-Swoooosh-!
How did it turn out?
Yoo Hanbeom instantly cast a wind spell, dispersing the smoke in a single breath. A lone figure appeared before him.
“You must keep your promise.”
It was Lee Hyunseung. Not a single scratch marred his body. He stood exactly where he had been at the start, staring straight at Yoo Hanbeom.
Yoo Hanbeom could only stare in utter astonishment, speechless.
It didn’t merely defend against the attack—it completely pierced through.
The gunshot hadn’t simply scattered the Lightning or softened its impact. The spell had exploded and been annihilated. Magical annihilation only occurred when both attacks possessed nearly identical levels of power.
Moreover, after piercing the Lightning, the bullet had flown a considerable distance before reaching Yoo Hanbeom.
In other words, the ten-percent-power Lightning Yoo Hanbeom had used was roughly equal to the force of Lee Hyunseung’s attack.
No—it meant Lee Hyunseung’s attack had been slightly superior.
Only a few months since awakening... and he can already do this?
When Yoo Hanbeom himself had been a few months past his awakening, people had called him a genius. Yet even he knew he could not have blocked an attack of that caliber. No one could have. Not after mere months.
Yoo Hanbeom had been called the strongest for over a decade. He had never once neglected his training, constantly striving to climb higher. The realm he had reached after more than ten years of relentless effort—a genius in magic from the moment he awakened—had been matched by a boy who had only been active for a few months. Even though Yoo Hanbeom had only used a fraction of his power, the performance was beyond astonishing. It was downright shocking.
-Tremble-
Lee Hyunseung pretended to be fine, but he stared at his violently shaking arm.
The recoil is severe.
The B-rank Amplification skill temporarily boosted the power of all abilities at the cost of enormous mana consumption. But Lee Hyunseung did not currently possess sufficient mana. As a result, the technique had drained a considerable amount of mental strength along with it.
For reference, in Broad Academy Online, insufficient mana could be partially supplemented by mental power, but the system placed a direct burden on the body. Having used Last Bullet simultaneously, the strain on his body was naturally even greater.
His arm shook uncontrollably, yet Lee Hyunseung hid it as best he could and spoke to Yoo Hanbeom.
“I hope you won’t forget what you said about treating me appropriately.”
Yoo Hanbeom stared at him blankly for a moment, then broke into a grin.
“I promise. Lee Hyunseung, from now on I will treat you with the respect you deserve. You have proven through your own actions that your behavior stems from conviction, not bravado. The conviction of the strong is a pleasure simply to witness.”
His tone grew slightly gentler as he continued.
“Honestly, I am quite impressed by your ability. Tell me what you want. If you desire a sincere apology, I will give it. If you want an enormous sum of money, I will gladly provide it. And if you wish to become a member of the Artemis Guild, I have already prepared a seat for you. You may join whenever you wish.”
Lee Hyunseung pondered for a long time.
Asking for an apology or money right now would be idiotic. Telling him to kill Yoo Heeyeon or Kim Heera would be even more insane—I’d likely end up dead instead. Above all, Yoo Hanbeom is the person with the highest long-term value. I need to use the recognition I’ve earned right now to exploit him over the long term.
The influence and power Yoo Hanbeom wielded within the country were beyond imagination. He needed to turn this opportunity into something that would last.
Having finished his thoughts, Lee Hyunseung answered.
“What I want is...”
He stated his request concisely.
“What I want is for you to accurately determine the exact reason I was suspended from the academy. President Choi Yi-seul is not the type of person to impose punishment unilaterally without clear evidence. Please confirm whether external pressure was involved—using your authority.”
After listening, Yoo Hanbeom answered with a grave expression.
“Is that truly all you want? I can do many other things for you.”
“Yes. That is everything.”
“...Understood. I will handle the matter the moment I return.”
Yoo Hanbeom walked past Lee Hyunseung with heavy steps, then turned his head.
“I hope we can meet again someday. The internal injuries you sustained will heal completely once you drink the potion, so don’t worry. I’ll take my leave now—rest comfortably.”
With that, Yoo Hanbeom handed over a top-grade potion—one said to be worth its weight in gold, capable of reattaching even severed limbs—before stepping through the door of the meeting room and vanishing.
-Thud-
Lee Hyunseung collapsed to the floor. He let out a wry chuckle and muttered,
“What a monster... He already knew everything, huh.”
He had desperately tried to act completely fine, but it seemed Yoo Hanbeom had already seen through the extent of his internal injuries. Lee Hyunseung clicked his tongue and drank the potion he had been given.
Artemis Guild headquarters.
Yoo Hanbeom sat in his chair, recalling Lee Hyunseung’s request.
Though the boy had spoken indirectly, the quick-witted Yoo Hanbeom understood the true meaning at once.
Lee Hyunseung’s words had been this:
Personally confirm whether Yoo Heeyeon or Kim Heera were involved in the suspension I received.
Rather than vast wealth or power, it seemed the boy wanted something else. The issue was that Yoo Hanbeom could not precisely identify what that something was.
What a strange fellow. From the look in his eyes, he appeared to covet everything in the world.
He would have gladly handed over hundreds of millions—billions, even—if asked. He had even offered a position in the Artemis Guild, yet the boy had refused that as well.
The more I learn about him, the more curious he becomes.
It was then that the vice guild master spoke to Yoo Hanbeom in a worried tone.
“Guild Leader, forgive me for asking, but did something serious happen?”
Yoo Hanbeom looked at him with puzzled eyes.
“No. Why are you suddenly asking that?”
The man pointed at Yoo Hanbeom’s arm.
“There’s a scratch on your arm, sir. I was concerned. I’m glad it’s nothing serious.”
Yoo Hanbeom raised his arm and examined it closely. Sure enough, a faint scratch remained. It was so minuscule that one would miss it without careful inspection—a wound so fine that not even blood flowed. It was on his left hand. The same left hand that had blocked Lee Hyunseung’s strike in the meeting room.
“Puhahaha—!”
Yoo Hanbeom let out a chillingly loud laugh. Then he muttered to himself.
“A guy who awakened only a few months ago managed to scratch me? Even though I went easy on him, that’s a terrifying level of offensive power.”
He then considered one possibility.
What would happen if I fought him ten years from now? No... even two years from now?
Surprisingly, Yoo Hanbeom could not give a definite answer.
“And he’s even a simultaneous awakener... How very tempting...”
A top-class simultaneous awakener who possessed both combat ability and production capability. A person who knew how to handle those around him and acted according to his convictions. A man who might surpass even his own past self—Lee Hyunseung.
Yoo Hanbeom found himself curious about the path the boy would walk. Unlike his own past, in which he had gone astray by trampling over others, he wondered whether Lee Hyunseung’s method of gathering people through trust would produce a different result.
Before that, I must keep my promise.
Yoo Hanbeom spoke to the vice guild master.
“Investigate every instance in which Yoo Heeyeon and Kim Heera unfairly used the authority of Artemis in matters related to Lee Hyunseung. And make sure to relay this clearly to everyone.”
With an icy expression, he added,
“If even the slightest concealment occurs during the investigation, I will personally take responsibility and punish those responsible. Tell them not to do anything foolish.”